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Hello!
We've got some exciting announcements in this email - including the return of two of our fan-favorite series, HAUNTING and Like Father, Like Daughter (both with NEW ARTISTS), and our upcoming appearance at C2E2 (and how you can get several Exclusive Items from that convention).
We'll also talk about some of the exciting media we've consumed (Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Scream VI) and things we've done these last few weeks - including seeing "Lewberger and the Wizard of Friendship: the Musical" from Keith Habersberger of the Try Guys and a trip to New Orleans!
Let's get into it all!
Announcements
Let's talk about our next two Kickstarters and our next big Con!
HAUNTING and Like Father, Like Daughter are back!
Kat & Phil's fan-favorite creator-owned series are coming back with brand new issues! And in this newsletter, you'll get a first-look at the new artists for both series!
HAUNTING: On the Run
"Wherever this bratty teenage boy goes, THE DEAD RISE! And in this exciting new arc, femme fatale ghost hunter, Hope, has set her sights on ending our favorite teen necromancer's unintentional reign of terror. Permanently."
New series artist, Mauricio Mora (Damsel from D.I.S.T.R.E.S.S.), joins the series in this issue and brings a perfect balance of amazing character work and action!
HAUNTING launches Monday, March 27th!
Like Father, Like Daughter: Grand Finale
"High school teen, Casey Ryder, was abandoned when her father left their family to become a full-time superhero. Now this powered teen must choose between her deadbeat superhero father or her evil spy mother! EVERYTHING CHANGES in this JAW DROPPING finale."
This exciting finale brings on new artist, Eileen Widjaja, for some of the series' most breathtaking pages yet!
Like Father, Like Daughter launches Monday, March 27th!
Come see us at C2E2!
We're excited to announce that we'll be tabling at C2E2 in Chicago from Friday, March 31st to Sunday, April 2nd! We'll be at Booth # W-08 and will have something special for anybody who stops by and lets us know that they're a previous supporter!
We'll also have some exciting, Zestworld-sponsored C2E2-exclusive items for you guys to check out!
Firstly, we have our "All Out Action" Enamel Pin featuring the whole gang from the Chibi "Slice of Life" Special! This exclusive item will be available for separate purchase, and will also be given for free to anyone who purchases a certain amount of merch from our table! Only 100 pins were produced, so get them while supplies last!
And if that's not enough, we'll also have a separate Enamel Pin Giveaway that we're running with other Zestworld Creators!
Do you love comics and enamel pins? We bet you do! The first 100 people to visit our table, along with the tables of Liana Kangas and Sean Gorman, and subscribe to our Zestworld profiles will receive these free pins while supplies last!
Don't miss out on all this awesome stuff! Stop by C2E2 Booth # W-08 to say hello!
What Have We Been Up To?
Let's talk about what we've been up to these last few weeks!
Kat Goes to New Orleans
Kat: Traveling is one of my joys in life. Last weekend I had the pleasure to travel with my brother, Alex, to New Orleans to visit our friend, Eleanor.
And one of my favorite things to do when traveling is finding a local comic book store. This time around I visited Crescent City Comics. I always like purchasing something unique that I may not be able to grab at my own local comic book store. My haul consisted of two signed books from the talented Francesca Fantini and a Spanish version of the current Blue Beetle series.
It was a pleasure being able to catch up with our friend, while seeing such a famous city through her eyes instead of just as a tourist.
We even had the chance to celebrate this boy's birthday!
Try Guy's Keith Habersberger on Broadway with Lewberger
Kat: Keith's "Eat The Menu" series has been my comfort show for a number of years. I love his commentary on fast food. He's able to express why he likes or dislikes something in such a poignant, comedic fashion.
It's been a pleasure to watch his other dreams come true and learn more about his Lewberger bandmates, Alex and Hughie, through their musical work. When I found out they were putting on an Off-Broadway show, I knew I had to grab myself a ticket. (Thank you, Phil, for coming with me!)
The Wizard of Friendship is an intimate Off-Broadway performance that isn't afraid to interact with their audience. The show digs deep into the intricacies of having a friendship shown online with the boys' improv skills on full display. Alex, Hughie, and Keith create an inviting environment for a fun night out.
Phil: As someone who knows absolutely nothing about Lewberger nor the Try Guys, it was fun stepping into their world for a night. The passion in the room was palpable and it's the kind of excitement you only see in a niche, intimate show like this. I may not have gotten all the jokes, but it was a fun experience nevertheless.
