Reveal! Hello Darkness Zombie Special!

Plus, a mixtape!

Hello friends, I hope the month of June has been good to you.

This is a mega-short update that is NOT my usual monthly newsletter - as I have some amazing news to share with you all.

The big publisher gig I was teasing in previous newsletters has now been revealed to the world. It’s issue #13 of Hello Darkness, the monthly horror anthology by publisher Boom! Studios:

This issue is extra special, as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of Boom! by bringing back some of their classic / regular creators (and me for some reason!) to deliver a collection of incredible zombie-themed shorts.

The issue is releasing worldwide on August 6th. You can preorder it now from your local comic shop, or from online retailers like Forbidden Planet. You can order from them now here for only £3.75 - a steal!

What’s our story about?

My 8-page short story is called ZAG-AFTRA, and it features art from David Cousens, colours by Francesco Segala, and letters by Jodie Troutman. They were an absolute pleasure to work with on this one.

ZAG-AFTRA is a wicked satirical take on 2023’s Screen Actors Guild’s anti-AI strikes against Hollywood studios. Those who know me or follow my socials will know that I’m 100% anti-AI, so this was the first topic that sprung to mind.

I deal with AI threatening my day job on an almost daily-basis now, and it’s becoming a regular battle to justify and safeguard my craft, so this topic really spoke to me. How does Hollywood and AI connect to the comic’s zombie theme, exactly? Well, you’ll need to pick up Hello Darkness #13 to find out…

A final bonus bit…

Earlier this month I caught up with some fellow comic creators and went to England’s Download festival. It’s a three-day metal and rock festival that I’d highly recommend to anyone who’s into those genres.

I made a wee mixtape of all the bands I saw over the weekend, if you’re looking for some new tunes or acts to check out. The playlist includes some classic bands, modern heavyweights and new / lesser-known acts you need to check out - such as Loathe, House of Protection, Vower, Split Chain, Bleed From Within, Novelists, SikTh and many more.

Enjoy, and catch you on my next full-sized monthly newsletter (It’s going to be a massive one!)

-Dave