August Double Dip!

Word finally got out, so I can at last say it publicly: Steve and I are writing an upcoming issue of Hack/Slash! This is something we’re both incredibly excited about. Personally, I’ve been a fan of Hack/Slash for years, so being given the opportunity to write an issue has been a surreal, yet amazingly fulfilling experience. Hack/Slash #19 releases August 22 and features are from Emilio Laiso. The solicit text goes like this:

“Hack/Slash/Repeat”
Slashers, by their very nature, are hard to keep in their graves, and sometimes putting them there over and over again tests even the resolve of Cassie and Vlad. HOAX HUNTERS creators MICHAEL MORECI and STEVE SEELEY join fan-favorite artist EMILIO LAISO to tell a dark tale of the price slasher-hunters must sometime pay to take down their prey.

I’ll be honest, this is a pretty dark issue. At times when writing it, Steve and I discussed how bleak the story was getting, but we ran with it and we think Hack/Slash fans are going to be pleased.

Above are the two covers, the one on the left by Emilio, the one on the right by the man himself, Tim Seeley.

August also sees the release of Hoax Hunters #2. I’ll be talking about this plenty in coming weeks, so I won’t get into detail here. I’ll just say that the final page has something that, really, is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a long time. All the credit for that goes to Axel Medellin and his amazing talents. Credit for the awesome cover goes to my pal Tristan Jones, who I think had a lot of fun playing with the iconic Bigfoot pose. Look for this issue August 8th.

Here’s the solicit text:

“DIE OFF ANOTHER DAY,” Part Two
Danger awaits the Hoax Hunters at the mysterious carnival – a roaming band of cryptids with an agenda all their own. An old foe emerges, wielding a power the likes of which the Hoax Hunters have never seen. Not to mention an enormous, hideous monster. 

New Contest, New Press!

It's that time again, time to gear up for the release of issue #1 and launch the ongoing Hoax Hunters series. Steve, Axel, Jim, and I are absolutely thrilled. We love our first arc and can't wait for everyone to read it. The first issue releases July 5, so please be sure to remind your LCS to order a copy for you!

In the meantime, here's some details on recent press and information on a NEW contest:

Once again, our good friends at TFAW are running a sweet Hoax Hunters contest. This time around, you can win a variant cover, painted by Steve Seeley. This is a one-of-kind collectible; Steve is literally painting the cover. It isn't a copy or anything like that. All the details on how to win can be found here.

Early buzz is already beginning to spread on Hoax Hunters #1. From the Tomb Magazine gave the issue a 4.5 of 5 rating, saying it has "great pacing and some killer mystery" and is " a fun read that plays with monster mythos."

Both Graphic Policy and Comic Monsters have seven-page previews on their sites.

The latest print edition of Rue Morgue has a nice preview and interview with Steve and I.

Speaking of interviews, Steve and I spoke with Westfield Comics about the upcoming launch of Hoax Hunters. And, if you pre-order the issue from them, you'll get it signed by Steve and I!

Our friends at the Well Watchers podcast had some really nice things to say about issue #1, calling it "pretty damn good...perfect mix of horror and investigation." They praise Axel's "fantastic art" and give the issue a solid 14/17 rating.

Over at Biff Bam Pop! I wrote a guest column on origin stories, and why I think they're dull and unneccessary (in the traditional sense).

And, finally, Horror's Not Dead expressed their excitement for issue #1.