Comics

Published on March 7th, 2023 | by Andrew Bistak

BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS ANNOUNCES FORTUNE & GLORY: THE MUSICAL

Substack’s expansive comics program adds another exclusive series with the introduction of Fortune & Glory: The Musical, a new weekly original comic bringing together Peabody award winner Brian Michael Bendis and cartoonist Bill Walko, with colors by Wes Dzioba and lettering by Josh Reed to tackle the stranger-than-fiction events behind the curtain of the pre-production of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.

Brian Michael Bendis says “Years ago I did an autobiographical graphic novel called Fortune and Glory. It was about my earliest adventures in Hollywood as an independent comics creator. I neeeeever thought I would have crazier stories to tell. Then I got a call to write the now infamous Spider-Man Broadway musical. It didn’t go great. This is that story.”

In the midst of the unprecedented success of Brian Michael Bendis’s character-defining run on Ultimate Spider-Man, and the box office record-breaking Spider-Man films, the writer received a phone call that no one could have predicted. Spidey was going to Broadway, and Bendis was being tapped to collaborate with rock royalty to help the webslinger “find his voice” on stage. Could he overcome his own ignorance about musicals, or would he exit stage left before production began?

Brian Michael Bendis, the New York Times bestselling, Peabody, and multi-Eisner award-winning co-creator of Miles Morales, Naomi, Jessica Jones, and POWERS teams with cartoonist Bill Walko (The Hero Business) for the second chapter in his celebrated and award-winning autobiographical tell-all graphic novel that proves there really is “no business like show business” (thank god!).

Fortune & Glory: The Musical will be available exclusively to subscribers of Bendis’s Jinxworld newsletter, which in addition offers subscribers a multi-media Creation, which builds upon the lessons taught in his best-selling textbook, Words and Pictures, and The Masterclass, a twice-monthly Zoom class taught by Bendis himself, alongside occasional guest lecturers and more!

Additionally, the original Fortune & Glory returns in an all-new edition from Dark Horse Comics on April 5, in a comprehensive trade paperback edition that includes the complete story from the original three-issue miniseries and features an introduction from comics and animation legend Paul Dini as well as a wealth of promotional art and interviews straight from Bendis’ archives. Written and illustrated by Bendis and colored by Matthew Wilson.

Fortune & Glory is his hilarious autobiographical account of Hollywood development hell, as a hungry young cartoonist takes his first step into the shark-filled swimming pool that is the motion picture industry.

Join the Jinxworld community on Substack  to follow along with Fortune & Glory: The Musical, and preorder your copy of all-new edition of Fortune & Glory from your favorite comic shop or bookstore today!

Praise for Brian Michael Bendis:

“Bendis’ early comics are some of the most unique and vibrant comics you’ll ever read, and this [Fortune and Glory] is no exception. The storytelling is fresh, the writing electric, and you just may find yourself laughing out loud more than once.” –Comics Bookcase

“And re-reading it now, wow, Jinx A. holds up really well and B. was such a breath of fresh air at the time.” -Comic Book Resources

“Bendis’ easy read, well thought out story, along with clean amazing artwork from Edgar and colors from Diaz gives you a complete first issue and leaves you excited for the future of the series [The Ones].” –Capes & Tights


About the Author

When he's not trying to save the world, Andrew enjoys travel (although loathes turbulence), going to the movies, reading and being a dad to his two dogs (and now twins) with his wife.



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