NEXUS: SCOURGE is a graphic novel Kelsey Shannon and I did for Dark Horse. Dark Horse paid us, then found out that through regular channels, there was no interest, so they returned all rights to me, which was a very generous thing to do. The only reason Steve Rude and I own Nexus is because Dark Horse publisher, in a move that has never been duplicated, returned the rights to us. The world of crowd funding is lightyears removed from the traditional comic market. As we prepare to launch Nexus: Scourge on all platforms, the response has been overwhelming. You can see a preview and sign up here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/nexus-scourge/coming_soon
All who sign up before we go live, in about two weeks, will get a bonus art card. Kelsey’s work is outstanding. The book is complete. Ready to go to the printer. Following Scourge, we are releasing NEXUS REMASTERED, the first three black and white issues colored by Kelsey Shannon. After that comes TRIPLETS, the Nexus series Richard Meyer commissioned several years ago. After Richard fulfilled the first of three issues, he said, “Mike, you’re doing better with your crowdfunding than I am, you take over.” Kelsey is illustrating that too.
I’m co-writing a novel with Blaine Pardoe. It’s called Tenure. It’s about a history professor who innocently calls a woman by the wrong pronoun. She complains, he’s fired. Since this is Portland, it doesn’t end there. ANTIFA forces his wife off the road and she dies in a fiery crash. ANTIFA SWATS his house and the feds kill his daughter. Braxton’s had enough. Decides to take matters into his own hands. He’s a veteran. You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a seemingly mild man who, when wronged, turns out to be an ex-CIA assassin. It’s a trope as old as the CIA. Right now, there are three movies in theaters about them.
The Beekeeper: Thinking she'd put her dangerous past behind her, Lou (Allison Janney) finds her quiet life interrupted when a desperate mother (Jurnee Smollett) begs her to save her kidnapped daughter. As a massive storm rages, the two women risk their lives on a rescue mission that will test their limits and expose dark and shocking secrets from their pasts.
The Painter: An ex-CIA operative turned painter is thrown back into a dangerous world when a mysterious woman from his past resurfaces. Now exposed and targeted by a relentless killer and a rogue black ops program, he must rely on skills he thought he left behind in a high-stakes game of survival.
The Bricklayer: As other nations begin turning against the U.S., the CIA must lure Steve Vail (Aaron Eckhart) -- their most brilliant and rebellious operative -- out of retirement. With an elite and deadly skill set, Vail is tasked with helping clear the agency's name, forcing him to confront his checkered past while unraveling an international conspiracy.
Taken: Driven by personal tragedy, former Green Beret and CIA operative Bryan Mills specializes in deadly rescue missions -- using his "very particular set of skills."
The Mother: A deadly female assassin comes out of hiding to protect the daughter that she gave up years before, while on the run from dangerous men.
Lou: Thinking she'd put her dangerous past behind her, Lou (Allison Janney) finds her quiet life interrupted when a desperate mother (Jurnee Smollett) begs her to save her kidnapped daughter. As a massive storm rages, the two women risk their lives on a rescue mission that will test their limits and expose dark and shocking secrets from their pasts.
Who says this isn’t the golden age of Hollywood?
I will guaran-dog-tee you one thing. None of these movies will name or even allude to ANTIFA. Downtown Portland is a ghost town. Just like San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Philadelphia. Now it’s New York’s turn.
Watching Capote vs. The Swans on FX. Loosely adapted from Truman Capote’s writing, this bitch fest is alternately exhilirating, repellant, funny, sad, but always watchable. Tom Holland nails Capote. There have been many great Capote portrayals through the years, but I think Holland’s is the best. Also watching this new version of Shogun. Magnificent. It’s been years since I read the book and watched the first mini-series, and this new version seems entirely fresh to me.
Films I’m anticipating with excitement: uh..
Nice piece Mike. I’m looking forward to more of your Nexus. Thanks for keeping it fresh. I’m also really enjoying Shogun. I’m not that far removed from the novel which was amazing and gave me a whole new appreciation of the culture I never really understood. Thanks for recommending the Swans. I was afraid to try thinking it would be Woke garbage. I’ll give it a shot.