Awry >> Chapter 1

A Big Pain in Uranus

Hi, friend!

Today we’re doing something a little bit different. This newsletter marks the start of serializing my sci-fi/adventure graphic novel Awry! It’ll be completely free. The first chapter is below. 10 pages. We’re starting off with a bang. (After a few quick words, of course!)

What’s Awry about?

It took 10 years for the Phyllos to reach the black hole Formax-C, and in that time, the crew of four came to loathe one another. But when the mission suddenly goes awry, the astronauts must overcome their differences and work as a team if they hope to survive an unforgiving alien world and make it back home. 

Why are you doing this, Wes?

Two reasons!

First.

Though you kind subscribers have read my newsletters, many of you have never read my actual writing! Let’s change that, and have a ton of fun in the process.

Second.

Awry was released back in 2019 by comic publisher Action Lab Entertainment, through its adult-focused Danger Zone imprint. I’m super super super proud of this series. It was written and lettered by me, with art and colors by Graeham Jarvis. The two of us worked really hard on the comic and then shortly after its release, Action Lab stopped promoting its titles, stopped paying royalties, and stopped communicating with its authors. Despite a pending class action lawsuit from 40+ creators, the publisher has refused to void its contracts and give us back the rights to our intellectual properties.

The big lesson here is that not every book contract—comic book or otherwise—is going to be a “good deal.” Some of them are bad. Others are terrible.

And because Awry was one of the last titles to be released by the company, next to no one has read it. In fact, readers across the board boycotted the publisher as the word of its poor business practices got out. These circumstances caused Awry to essentially crash and burn before it could ever truly get off the ground. But as I said above, I’m super proud of the story that Graeham and I created, and I’d love for you (Someone! Anyone!) to read it. For free. Let’s stick it to the man together.

» Stick around after the pages for the post-credits sequence! «

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Awry » Chapter 1 » “A Big Pain in Uranus”

TO BE CONTINUED…

» Awry
Created, written, & lettered by Wes Locher
Created, drawn, & colored by Graeham Jarvis

Post-credit Sequence

Thanks for enjoying Awry: Chapter 1! In future chapters, I’ll fill this space with tidbits about the graphic novel and get all wordy and stuff. That is, unless you decide to contribute to our…

Virtual Letters Column

Comics always have those fun letter columns in the final pages. The GOOD ones, anyway. If you have thoughts, comments, or questions about Awry thus far, leave a comment and I’ll spotlight it with a future installment (and if it’s a question, I’ll answer it in a highly entertaining fashion)! Don’t wait! You only have a couple of days before the next chapter drops!

Know someone who might enjoy this comic? Invite them to the party!