We Only Kill Each Process and Harley Quinn
Updates from the desk of Stephanie Phillips, including publication news and upcoming projects.
Another Friday spent making comics! I’ve been working to finish a Wonder Woman script that was a really ambitious issue. I had an idea for something I wanted to tackle with Diana that I feel is really important to understanding the role of our heroes in modern times. The issue is equal parts terrifying and hopeful as we get to see Diana truly shine and prove why she’s so important to the DCU and the world.
Outside of Wonder Woman, my secret “spooky” project is underway. This will be a new creator-owned project releasing in 2022 . The story is based on a weird idea I’ve had in my brain for years, and getting to bring that to life with an artist I’ve always admired is seriously incredible. And let me tell you… the designs and art I’ve seen are some of the coolest things my eyeballs have ever spied. This will truly be unlike any of my creator-owned work to date.
Which brings us to WE ONLY KILL EACH OTHER, my most recent creator-owned project that is releasing next month from ComiXology Originals with Peter Krause, Ellie Wright, Troy Peteri, and Dave Johnson on covers. Issue 1 releases digitally on November 16 (the same day as Wonder Woman!).
Official Solicit: “The year is 1938. The threat of World War II looms over the United States, where Nazi sympathizers and fascists have taken root on American soil in alarming numbers. In New York City, resistance to the American Nazi movement grows amongst the ranks of Jewish-American gangsters. Enter Jonas Kaminsky, a rising small-time gangster who's embroiled in a turf war with Levi Solomon, an old-time mob boss with millions tied up in gambling and booze. When thrown together in an unexpected circumstance, it turns out that the one thing these gangsters hate more than each other is Nazis.”
The artwork in this book is something really special. Peter Krause is just incredible and his style brings the setting and characters to life better than I could have imagined. Ellie Wright’s colors are gorgeous, and Troy’s letters really add to the tone of the story. The Dave Johnson covers are equally incredible and I can’t wait to show you the issue 2 cover next month.
I’m very excited for this issue to drop in November, so I thought I’d share a little process from page 1 of issue 1. Inks to letters, so you can read the opening of the issue and meet Jonas, our protagonists with a chip on his shoulder and an uncanny ability to get in fights everywhere he goes.
Inks by Peter Krause, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Troy Peteri, words by me!
You can pre-order this title on ComiXology
Issue 1 releases digitally November 16, and the collected edition will release in print in April 2022 through Dark Horse.
A HARLEY QUINN PROMISE
Last week I promised a glimpse at some upcoming Laura Braga artwork from Harley Quinn #10. No delaying… here ya go!
Issue 10 is our first post-Fear State issue and will be a really emotionally impactful issue for Harley and Kevin. Our newly introduced character, Sam, will also play a large role in this story. Sam was introduced this week in Harley Quinn #8. I know you all don’t know too much about her yet, but I promise she’s going to be sticking around and has some major story arcs coming up. She’s got a pretty interesting job… but perhaps a more interesting hobby.
Harley Quinn #9 is also on final order cutoff this week. I think this issue might be my favorite to date. The story deals with fear and how they relate to Harley’s relationship with Ivy, past and present.
Official solicit: “Harley Quinn here, reporting live from Fear State! And let me just say…I’ve jumped outta airplanes, faced down the baddest criminals in Gotham, thrown punches at Batman, and filed my own taxes without instructions from the IRS, but reuniting with Poison Ivy to try to save all of Gotham…? Let’s just say I’ve got a little anxiety. I’m only one well-dressed and overly verbal former psychologist turned heroic clown, after all. Which is why I’ve teamed with the Gotham City Sirens to take down Scarecrow and…wait…why is Keepsake here? This couldn’t just be an easy, straightforward mission, could it? I blame the writer…”
UPCOMING RELEASES
November is basically here and I hate it… but at least there’s some good stuff coming out this month!
Nov. 16 Taarna Trade Paperback
Nov. 16 Wonder Woman: Evolution #1
Nov. 16 We Only Kill Each Other #1
Nov. 23 Harley Quinn #9
Nov. 23 Detective Comics #1045, “Foundations” part 2
Nov. 30 Gotham City Villains Anniversary Anthology with a Red Hood story I worked on with Max Fiumara and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
UPCOMING SIGNINGS
Nov. 16 I’ll be at Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles from 4-7pm PST for the release of Wonder Woman: Evolution. This is my first signing in LA (or CA for that matter!), so I can’t wait to see everyone to celebrate the release of Wonder Woman.
Then I’ll be back in Florida for a signing at Coliseum of Comics in both the Tampa and Lakeland locations on Saturday, Nov. 20.
Finally, I will be at Lake County Comic Book Convention on Nov. 21.
Somewhere in November I will sleep… I think.
Have a great weekend and a happy Halloween!
-Stephanie
So excited for WOKEO! I love WW2 themed stories