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1 month ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
It's been my experience that when an editor solicits me to draw a cover, they often ask me to create THREE cover ideas for them to choose only ONE from. They want three LEGITIMATE and MARKETABLE cover ideas. And you usually have to read the comic book and do research (get reference) in order to achieve this. It's part of the job and, despite the dilemma I'm about to share, I'm always grateful for the work. I can usually come up with two good ideas out of three.
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1 month ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
As mentioned in a previous post:In 2017, I was asked by a couple of editors at IDW to pitch short stories for a series called STAR WARS ADVENTURES. I came up with three different adventures and none of them made muster.
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1 month ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
Indie-comics legend, Don Simpson was about to launch a Kickstarter featuring Megaton Man and his Bizarre Heroes, plus team-ups and mash-ups with guest characters, and here is a headline/link to a Bleeding Cool story about what stalled the project:“Kickstarter Suspends Don Simpson's Megaton Man Over Iranian Artist” Having discussed it with Don and other people, the issue might be as simple as Kickstarter can't legally send funds to Iran. But, because it's a Don Simpson production with approx.
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1 month ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
Today is SUPERMAN DAY. Happy Super, man! (Two-page excerpt from "A Friend, In Need!" in Superman Kal-El Returns Special #1; illustrated by me, written by Sina Grace, colored by Trish Mulvihill, lettered by Dave Sharpe, edited by Paul Kaminski and Jillian Grant)See you in the sky——DinoInstagram / Website/Blog / Nightwork Studio / Etsy / VITO x DINO
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1 month ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
On April 6th, 2025, at Ithacon, I took part in a panel called “Indie Comics Revolution of the 80s: From American Flagg! to Zot!” Featuring Mike Gold, Walter Simonson, Don Simpson, and moderated by Robert Jeschonek. I recorded the panel on my smart phone for DINO+ subscribers.
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1 month ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
Kingston Independent Comics Expo (aka KICx) was a perfect-sized room with the right amount of exhibitors and creators inside a church. Locals and city slickers, including legends Jim Starlin, Walter and Louise Simonson, showed up despite the snow and chilly rain — to check out the scene, zines, art and comix. It was great to catch up with all kinds of friends and peers. Big Ups to Ophira Eisenberg and Nina Bird Lawrence for the coffee and TLC.
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1 month ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
Jen Ferguson and I had a great time collaborating on a couple of “Monster Ala Carte” mash-ups at Ithacon 48. It’s always an honor and pleasure to mix it up with Walter & Louise Simonson. And hang out with Pittsburgh godfather, Don “Megaton Man” Simpson. Mike Gold, Don McGregor, Matt Bors,Chris Condon ,Bill Schanes, Keith Haugen, Bill Anderson, Bob & Shari Harrison. And more. Big Ups to Ed Catto and his amazing Ithacon students and staff for a swell soiree and smooth ride.
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2 months ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
As mentioned in a previous post: In 2017, I was asked by a couple of editors at IDW to pitch short stories for a series called STAR WARS ADVENTURES. I came up with three different adventures and none of them made muster. To be fair, the editors were still figuring out what made a good done-in-one Star Wars story for young adults, but I still think I came up with a few solid ideas even though they never became canon.
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2 months ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
Indie Comics Creator Con 2025 was a blast. It reminded me of early SPX (Small Press Expo) days from the mid-90s to early 00s. Back when creators huddled after hours and drew with each other. Shared ideas and laughs. Were in it together. Big Ups to table mate Whitney Matheson, and show creator/organizers Matthew Sardo, Jamie Jones, and the IC3 crew. Big Ups to Eli Schwab and his Cosmic Lion crew. Big Ups to the Piskor family, Tom Scioli, Jim Rugg, Tony Wolf and everyone else I got to see and meet.
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2 months ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
I don't watch sports like I used to when I was a New York Yankees fan in the 1970s & 80s. But I do watch award shows every year. A spectacle of celebration I was weened on as a kid. My father was friends with famous actresses and wrote about them. My mother helped fund all kinds of artists as deputy director of NYSCA. And my godmother was a two time Academy Award winner who introduced me to a lot of great actors. If I only I knew then what I know now. The questions I could've asked.
