1979semifinalist

[1979semifinalist]

Hi I got sucked into Black Cloak and I scream about it every time a new issue drops (WHEN MORE KELLY), got sucked into simply Meredith's art, got sucked into simply your writing, literally a week ago discovered that you two previously worked together, impulse bought Heart In A Box, and I've been internally screaming about it since Saturday. Thank you, you're welcome, JFC Kelly why are you so good at what you do.

Ah, that is so kind. Thank you so much.

And I gotta be honest, I love it when anyone reads my stuff, but it DOES mean the most when they find the creator-owned stuff. I feel so lucky that I found Meredith early in my career, as she’s such a brilliant creator (and human) makes making comics easier. :D

[1979semifinalist]

as you may have gathered from the Extremely Gushy reblog, I have now read the rest of Black Widow, and I DO have a question now!

Is Logan Liho? I can honestly see it going either way, given it's a black cat that she loves but that its also a cat that showed up in her brand new life across the country that she was still calling Logan after her memories came back, so... here I am, asking.

And a followup if the answer is "no": Is Liho, like... okay? I know she kinda got exploded with Natasha and everybody else in Secret Wars, but did she safely get brought back? Is she just chilling with Isaiah? Is Natasha now a full on cat mom with two cats and we just don't see Liho on the page (or IS she on the page and I just missed her)? I was a huge fan of watching Romy coparent their three little rascals back when Mr. & Mrs. X was coming out; do you simply have the cat parent version of the Midas touch?

I think... Logan is not Liho. That’s only one creator’s view, but yes, in my mind Liho is a combo of chilling with Isaiah and roaming the streets, as it (mostly) always was. Natasha had several runs (3?) between that Edmonson run and mine, and I didn’t feel confident Liho was still around consistently in those books -- so it seemed better/cleaner to say Liho moved on/stayed behind as Nat’s weird life continued to be weird. 

I think Nat’s resistance to having a pet -- something vulnerable that she had to take care of and be responsible for -- was well done with Liho -- and convinced me as a reader that Nat would not willingly have a pet if given the choice, even if it’s tempting (the same way she resists many other more permanent connections). 

But in our story -- she’s not given the choice. And in our story, at the start, she’s not SUPPPOSED to be a superhero/spy and so more naturally can have a pet (and a family). 

And then once that illusion life crumbles... turns out... you’re still attached to that pet (and family). Because while there was illusion involved in what made this new life for you -- YOU still lived it -- YOUR feelings are very real, even if you didn’t make those choices or sign up for that plan. There’s no walking back love once you’re there. It’s why so many (like Nat) try to avoid it... because there’s no way to protect yourself from the eventual pain of loving someone/something.

[1979semifinalist]

hi so I know I am very late to the party (I had some shit going on in like 2019 and stopped reading comics at all for a while) but I've been working through the backlog recently and just got to Black Widow and am LOSING MY MIND at the first volume of it CONGRATS ON THE EISNER FOR THAT BY THE WAY. Clint and Bucky are always so fucking funny when they're dealing with Nat-related bullshit together. I love them. Also love how you're writing Yelena; they may not exactly be BFFs but they respect the hell out of each other and each will be there if the other needs them. It's great.

ALSO CONGRATS ON THE MUCH MORE RECENT EISNER FOR ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN WHICH WAS (AND STILL IS) FANTASTIC.

I... don't have a question, actually. Or at least not a question that I'm not willing to just wait and see if it gets answered in the next two volumes. But yeah. Great stuff. Love your work, love this work specifically, please never stop doing what you do the way you do it, because there's really nothing quite like it.

Thank you so much for the kind mail.

No question necessary if it’s just gonna be a bunch of lovely things said about my work! ;D

I hope I can keep delivering for you! Happy reading! <3

[1979semifinalist]

So in love with this. Meredith remains an absolute rock star.

Today (July 26th) is National Aunts and Uncles Day! So here's Essex, fulfilling her role as 'Aunt' to the fullest capacity. And to Pax's detriment. Essex, Pax, and the kids all belong to BLACK CLOAK. And if you'd like to see more of them, you should pick up the book at your local seller. BLACK CLOAK was drawn by me, written by @1979semifinalist, lettered by Becca Carey, and designed by @rianhughes

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Description

A three panel comic.

Panel 1: We have a close up of several fantasy children. They're eyes wide and mouths agog. Whatever they're looking at has their complete attention.

Panel 2: We see the object of their amazement. A shiny new drum set, complete with a big red bow.

Panel 3: We turn to our lead detectives from BLACK CLOAK, Pax the fairy on the left and Essex the dracona on the right. Pax is father to all the children, and clearly dismayed by Essex's choice to gift the children with this noise making machine. He mutters 'Oh, you have done EVIL today' as Essex wraps an arm around his shoulder. She looks very pleased, sipping on her red wine with a straw. She knows what she did.

[1979semifinalist]

And with that, the first annual ROMY-Con has come to a close. Thank you to every attendee, cosplayer, artist, and panelist who made the very first Rogue/Gambit convention success.

