On Sale Today: Howard The Duck 50th Anniversary #1

"Celebrating" 50 Years Trapped in a World He Never Made.

Cover by Ed McGuinness

Hi, all.

ON SALE TODAY FROM MARVEL — Howard The Duck #1: 50th Anniversary Special, featuring a new story scripted by me with art by one of my favorite artists, the great Annie Wu. Together, we finally answer the question WHAT IF … Howard The Duck Had WON His 1972 Bid For The Presidency?

One of the things that happens is this:

Via Annie Wu on Twitter | Art by Annie Wu with color art by Ian Herring

BUY NOW from a Local Comic Shop near you or digitally for all screen devices here.

“Okay, bye.”
— Daniel Kibblesmith

Finally, Justice For America (This is about Howard The Duck).

WAUGH!

Cover by Ed McGuinness

Coming 11.29.23 from Marvel Comics — Howard The Duck #1: 50th Anniversary Special, featuring a new story scripted by me with art by THE Annie Wu (Hawkeye, Black Canary, much-much-more).

Once again, a tremendous honor to be writing one of my favorite characters in all of fiction and especially to be correcting one of the greatest political injustices in history (and there’s a lot of competition these days).

Namely, our story answers the question — “What If” Howard The Duck had won his Presidential Campaign?!

Vintage Bernie Wrightson 1976 “Howard The Duck For President” button, which was a real campaign and in no way merely a fan club / brilliant cash grab.

Via Marvel:

This November, fans are invited to a birthday blowout for one of comics’ most unique characters in HOWARD THE DUCK #1! Announced this past weekend at San Diego Comic-Con, Howard the Duck’s 50th anniversary one-shot will be an giant-sized spectacle that will reunite writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Joe Quinones, the sensational creative team behind Howard’s smash hit and critically acclaimed 2015 ongoing series.

Meet Howard. He’s a hard-boiled P.I. with problems by the duckload. But a cosmic, all-seeing friend(?) known as the Peeper(!) is giving him a chance to see what his life COULD be! The joys he COULD have! All the ways his life COULD suck way less than it does now! In other words: “Whaugh If?”

Here’s some of the craziness that readers can look forward to:

Emmy-nominated writer and comedian Daniel Kibblesmith and acclaimed artist Annie Wu put Howard in the Oval Office! Inspired by a classic tale from Steve Gerber and Gene Colan’s 70s’ run, Howard the Duck has been sworn in as President. Find out if how gutsy he is as Commander in Chief when the Earth is invaded by aliens in this startling political satire!

Popular video game designer and writer Merritt K makes her Marvel Comics debut alongside artist Will Robson with a cosmic comedy that sees Howard the Duck leaving the chaos of Earth behind to take over as leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy! Playing Star-Lord is all fun and games for Howard until some of his most iconic classic villains band together to take him out once and for all!

And more!

Like other historic headlines — DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN! MAN WALKS ON MOON! and ELVIS SHOOTS NIXON! — You’ll want to PRE-ORDER TWO PHYSICAL COPIES of HOWARD THE DUCK ELECTED PRESIDENT! One to hold in your hands and read and re-read until it’s a beloved dog-eared rag and the other to frame and pass on as an heirloom to your ungrateful cyborg grandchildren. Conveniently for you, there are also two covers.

Alternate Cover by Ron Lim

Call a local comic shop near you or pre-order here to have the comic automatically delivered digitally to your phone or tablet. The more copies we sell, the better the odds of getting another Howard The Duck movie. I really feel like we could get it right this time.

Unrelated: Follow me on Threads.

Substack Notes is dead to me. Threads (by Meta) is my god now.

But if you don’t use Threads (and why would you), the easiest place to find and reach me is probably my “professional” Instagram account. I say “professional” but don’t worry, I still swear.

“Have a great summer, don’t change after graduation.”
— Daniel Kibblesmith

"Get me pictures of Spider... ME?!"

This summer, Jonah gets the bite in Marvel's EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #4

Hi all.

