2024 in Review
And what's to come in 2025...
As 2024 comes to an end, I want to look back at all the stories that have taken shape over the past 12 months. Each book I've worked on represents not only a chapter of my creative journey but also a connection to all the readers who have joined me in exploring new worlds and characters… like Phoenix and Spider-Gwen, which are just two of the FIVE new issue #1s I put out this year (we’re here to talk about what I wrote this past year… not how much sleep I got!).
All the Issue 1s…
Along with Spider-Gwen and Phoenix, issue #1 of Black Widow and Hawkeye came out in March before artist Paolo Villenelli joined me over on Spider-Gwen where we are currently launching Gwen into space… more on that in a moment. I also had two brand new creator-owned titles drop this year - RED BEFORE BLACK from Boom! Studios with artist Goran Sudzuka and LIFE from DSTLRY, co-written with Brian Azzarello and drawn by Danijel Zezelj.
Both LIFE & Red Before Black continues in January with issue #4.
Favorite Ongoing?!
The AIPT fan survey results are out and PHOENIX got a TON of love, taking the fan votes for favorite ongoing series, favorite X-character, Adani as the breakout X-character, and Phoenix and Cyclops as the favorite couple of the year. Jean fans really showed up for this one, and I cant thank you all enough for being so vocal about the story we’re telling.
I gave a brief interview about the results here. Thanks to AIPT for the chance to talk more about the Phoenix series and where things are headed in the new year.
GRIM Tidings
Apart from all the brand new books… GRIM continued with volume 4, which came out as a trade earlier in this month, AND volume 3 back in February. I really can’t say enough about how much I love to tell this story with Flaviano. Issue 21 will be out in February and we will also have some big GRIM news coming in the new year. I’m going to save that and talk about it in a new post early in 2025… it deserves its own giant post where all I talk about is GRIM (the book… not the state of the world).
Not Just Comics
I wrote a lot of comics this year. I’m not going to count… I don’t have time to count… I have more comics to write. BUT - I wrote way more than just comics. In 2024 I wrapped up the pilot script for an original T.V. show I pitched and sold to a large streaming platform AND completed the pilot episode of an adaptation of one of my comics… for another streaming platform. That one has been in the works for a while, so to actually see the script and move to the next stages is a pretty cool feelings. Fingers crossed I get to talk about what those are in 2025.
New Year, New Comics
Both Gwen and Phoenix will be getting new stories in 2025. First, Gwen is going to space with King Loki. The mystery of why Gwen changed Earths will be revealed and King Loki will take Gwen on a tour of the stars to try to convince her that the universe is actually awful and they should remake it… in King Loki’s image. Gwen’s eternal hope… King Loki’s crushing nihilism… a couple of good old space monsters… what could go right?
Oh. I know what could go right. How about a guest appearance from another cosmic character currently spending their time amongst the stars?
Who could it be?!
Let’s talk about Phoenix… more.
Thank you again to everyone who voted for Phoenix as their favorite ongoing X-title. Phoenix will continue in 2025 as Jean takes on Thanos with the team she assembled back in issue 6. Thanos, the Dark Gods, Adani… all these things will be dealt with in the coming issues as Jean will be revealing her new cosmic suit, which is gorgeous.
Phoenix will also have some news coming in the new year and I will create a dedicated post about it all, so be on the lookout for more Phoenix content soon.
Setting Sail…
…on the ENDEAVOUR. Or, a recreation of the Endeavour, the famous sailing ship of Captain Cook in the 1700s.
Endeavour is the newest creator-owned project I’m working on with artist Marc Laming and colorist Lee Loughridge. It’s a survivalist horror comic about seven children trapped on and old sailing ship, alone and adrift at sea. Rough seas and rations are the least of their worries as they quickly realize the real enemy is each other.
This series is definitely for horror enthusiasts and fans of Lord of the Flies.
You can still pre-order ENDEAVOUR issue #1, so ask your local comic shops to reserve you a copy before its release on February 26, 2025.
Thank you!
Thank you so much to everyone for a wonderful 2024. I’m looking forward to all of the new books coming out this next year and I appreciate all of the support you show these titles. Like I mentioned, I’ll have some GRIM & Phoenix news early in 2025, and hopefully one new comic announcement for the year… something big that’s been in a planning stage for a long while. I’ve seen some (very green) preliminary designs and they are SO GOOD.
Also looking forward to my first confirmed convention of 2025 - Megacon Orlando, February 6-9 in Orlando, FL.
Happy new year!
-Stephanie
Look forward to seeing more about Phoenix's new plans❤️