#158:MYSTIQUE vs TERMINATOR
Why not both? Plus, all my NYCC info
Welcome to DECLARATIONS a bi-weekly newsletter by artist/writer Declan Shalvey.
This is regular workblog featuring exclusive peeks at upcoming projects with advance releases of original art/merchandise.
ALL THE LATEST
After getting in my pages for MYSTIQUE #3, I was pretty fried. As luck would have it, I had gotten a ticket to see The Go Team perform their debut album in Dublin, so shot up for it. I was wrecked on the way up, feeling pretty drained. Their performance was phenomenal and completely re-energised me.
-I’ve been slammed with various writing stuff since, while getting my final MYSTIQUE cover done.
-Was recently offered another DC Comics cover, that’s three on the books. Dunno why I’m getting offered DC stuff all of a sudden but hey; I’ll take it.
-Called over to my mum’s house last week to go over some final bits and bobs before we send out all the OLD DOG DOSSIER books [from a kickstarter I ran many many months ago]. Here’s Loki helping us out, great work Loki!
We’re set to start posting them out this week. I’ll be sending out the digital copies on Friday.
-Got my accruals form all my various Image Comcs titles. Some books are in the black [still making profit] some in the red [in defecit]. Books can be in the red for various reasons, in some cases you’ve just paid for printing a new volume and haven’t gotten money for the next, etc. SAVAGE TOWN is very in the red, as I think book shops took a risk on it [being the first book I wrote] and ended up returning a lot of them [god I hope that animated series happens!]. BOG BODIES actually made a profit, in fact it sold out! But then we went into the red after we paid for a second printing of the book. We’re very close to getting BOG BODIES back in the black so if I may suggest, if you haven’t checked it out, it’ll make a great Halloween read for you [or a friend!]. For those who don’t know, BOG BODIES is a moody, tight and tense horror story about gangsters lost in the Irish wilderness. Written by myself, with art by THE CLOSET’s Gavin Fullerton. Not expecting to make much more profit off the book, but I’d reeeeaaally like to get it back out of the red since we’re so close. You can order it from your local comic shop, or at the below link from Amazon.
-I’m signed up for a panel at Thought Bubble in November. I’ll be covering the licening side of things, regaring my work on THUNDERCATS and TERMINATOR. Take note…
SAT 14:00 - 15:00 Transmedia: Storytelling Across Film, Game and Comic on the Dead Northern Stage
-Have agreed to do a UK signing for Free Comic Day next year. Not in London, in case any Londoner friends are wondering. Will share more when I’m able.
-Desperately nailing down plans for NYCC, trying to make sure I get to see all the people I really want to catch up with. It’ll be a mammoth few days but yet still not enought to see everyone. My NYCC details are to follow below…
NYCC /ART DECO
Next week I’ll be at NYCC TABLE A-31
I’ll have LOTS of original art, pre-ordered headsketches and copies of my work to sell such as MYSTIQUE #1, OLD DOG [REDACT ONE] and TERMINATOR #1.
Not only that, but I’ll have all the original art for MYSTIQUE #1 for sale for the first time as well as a bunch of covers, including my covers for THUNDERCATS.
I’ll also be debuting a limited edition ART DECO virgin cover for TERMINATOR #1
There’ll be other limited covers too so there’s plenty to chose from. But get mine. Luke Sparrow will be signing with me at certain times so keep an eye out for when you can get your book signed by both creators.
All these comics and art will be available at my NYCC table FIRST. The following week, whatever art/stock that’s left will be available via my website. Ye Decolytes will get first dibs, but only after those who make it to NYCC.
Below are my signing times for the show, I’m not down for any panels or any other signings.
THURSDAY: 11AM-1PM, 3-5PM
FRIDAY: 10:30AM-12PM, 2-6PM
SATURDAY: 10:30AM-12PM,2-6PM
SUNDAY: 11AM-1:30PM
MYSTIQUE
Can’t believe MYSTIQUE Issue One will be out next week!
