July 2024
Dear Diary (to My Friends),
With the first half of 2024 now in the books (no pun intended), I find myself looking ahead to the second half of 2024 and deep into 2025 in regards to both my publishing and convention schedules alike.
Going backwards, I’ve added several convention and signing appearances to the second half of this year, including The Monroe Comic Con, Cinema Wasteland, New York Comic Con (where — knock on wood — it looks like I’ll be featured as a “Guest” this year!), and Grand Rapids Comic Con among a few others.

I’m excited to be part of the biggest comic convention in the United States again this year!
I believe I’ll be sneaking in a store signing or two between now and the end of December as well, and always keep my signing appearances very up to date at my Events Page here on the site. If you ever want to know where I’ll be making public appearances, that’s where to go!
In regards to my publishing plans — again, knock on wood — it’s looking like I have a pretty set schedule for the rest of 2024 and even deep into 2024 at this point. Last time I was here I believe I projected that I’d be doing four book releases a year using the same approach I’ve been using the past several years: Releasing a deluxe hardcover edition of the newest book via pre-order on Kickstarter, and then releasing a standard trade paperback edition of the book in the Direct Market (Amazon, book stores, comic shops) after the people who pre-ordered the deluxe edition via Kickstarter.
While I work with some absolutely amazing creative and collaborative partners, and also continue to have the full support of publisher Source Point Press, at the end of the day all the “project management” of the book production and campaigns sits squarely on my shoulders, and in order to have enough time to write what I want to write to maintain a schedule I want to maintain I’ve come to terms with the fact that this balance rests at doing three book releases a year for the next few years rather than the four I initially contemplated.
Three book releases a year. Wow. I still remember the time when I was aiming to release one book a year. Thank you to every single one of you who support the books my collaborators and I create to make this possible. Seriously. It really wouldn’t be possible without you, and I hope my efforts to make every book we release worth your support are both evident and successful in that regard.

The whole NIGHTMARE WORLD saga is now available in trade paperback form for the first time!
Regarding book released, NIGHTMARE WORLD: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION is now back in stock at Amazon HERE, and TALES OF MR. RHEE Volume 5: “Rock Star Paranoia” is available again HERE. I’m especially proud of this latest volume of what’s now officially my longest-running series, and encourage you to get your hands on this one if you haven’t yet. (If you’re new to TALES OF MR. RHEE, you can also get the first four volumes in one big ol’ trade paperback omnibus — which includes Volume 1 in full color for the first time — HERE.).
As I type this HOPE Volume 2: “Masks” is now also available for preorder on Amazon HERE, and Source Point Press is also moving ahead with a new digest-sized reprint of THE ADVENTURES OF CTHULHU JR. AND FRIENDS that’s now available for preorder ahead of its release on October 1st HERE.

Native American Werewolf Western. ‘Nuff said.
In regards to new material, the Native American werewolf western HOMESTEAD had a (very) successful Kickstarter pre-release campaign and that book is now at the printer.This month I’m also planning on finally launching the long-promised definitive release of LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH on Kickstarter, which collects all the content from the long out-of-print LOVE STORIES (TO DIE FOR) complete with the two “lost” stories that were written alongside the original five scripts but never fully illustrated and a a bunch of other new extras resulting in about fifty pages of new content! Plus, via Kickstarter, it will be nice to finally offer a limited edition hardcover edition of this book for the first time, as this is my only creator-owned graphic novel that was never made available in this format.
Then, in October, we’ll be launching our third and final Kickstarter of 2024, this time for the graphic novel adaptation of LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT in partnership with Chaney Entertainment. While this project was initially announced with a different artist, the art team on this graphic novel is going to be my longtime collaborator Joshua Ross and colorist Colin Johnson.

A sneak peek at LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT…
The work they’re doing on this is gorgeous… and I don’t know if I’ve ever been more excited and honored to be working on a graphic novel project than I am to be working on this graphic novel adaptation of this long-lost horror classic. The legacy of LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT absolutely cannot possibly be overstated, and to be able to bring this project to life in this format is an absolute honor. For those of you keeping track at home, the script adaptation is fully written and has been fully approved, and the bulk of the book (at least) should be illustrated by the time we launch the Kickstarter in October. Also, Josh and Colin’s work together on this book is a precursor to a second major horror graphic novel you’ll see these two working on again with me and another major name in horror in early 2025.
Speaking of 2025, here’s what’s currently in various stages of development: for next year, and beyond…
- #TGitH (Working Title) with Josh Ross and a soon-to-be-revealed New York Times #1 Best-Selling Horror Author
- TALES OF MR. RHEE Volume 6 with Austin McKinley
- HOPE Volume 3 with Sally Scott
- Another creator-owned horror project which may be my darkest and most dread-infused book to date
There’s at least one more project I’m looking to officially attach an artist to and formally begin production on in the coming months, but, again, given that I’m on a “three new books” a year release schedule, this means I’m already booking into 2026 if this schedule keeps… but again, I’m certainly not complaining about that!
Writing comics takes time, illustrating comics takes time, putting together Kickstarters takes time, and then prepping the final files for print and delivery takes time… but I remain very fortunate and grateful that this is how I get to spend my time, so, again, thank you for the privilege of your support.
I’m very excited for what’s ahead for the rest of 2024 — and beyond — and looking forward to sharing more books and signing experiences with you all!
Your friend in comics,
Dirk Manning

“What do you mean you only look like that on the Internet?”