Pulp Empire 81. Progress!
The official newsletter of Nicholas Ahlhelm
Hello from Eastern Iowa, where I’m about nine days late on getting this newsletter to print. I’ve been struggling to put the finishing touches on a project while pushing through on another, even as I still brainstorm two more. But I’m fortunate enough to announce I’ve made some progress with a few different things I’ve been working on, both in writing and other pursuits.
Wrestling Deep End #2 is now available!
After a bit longer than I would have liked, I now have Wrestling Deep End #2 up for purchase both at my website and at Ko-fi. This issue on a live Collision locally, coverage of all the matches worth watching during Mania Week, and takes a look back at the first nine Top Fifty Wrestlers lists.
The incomparable Shotzi Blackheart gets the cover, which is decked out in a green not quite as bright as her hair. Illustrations inside by Martin JDK, Bob Dahlstrom, and me (but more on that in a bit.)
Each ordered issue will come with an extra add-on surprise bookmark. Future add-ons will be exclusive to Wrestling Deep End subscribers. Additionally, I’ve reduced the price of the first issue for a limited time, making now an excellent time to pick up both!
Wrestling Deep End #2 is now available at my website and on Ko-Fi.
Art!
When I was younger, I dreamed of being a comic book writer/artist, doing everything the way John Byrne or Erik Larsen does. I bought a copy of How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way and read it front to back two or three times. I found an artist I thought was perfect in every way — Mike Parobeck — and started to ape his style. (One day, I’ll do a deeper dive into Parobeck’s amazing work during his short life.)
I realized as I grew into my later teen years that I didn’t have the fortitude to write and draw. My patience with my art didn’t often show through. But I still spent time now and then with a pen or pencil, aping or tracing figures and panels that I loved.
It hadn’t been a part of my regular activities in over twenty years, but some of the great art I’ve seen for Wrestling Deep End issues one from Bob Dahlstrom and Martin JDK made me want to scratch that itch again. I wanted to keep things simple if I went down this road, so I turned to a habit I started on near the end of my art days, pulling out a Sharpie and doing something simple based on a still photo. My first subject was the recently retired wrestler Kidd Bandit, and I’m happy to share it here.
I plan to continue this tradition for upcoming zines, bringing my own style in my continued work. And speaking of continuing work…
DC Comics fan artists wanted!
I’m still on the hunt for a few artists with work inspired by or built on DC Comics superheroes circa 1987. I would like to have at least three or four pieces ready as I get closer to the release of the Looking Back at Legends zine.
I’d love to see fan art in all shapes and forms as I hope to spread my love for this period of DC Comics history.
If you or someone you know would be interested in sharing fan work, be sure to drop me a line!
What’s up?
Currently reading: The Bang-Bang Sisters by Rio Youers.
Currently playing: Castlevania: Dominus Collection.
Currently listening: Sin Miedo del Amor y Otros Demonios by Kali Uchis.
Currently watching: Violent Cop and Spider-Noir.
I’ll be back (hopefully) on my regular schedule in twelve days. See me then.