Finally... at long last... I can tell you the news. Something I've been dying to spill for months now. Something that only a few close friends and loved ones have known about. Something that's been eating away at my very soul. (Okay, maybe just making a light snack of my soul.)This November, I'll be making my Marvel Comics debut with a one-shot issue of Moon Knight called "Date Night."
For you non-fanboys, a "one-shot" is a a stand-alone, self-contained story. (Also, for you non-fanboys, that over there to the left is Moon Knight hisownself, illustrated by Dave Wilkins.)
This has been in the works for quite a while; I was sworn to secrecy by Axel Alonso, my Marvel editor. But holy fucking shit have I've been dying to blog about this. I've been a rabid comics fan since I was old enough to read, and even more so in recent years when I've been able to afford a weekly comics run. When Charlie Huston made his Moon Knight debut, I was both thrilled and jealous as hell. Thrilled, because I've been reading Moon Knight since I was 10, and I'm a huge Huston fan. Jealous... well, because I've always wanted to write comics, too. Even before I dreamed of writing novels.
That I broke into Marvel is completely thanks to Ed Bruabker, whose kick-ass Criminal I've talked about before. I pretty much owe Ed the kidney of his choice when the time comes.
Anyway, Moon Knight Annual #1 is out in November, and I have more in the Marvel pipeline. I'll tell you more in the coming weeks. But for now, just consider me a silly happy bastard. It's not often a 25-year-old dream comes true.
(*The term "nerdery" courtesy Jon Cavalier.)
My grandfather worked for years at Curtis Circulation Company, and many, many times brought my brother and me comics to read. It's been a long time since I read a comic not part of a newspaper print. I will have to look this one up. Congrats Duane. Tim T.
ReplyDeleteA-W-E-S-O-M-E
ReplyDeleteAwesome, Awesome, Awesome are you.
*Yawn*
ReplyDeleteWake me when they let you do IRON MAN.
(Kidding. Big congrats on breaking into the "funny pages".)
Frikkin' SWEET, dude. Good on yer!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Duane.
ReplyDeleteAre you implying that I may be a nerd?
ReplyDeleteCongrats anyway on fulfilling another dream fanboy turned writer!
holy mother-effin' awesome, dude! i loved Moon Knight as a child, and i will definitely be checking that out. big congrats, Duane!
ReplyDeleteOkay, now I'm thrilled and frickin' jealous. Big congrats man. As both a comic book nerd and a Swierczynski fan, I can’t wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Leblanc - the comic world is a much better place with your presence.
ReplyDeleteInsanely jealous. And AWESOME.
ReplyDeleteThanks, guys.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Jon, I think it's a fairly safe bet that we are nerds.
Swierczy World Domination Plan, Phase II. Oh you lucky bastard. NOW I know why you'll be in San Diego for the Comic Con next year. All the signs were there -- how could I have missed it?
ReplyDeleteI have a huge nerdy boner.
ReplyDeleteCool!
ReplyDeleteway awesome!!
ReplyDeleteEven I am impressed.
ReplyDeleteI should point out that Jon Jordan called this, at last year's Bouchercon. He led a panel discussion about crime novelists who write comics (featuring Max Allan Collins, Gary Phillips, Denise Mina and David Morrell) and at one point, Jon singled me out in the audience and said I'd be doing comics sooner or later.
ReplyDeleteThe lesson: Whatever Jon says will come to pass.
OH MY GOSH!!!!!
ReplyDeletethis is uneffingbelievable.
I'm so proud of you! HOW EXCITING!
My BFF.
That's great news, Duane. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteDamn. Double Damn. I am ridiculously jealous.
ReplyDeleteTry not to run it into the ground, alright?
Many, many congrats, dude.
Thanks, Jeff. But I should clarify: this is only one issue. (The other stuff I have in the pipeline are for other characters.) So one issue isn't really enough to run it into the ground. Though with me, you never know.
ReplyDeleteCool and Congrats!
ReplyDeleteSee, I was thinking one issue was totally enough for you to run it into the ground.
ReplyDeleteDon't underestimate yourself, man.
w00t! That's awesome news. I really enjoyed the Blonde. And am looking forward to seeing your work at Marvel.
ReplyDeleteIt's cool to see Axel Alonso continues to think outside the box--he wanted a limited series about zombies for Vertigo by my friend, Bob Fingerman, who was known more for small independent comics, but, the higher ups didn't. Interestingly, Bob has now shifted from comics to novels (his first, Bottomfeeder, recently came out), but, I do wonder if we'll see this kind of thing more and more with novelists writing for comics. I remember being pleasantly surprised when I saw the hard-boiled sci-fi writer, Richard K. Morgan, was doing Black Widow for Marvel. Congratulations, Duane. This is very, very exciting! I'll have to swing by Forbidden Planet when it comes out. I liked Moon Knight when Bill Sienkiewicz used to draw it; if the two of you paired up, that'd be quite the byline.
ReplyDeleteSienkiewicz and Swierczynski?
ReplyDeleteMost fans boys would not be able to pronounce both and their heads would explode.
I met Bill briefly in Chicago and he's a very cool cat.
By the way Duane, need to talk to you about something we have planned for the wrap up of 100 Bullets next year.
And yes, I am a nerd fanboy
Way freaking cool, congrats. But I'm still totally waiting for Duane to put his mark on Archie Comics.
ReplyDeleteBryon: Stayed tuned for JUGHEAD WAR JOURNAL #1.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a comics version of The Blonde starring the Archie gang?
ReplyDeleteNow that is great news, Duane. I remember how proud I was when I had a letter published in Swamp Thing. Bit to write a whole story - sweeeet! Congrats.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Grant