While getting a sketch drawn by The Authority and Justice League colorist David Baron during his informal “Bar Con” appearance at The Field Irish Pub, our casual conversation naturally turned to comics. I asked him what he’d seen at the convention that excited him most and, without hesitation, he brought up DSTLRY. It was a common answer to that question throughout the weekend from convention-goers who went to San Diego Comic-Con International looking for the next big thing to look out for in comics.
What is DSTLRY? They’re a new creator-owned comics and collectibles publisher you’ll be hearing a lot more about in the future, in part because they’ve signed up a number of big names in comics and entertainment to participate in new projects and IPs. SDCC 2023 was their first major convention appearance, and it was of course full of exciting activities and announcements, with three standout panels, over a dozen creator signings, exclusive merch, and the announcement of DSTLRY’s first series GONE by Eisner Award-winning creator Jock.
Throughout the week, fans had the chance to visit the DSTLRY booth in the heart of the publishing section on the Convention Center’s show floor, featuring over a dozen signings with creators who contributed stories to the company’s debut comic, The Devil’s Cut, which releases next month on August 30th. Fans could also pick up copies of The Devil’s Cut with convention-exclusive variant covers by Jock and Emma Price, collectible screenprint posters, and the company’s limited-edition, debut art toy Mominu by Junko Mizuno.
At “The Great DSTLRY Live Draw” panel on Thursday, DSTLRY Founding Creators Tula Lotay and Mirka Andolfo took turns drawing on a Wacom Mobile Studio Pro hooked to an overhead monitor, showing the artists draw in real time. Fellow Founding Creator Jock joined the panel as well alongside Founding Editor Will Dennis as moderator. It was hilarious and cordial. You can see the image that was created below.
On Friday, comics legends and frequent collaborators Scott Snyder and Jock connected for a spotlight panel on the two Founding Creators. Hosted by Sade Paige, the panel walked through previous projects, displayed the new trailer for the Jock’s recently announced sci-fi Series Gone, and hinted at Scott Synder’s upcoming series with Francesco Francavilla, White Boat, which also contains a story in The Devil’s Cut.
Saturday, fans were treated to an inside look at the publisher’s first project with “DSTLRY Presents: Drinking from The Devil’s Cut,” featuring 10 of the outstanding creators who contributed stories to the upcoming oversized one-shot.
This is just a taste of what the up-and-coming company has to offer and only the tip of the iceberg for what’s to come. Keep an eye out for DSTLRY at your local comic shop and in related news circles. They’re starting out by swinging big and we’re only going to keep hearing more about the wild things they are getting up to.
If you want to see impossible amounts of blood explode crimson colors like the world’s worst version of a gender reveal, well, “Abigail” at least has that.