1979semifinalist

[1979semifinalist]

Hi Kelly! Love all your stuff! I was reading Absolute Wonder Woman and thinking back to your run of Black Widow (which is fantastic btw) and I was just wondering, what made you want to write comics? How did you get started?

I have wanted to write since I was little -- some of my earliest memories are around trying to not only write and draw but create physical objects that people could read. And though I loved Archie Comics when I was little (they were my first exposure to comics) -- I didn’t really know or understand there was a whole big world of comics -- they were just these cool books I used to beg my mom for at the grocery store check out line. But when I was a teenager my younger brothers Scott and Dave and I (though Dave was more casual with it) discovered comics and became huge obsessed fans. And it was then that I realized that comics were maybe this perfect merging of the things I loved -- words and pictures. Initially I definitely wanted to write and draw, but I eventually gave up the draw part (not good enough, not willing to devote the time to get better, impatient, blah blah blah). But I was very sure “making comics” was the thing I wanted to do -- comics and making them became my #1 hobby.

When it came time to go away to college I picked a truly baffling choice (don’t ask) and was thinking I’d probably study English and/or Art. English fell apart right away in my first semester (a bland uninspiring teacher who was equally uninspired with me). Art in the second semester was more promising (but I still knew I did not have what it takes to be excellent in that field). In my sophmore year I had been considering a transfer to an art school (SCAD was at the top of my list since they were the only college at that time that had an actual Sequential Art Degree). And some interesting things happened in my second year at college that really showed me that I was on the wrong path and that I should at least give SCAD a try, because maybe THAT would be the right path. So I left school at the end of my sophomore year, moved home, took a year off to work and earn some money for school and a car, and to take some additional classes at the community college that I knew would transfer to SCAD. And then applied and got a (very small) scholarship. And that was it. I loved it there. Whereas I had ached to be home with my family most of the time that I was at my first college, I loved this so much I didn’t even come home over the summer anymore. It was the first time I felt like I was finding my place in the world and maybe would do something interesting.

But I do things slow.

So after I graduated I took a normal day job and just tried to work on my stuff on the side. I did that for years and eventually... like 10 years later (oof).. it started to become something.

I don’t know if you’re trying to break in, or thinking about trying to do something really hard, but in case you are, here are my advice bits:

1. Everyone hates this advice, but it’s the advice everyone gives it because it’s true: To get noticed and get paid to make comics, you first have to make some comics. You have to show people you can do this, that you have something to say, and the only way to do that is to make some comics.

2. And this: Don’t give up until you’ve succeeded. Trite, but also true.

3. And this one is tough but: Finish your project. An 80% finished project is nothing. A 100% finished project is everything. Getting to the finish line is the hardest part, but if you can manage that you’ll be ahead of almost everyone. Which is encouraging... in its way.

If you are indeed trying to do something, whatever it is... good luck, and don’t give up!

[1979semifinalist]

When you say that Absolute Wonder Woman was raised in hell, is that the Christian hell or is it Tartarus from Greek myths?

Definitely think more Greek Underworld. We use Hell in part because I think it’s just more easily understood for most readers than some of the Greek words like Underworld and Tartarus -- and especially in a first issue you don’t want to alienate anyone or make it feel difficult to jump on board. But yes, think more an Underworld ruled by Hades.

[1979semifinalist]

Birds of Prey #8 - "Undercover Animals II" (2023)

written by Kelly Thompson art by Javier Pina, David Lopez, & Jordie Bellaire

[1979semifinalist]

Guess what returns to shelves next week? BLACK CLOAK Issue #7 will be in stores August 21st! Written by @1979semifinalist, Art by me, letters by Becca Carey, and design by Rian Hughes.

(This is a promo image. Not the cover)

(The cover for Issue #7 looks like this:)

Anyways.

Check it out. I drew real pretty, I promise.

[1979semifinalist]

YES!

Meredith has out done herself. The pages, I mean, volume 1 is so gorgeous it's ridiculous to say, but they are somehow even more packed with incredible details and the richest colors. Stunning to look at, truly. <3

Guess what returns to shelves next week? BLACK CLOAK Issue #7 will be in stores August 21st! Written by @1979semifinalist, Art by me, letters by Becca Carey, and design by Rian Hughes.