Special thanks to @1979semifinalist @gailsimone @ aj_locascio and @ roboticmarble for blessing us with phenomenal Q and A's.

Thank you to @ aj_locascio @ lenorezann and @ roboticmarble for guest judging.

Thank you to cosplay judges @cajunhawk @ euphoria.bjc @ geekyfit @artbytaggerung @ rai

Thank you to event mods: @ expecting_rain

@ludi-ling _ling @lovethelebeaux @ livesmacher @ sparrowsflame77 @ marvel_millennial @ firesign23 @ rai

On behalf of the con committee @punkerduckiememes @cajunhawk @artbytaggerung

and @ du.haute.bellegarde - you're all amazing and we will see you in 2026!

[1979semifinalist]

ROMY-Con Day 4 is Happening NOW~

What is in store today:

@1979semifinalist Kelly Thompson's Q & A answers are posted to the event discord server, read them at your leisure!

Art of Lucas will be doing an Instagram Live Sketch card drawing of Gambit at 6PM PST (will be linked in server, or follow his insta!)

3 raffle prizes are up for winner picking! Including: A Virgin Variant Cover Rogue and Gambit 3 (2023) Autographed by AJ LoCascio and Lenore Zann, Signed Gambit, Rogue, and Nightcrawler Print by Dan Veesenmeyer, and an 11 x 14 Rogue Print Autographed by Rogue Co-Creator Michael Golden

Panel hunt continues in the ROMY-Con Games Channel... and we have some excellent entries coming in for the quick challenge.

and Rage Gear Studios is auctioning some ORIGINAL art in Artist Alley!

See you there!

[1979semifinalist]

Yesterday (June 8th) was National Best Friends Day! So please enjoy these two best friends. Doing normal best friend things.

Essex and Pax belong to BLACK CLOAK. If you want to see more of their best friend antics (like staring death in the face and solving murders), you should check out the book. Available at most comic book emporiums.

BLACK CLOAK was drawn by me, written by @1979semifinalist, lettered by Becca Carey, and designed by @rianhughes.

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Description:

An illustration of two characters against a blank background. They are both beat to hell and back. Essex, a dracona/elf hybrid is sitting with her legs out, tiredly wrapping her friend Pax's ankle. Pax, the pixie, is lying on his back as Essex helps him. One arm in a sling, the other gesturing angrily. Yelling his obscenities to god. On the ground near them is a messy first aid kit.

You should see the other guy.

[1979semifinalist]

Will you be bringing in any of the wonder girls in your absolute Wonder Woman comic?

If we go long enough it’s possible.

But there are no immediate plans for it.

[1979semifinalist]

Would you ever write for Starfire if given the chance? 🩷

I’d love to write Starfire. I do have an idea that she’d be a big part of -- but it’s ways off.

[1979semifinalist]

Not sure I have an ask, but... I just picked up BoP 19, 20, 21 (was a mixup on my pull list, now fixed) and SO MUCH EXCITING STUFF! #19 has a two-page De Luca starting on page two! Epic! So much action! So many sound effects! I love it! Best word balloon ever: (COMPLICATED PAIN SOUNDS) #20 with a Barda space ride. I'm still looking at the sound effects, pray for me. #21 so many concurrent stories! Like a Spielberg movie. Sami Basri is so good for this book. Incredible action scenes, and human people making human faces. I'm really digging the spy team/detective story in all these issues. Is Tumblr a good place to yell at you? Do you check Substack more often? What's for lunch?

Substack is definitely better. I’ve just been too busy to post -- but hoping to get one up tomorrow. But got a few questions here and wanted to answer them. Especially since I’m trying not to be on Instagram. It’s all so messy!

Thanks so much for reading BOP -- really glad you’re enjoying it.

[1979semifinalist]

I really loved today’s issue of AWW! My only complaint is that the next one is still a month away.

Just to make sure I’m not missing anything- Is it safe to assume Barbara ended up in the friend group with Diana, Etta, Gia, and Steve because Diana sent her to find Steve after their first encounter? Or did Diana open another door into her face after escaping from the Underworld, and decide to bring her along to see the formation of the Hieron?

Well... I mean, it’s safe to assume that Barbara, Steve, Etta, and Gia became pretty bonded by by the events in AWW 4-5. I think them all being together on the page in 5 especially shows that connection. And I think if you go through something insane like that you’re pretty officially bonded (though Etta and Gia are also sisters and it’s clear Steve knew Etta and Gia since he brought Diana to them). 

But I also think, when this insanely powerful, beautiful, cool superhero is talking to you like you’re her friends and allies... you obviously lean into that as a human. It’s one of the most exciting things to happen in the world and somehow it’s also now sorta happening to you -- that’s a life changing experience. 

And for Barbara in particular, even if she’s slightly less connected to Steve/Etta/Gia (because of their familial and pre-established relationships) because of Barbara’s areas of study/interest she was never going to let go of knowing Wonder Woman. It’s a once in a lifetime chance -- not just for a human but for a scientist/researcher/academic/etc. -- there’s no way she’s going to lose that opportunity. In her first appearance she ran into a literal apocalypse event on just the chance of meeting Diana. 

