Heya, everyone, and welcome to my year-in-review. I’ve been delinquent with posts (I kinda always am), but in this post—which is rather long—I’ll be giving a recap of the year that was, look at what’s to come in 2020, and, as always, share some writer goodies to make this whole thing worthwhile. In this edition, I’m going to be sharing a kind of director’s audio commentary for the first issue of Wasted Space as well as providing the first issue script (if you aren’t aware, a few weeks back I took a Twitter poll and asked what script of mine people would like to see, and Wasted Space #1 won by an overwhelming majority).

All right, then, I’ve got my glass of bourbon, my notes are prepared, so let’s dive in.

THE YEAR THAT WAS

Holy hell, this year was something. Personally, it was one of the most challenging, difficult, and painful years of my life. I’m not a very candid kind of person; that’s just not my way, so I’m not going to go into specifics. Those who know me, know. I will say, though, that it’s been hard. I don’t want to sound alarms and cause anyone undue concern—my family and I are healthy, thank goodness, and I’m profoundly grateful for that. But this year has pushed my heart and soul to the limit, and I don’t recall a time where I so eagerly anticipated the calendar turning over to January.

What’s strange is how, professionally, this was one of the most—if not the most—satisfying and exhilarating years of my career. The year began with the paperback release of my debut novel, Black Star Renegades, which has been doing really, really well. The book was nominated for an Audie Award for best sci-fi novel of the year, and it—and its sequel, We Are Mayhem (released in April of 2019)—have already become profitable for St. Martin’s. That’s no small task, and I’m tremendously grateful for all of you who’ve supported this venture of mine. Believe me, there’s more novels to come, and soon.

I launched the second and third volumes of my space opera comic series Wasted Space, and somehow, this book just keeps on surprising me. When I pitched this book, I never thought it would get published; it’s existential Star Wars, filled with filthy cynical humor, Fuq bots, and enough nihilism to make Nietzsche blanche. But here we are, on the cusp of releasing the thirteenth issue (of a planned 25), and Wasted Space is stronger than ever. Graphic Audio adapted the first volume for a dramatic presentation (and, believe me, it’s awesome), and it’s appeared on numerous “Best of 2019” lists—it even was named one of the best books of the decade by Panel Platter. It’s truly something, what this series has become, and I love writing every single panel of it and watching Hayden Sherman and Jason Wordie display their artistic mastery bringing my words to life. Also, there’s some special things brewing in the background that hopefully we can start talking about in 2020…

Sticking with Vault Comics, I launched two new series: Mall (co-written with It screenwriter Gary Dauberman) and The Plot. The latter title is probably the most personal series I’ve ever written, and it’s certainly me (and my co-writer, Tim Daniel) at my most confident. Josh Hixson and Jordan Boyd bring a level of artistry that’s as good—if not better—than any artist and colorist working today—they’re that good. And the series has blown away even my ambitious expectations, become Vault’s bestselling book upon release and appearing on at least a dozen “Best of 2019” lists.

I continued to play in the Star Wars sandbox, which, to me, is one of the most gratifying things I can hope to achieve. I’ve said it a million times, but writing Star Wars has been my greatest dream since I was a kid growing up on Tatooin—I mean, the South Side of Chicago, having lightsaber battles with my older brother, playing with my Star Wars action figures so much the paint wore off, and dreaming that I, too, could be like one of my idols, Timothy Zahn, and add to the greatest myth of our time. The Star Wars story, to me, is my youth; the prequels are my adolescence; and, now, the sequels are my fatherhood, and the joy it brings me to share this galaxy with my two sons—including stories that I’ve written—is immeasurable. This year, my Flight of the Falcon story was collected into a single volume, and I also had the unique distinction of writing part of the stories leading up to The Rise of Skywalker. When The Force Awakens came out, I promised myself that I’d write canonical Star Wars, and I pursued that goal with the fire of hades in my guts. Which goes to show, and I know it’s cliché as hell, but dreams are meant to be lived. Go after yours, and never stop until what you see in your mind is what you hold in your hands.

Speaking of dream fulfillment: I also wrote my very first Marvel comic! The first comic I ever bought off a spinner rack was a Web of Spider-Man with Hobgoblin on the cover (I forget the issue, and I’m too tired to go digging through my long box now). I believe the year was 1986, which means I’ve been following the House of Ideas for over three decades. And, of course, my favorite part of the Marvel universe is the cosmic stuff—I mean, c’mon. So, when the opportunity to not only write for Marvel was presented to me but to also write cosmic Marvel, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Just a few weeks ago, that issue was published—a Beta Ray Bill one-shot (featuring Lockjaw!!!) that tied into an updated version of one of the best Marvel crossover events of all-time—Annihilation. So now, to my very last day, I can say I wrote the Norse horse, and that’ll always bring a smile to my face.