(This is a promo image. Not the cover)

(The cover for Issue #7 looks like this:)

Anyways.

Check it out. I drew real pretty, I promise.

[1979semifinalist]

Congratulations on Eisner nomination!! 😍😍😍👏👏👏

Thanks so much! I miss you!

[1979semifinalist]

Congratulations on the eisner nomination!

THANK YOU!

[1979semifinalist]

Congratulations on all of the Eisner nominations! Very well deserved and looking forward to more!

Thank you so much!

[1979semifinalist]

Hey Kelly! Still loving Birds of Prey can't wait for the new storyline. With Bucky & Natasha getting back together it took me back to your Black Widow run and just how powerful their interactions were in issue #5 specifically, but also the longer ones. Gotta ask, if you'd gotten more time with that book did you have any original plans for a reunion? It felt like you were dropping hints for it.

Thanks so much! It’s fun (and a bit cheesecake-y) so I hope you’ll all enjoy it -- some gorgeous art by Javier Pina and David Lopez. <3

I had some very big plans. I will always regret not being able to do them. : /

[1979semifinalist]

Hi Kelly! "It's Jeff" has gotten me through some pretty rough times in the last couple of years. Jeff always makes me smile. Thank you for your work with him and his adventures! At the end of #24, it says that there will be more coming in late 2023, but I can't find any news about it. Is there anything that you can say on when he'll be back?

Hey!

YES! I don’t know the exact date, but I BELIEVE Season 3 of It’s Jeff will be debuting this month (but could be next?) it will definitely be soon! This Season is 12 “episodes” like the previous seasons, but it’s now been split into two half seasons -- so there will be 6 episodes for 2023 and then the other 6 will be winter/spring 2024. Also, Gurihiru is so busy they needed a little help -- so Nao Fuji will be doing 4 of the 2023 strips (which I know is hard to hear but Nao Fuji is great and they’re doing amazing work). 

You should also definitely follow me on my newsletter where I regularly post updates about this stuff -- including sneak peeks of Jeff (like this one -- which is by Nao Fuji!)

The newsletter is here -- there is a paid option if you want the really cool stuff -- all-new comics and prose, behind the scenes process stuff, etc. But there’s also a FREE option -- which is just the basic updates to keep us in touch and show off fun stuff an announce books and things. I hope you’ll come by! 

https://1979semifinalist.substack.com/

[1979semifinalist]

Kelly I'm looking forward to the Birds of prey comic super excited. 😊 Oh I got one question I know you're not involved but what is your take on love unlimited caption marvel and war machine? Because it doesn't make sense to do a Webtoon . I'm curious to hear you opinion on it.

Thank you! Me too!

I don’t know much about it other than I saw on Twitter that it exists and they weirdly used art from our run to promote it (odd -- but that was a beautiful piece that didn’t get enough love as far as I’m concerned so I’m happy to see it back in circulation). How do you mean it doesn’t make sense?

[1979semifinalist]

Hey Kelly! Huge fan of your work after falling in love with your writing with Black Widow I went on to become stupidly in love with Captain Marvel, love the Gambit + Rogue stuff etc. I'm totally looking forward to checking out Birds of Prey but I've never read DC is it going to be accessible from day 1 or should I really do some pre-reading to get ready for it?

Hi! Thank you!

Birds of Prey is a title that hasn’t been out in a while -- and hasn’t been out regularly in a LONG while -- so the new book HAS to be pretty new reader friendly. That said, some of the Birds of Prey comics are really fun (some older stuff hasn’t aged great but that happens with lots of media). There’s so much of it I’m hard pressed to say where you should start (also don’t want people to read too much into suggestions I might make) -- but it’s certainly safe to pick up any of the Gail Simone stuff -- lots of it drawn by Nicola Scott which is extra fun!

Another thing...if you like my work and you haven’t read my HAWKEYE you might want to check that out -- as it will get you really family with our whole BoP team -- Me, Leonardo Romero, and Jordie Bellaire -- also those Hawkeye comics are just super fun. ;D

[1979semifinalist]

It has been a sweet and bitter farewell at the same time, you have marked an era in Carol's life and just like Kelly Deconick your name will be linked to Carol forever, I will follow you in Birds of Prey without a doubt and even if you are not in Marvel now you bet because this crazy fan of who you know who will be happy again soon? I need some Hope Thank you very much and see you very soon.

