DJO June Newsletter

Upcoming Craft Seminar!

It’s newsletter time! It’s record temps here in New Orleans so we’re all staying indoors much as possible. Brittany closed out an incredible run of Midsummer Nights Dream, which she directed at the sculpture garden in City Park to thunderously glowing (ignore my mixed metaphor, I said what I said) reviews and sold out shows — they actually had to double the capacity some nights to accommodate all the people who wanted to see it and fortunately it’s a park so they could do that! It was such a magical and fun and amazing experience — I got to see a dress rehearsal and went opening and closing nights and it really was theater at its best. I love Shakespeare so much and always feels like his work should be presented in a way that is accessible to, speaks directly to real every day people, not staunchy dusty academics, and this was that —directly to real people —a hundred times over. You could see it in the crowd, little kids to elders and everyone in between laughing and gasping at each twist and turn of that tangled plot. Such a pleasure.

For my part, I am deep in the vortex of The High Republic Adventures Phase III and loving it so so much. It really all does lead to this, and I’m so glad the this is something we can take our time with and really develop and build, not just a momentary flashbang of sudden excitement. Also loving working with my Phase I collaborator/artist, the great Harvey Tolibao! It’s a pleasure beyond words getting to watch him turn these characters to life once again.

Phase III Qort!! Concept art by Harvey Tolibao

One thing I’ve really been noticing as I watch both Harvey and our other artist Toni Bruno from such an inside perspective on their process — the degree to which artists are storytellers. I mean, it’s something I’ve always known, both because I was an art kid myself growing up (more on that in a future post), and because it’s clear just from looking at comics — the artist tells the story as much as the writer. But it’s seeing so many steps along the way, from character designs to thumbnails to sketches, pencils, inks, then the final work, that really brings home how much vibrancy and nuance and raw story the art itself brings. When the process is done right, it’s really a conversation between words and art, and that aspect of it is one of the things that I enjoy so much about making comics. Reminds me of playing in a band, which I do kinda miss, now that I think about it.

Speaking of The High Republic Adventures: on June 28th, the whole of Phase II comes crashing to its explosive finale with an unprecedented three issues coming out on the same day! We’ll close out the Battle of Jedha arc and then…well, see what’s next! I love this story so much — writing young Sav has been a true pleasure and I’ve learned a ton about myself, unexpectedly (more on that later too, probably, but it’s hilarious because I’m always telling my students that we’re always writing memoir even when it’s fantasy, and then I’m always caught off guard when I end up writing me-coded characters who teach me things about myself). The three final issues will be available wherever comics are sold!

And finally, speaking of students: I’m teaching a one time seminar called Crisis Creates Us: A Masterclass on the Secret Heart of Story via zoom on Tuesday, June 20th. You can get more info and sign up here.

And that’s all for today! Have a great June and may the Force be with you!