I wrapped up Issue Three just over a week ago, have since written the script for Issue Four and am now working on the layouts for said issue. Last week I handed in the cover for Issue Five, my final issue [real happy with that one]. Feels great to be well past the halfway point on the book now. I’m aiming to have the first half of this issue pencilled before I head out to NYCC.
I shared some process from Issue One on my socials last week. Here they are, if you missed them.
My friend Chris Samnee posted this drawing of my MYSTIQUE after getting to have an advance read.
Wow. Feels like the ultimate stamp of approval!
I did an interview on AIPT’s X-MEN MONDAYS, which feels like a very X-Men stamp of approval. You can read it here.
This issue will come out while I’m away at NYCC so I’d just like to say here; to write/draw my own X-Men book has been an incredible expecience, especially being the only writer/artist on this line of books so far. It’s been very creatively rewarding to boot. Woking with editors Darren Shan, Noah Sharma, colourist Matt Hollingsworth and letterer Clayton Cowles has been a real dream. I' am very very proud of this book and I hope ye all give it a try on the 16th. If I have the time I may sneak into a comic shop in NYC that day and sign some copies.
THUNDERCATS
The APEX one-shot got announced! Here’s a great cover by the artist of the book Rapha Lobsco.
While I’m not writing this book,I have been involved behind the scenes, being part of fashioning this bureoning Thunderverse. Obviously, we deduted the character in our latest issue so I’m really excited to see what Ed Brisson and Rapha do with him. So far, everything looks fantastic.
The THUNDERCATS Vol 1 arc OMENS is out in hardcover next week but I can reveal our 2nd arc will be collected as ROAR.
Series artist Drew Moss has wrapped Issue Nine so will be soon starting on our third arc. I’d show some art but this issue is big and spoilery.
Joe Mulvey is currently working on the Slythe-focused Issue Ten and really is killing it, chanelling some of that Drew Moss energy.
I’m currently writing Issue Eleven [that Drew will need soon] and working on the cover for Issue Thirteen. Here’s my cover for Issue Twelve, where we’ll finally see what Calica has been up to with our old pal Jaga.
Some variants for THNUDERCATS Issue Eleven below…
How cool are those Manix covers…?
I had a big Thunderverse call with editor Nate Cosby last week going over the next couple of arcs, up to Issue Twenty and have since outlined them all. Some Very Cool Stuff coming. This has, and continues to be such a cretively interesting gig, to be able to write to a longer format, find new avenues for stories, etc. I’m having so much fun.
TERMINATOR
Issue One is out tomorrow! Bloody hell, that snuck up on me. Here’s the fist 5 lettered pages with all my dialogue, lettered by Jeff Ekleberry.
Hearing some very positive advance reviews, which is encouraging. I’m very happy with this issue both as a single comic, and as an opener for the series.
Here’s a little peek at one of David O’Sullivan’s pages for TERMINATOR #2. Beautiful stuff.
Some cool variant covers for Issue Three have been released too.
I’m currently working on the script for #3, David is snapping at my heels catching up to me. I must admit, setting these stories in important moments in real-life history requires a lot more research which has slowed me down, carries a particular weight I haven’t previously encountered. Ah well, I’m getting there!
Fianlly, as a treat here’s an advance peek at my cover for TERMINATOR Issue four..
OUT SOON
October 09th
TERMINATOR #1 [W/C]
October 16th
MYSTIQUE #1 [W/A/C]
THUNDERCATS #9 [W/C]
THUNDERCATS VOL 01 OMENS Hardcover [W]
October 23rd
STAR TREK: DEFIANT #20 [VC]
November 13th
TMNT: BLACK WHITE & GREEN TP [W/A/C]
TERMINATOR #2 CVR [W/C]
November 20th
THUNDERCATS #10 [W/C]
November 27th
MYSTIQUE #2 [W/A/C]
STAR TREK DEFIANT #21 [VC]
I too was invigorated by The Go! Team's tour of excitement! Thanks for the insight into how a part of finances when publishing with Image works. Also Mystique and the Terminator series are looking pretty damn cool.
Seconding the call to arms for BOD BODIES - tremendous wee book, loved the atmosphere. Stoked for Terminator!