And in Diana’s case, Barbara possibly has information she needs/wants about the Amazons and “Man’s world” etc., in a way that Steve/Etta/Gia don’t.

[1979semifinalist]

Hello! I love your absolute Wonder Woman comic. I was just wondering how did you get into comic writing?

Thanks so much! I pretty much always wanted to be a writer and when I was in high school I discovered/re-discovered comics and realized that was what I wanted to do specifically. I went to a regular four year college initially but after two years transferred to the Savannah College of Art and Design, which, at that time, was the only college with a Sequential Art Degree. 

After college it took a while for me to try to “break in” which mostly happened through writing my own stuff (I wrote a superhero novel that I kickstarted, and my first graphic novel, which was an indie comic called Heart In A Box for Dark Horse) and I was also writing a column and some reviews for my blog and later some more professional sites like CBR, Comics Should Be Good, Publishers Weekly, Lit Reactor, etc.

[1979semifinalist]

The mermaids of the lagoon wish you a happy Mermay.

Come into the water to celebrate.

Just a bit closer.

Just a smidge.

If you want to see more mermaids, pick up the murder book BLACK CLOAK. They do not commit the murder. But that's not for lack of trying. Available wherever books are sold. (But particularly my storenvy.)

Sabra the mermaid belongs to BLACK CLOAK. Drawn by me, and written by @1979semifinalist. Letters by Becca Carey. Design by @rianhughes.

...

Description: An illustration of a small cave opening in a lagoon. Rocks and plants litter the scene. Lurking near the opening of the cave, glaring out, is Sabra, the lead mermaid from BLACK CLOAK. If you can see her, it's already too late.

[1979semifinalist]

He's just a weird little guy.

Want to see more of Essex and her weird little guy, Theodore? Pick up the murder book BLACK CLOAK, available wherever murder books are sold.

(Like my storenvy: meredithmcclaren.storenvy.com)

BLACK CLOAK. Written by @1979semifinalist. Drawn by me. Letters by Becca Carey. Design by @rianhughes.

...

Description:

An illustration of a bluesky post. It's posted by Essex, the main character of the sci-fi, fantasy, detective book BLACK CLOAK.

In the post, Essex is in the extreme foreground, looking at that camera with a look of consternation. Behind her, we can see her Taka (kinda cat like creature). This is Theodore. He is a teenager. Like all teenagers, he is being a weird little guy. Evidenced by him eating from his food bowl buy laying on the floor with both legs splayed out in a split. It looks very awkward and counterintuitive.

Text above the post reads 'why does he eat like that?'

Is it a phase? Who knows.

[1979semifinalist]

Essex is 'that' girlfriend.

Want to see more of Essex and her long suffering girlfriend, Nida? Pick up the murder book BLACK CLOAK, available wherever murder books are sold.

(Like my storenvy: meredithmcclaren.storenvy.com)

BLACK CLOAK. Written by @1979semifinalist. Drawn by me. Letters by Becca Carey. Design by @rianhughes.

...

Description

A three panel color comic featuring two characters from the IMAGE scifi, fantasy, detective comic book BLACK CLOAK. The character on the left is Essex, an elf/dracona hybrid with lightly tanned skin and short red hair. She's wearing a bright green jacket. The character on the right is Nida, her dracona girlfriend. Nida is dark skinned with glasses and her hair pulled back in thin dreads.

Panel 1: The two appear to be going in for a romantic kiss. Hearts litter the panel.

Panel 2: Essex ruins the mood by using her position to squish Nida's cheeks into a fish pout. The SFX behind them reads 'SQUUUUISH'. Nida responds with a shocked '!!'

Panel 3: Against a completely blank background, Essex throws her head back in an obnoxious laugh. Tears in her eyes as she continues to squish Nida's face. Nida, who is justifiably annoyed, simply responds: 'i am dumping you forever.'

[1979semifinalist]

Essex is a great cook.

Good luck to whoever wants the kitchen after her though.

BLACK CLOAK is a murder book available on my Storenvy.

Written by @1979semifinalist, Art by Meredith McClaren, Letters by Becca Carey, Design by Rian Hughes

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Description:

A three panel colored comic.

Panel 1: Essex, the lead for BLACK CLOAK, is intensely taking a picture of something with her futuristic phone/hologram thingie. The sound effect 'click click' sits above her head alongside several sparkles.

Panel 2: The panel shifts to show what Essex is taking pictures of. It's several nicely prepared dishes. There are more sparkles and another 'click click' of a camera shutter as she takes more pictures.

Panel 3: The camera shifts again. Darkened in the extreme foreground is all the kitchen utensils and dishes she used to make dinner. They are stacked messily and forgotten. Who knows when they'll be cleaned. Past the kitchenette, we see several little Essex's bustling around her little dining table to take more pictures from several different angles. 'Click clicks' abound.

[1979semifinalist]

BLACK CLOAK v2 TP!

She out!

Go buy.

Written by @1979semifinalist, Drawn by me, Lettered by Becca Carey, and Designed by @rianhughes