Coming 07.05.23 from Marvel Comics — a new story scripted by me with art by ChrisCross — wherein “What If” the radioactive spider bit the hand of not Midtown High’s professional wallflower, Peter Parker, but that of his blowhard boss, Daily Bugle Editor-in-Chief, J. Jonah Jameson?!

Uh-oh. (Art by Steve Ditko via Marvel)

Insanely excited to get to script a long overdue story about one of the greatest characters in the history of comics getting poured into the spandex of his most hated foil. To egregiously paraphrase Spider-Desk editor, Nick Lowe: We can’t believe we haven’t done this story yet.

What happens when J. Jonah Jameson becomes the very THREAT OR MENACE that he fears?! As his spider-sona, [NAME TO BE REVEALED!] will Jonah play the hero or the villain? The answer of course: Whatever sells more newspapers.

Via Marvel:

DREAM-SPIDER RETURNS! The new spider-character from the hit DEADLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN miniseries returns in her first solo adventure! ALSO: What if that radioactive spider we all know and love bit…J. JONAH JAMESON?!

40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

PRE-ORDER THESE PICTURES OF SPIDER-MAN! At a local comic shop near you or delivered digitally to phones and tablets here. I wrote this ten-page tale of Spider-Jonah in the manner of a backdoor pilot, hoping that it’s only the beginning for this version of the character (hey, worked for Spider-Gwen, Gwenpool and, one hopes, characters not named Gwen).

I’m also a huge fan of the investigative journalistic beat of the Marvel universe — if you loved comics like Frontline, The Pulse, Jessica Jones — really anything where Ben Urich was still allowed to smoke — I’m writing this comic for you.

And if you want to see Amazing Spider-Man-style costumed hero vs. villain crime fighting capers — I’m writing this comic for you.

And [minor spoiler] if you enjoyed any schadenfreude from news this week about any morally-dubious private space launch companies — well, I wrote that part for me. Crazy timing, though.

So help us make this comic a ridiculous best-seller and we’ll finally be able to give audiences the costumed hero they’ve been waiting for: A grouchy middle-aged guy, with old school reporter skills, wearing a skin-tight costume against his better judgment.

“Bye all.”
— Daniel

"Get in the robot, Archie."

Manifesting the Archie Mecha Comic of my dreams.

Hi, all. How it started:

How it’s going:

Via Publisher:

ARCHIE & FRIENDS ALL ACTION ONESHOT
(W) Kibblesmith, Daniel (A) Jampole, Ryan (C) Jampole, Ryan
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
StockID: 74583 SKU: FEB231162

A BRAND-NEW STORY kicks off this collection of tales mecha monsters- heroic hijinks- and action-packed adventure! In 'Super Mecha Teens-' a giant monster threatens to attack Riverdale- and only one teen (with some robot help) can save the day. Unfortunately- that teen is Archie Andrews. But he doesn't have to do it alone! But who does he choose? Betty with her rugged- self-built mech- or Veronica with her hi-tech- hi-end robotics? As all the mechs are being mauled by the monster- Archie must decide in this story that's equal parts TRANSFORMERS and PACIFIC RIM.

Emphasis mine. Never give up on your dreams, kids. For a five-page story, I put a ridiculous amount of work and research into this — as recounted on the recent episode of War Rocket Ajax I was graciously asked to co-host. Always an honor to be on my favorite podcast and you can take a listen here.

Even if you despise everything I write (why are you reading this now), this Archie story is worth picking up just for the art by the incredible Ryan Jampole who PACKED every panel with old school manga-inspired personality and deep cut anime mecha references. I researched for months, he researched for a LIFETIME.

Thanks again to EIC Mike Pellerito and everyone at Archie for making this lifelong dream happen.

Pre-order ARCHIE & FRIENDS ALL ACTION ONE-SHOT from a local comic shop near you, or one of MY local comic shops like Golden Apple.

Support it now so we can convince them to let us do a six-part miniseries next!

“Okay, I think that’s everything for now. Talk soon.”
— Daniel

That Jolly Red-Suited Fellow Up On The Rooftop: Spider-Man

On Sale Now.

