Comfort Food Comics #1 - 3W3M
First installment of an all new series speaking on comics I love.
Welcome to our first ever installment of an all new Substack project! Years ago, when I was attempting to do some comic journalism, I was invited to write for a site by the great Dave Shevlin. The name of the segment was called Comfort Food Comics Potluck, which was a series of writers who would be featured to speak on comics that really spoke to them and otherwise loved. To be honest, I couldn’t have been happier as I love the medium and just talking about comics I loved seemed to be more than I could ask for, so I took the opportunity and rocked it as only I knew how.
Check out the original article here.
Now, years later, I have decided to bring that back with my own flavor to you on this substack.
A reminder for you all that our online shop, The Treasury, is currently open for business! If you’ve missed out on any previous campaigns, then you’ll be able to purchase both physical and digital copies of whatever is available. Over time, we will offer exclusive items that you wonderful readers will have the chance to get first dibs on before anyone else!
Now what are you waiting for, enter The Treasury here!
What is Three Worlds/Three Moon (3W3M)?
You may be wondering, what exactly is Three Worlds/Three Moons? The project itself is the brainchild of creators Jonathan Hickman, Mike Del Mundo, and Mike Huddleston which aims to tell stories set within a brand new sci-fi comic book universe based around the concepts of three worlds and their respective moons. These worlds and moons are Akva, Fayrii (Heir), and Therra (Kaoso, Ordo).
Each world has their own system as to how they operate, who rules over the people, etc; but not is all as it seems. Not only does this grand experiment follow the lives of the denizens of these worlds and respective moons, but a singular figure — Tajo Vallar — is at the center of this all, as is his extraordinary family of scientists.
These stories are told throughout a series of sourcebooks, upcoming graphic novels, and ongoing comics (how that works has yet to be seen) that connect for an all encompassing narrative that seeks to uncover both the past and future of the universe at large. As a former subscriber (don’t worry, it’s temporary), I urge those who are looking for an expansive world building experience that doesn’t mind growing with the idea no matter how long it takes to tell the story to subscribe to the newsletter. It is well worth every penny both in terms of momentary value and creative experience.
Why I love 3W3M.
3W3M means a lot to me as both a reader and a creator. As a creator, I get a first hand account to how this comic book experience is done from the minds of all involved up until the finish product is completed and available for sale (baked into your subscription and via their online shop). I’ve been VERY inspired reading all the process pieces and the various ways they can play with each story based on the artwork and where in the universe it takes place amongst the three worlds and their moons. You get short stories, long stories, and an overarching narrative that keeps you on your toes — and I’ll say it’s given my current writing style a new sense of perspective when working on my own comics. Not to say my style was bad or anything, I just work in a way that only fits how I see things.
As a reader, I get to bear witness to a brand new story unfold in my email via the newsletter as often as they can push them out. I have gotten chances to speak with the creators through their live streams, I think we voted on other things to be released, and all sorts of great community content/events that make you feel comfortable. I love the guest artists and those who are a consistent part of the creative team, as it shakes things up from the norm and really makes each individual story feel like it stands on its own. Also, I’m a sucker for data pages, so when a new sourcebook drops I become fully immersed in the lore of this awe inspiring series.
There are very few things in the comic realm that make me smile from ear to ear every time I see it, and this is one of those rare projects that doesn’t make me feel let down by some random creative decisions (editorial or otherwise) that would disengage me completely — looking at you Marvel and DC.
I would like to say, my favorite part of this is it’s not your typical comic book project. It’s an entire experience, no, it’s art in its purest form. I think that’s the message I’m getting from this project, at least at the surface. I’m sure we could find more political content in there, but all art is political in some way. Anyways, if you’re looking for a new project to become immersed in, then I highly suggest you check it out. The substack is free, but they have two subscription tiers: Annual ($80/yr) and The Circle ($250/yr). Obviously if you don’t have the budget for the highest subscription, you’re still going to get your moneys worth in terms of content and yearly rewards (shipping not included). But don’t just take my word for it, go and check it out for yourself!