An Origin in Pictures...

My two new books for Capstone arrived in the mail today: Superman: An Origin Story and Green Lantern: An Origin Story. Drawn by Luciano Vecchio, my former collaborator on Beware the Batman, these two mark my first attempts at writing picture books, and I'm very happy with the result.

Of course, the real test will come tonight when I read them to my two daughters at story time. Better go dig the capes out of the dress-up bin...

You can buy Superman in hardcover here or in softcover here.

Green Lantern is available in hardcover here or in softcover here.

Waiting for the trade...

If you missed my recent issues of Beware the Batman or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures, don't fling yourself from the rooftop of your apartment complex just yet. Fate is smiling on you, my friend, in trade paperback form with the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures Volume 4 and Beware the Batman Volume 1.

Beware the Batman Vol. 1 collects the entire six-issue series, including both of my issues (#'s 2 and 6). TMNT: NAA Vol. 4 collects my short Ice Cream Kitty story from issue # 15 as well as my lead feature from issue # 16. There are plenty of other great comics in these collections, so be sure to check them out at the links above, or at your local comic or book store.

I'll have more Ninja Turtles and Batman news here soon, so keep checking back for updates. Frankly, I think you kind of owe me for saving your life just now.

The Perfect Stocking Stuffer...

This Wednesday (December 16th), my latest Ninja Turtles issue hits stands in the form of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures # 18. My tale in this particular issue is called "Secret Santa," and is drawn by Paulina Ganucheau with colors by Heather Breckel and letters by Shawn Lee.

Find out what happens when Michelangelo is unlucky enough to draw Raphael's name during their Secret Santa gift exchange. The issue also features the second half of a tale by writer Landry Q. Walker and artists Dario Brizuela, as well as another great Dario crafted cover. There's also a really cool variant subscription cover floating around out there by Jeffrey Cruz. You can check out a free preview of Walker and Brizuela's tale here.

As an extra bonus, here's the cover to the very first holiday Ninja Turtles story, the memorable "Michaelangelo" Micro Series special from 1985 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Happy holidays!

The Turtles go "Walkabout"...

Hitting stores this week is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures #16. I've written the lead story in this issue which features art by Chad Thomas, and Paul Allor tackled the second tale, with art by Marcelo Ferreira. This story was a long time in the making, as we had to keep tweaking it to keep up with recent events in the show, but I'm really happy with the result.

You can check out a free 5-page preview of the issue here. But you'll have the buy the comic if you want to see just where Master Splinter disappears to on his mysterious yearly "walkabouts." Also, you get to learn a bit about Michelangelo's "sweet ninja skills." And I think that's a life lesson we can all learn from.

Issue # 16's Variant Cover.

The Rasp of Con...

Just got back from New York Comic Con yesterday, and I wanted to send out a quick thank you to all the fans who came out to see me at the DK and the Insight Editions booths. I had a great time meeting all of you, as well as catching up with a lot of old friends. Just like last year, my voice gave out Thursday night, so thanks for straining to hear my hoarse rasp.

Looking forward to the 2015 show. Maybe I should stock up now on hot tea and honey...

New York Comic Con 2014...

This Thursday, I'll be arriving in New York City for the annual Comic Con held at the Jacob Javits Center. If you're up for braving the crowds at the show, here's my signing schedule this year:

Thursday, October 9th from 5-6 p.m.: DK Publishing booth (# 1831)

Friday, October 10th from 5-6 p.m.: DK Publishing booth (# 1831)

Saturday, October 11th from 3-4 p.m.: Insight Editions booth (# 1869)

At the DK booth, I'll be signing the newly released Batman: A Visual History, DC Comics: A Visual History (an updated edition of DC Comics Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle), and whatever other titles of mine they happen to have in stock at the time.

At the Insight Editions booth, I'll be signing advance copies of an advice book from the mind of the Clown Prince of Crime itself, The World According to The Joker. (More about that book in a later posting). I'll also be signing my other new title from that publisher, The World According to Wolverine.

As with every appearance I do, I'm always happy to sign any of my older books or comics that you bring from home, or am up for just chatting all things comics, so be sure to stop by and say hello.

Batman: A Visual History...

I think I've been training for this book since the 5th grade. Out today is Batman: A Visual History, a complete month-by-month history of the Dark Knight Detective from 1939 until 2014. This project was a huge labor of love for me, and a chance to dig into the character's background more than I ever have before. I even learned a few things along the way. Your life just cannot be considered complete until you discover the existence of the Bat-Train and characters like Ally Babble.

I first started working on this format of book for DK Publishing with Marvel Year by Year, originally titled The Marvel Chronicle. That book took four of us to write. Then came the DC edition, DC Comics Year by Year, and five of us handled the writing and research on that particular book. As a big fan of Spidey, when I had the chance to write half of the Spider-Man Chronicle alongside the talented Alan Cowsill, I jumped at it. But when Batman came around, things were different. This was the character that first truly brought me into the world of comic books. I had to try to write the whole thing.

I say try, as there were a few deadline alterations, and suddenly, I just couldn't fit the entire book into my schedule. Luckily, Matt Forbeck stepped up and turned in the great 1960s chapter, helping get the book finished in time.

If you're a Batman fan, casual or diehard, this book is for you. I included everything that was fit to print about the Caped Crusader, from little known gems like Bob Kane's "biographical" comic in Real Fact Comics # 5 (November/December 1946) to large modern events like the "Hush" storyline.

You can buy the book here, or come see me at the New York Comic Con where I'll have plenty on hand at the DK Publishing booth. More details on that to come next week. In the meantime, here's a sneak a peak at a few of the book's interior pages: