AJ Malacarne
@ajmalacarne.bsky.social
2.3K followers 1K following 1.3K posts
Comic Writer/Editor • Gamma Head Studios • SCAD 2024 • Screenwriter https://ajmalacarne.carrd.co/
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ajmalacarne.bsky.social
Hi there! I'm AJ Malacarne! A comic and TV writer who specializes in writing absurd stories with heart. Check out my website below if you want to see more or chat!
Page 1 from Tales From Exit 56. Panel 1 has a man walking past a road sign that reads "56" he says "welcome to Tales From Exit 56". Panel 2 has him smoking and saying " between these pages are strange tales from our fair land of Easton, Ohio. I'm The Walker. Once a mere mortal I'm now destined to lead those interested across these hallowed grounds. Simply put I'll be your guide." Panel 3 has a fight between giant cosmic gods. A text box reads " Long ago cosmic gods fought a great battle here." Panel 4 has the Walker overlooking a mountain with a massive purple skeleton imbedded in it. He says " and now the remains of their fallen angel lies beneath the county." A cover for Tales From Exit 56. A stained glass window depicts the gods of the Exit 56 universe. Top is The Scientist, a being with a planet for a head. Left is The Farmer, a insect being. Canter is The Artist, a being wearing all white with spots of color and a purple Mohawk. Right is The Leader, a military leader A page from the comic Psychedelic. The band Neon Daze plays on stage. The singer starts playing their next song which summons a demon from a portal.
Reposted by AJ Malacarne
daydreamcomix.com
Have you ever thought that, maybe, reading WHO KILLED SARAH SHAW? could make your day 1000x better???? Well, have you????????
daydreamcomix.com
For the past 40 years, rumors have swirled around the mysterious death of Sarah Shaw. Whispers became gossip, gossip became tall tales, tall tales became legend. But hidden within the stories are rotten truths waiting to be unearthed.

Read WHO KILLED SARAH SHAW here: globalcomix.com/c/who-killed...
1 - Flasback 80s. Int. Girl’s locker room. It’s empty besides Sarah and Tiffany. Tiffany sits on the bench in the middle slipping on her Converse. Sarah pulls her bag out of her locker. 

TIFF: After the game, I stayed behind as long as possible. I wanted to soak it all in. 

TIFF: Sarah took her time waiting for everyone else to clear out. 

TIFF: I thought she was going to tear into me, but she surprised me.

2 - Sarah faces Tiff, looking downs at her. She seems genuinely earnest in her congratulations.

TIFF: She said, “Nice shot out there tonight. If it wasn’t gonna be me, I’m glad it was you.” 

3 - Close-up of Tiff surprised by Sarah’s compliment.

TIFF: I thought we were still fighting, so it took me by surprise. I didn’t know what to say. I just stared as she walked towards the exit. 

4 - Tiff turns back with a smile on her face. It’s not bitchy though. She’s genuinely happy that her friend got her moment and that she’s going out for dinner with Matt. 

TIFF: At the door Sarah turned back and said, “Matt’s taking me out for dinner. I guess we’re both winners.” 

TIFF: Then, she left.

5 - Present day. Tiffany is processing this moment. Tears are beginning to well up in the corners of her eyes. 

TIFF: God, she could be such a bitch sometimes. 

TIFF: I miss her. 1 - Jes looks at the shrine, so we can see the photo, doll, and candles. Not close-ups but an even better view than we got in the splash. 

JES: …to Sarah.

2 - Jes picks up the vandalized photo of her. 

JES: Doesn’t look like they were worshiping her though. 

3 - Dave approaches from behind. Camera up and rolling. 

DAVE: Who is The Briar Queen?

4 - Jes picks up the Briar doll.

JES: Could be a nickname for Sarah. Tiffany did say she was found in a briar patch. 

5 - She accidentally pricks her hand and drops the doll.

JES: Ow! Fuck! 

6 - Close-up of the briar doll on the floor with trash, some of Jes’ blood from her hand is on it. 

JES: …or it could be something worse. 1 - Jes faces forward. Shocked at this reveal. She is starting to understand that they may be entering dangerous territory. She murmurs under her breath.

JES: George Higgins owns the cabin…

MAYBERRY: What’s that?

2 - Higgins getting into the police cruiser. 

JES: Has Deputy Higgins always owned the cabin that Sarah was murdered at? Was it his family’s?

MAYBERRY: What are you getting at?

3 - Higgins driving through Hardground, a grimace plastered across his face.4

JES: It’s strange that he owns the cabin where Sarah was murdered. She was one of his friends.

JES: Why would he want to own it?

MAYBERRY: This is a trail that goes nowhere, Ms. Ruiz. 

MAYBERRY: George is a good man who has done right by this town. 

4 - Higgins driving up the old dirt road to the cabin. 

MAYBERRY: He bought the cabin awhile back because he didn’t want city folk coming up and turning it into a rental. 

MAYBERRY: He doesn’t even like going there. 

5 - Higgins, parked in front of the cabin, resting his forehead on the steering wheel, deep in thought. 

MAYBERRY: Unlike you two, George has actually tried to honor Sarah’s memory by letting her rest and not turning her into a sideshow. 
1 - Sarah and Marvin walk down the street at night. Dressed in their winter wear. They are both laughing. 

HAROLD: It seemed like such a small thing at first.

HAROLD: Sarah was always close with The Rainey’s. They were like her second parents. 

2 - They stop about down the block from their houses and face each other. Sarah has both of Marvin’s hands in hers as she tells him something. He seems surprised but supportive. They’re body language shows that they are incredibly close, but not necessarily romantic.

HAROLD: They came to all of her basketball games. They would babysit when she was a kid. Christ, she slept over at their house.

HAROLD: This was different. 

3 - Harold pulls down the blinds from inside their house so he can peek outside.

HAROLD: I saw them together one night. God knows where they were coming from or what they’d been doing.

4 - Sarah and Marvin share a nice, big warm hug. Her arms around his midsection. His arms around her shoulders and he bends over a little bit for the hug. Again, incredibly close, but it’s just a hug. Nothing necessarily romantic about it. 

HAROLD: I saw her hug him goodbye. She never hugged me like that. It was like she was in love with him.

5 - Harold sits in his chair, drinking a beer, we can see 2-3 cans already on the side table. This living room setup is EXACTLY the same as present day. The only change is the beer cans and Harold. 

JES: What did you do when you saw them?

HAROLD: Nothing. 

HAROLD: Like I said, parents choose to see these things or not…

6 - Cut back to present day, some panel as the previous page’s last panel but now Harold is old and there are no beer cans. He seems miserable reminiscing about this moment. 

HAROLD: By the time I learned the truth, it was too late.
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
Looking for Help! My local library is trying to expand its comic book section. If you have comps, old graphic novels or other comics, I can pay postage to get them to the library.
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
I love that some indie comics like Beneath the Trees are included. Can we get even more!
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
Thoughts?
ssnyder1835.bsky.social
New challengers are approaching DC K.O. this February...
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
If you responded to my artists post from last week I'm starting to send out replies. Know that it could take some time for me to get to everyone.
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
If we're submitting as a team, how many pages of the script should be done? The entire book or is just a section of them ok?
Reposted by AJ Malacarne
matthewdowsmith.bsky.social
And hey, while I've got my soapbox out this morning, there is absolutely no excuse for the percentage of women creators on top books in mainstream comics still being this low.
racheaissance.com
2014
“comics are for everyone”

2017
#MeToo 

2020
“Men In Comics Say No” #ComicsPledge

2024
Only 12% of the Top 50 Comics of 2023 were created (written or drawn) by women
Reposted by AJ Malacarne
lanedraws.bsky.social
HOT MARRIED COMIC ARTISTS ARE IN YOUR (INTERNET) AREA.
lanedraws.bsky.social
Things aren't looking super great right now, so if you have any art you need done, I'm very available. I've worked with Ahoy, IDW, Legendary, Oni, Image, and plenty of amazing indie writers. My portfolio is down below.

Portfolio: lanelloyd.crevado.com
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
Now my dream of writing for vertigo could actually happen one day.
comicsbeat.bsky.social
NYCC ’25: DC Comics announces 10 new titles for Vertigo revival

DC Comics has announced a list of titles and creators for the revival of the publisher's legendary Vertigo imprint.
NYCC ’25: DC Comics announces 10 new titles for Vertigo revival
DC Comics has announced a list of titles and creators for the revival of the publisher's legendary Vertigo imprint.
www.comicsbeat.com
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
Y'all it's happening!
comicsbeat.bsky.social
NYCC ’25: DC Comics announces 10 new titles for Vertigo revival

DC Comics has announced a list of titles and creators for the revival of the publisher's legendary Vertigo imprint.
NYCC ’25: DC Comics announces 10 new titles for Vertigo revival
DC Comics has announced a list of titles and creators for the revival of the publisher's legendary Vertigo imprint.
www.comicsbeat.com
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
You make the best comics, I can't wait to read it!
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
I'm backing this as soon as I get paid!
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
Go back this immediately!
anasabdulhak.bsky.social
WE ARE LIVE!!

Etheres: Deluxe Edition is now funding on Kickstarter with brand new covers, exclusive behind the scenes content, creator commentary, and an original soundtrack!

We're so excited to bring Valerie's story back to print, we hope you'll join us!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/den...
Reposted by AJ Malacarne
therealgstoye.bsky.social
For all you nighty owls! Give it a gander, and mark your calendars! And your butts!
therealgstoye.bsky.social
We are launching in ONE WEEK! Please give us a follow if you’re into magical vengeance, desperate knowledge, and the chance to be *really* freaked out by a cat.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/sid...
Coming soon: Paterfamilias
A story of a father who would do anything to rescue his daughter... no matter who he hurts.
www.kickstarter.com
Reposted by AJ Malacarne
goatsflyingpress.com
Comics Against All Odds!

Celebrating 2 years of great books and looking ahead to a big 2026!

🚨Join us for the Goats Flying Press 2nd Anniversary Campaign—100% funded and going strong!🚨

TWO new titles AND great deals on our full library…books by Juni Ba, Gavin Guidry, Alejandro Arbona & more!

🐐🪽🔥
Goats Flying Press 2nd Anniversary Indie Comics Showcase
Celebrate two years of "Comics Against All Odds" with TWO NEW TITLES and great deals on our complete library!
www.kickstarter.com
Reposted by AJ Malacarne
zoewithasword.bsky.social
Okay here is a wishlist with stuff on it, I might add more I dunno

I also added the SURPRISE GIFT option so if you wanna get me something feel free (I will politely decline if it is Weird)

throne.com/zoewithasword

Birthday is on Halloween so ya got 25 days!
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
I got a chance at making comics. Met amazing comics people.
conradhackett.bsky.social
Has anything great happened in your life because of social media?
Reposted by AJ Malacarne
monsterteatime.bsky.social
When I struggled with something writing-wise I take a walk. And 100% of the time I end up figuring out the solution. I would never, ever, ever, ask a machine to do that for me. Wtf.
ouinne.bsky.social
The only correct take on a fundamentally anti-human technology.
Screenshot of David Simon interview 
SHAPIRO: OK, so you've spent your career creating television without Al, and I could imagine today you thinking, boy, I wish I had had that tool to solve those thorny problems...
SIMON: What?
SHAPIRO: ...Or saying...
SIMON: You imagine that?
SHAPIRO: ...Boy, if that had existed, it would have screwed me over.
SIMON: I don't think Al can remotely challenge what writers do at a fundamentally creative level.
SHAPIRO: But if you're trying to transition from scene five to scene six, and you're stuck with that transition, you could imagine plugging that portion of the script into an Al and say, give me 10 ideas for how to transition this.
SIMON: I'd rather put a gun in my mouth.
Reposted by AJ Malacarne
zacthompson.bsky.social
Hell yeah, Jim. This is exactly what I want to hear executives say about A.I.
comixace.bsky.social
"That's the point – the smudge, the rough line, the hesitation - that's what makes my work come alive." - Jim Lee talking about why DC will never use AI storytelling. "AI doesn't dream, feel or make art, it aggregates it."

@jimlee.bsky.social speaking very passionately at Retailer Day. #nycc
Reposted by AJ Malacarne
michiums.bsky.social
👻🪾 medicine seller 👻🪾it’s been forever but wanted to draw the medicine seller again after my first print in 2018 and the mushishi x mononoke one i did a few years ago

💫both versions of the medicine seller
💫gold foil detailing
💫5x7 inch postcard print

michiums.bigcartel.com/product/autu...
pile of prints featuring the medicine seller from Mononoke in both versions of him Another angle of the print with gold foil details Pile of prints with more gold foil detailing
ajmalacarne.bsky.social
I just found out my very well known art school just started an AI Major. So pissed.
Reposted by AJ Malacarne
kodyisover.com
just kidding times two, my partner and I got blindsided by some pretty bad news the day I posted this, I'll be fully back in office and online here on Monday.

if, in the meantime, you feel like supporting me by reading Keeping Time or joining my Patreon/SubStar, that would be a welcome reprieve.
kodyisover.com
just kidding, I'm still pretty under the weather, so I'm extending my out-of-office until Friday!
kodyisover.com
I'll officially be back in office tomorrow! Today I'm gonna try to just let my whole immune system recover, haha.