A biographical journey through the career of legendary wrestling color commentator, Tony Schiavone, as told through comics!
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Happy Independence Day... and Happy "Independents" Day!
over 1 year ago
– Sun, Jul 04, 2021 at 04:33:09 PM
Happy Independence Day!
On behalf of myself and all of us on team BUTTS IN SEATS, we wanted to take a moment to wish all of you celebrating it a very happy and joyous 4th of July, friends! However you're spending (or spent) your Sunday, we hope it was filled with family, friends, and/or joy.
Also... HAPPY INDEPENDENTS DAY!
No, that was not a typo!
For those of you not (yet) as steeped in comic culture, on July 4th comic creators who focus on creator-owned or independent work tend to celebrate "Independents Day" as a way to raise awareness of "independent" comics... so in honor of the day... here's some previously unseen lettered preview art from BUTTS IN SEATS!
As we get closer and closer to the release of this AMAZING book it's getting harder and harder to contain my excitement for it! And finally, speaking of exciting things...
Comic Conventions are Returning!
Tony Schiavone and I will be both attending our first comic con together next month as guests of Astronomicon4 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and there are several other comic conventions for both of us (both independent of each other and together) scheduled for the rest of 2021... and beyond!
Once a month I send a personal email newsletter in which I discuss upcoming convention appearances as well as other books I'm working on -- and given that I can drop hints and news there that I can't always drop here, I'll make sure that you all get the next one when it goes out next week. (Because, yes, there's some very exciting -- and time sensitive -- BUTTS IN SEATS teasers in there you'll want to be be aware of.) I hope you'll take a moment to give it a read, as along with some BUTTS IN SEATS teasers, I'll be able to give you updates about some of the other books I'm working on now... as well as some that I think many of you here will be especially interested in as they're announced in my newsletter in the coming months.
(Yes, I'm mainly known as a "horror comic" guy... but I obviously have A LOT of love for wrestling, too, and if you think we're not already not working towards the next wrestling comic... well... keep your eyes peeled in that newsletter for a hint... or four.)
Thanks all! Talk soon!
Reppin' team BUTTS IN SEATS,
Dirk Manning
Closer to printing, closer to signings...
over 1 year ago
– Sat, Jul 03, 2021 at 12:35:14 AM
Happy July!
Hey all! I hope this finds many of you preparing for a nice and refreshing weekend, and a wonderful holiday for those of you celebrating the 4th of July! Have that extra helping of dessert if you are. You've earned it! It's been a long year!
I just wanted to drop you all a quick note with a few production updates... and some upcoming in-person appearance news!
Production Update!
Our whole internal team poured over the pages time and time again, meticulously checking all the amazing lettering by our unsung lettering hero Justin Birch, and after a final sign-off the files are now all in the hands of our publisher SourcePoint Press! From here things will begin to move along very quickly, and we are still anticipating meeting our proposed publication and delivery schedule of this fall! Yay!
In the meantime, though, Tony and I are both already planning some upcoming comic con signing appearances together, even before the book is fully released!
Comic Con Appearances!
If you happened to be in the Midwest, both Tony Schiavone and I are going to be making our first combined appearance at a comic con together at the mighty Astronomicon 4 in Ann Arbor, Michigan this August... and check out this line-up:
This will be my fourth year being a guest at Astronomicon, a wonderful convention that -- as you can see -- offers a blend of wrestling, music, horror, and comics... which is basically all of my favorite things! Tony will be there Saturday and Sunday, and we'll be doing a BUTTS IN SEATS panel over the weekend as well! (There's some exclusive news for you, my Kickstarter Backer friends -- more details soon!)
If you're within driving distance, this is a great show in a great town and a nice chance to get some face time with Tony... and even me, should you so be inclined, as our tables will be pretty much next to each other.
In full disclosure, it's unlikely that BUTTS IN SEATS will be published and delivered at this point, but there's a VERY strong likelihood that a few of those exclusive Ashcans (at least) may be on hand with Tony if you haven't been able to secure one yet. Plan accordingly!
That aside, if you're on the East Coast (like, say, around New York City, for example), well, there will be another big ol' announcement about a signing event there soon about a certain comic con out that way this fall (*cough*october*cough*)... and we're also looking into options for an appearance for our friends closer to the West Coast this winter, too (*cough*december*cough*) ... so read into that what you will.
(And, should you want to see my full convention schedule to date for the rest of 2021, you can do so at www.DirkManning.com.)
Lots of podcasts and interviews are now on my YouTube Channel!
Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Tony and I really hit the press circuit hard in the last few months, and now several of those interviews have been uploaded to my YouTube Channel, which you can subscribe to HERE. We always have fun chopping it up on the air and trying to "pop" each other, so, again, consider subscribing to that so you can see the news ones as they go live, too! We always try to offer some new news or insight on each different appearance!
