Jan ‘25 Newsletter: what I’m working on this year
Plus, a big update on our Killtopia sequel!
Hey everyone, Dave here. I hope the first few weeks of the year have been good to you!
I thought I’d use my first newsletter of 2025 to talk more about the writing projects I have lined up for this year, and a few updates on Killtopia: Phantoms and other things.
As always, if you’d like to follow my socials for regular updates, video game stuff and new art drops, you can get me at:
1. Killtopia: Nano Jams is on general sale NOW!
Following our huge Kickstarter last year, our first Killtopia anthology is now available on general sale through my online store.
I also spoke with The Beat recently about Nano Jams - how it was made, my experience of curating the book, working with so many awesome people and a little insight into what comes next for the world of Killtopia.
Nano Jams is a 100+ page short story collection made by over 50 contributors. It’s set in the world of my award-winning comic series, Killtopia, and features over 20 stories about how today’s media technology could evolve in the warped cyberpunk city of Neo Tokyo.
It features lots of well-established and new comic talent, including Skylar Patridge, Liana Kangas, Gustaffo Vargas, Alex Moore, Steve Gregson, Scott Bryan Wilson, Stipan Morian, Yishan Li, Kim Hu and many more.
Did you back Killtopia: Nano Jams? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment - good or bad! Thanks :)
2. Killtopia: Phantoms production update
Following on from my December newsletter, I managed to break through the writer’s block a little to hammer out the first ten pages of Killtopia: Phantoms #3. I’m really happy with how it’s coming together now, but I’m taking my time as I want it to live up the impact of the first story arc.
If you haven’t heard of Phantoms before, it’s the direct sequel to my comic series Killtopia, which was collected by publisher Titan Comics late last year. If you haven’t got a copy yet, it’s available across the UK and US through these stores now (and all good comic and book stores)
What’s the plot about?
Killtopia: Phantoms is set five years after the events of Killtopia #5 and stars returning character Bloody Mary, who has left her life as a Mech hunter behind. She’s now working with Phantoms Unit, an elite police crew formed to hunt and kill a notorious mind hacker who has started infiltrating the minds of Neo Tokyo’s citizens.
Not checked out Killtopia #1-5 yet? You can get them all on my store digitally and physically now!
The plot was inspired by disinformation that is running rampant around the globe right now, which is influencing intelligent, seemingly rational people. These days, people are willing to believe blatant, easily-verified lies, tech bro grifts and political propaganda that is blatantly false - like flat earth theories and so on.
Like this, the mind hacker unleashes mass mind hacks across Neo Tokyo to warp their minds, making them believe misinformation, turn on each other and even commit murder on their behalf. Mary and her partner Hab follow leads across the city to find the hacker, becoming deeply involved in a bloody Yakuza power struggle between warring clans.
As the pair pull on each new bloody thread, they stray deeper into a maddening world of psychological horror, twisted conspiracies and violent conflict. It’s not all doom and gloom however, as Phantoms still has plenty of Killtopia’s trademark dark comedy and scathing satire about the state of the world today.
When’s it out?
I’m still not sure, as a publisher has already expressed interest in Phantoms, but we may Kickstart the first issue at some point this year. Either way, we’re doing 22-page single issues this time for two reasons: this format is cheaper to produce and easier to pitch publishers.
I can confirm that Killtopia’s crew of Clark Bint, Lou Ashworth and Micah Myers are returning for Phantoms, and we hope to launch into production starting April 2025. This might slip, as we’re all trying to work smarter - less stress, more time and a better work/life balance. But as soon as we have new art, you’ll be the first to know,
What would you like to see from Killtopia: Phantoms? Let me know in the comments below!
3. Other 2025 quick bits
My first comic con of 2025! I’m a guest at Rutherglen Comic and Toy Con here in Scotland next Saturday, Feb 1st. I’m also running a workshop on the day about how to write a comic script. Come along and say hi if you’re in town!
A new horror pitch! Last week, I landed a new horror pitch at a great publisher (woo!) and while I can’t share any details just now, I should be able to say more in a few months. The project is under wraps for now, so all being well, this should turn out to be a damn fun premise to work on.
Ninja Baseball Spirits #2 update: Artist Steve Gregson and I caught up recently to discuss when we might be able to start production of our second issue, and we’re targeting April - but it depends on our workloads. We’ll keep you posted!
We’re pitching Yuta: I’m going to start formally shopping around my new ancient Japan ghost story Yuta in a month or two, after artist Drekas Art has completed a few more pages. We want to make our pitch package as great as it can be, but we’ve already had a little interest from a publisher, so we’ll see where it goes!
Satanic Panic update: Same as Yuta, David Cousens and I are speaking with a publisher who has expressed interest in the series, but it could go either way. We’re discussing potentially Kickstarting it, but we’ll see how we feel about that in due course.
Until next time:
Have an awesome time over the rest of January folks, do what you need to keep the spirits and mental health in check during these cold, gloomy months, and be good yourselves.
All the best,
-Dave
Is Killtopia: Phantoms available digitally?
If so then from where?