Giveaway Winner
Phil: We're excited to announce the winner of the Enamel Pin Giveaway from our last Newsletter: Cora M.!
A huge thank you to everybody who is subscribed to this newsletter! And don't worry, there will be plenty more Giveaway opportunities in the future!
Media Consumed
Let's talk about some of the movies we've watched since our last newsletter!
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
(No Spoilers)
Phil: Where Shazam! (2019) was a compelling character and found-family story, Shazam! Fury of the Gods really struggles to balance its large cast. We hardly spend any time with the members of the Shazamily outside of Freddy and Billy (and we barely spend time with child Billy, at that). In fact, some members of the cast feel like glorified cameos - especially since this time around, they have to split their limited screentime between their adult and child forms. And I sadly felt Billy's arc in this sequel was hollow and underdeveloped. This is especially evident when you compare to how well-done Billy's journey was in the preceding film (that heart-breaking scene with his bio-mom is one of my favorites in the DCEU; nothing in this sequel even comes close to hitting that level of emotion).
Things aren't all bad, though. There are plenty of genuinely funny moments throughout the movie that will ensure you're having a good time even if you're not a fan of the plot. And there are quite a few surprises (at least, I was surprised) to really excite the audience.
All of that averages out to me finding the latest DC film to be pretty middle-of-the-road. I had a better time watching it than I did watching Black Adam, Wonder Woman 1984, or Thor: Love and Thunder. But I don't think I'll run to rewatch this sequel anytime soon.
Kat: Shazam (2019) is one of my favorite DCEU films! Billy Batson isn't the most mainstream superhero, but the original installment did a wonderful job at conveying why the character deserves to stand the test of time. It was a plain old FUN flick that wonderfully balanced their ensemble cast and showed the importance of embracing your inner child.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods has the same energy as the original without the predecessor's laser focus. There are some interesting nuggets introduced (Billy's fear of growing out of the foster system, Mary embracing college, Pedro's queerness), but none of their individual stories naturally develop. The movie just bites off more than it can chew, creating for a pretty lack luster final act. It was sad to see such an empty theater on opening day, and even sadder to hear crickets when the movie's "OMG Moments" played out on screen.
Fury of the Gods has one foot placed in DC's past. Is there room for Billy Batson and friends in James Gunn's future?
Scream VI
(No Spoilers)
Phil: Where Shazam! Fury of the Gods failed to live up to its predecessor, Scream VI manages to not only surpass Scream (2022) - it actually makes me appreciate the preceding film more.
While I wasn't particularly wowed by the self-proclaimed "Core Four" when they were introduced in the last film, every single one of them really comes into their own in this latest installment. Especially Sam and Tara Carpenter, who have quickly achieved one of the most compelling character relationships in the entire franchise. The film oozes tension, and a big part of that is because it makes you really care about the characters. The opening scene is one of the best subversions yet, the kills are brutal, and the chase scenes are terrifying.
Scream VI also strikes the perfect balance as a legacy sequel. We get just enough of Gale and Kirby (yay, Kirby!!!!) without taking away from the "new(er)" cast. There are a lot of homages to previous installments - including references to every Ghostface so far - that are really rewarding as a fan of the long-running series. But the Easter Eggs and homages never feel intrusive. They never take away from the story that this movie is trying to tell.
Is the film perfect? No.
While the costumed Ghostface is more terrifying than he's ever been before, I think the unmasked Ghostface(s) is (are) some of the weakest we've seen yet. There's a bit of a lull between the opening scene and the second kill of the movie. Some of the dialogue is a little stilted (particularly in a therapy scene very early in the runtime). And by the end of the movie, you can't help but scratch your head at just how much damage the human body can take in these movies without dying.
But honestly, the good far, far, FAR outweighs the bad. This is my favorite Scream since the original. And I truly can't wait to see what's in store for us in Scream 7!
Kat: The Scream franchise is different than many other slasher franchises because it actually has decent sequels....and this installment has to be my favorite sequel thus far, which is ironic because Scream 6 follows one of my least favorite films of the franchise.
I miss Sidney, but her absence gave room for the "Core Four" to grow into their own. I left this film LOVING the new cast. No one can beat Sidney as a final girl, but the new kids on the block are a much better ensemble. I truly care for ALL four characters! Sam's "Billy is my Dad" angle was better played here. I'm intrigued by the morally gray line that Sam plays between final girl and killer, and what that means for the future of the franchise. And luckily, Tara, Mindy, and Chad aren't just wrapped into Sam's moral dilemmas. They have arcs of their own, even SUPPORTING CHARACTERS OF THEIR OWN, which is what makes them such an intriguing group.