More... news... soon!
That's that for the moment, friends! Again, I hope you are all primed for a great weekend, and rest assured, there are some BIG announcements coming soon... so watch this space!
Thanks all!
Your friend in comics,
Dirk Manning
The FanFest Preview Comic Ashcan is now in BackerKit!
almost 2 years ago
– Wed, Jun 02, 2021 at 07:59:45 AM
Thank you, AEW Fan Fest!
As many of you here are aware (based on how many of you we saw at the show), I had the pleasure of being joined by Source Point Press Editor-in-Chief Travis McIntire, BUTTSIN SEATS editor extraordinaire Drena Jo, and the man himself Tony Schiavone at AEW Fan Fest this past Saturday for our first-ever signing with Tony at AEW Fan Fest this past Saturday! Things were so busy from the moment we got there that this is the ONLY photo we all got together, courtesy of Andre D. Brown:
So... do you want a copy of the Fan Fest Ashcan Preview Comic?
As mentioned a moment ago, as part of the signing, we printed a special preview ashcan comic of BUTTS IN SEATS: THE TONY SCHIAVONE STORY, this time highlighting Chapter 9 of the book, "Becoming All Elite," written by me with Tony Schiavone, illustrated by Austin McKinley, colored by Ester Salguero, lettered by Justin Birch, and edited by Drena Jo. Here's a close-up at the cover:
If you weren't in Florida this past weekend and want a copy, well, we have good news for you, friends: You can now add a copy of this comic to your Kickstarter Pledge via BackerKit-- with no additional shipping charges!
Yes, that's right: We made it so you can still add-on a copy even if you completed your BackerKit already! And again, yes, it's still free U.S. shipping when it's added to your pledge package!
If you' would like to get a copy of this preview ashcan comic -- WHICH IS LIMITED EDITION -- go add one to your BackerKit pledge now by logging in to your BackerKit HERE:
Cool? Cool! Don't wait if you want one -- there's only limited copies available!
I'll be in touch soon with a production update! In the meantime, grab that bonus preview comic if you want one!
Your friend in comics,
Dirk Manning
An In-Person AEW Appearance!
almost 2 years ago
– Mon, May 17, 2021 at 11:00:29 PM
Do you have plans Memorial Day Weekend?
Hey all!
Final production on BUTTS IN SEATS: THE TONY SCHIAVONE STORY is taking place as we speak (we just did a final round of color edits with Tony), and I'll show you all some new art previews in a moment.
First, though, some exciting news!
As most of you here reading this are surely aware. All Elite Wrestling is hosting a special DOUBLE OR NOTHING WEEKEND May 28th-30th, including a Fan Fest event on Saturday from Noon-5:00 PM.
Well, I'm honored to announce that Source Point Press will be represented at FanFest by me, Source Point Press Editor-in-Chief TravisMcIntire, and BUTTS IN SEATS Editor Drena Jo!
If you're planning on coming out to the event, make sure to swing by our booth and say hello! We may even have a special "Elite" offering or two available with us...
I know most of you here have done a very good job about this, but don't forget to complete your BackerKit if you haven't already done so so you can finalize your pledge... and perhaps add-on some cool bonus swag, too! (And remember, your BackerKit won't be charged for any extras until they close the BackerKit closer to the time the books are being printed!)
Thanks everyone! We hope to see some of you in Florida in about two weeks... but otherwise we'll have another update soon!
Your friend in comics,
Dirk Manning
QUICK UPDATE: All U.S. Shipping is Free, including for Add-Ons!
almost 2 years ago
– Mon, May 03, 2021 at 02:45:28 AM
Hey all!
I was doing my first signing in 14 months at PackratComics in Hilliard, Ohio yesterday (and thanks to all of you who came out to say "Hello") when I got word that a few of you who used the BackerKit to include some Add-Ons to your pledge were incorrectly charged shipping for the Add-Ons.
This was a glitch in the system that was quickly fixed. Domestic U.S. shipping remains FREE, and Source Point Press acted with immediacy to correct the glitch as soon as they were made aware of it.
If you were one of the few people who got caught in that brief window of error, please know it has since been corrected and anyone affected has been issued a credit/refund to your account.
Again, we know this only affected a few of you, but we wanted to let you all know it was handled!
Thanks everyone!
Representing team BUTTS IN SEATS,
Dirk Manning
P.S. -- That "Get to Know Dirk Manning" add-on that offers a copy of TALES OF MR. RHEE Volume 3 is a sweet treat at a great price, and it's not only a perfect introduction to my longest-running comic series, but also a good way to get a "taste" of what my next Kickstarter campaign will be! If you like horror or scary stuff (or know someone who does), be sure to snag a copy at that deep discount price while you can! It will be included in your box of goodies with FREE SHIPPING too! Thanks all!
