And We're Back...
Plus: readsumm.it
Hello, Everyone!
Long time no see, I guess—since I didn’t post a newsletter last week.
Nate here—bringing you this substack with all of the news and updates from the Narrative Shack—and this past week, I thought something was going to launch that I was hoping to post about later in the week, a few days late, but it didn’t quite pan out that way. This will be announced incredibly soon, though, and I am very excited about what I’ve been seeing from it.
I can make another tease/announcement, though! Let’s just say that anyone following this page would very much like to follow this page right here…
More on this soon as well—and this is going to be something incredibly exciting for sure.
What I’m Doing:
So, I’ve now been working at the Children’s Library for a bit, and I’m really liking it. I’m finding it very fulfilling—and I get a lot of time to chat with people, read, and write too. I love seeing how excited so many children still are about reading, honestly—especially in 2025. Over and over, they’re dragging their parents in, staying for a while, combing the shelves for what they’re interested in, and then checking out a massive pile to then return the next time and begin the cycle again. It really warms one’s heart, truly—and I love so far talking to these kids as I’m helping them or checking them out or what have you, and asking them what they’re reading or if they like the library. And I find myself looking forward to those small moments where I get to see a kid checking out a book that I remember from my childhood, or where I recognize something that clicks that it had some profound impact on me, and I just smile knowing they’re in for something special. It’s honestly incredible. Plus, I just love being around books—and all those kids’ books and graphic novels just take me back so much to a simpler, nostalgic time.
What I’m Writing:
I’ve got some really exciting updates, and some new projects to announce on here for you all!
Project Eternity: Issue two’s script is now done, and I am so happy with how it turned out! I’m gonna get some feedback on it and revise a bit, but so far Ana seems to like it too, which is amazing. I’m loving how this series is coming together, and I really think this is going to be something special! Just got a design in from Ana today, actually, for one of our two main characters that just blew me away!
Project Frostbite: I just saw the first four pages of art the other day, and it looks incredible. This is the one that should have news momentarily, so keep an eye here and on my socials for updates!
Project Nightingale: All the inks are in, and this may include the coolest pages I have ever received from an artist—you are not ready. I’m talking jaw-dropping levels of talent and awesomeness, and there aren’t even colors added yet.
And some new projects…
Project Mountaintop: Big things coming. readsumm.it and Reach the Summit.
Project Castaway: A four-page science-fiction story that I am working on, also with Ana-Maria Sandu. I wrote it yesterday, and am so happy with how it turned out! I am excited to see what she does with it, and even more excited by how this story is being used and where it’s being released.
What I’m Reading:
To rattle off a bunch of new releases to shout out, I read Absolute Flash #5, Batman & Robin: Year One #9, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #41, Bring on the Bad Guys: Abomination #1, Detective Comics #1099, GI Joe #9, Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe #1, Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #3, Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #2, The New Gods #8, Predator vs. Spider-Man #4, Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2, Superman Unlimited #3, The Tin Can Society #7, Wonder Woman #23, Zatanna #6, Absolute Martian Manhunter #5, and Absolute Wonder Woman #10. One in particular I found exceptional was Imperial #2 by writer Jonathan Hickman and artists Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello—a politically-rooted space epic as large in scale as it is grounded in emotion and as complexly layered as all of Hickman’s work always is. Just an amazing issue that continues this intriguing tale, taking it into new directions that I can’t wait to see pay off going into the tie-ins later this month.
What I’m Watching:
I have been thinking, and I think Star Trek: Strange New Worlds may be my favorite show of the franchise overall. I think I have more nostalgia for others like Next Generation or The Original Series, but to me, seeing the new episodes, SNW just encapsulates so perfectly what I believe Star Trek is and should be—and it spans the science fiction genre and its conventions so well and so expertly. One episode is an adventurous comedic romp, the next is a war-torn drama—all very character-driven, all undeniably Star Trek. I just love it. I’m also loving It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia right now and believe their rehashing of an iconic season one episode was great—and their wrap-up of this season with a twist only they could do will be incredible. Plus, I’m excited about the incredible relevance of South Park in this season so far. I think they’re doing what they do best—firing on all cylinders—and they are really what’s needed in so many ways.
I also finally saw Fantastic Four: First Steps, and loved it. I am a huge fan of the F4, and I thought this film really understood who these characters are and what makes them work at their cores. It felt a little rushed at parts, and like elements had to be cut, but that all was mostly noticed in hindsight. It really was just such an enjoyable watch—and so much love for the source material. It felt like a comic book, in a lot of the same way Superman did. And the fact that there was so much love and respect for Jack Kirby meant a lot, for sure.
All right, that’s all for now—until next time!!
-NS
Great stuff!