ADAPTATIONS! AMAZON! UPDATES! BOOK CLUB!
Welcome to our first proper newsletter of our new situation here at the new JINXWORLD.COM.
Thank you for subscribing.
First of all, we had actual big news in between newsletters. It went a little something like this...
JINXWORLD COMES TO LIFE AT AMAZON!
I share this, not in Braggadocios, but because you made this happen. By supporting our comics, by rolling the dice and taking a chance on new ideas you allowed this magical situation. So thank you. And I hope you really do take some satisfaction in your participation in this. I know you’re just ‘buying comics,’ but you’re supporting the arts in the grandest of traditions.
From Variety (original article by Jennifer Maas):
Brian Michael Bendis Signs Amazon First Look Deal, Developing ‘Jinx,’ ‘Pearl’ and ‘Murder Inc.’ Into Shows (EXCLUSIVE)
Comic book author Brian Michael Bendis has set a first-look deal with Amazon is already developing three TV series under the new pact based on his previous works: “Jinx,” “Murder Inc.” and “Pearl.”
“Jinx” is a crime-ridden love story unfolding on a high stakes treasure hunt, per Amazon’s series description. Our players are: Jinx Alameda, a bounty hunter at the top of her game who’s tired of her grimy life; Goldfish, a charming con man and wanted felon who falls head over heels for Jinx; and Columbia, Goldfish’s loose-cannon partner, who has big criminal dreams. Their paths join when they’re pulled into a search for missing mob money — a payout so big that it lures them away from the familiar streets of Cleveland, into a dangerous, unpredictable misadventure that will change the course of their lives.
“Jinx” is executive produced by Bendis along with showrunner Ayelet Waldman and Michael Chabon (“Star Trek: Picard,” “Unbelievable”).
Set in an alternate world where five families never lost their stranglehold on the country, “Murder Inc.” follows Valentine Gallo, a newly “made man” whose first task for the mob ends with an explosion—sending him on the run from rival gangsters and the CIA, according to its logline. Dragged into the fray is Jagger Rose, a normally cool, young hit-woman who was tasked with supervising Valentine, and has wound up with a target on her back too.
Just when Valentine thinks his initiation into organized crime couldn’t be more of a disaster, he learns that his mother is conspiring with the FBI, and has promised them–since his birth–that he’ll be an informant. That was
definitely not his plan. But for now, he and Jagger need to find a way to come together and fight for control of their territory, and their fate.
Bendis and series co-creator Michael Oeming “(Powers”) executive produce. Tze Chun (“I’m a Virgo”) is set as showrunner.
Per Amazon, “Pearl” is about Pearl Tanaka, an outsider among outsiders — a Japanese American with albinism, born into a world ruled by the American yakuza. Now she uses her unequaled skills as a tattoo artist to make an honest living in San Francisco. That all changes the day that she meets another tattoo artist, Rick Araki, and saves his life. Rick has made enemies of a different yakuza clan, and by interfering with their hit on him, Pearl might just have ignited a deadly gang war. And worse, Pearl has inadvertently revealed to her yakuza bosses one of her deepest secrets: she has a real talent for killing. Now, to pay off her debt, she must become their assassin.
Bendis executive produces alongside series co-creator Michael Gaydos (“Jessica Jones”) and showrunner Chris Collins (“The Man in the High Castle”).
Best known for co-creating the Marvel and DC comic-book characters Miles Morales, Jessica Jones, Riri Williams, Maria Hill, Naomi and more, Bendis founded the imprint Jinxworld, which is made up of creator-owned comics housed at Dark Horse Comics. These titles include “Masterpiece” with co-creator Alex Maleev, sci-fi epic “Joy Operations” with co-creator Stephen Byrne, action comedy “The Ones” with co-creator Jacob Edgar, the Yakuza romance “Pearl” with co-creator Michael Gaydos, spy thriller “Cover” with co-creator David Mack, and the alternate history mob story “Murder Inc.” with co-creator Mike Avon Oeming.
“Brian has had immense success throughout his career, with a hand in some of the most culturally impactful comics in recent memory,” said Nick Pepper, head of U.S. SVOD wholly owned development at Amazon MGM Studios. “We are thrilled that he is bringing his captivating storytelling to Amazon MGM Studios.”
Bendis added: “I am thrilled to be part of Amazon’s stellar lineup of storytellers. Their vision for the future of media is SO damn exciting, and they have already honored us with these incredible showrunning partners. The readers have been cheering our original Jinxworld creations on from the get-go, and we are so excited to take them to a screen near you.”
So here’s some newsletter BTS— this Amazon situation actually started a while ago. We were already hard at work pre-writers strike. So it’s REALLY exciting to be back to work on all of this.
This entire situation is something I’ve been hoping for and working towards for a long time. As things progress, we will use this newsletter to keep you posted.
So far, it’s going really well. I am, as we speak, writing the first episode/pilot for Jinx.
Meanwhile, over on Pearl, my new friend, Chris Collins, who has an IMDB page I would pay money to have, was just sent to draft! His take on the characters is everything Michael and I were hoping for. Fingers crossed as he gets to work. Michael Gaydos and I have known each other since college. Amazingly, we too have already shared a very exciting experience of creating Jessica Jones, and that becoming a really amazing show. Anything I say about the subject of Jessica Jones and the TV show is insanely bragging, so I’ll just stop. Michael and I got together again on Pearl specifically to challenge ourselves and this is the result. Pearl, some of you know, is Michael’s best work in comics. All we talk about now is how to create that sensibility on screen. Stay tuned.