Thanks so much. I hope you won’t be a stranger now that I’m not regularly writing Jess! I hope you’ll love Birds of Prey -- I do think Dinah has some Jess energy (although she’s a little more serious in this first arc thanks to... THINGS GOING ON). ;D

<3

[1979semifinalist]

Hi, Kelly! I just wanted to say that you’re a huge inspiration for me and I appreciate all the incredible work you’ve put!

I have the following question:

How do/did you “prepare” for your BOP run? Any particular run/title you’ve read to prepare except for the old BOP? How did you learn to “connect” to these characters?

Thanks so much!

So I’m a big BoP fan, and I’d read pretty much the entire run up through the New 52 BoP over the years/many years ago. Once I was actually trying to pitch the project I went back and re-read some arcs and I also dug a little bit to check out the few minis I had missed post new 52. I also read/re-read some of the old Black Canary runs and the Black Canary/Green Arrow stuff. I also went back and re-read some of my favorite old WildCATS stuff, and some old Cass Batgirl stuff (as well as new WildCATS and Batgirls).

I can’t talk too much about how I connected these characters (fair to say though that 4 out of 5 have been BoP members in the past so there’s not much of a stretch to connect them!) because WHY Dinah chooses THIS team is a large part of our plot -- and if we want any surprises left for issue 1 (since the team is already revealed) -- I gotta keep some secrets!

I think a lot of the choices will a lot of sense for the fans once they’ve read issue 1. I hope you’ll dig it!

[1979semifinalist]

Random question. I know you play Marvel Snap on occasion, have you thought about what characters you've written but aren't in the game would play like? Curious on how you'd design Kate Bishop, Fuse, Quinten Quire, Spiral, etc.

Mmm. I feel like you could get really creative on a lot of those powers (the game is mostly pretty great in that regard I think) -- so I’m not putting in the time it really deserves, but on a quick thought...

For Kate Bishop something with the card coming back no matter what you do to it might be fun (sort of a nod to her never give up vibes) -- or maybe the card could be targeted to specific cards (like the Shang Chi card...I actually hate the Shang Chi card though so maybe not that destructive?) I definitely prefer building cards to destroying them (even in my destruction and resurrection decks they’re almost entirely for destroying my OWN cards, not the opponent).

Fuse would be obvious as an absorb the strength of other cards -- maybe to keep it being too much like Super Skrull, Rogue, Mystique, or Absorbing Man maybe it’s more about point power than abilities? Maybe it adds point power to his card every time a new card is played -- sorta like Bishop but with more Luke Cage or Colossus vibes? Something in that realm. Or maybe you make it cooler by being more niche -- like he can only copy/absorb from certain cards -- or maybe some make him stronger but others can make him weaker?

Spiral has got to be something about moving between arenas. Maybe she automatically moves every turn and picks up or loses point power each time based on where she’s going/who she’s interacting with.

I know Quentin can do “almost anything” but on WCA I honestly found him most useful in protecting the team (a thing he found pretty unimpressive but is actually the most impressive and important thing ever). I’d love a protective card like Luke Cage or Armor -- but more protective from card abilities somehow? Like a whole powerful shield over the entire proceedings. lol. It would be very unlike Quire in a way -- since he’s so chaotic -- but sometimes it’s the card you need, not the one you want. ;D

[1979semifinalist]

I don't know if you are tired of getting these Thank You messages yet, but here is another one.

After reading an amazing end to an CM amazing run, thank you for all of your Marvel work. From Carol to Kate (and Jeff) and from Widow to Wade, you'll be missed.

And of course, I'll be getting Birds of Prey.

I’ll never be tired of THAT.

Thanks so much for taking the time to say it.

And THANK YOU for following me to Birds of Prey -- I think we’re making something really special there and I hope you’ll love it.

[1979semifinalist]

Misfit for your Birds of Prey list?

It’s certainly possible if we have a long run? I have no immediate plans for her though, no. Sorry!