Scream 6 doesn't forget it's legacy. Hayden Panettiere truly nails her return as Kirby, but never overstays her welcome and neither does Gale. Six films later, I'm pleasantly surprised that the franchise is able to find a new commentary on horror. It doesn't tread old water (I'm looking at you Scream 5), but still celebrates the films that have come before.
Creed III
(No Spoilers)
Kat: I'm a sucker for a good sports story because a GOOD sports story is never just about the sport. It's a character journey that truly tests your lead, and a REALLY GOOD sports story will have a "rival" that's just as an interesting. And this is exactly what Creed 3 delivers! I'm in awe with Michael B. Jordan's directorial debut. His inspiration from nerd culture transforms Creed 3 into a (and I don't say this lightly) VISUAL MASTERPIECE.
Phil: Kat had to drag me to this one, and honestly I'm glad she did. Confession: I've never seen any Rocky or Creed movies before this. I'm not a big fan of sport movies in general. But Creed III does a fantastic job at being new-viewer friendly. You feel the weight and history of the world and characters, but the story is entirely new and fresh. They follow the formula for a good sports movie to a T, but the performances and writing are so strong that it is easy to lose yourself in the movie. I might even go back to watch the previous movies.
Comic Recommendations
Local Man
Kat: Tim Seeley is the KING of noir. His rural noir, Revival, to this day is still one of my favorite comic books. So when I found out he was teaming up with Stay Dogs' Tony Fleecs, I knew Local Man was going to be a must buy, and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
Local Man keeps you on the edge of your seat as you follow a failed superhero that has been kicked out of an analog of a 90's Image Comics superhero team. We don't know why he was fired, but we do know that everyone hates him because of it. Even his parents can't look our lead in the eye! The premiere issue has it all - intrigue, character work, and world building to keep any reader wanting more. It's a celebration of Image Comics' foundation seen through a modern lens by two of the comics book industry's most talented creatives.
Mary Jane & Black Cat
Kat: Mary Jane & Black Cat is my favorite Spider-Man title on stands! Jed Mackay continues his Black Cat saga with as much layered character work that has come before, and this time Mary Jane is along for the ride. MacKay navigates the awkward tension of Black Cat romantically reconnecting with Peter without it being about Spider-Man. It's truly a book that celebrates friendship! The mini-series is full of action (beautifully illustrated by Vincenzo Carratu), and that action is always driven by story. Black Cat's lucky powers are getting in the way of Mary Jane's new "jackpot" abilities, and they have to go through the depths of hell to figure out why.
Cthulhu is Hard to Spell
Phil: Ending tomorrow (March 21st) on BackerKit Crowdfunding, Cthulhu is Hard to Spell is a brand-new softcover edition of the critically acclaimed anthology! "If you love Lovecraft, this is our love letter to Lovecraft fans of all kinds, from those who obsess about Cthulhu, to the ones who never want to leave Arkham, to the ones who keep a copy of the Necronomicon under their pillow, and everyone in between. Whether you are a casual fan or a rabid one, we've got you covered."
We absolutely loved the hardcover release of Cthulhu is Hard to Spell on Kickstarter. But we think that this re-release as a shorter, more accessible softcover is such a brilliant move by Unlikely Heroes Studio to get this amazing book in front of as many readers as possible!
If you've never backed a project on BackerKit before, this is a great one to start with!
Check out Cthulhu is Hard to Spell on BackerKit
Kat: I had the pleasure helping Laurie Foster and the team with PR on this project, and I couldn't be prouder of the product and their twist on Cthulhu. Russell Nohelty passed on the baton to Laurie to take over the Hard to Spell franchise, and I truly can't wait to see what Unlikely Studios does next.
In Closing
That's a wrap for this week's email! If you'll be attending C2E2, definitely stop by Booth W-08 to say hi! And be sure to follow the Kickstarter Pre-launch Pages for HAUNTING #5 and LFLD #8! You don't want to miss these exciting issues!
Thanks for reading!
Previous Kickstarter: Hairology - A Celebration of Hair
Next Kickstarters: HAUNTING #5 & Like Father, Like Daughter #8 (March 27th)
Next Convention: C2E2 (March 31st - April 2nd @ Booth # W-08)
Phil’s Socials: Twitter | Instagram
Kat’s Socials: Twitter | YouTube