And Murder Inc. was last up in the paperwork, but is just now in full development with Tze Chen showrunning. Tze is a big TV writer, but also a big part of the comics community as part of TKO Publishing, one of the most inventive small publishers to come around in many years. Michael Oeming and I have been making comics together for a vvvvvvery long time and, almost 10 years ago now, we were very lucky enough to be in a similar situation with our first book, Powers. Powers had a long weird development process, not unlike so many others. It started as a movie and turned into a TV show on a gaming console. It was the first streaming situation on PlayStation. None of those words mean anything anymore because PlayStation doesn’t do TV. For a couple of seasons, Mike and I got to share the very unique experience of having a TV show together, and we learned a lot. We are so psyched to take what we learned and see Murder Inc. come to sexy dangerous life.
I wanna properly thank my friends and partners who worked so hard behind-the-scenes to make this new chapter happen. Alisa Bendis has run the Jinxworld ship for decades with such care and Jim Ehrich at Rebel has been an outstanding partner and made this entire situation happen. My lifelong attorney Shep Rosenman is the reason behind so much of my peace of mind. Also, you nerds paying close attention know that some of my close friends and old collaborators have also found themselves at Amazon. Hmmm...
Online, many of you were asking me why— of all the stuff in the Jinxworld library— these three specific series? What about the other series? What about Scarlet? What about Phenomena? What about The Ones? My biggest high class problem with a deal like this was: which projects would be going first? How can I possibly choose? I was relieved to find out they would be choosing. So much easier! Also, depending on how things go, these are just the first choices.
I am excited to keep you updated on further developments. but first...
BOOK CLUB!
Those of you who are members of our Jinxworld Discord server (a perk of our POWERS LEVEL subscription) already know that we have arranged to host an all-new Jinxworld BOOK CLUB.
We have voted and we have picked our first title for book clubbing:
Once Upon a Time at the End of the World Vol. 1 (TPB) (2023)
In this decades spanning post-apocalyptic tale, Maceo and Mezzy have never met anyone like each other, and they’ll need all the help they can get to survive a planet ravaged by environmental catastrophe. “Love in the Wasteland” kicks off the first arc of this epic trilogy that spans a lifetime as the dark mysteries of a ruined world and their own stark differences tear at the threads holding Mezzy and Maceo together. As they endure the horrors of plastic tornadoes and frozen sludge, Maceo proves to be more than just a burden, and they make an unlikely connection. But to their peril… they might not be as alone as they thought…
By Jason Aaron, Alexandre Tefenkgi and Leila del Duca
POWERS LEVEL subscribers who want to participate in the discussion, live on Zoom, can join us TOMORROW, TUESDAY, 3/26 at 6pm PST. All are welcome.
Jason, if you’re reading this: surprise :-)
PODCASTS!
Meanwhile, I’ve been running around having some really interesting conversations. Some in preparation for the imminent publication of Phenomena: Book 2 from Abrams on APRIL 23rd!
Thank you so much to all who have already pre-ordered. The best thing you could do to support your favorite authors is to pre-order their projects when you hear about them. It’s always appreciated. I can’t wait to share these things with you.
Phenomena: Book 2 is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever been part of my entire life, featuring inspiring artwork by my partner, André Lima Araújo from CASTRUM LUSITANIA.
We had this really fun conversation with Diamond Previews World just last week:
I got some really decent feedback on this conversation from our friends at Off Panel:
Speaking o’ podcast, I have some really excellent ones to recommend you.
First of all, Comedy Bang Bang is such an institution that fans of it kind of expect and get excellence. Even then, every once in a while, an episode comes along like this:
Anniversary episode 850 is a excuse to put together a real all-star powerhouse lineup of improv stars of this generation. The level of craft and partnership between these comedians is really something special. I’m a big, big, big, big, big fan of all of these people in this really outstanding moment of comedy to me.
In the same space, I am a big fan of Newcomers with Laura Lapkus and Nicole Byer. I’ve loved every single season and I was very excited that they were taking on the Batman franchise.
OTHER PEOPLE’S COMICS!
As you may have seen me bragging on the Instagram the other day, Matt Fraction slipped me a copy of the freshly printed Sex Criminals: The Complete Edition. It is a perfect format for a perfect series. Whether you have or haven’t heard of it, this is a perfect way to pick it up. A must have for any and every graphic novel shelf.
(Click to go to post on Threads!)
Once again, thank you for moving over with us from Substack to our new digital homebase. Behind-the-scenes, Griffin and Ethan have been working very hard to make this a smooth and fun experience for everyone who enjoys our books.
I want to publicly thank them for their hard work, And hope that this inspires you, next time you’re at a comic store, to check out their debut series from Image Comics, Kill Your Darlings.
I love it. A lot of people do. It’s damn well worth picking up.
(Thanks Brian! FOC for our big series finale is Monday, 3/25— out 4/17. Pre-order with your retailer and experience this 52-page behemoth the way we intended.)
We will put out a new newsletter tomorrow with more details on the Book Club.
If you happen to be in the area of Belgium, I’ll be attending the FACTS Convention for the first time ever! We’re very excited about that brand new experience. I’ve never been to that part of the world before, I’m excited to meet you all!
(Click to go to post on Instagram!)
It’s always hard for me to wrap up a newsletter because, all I want to do is say thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s really hard to come up with the words to express how much I appreciate all of these opportunities.
Talk to you soon.
BENDIS!
