Speakeasy Comics is closed--apparently. We were never contacted by anyone representing Speakeasy, so we got this news at the same time as everybody else. The timing couldn’t be worse for our book "The Black Coat", considering that the first issue was slated to be on store shelves March 1st (we heard the news only two days before).

I feel particularly awful for Ben Lichius, who had invested so much time and energy into coordinating with Speakeasy and struggling to make things happen. While our experience with Speakeasy had negative elements and it would be easy to start slinging dirt and accusations, I still admire what they were originally trying to do (previous to Ardustry’s involvement). One less independent publisher, especially one the size of Speakeasy, is a blow to the entire comics industry, both for the present and the future. It means that there are less unique books on the shelves and fewer opportunities for new voices to be heard.

I want to assure those of you who have been looking forward to the book that this isn’t the end for The Black Coat. We will do our best to find a new publisher in a timely manner. Two of the books are ready for print, and the third is in the process of being lettered. You can check out a preview of the first issue here:

[link]

Ben has also oppened up a Black Coat forum, and I'd like to invite all of you over for a visit: [link]

The other book I'm writing--"Villains"--is still going like gangbusters. It's being published by Viper Comics, and it's set for an April release.

The Villains minisite: [link]

The Villains forums: [link]