Right in time for gifting season — our five-page ‘Spider-Man goes to the library’ story is now collected in the latest Amazing Spider-Man paperback from ASM writer Zeb Wells and artists including John Romita Jr., Ed McGuinness, and a murderer’s row of other creators of which I am lucky enough to be one.

Ho, Ho, Thwip.

Via Marvel:

Collects Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #6-8. It's Spider-Man's 60th Anniversary - and Marvel is pulling out all the stops! Someone from Spidey's past has captured the Sinister Six and used them to create the truly terrifying…Sinister Adaptoid! Can the webbed wonder possibly triumph against the might of an android that boasts the powers of all of Spidey's deadliest foes? And who is the face behind the Adaptoid's attack? Brace yourself for one of the biggest adventures in Spider-history - and you won't believe how it ends! Plus: Norman Osborn is back! But what does he have planned for Spider-Man?! One of the biggest status-quo shake-ups in years will shock you as Spidey dons a new costume with accessories that look vaguely…familiar. Is that - a glider?!

Available via Bookshop.org (and basically all online retailers) or for direct order from a local comic shop or bookstore near you.

— but if you’re buying gifts written by me this holiday season why. stop. there?

Quick ‘Written By Daniel Kibblesmith’ Gift Guide (2022).

For the Marvel Cinematic Universe fan: Loki: The God Who Fell To Earth

I did not work on the television program Loki (2021) — HOWEVER. It did pull inspiration from the character’s 60+ years of comic evolution, including our short-lived, but now self-contained paperback. Available from online retailers and local book and comic shops.

‘Tis The Season: Santa’s Husband (2017)

  • Illustrated by ‏ : ‎ Ashley Quach

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Design; Illustrated edition (October 10, 2017)

  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages

  • All-Ages Picture Book

For Kids & Kids At Heart: Princess Dinosaur (2021)

  • Illustrated by ‏ : ‎ Ashley Quach

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (January 5, 2021)

  • Language ‏ : ‎ English / Rhyming!

  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages

  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6 years (from customers)

Tis The Season (For Nerds): DC Christmas Carols: We Wish You a Harley Christmas

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronicle Books (October 27, 2020)

  • Language ‏ : ‎ English

  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 80 pages

  • Sing-along-able ‏ : ‎ Fully

For the Belated Gifter Who (Correctly) Prefers Jennifer Wright to Daniel Kibblesmith: Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York’s Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hachette Books (February 28, 2023)

  • Language ‏ : ‎ English

  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages

  • PRE-ORDER NOW!

Everything written by myself and Jennifer available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent sellers online and near you.

NYPL Introduces Spider-Man Library Card!

Hi, all.

LIBRARIES!

Now that I have your attention: Spider-Man.

Marvel / NYPL

Back in July, for Amazing Spider-Man #900, I scripted a back-up story — with art by David Lopez, color art by Nathan Fairbairn, and lettering by Joe Caramagna — called AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.

Inspired by an idea from editor Nick Lowe (torn from the headlines, SVU-style) the New York Public Library announced this year that late fees would be forgiven — and Peter Parker would have a lot of late fees.

Art by Lopez, Fairbairn, & Caramagna.

Well, now life is imitating art imitating life with the introduction of the NYPL Spider-Man Library Card — THAT’S RIGHT, LIMITED EDITION SPIDER-MAN VARIANTS ARE NOT JUST FOR COMICS ANYMORE.

Via NYPL

NYPL's Special Edition Spider-Man Library Card Coming October 11

Knowledge is power! Scale new heights with NYPL's special, limited-edition Spider-Man library card, available in branches starting October 11. Tap into the power of reading with book recommendations, including a multitude of Marvel graphic novels, plus free programs, events, and more for all ages at your friendly neighborhood library.

EVERYONE can also now read our Spider-Man library story for free on Marvel Unlimited, RIGHT NOW.

Art by Lopez, Fairbairn, & Caramagna.

It’s a quick five pages, available on all devices and browsers — and then head to your local public library (or library app) for thousands more free comics where that came from.

Patience (or Fortitude?) enjoys Amazing Spider-Man #900; via NYPL