Also in the mix: I wrote a Battlestar Galactica series, introducing all-new characters into canon (the story takes place between season 2 and 3, when the colonists are basically enslaved on New Caprica). It’s a dark war story—kind of like Rogue One—that I can’t believe the powers that be let me tell, but I’m thrilled they did. The collected story is in stores now. Also, I’m currently writing a new Vampironica series, alongside Frank Tieri. We’re crafting this super cool and fun coming-of-age Lost Boys-inspired vampire story, and it’s been a blast. The art from Audrey Mok is just tremendous.

So, it’s been a busy year. But nothing compared to…

THE YEAR TO COME

Well, there’s not much I can talk about. What I can talk about I will, below, but first, here’s a look at what I’m working on (and anything not mentioned, if announced, is written):

Wasted Space

About to start writing issue #16. Just ten more issues to go! 

The Plot

I’ve got the outline for issue #6 done, and I’m writing my half in January. Just two more issue remain after that, so writing should be completed in February.

Secret Star Wars Project

Writing has begun and, because of necessity, is wrapping soon. And this project, it’s coming out in 2020. That’s all I can say.

Secret Lucasfilm-inspired YA Graphic Novel

Writing should begin on this in early 2020. It’s with a publisher I’ve never worked with before, but have always wanted to.

Another (Secret) YA Graphic Novel

I’m very excited about this project and love the people I’m working with. I should start writing this in February.

Massive Ongoing Fantasy Series

I may have already said too much. But this is going to be awesome and huge and I cannot, cannot wait. I’ve been working on this, no joke, for years. And now it’s coming to life, with the best people possible, and I’m so damn excited.

Superhero Projects 

There’s two in the works. All I can say is [REDACTED]. I’m working on one the first half of the year; the other the second half.

A New Novel

It’s happening. It is. I have the idea, and I’m already writing it. I just need to refine what I have, craft an outline, and I’ll be there.  

Movie/TV Projects

I have pitches out for both an original TV series and an original horror film. Both are in very, very good hands; the latter, in fact, seems like it might be concretizing. Cross those fingers!

Now, as for what’s scheduled to be released:

Starting in January, I’m taking the lead in Star Wars Adventures for the very first time, for issues 30-32. The stories, respectively, focus on Kylo and Hux, Rey and Poe, and Finn and [secretsecretsecret]. Here’s one of the covers, for issue #30 (out in February):

March is going to be very busy month, as I’m launching two new titles: Archangel 8 and Hexagon.

Archangel 8 is part of the line of books that are launching AWA/Upshot, the new publishing venture from Bill Jemas and Alex Alonso. I’ve worked very closely with Axel, and I’ve learned a ton from him. I mean, he’s one of the greatest editors in comics, ever. And he’s shepherded  this book from day one, and I think we’ve managed to craft something special. Think of it as Hellblazer meets Punisher, with a little biblical stuff thrown in. It’s new territory for me, but I’m glad I took the creative plunge. Here’s what issue #1 looks like (that Jeff Dekal cover is amazing—though wait until you see CP Smith’s and Snakebite Cortez’s interiors):

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is Hexagon, a book designed for younger readers. I suppose you can call it all-ages since anyone can read it, but I wrote this series with 12-year-old kids (and 12-year-old me) in mind. I like to think of it as a modern-day The Last Starfighter; more intimate and personal, but every bit as fun. I was able to collaborate with international superstar musician Don Diablo, which was an adventure onto itself. He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met, in the best way possible. Check out this cover from Jorge Corona (who happens to be illustrating a series I adore, Middlewest):

And then, in April, my DC YA graphic novel comes out and, gang, I’m so excited for this one. It’s called The Lost Carnival: A Dick Grayson Story, and I’m in love with this book. The art from Sas Milledge alone is to die for, but Dick/Nightwing is one of my all-time favorite characters, and I think both longtime and new readers alike are going to love this book. I mean, this cover alone:

WRITING MATERIALS

This whole post has gone on long enough, right? So I’ll just get to it:

Here’s a link to my audio commentary on Wasted Space #1:

https://app.box.com/s/o34ddiesuexf1mm4i50b8ydnt6sjj6rq

And here’s a link for for the Wasted Space issue #1 script:

https://app.box.com/s/b2ytfcl19zyvixq...

I think that covers everything! I hope you’re all enjoying this journey. I know I am, and I’m so grateful (I know I keep saying that word, but I mean it) for every moment. Thank you, truly, for another year of being able to do the thing I love. I wish you all the same and more.

All the best,

Michael