With less than 10 days before the start of San Diego Comic-Con, buzz around the world of comics feels buzzier than it's ever been. Perhaps I'm more plugged in now than in years past, but it seems I can't scroll for 10 seconds without seeing rumors about DC's new Absolute Universe. Publishers are sharing their panel schedules, and creators are sharing all types of teaser images. Combine that with constant spy photos from the James Gunn Superman set, and I wouldn't blame you for avoiding comic 'news' altogether. My general posture is "call me when something actually happens," but I'd be lying if I said I was completely disinterested in what lies around the corner. Comics felt a bit stale heading into 2024 for me. But if January - June was any indication, I'm excited for the second half of this year for sure.

​

Speaking of, I decided to run down the series debuts I'm most excited to read for the rest of the summer. In about a week, I'll have new exciting announcements to fawn over. But for now, I'm still waiting for some of the Free Comic Book Day 2024 teases to pay off. What are you still excited about picking up?

Kickstarter Korner

I have quite a few friends running Kickstarter campaigns, so I figured I'd give them all a shoutout here.

1. The Epiphany Engine Kickstarter got extended by a week, so you have even more time to back the campaign. Need convincing? Check out my interview with editor Joe Illidge to see what all the fuss is about.
2. Damien Becton's Worlds Away Vol. 1 is getting a paperback collection. It's a space survival story that shows just how far a parent will go to protect their child. Campaign has 7 days left and is already fully funded! Don't miss out on it.
3. Danny Quick is preparing to go live with issue 8 of Aceblade! There will be tiers to catch up with the full series, and this time around, Action Figures! I wonder if he'll send me one in exchange for "exposure..."

Recent Reading Progress

I've been slowly making my way through that stack of review books Marvel sent me last week. So far, Punisher by David Pepose & Dave Wachter, and Blade by Bryan Hill and Elena Casagrande are all I've gotten through. Both were really good. I'm mad we don't have more of Pepose's Punisher to explore, but I still have 5 issues of Hill's Blade to read before Blood Hunt, and I'm excited to see where it goes.

I'm taking a break from the trades to provide an advanced review of GODS by Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti. It's an interesting take on the war between science and magic, with a really cool espionage/swashbuckling flare. Well, at least it is through 2 issues. I'll give you my final verdict when the full series review goes live on the channel next week.

With that, it's time for me to take the same advice I'm about to give you.

Read Something Dope Today,

BJ KICKS

P.S.: I hid a secret giveaway in the preview line of last week's email (proof below). Maybe that was TOO good of a hiding spot, as I only got one entry. Congrats to Brian G. for winning a copy of the Sins of Sinister trade paperback courtesy of Marvel Comics!