Down the Rabbit Hole

An Ode to Deep Dives

Hey, there! Periodic reminder that I’m Clay Adams, writer of BLAZING BLADE OF FRANKENSTEIN and DREAMQUEST, co-writer of PRODIGAL SON and CARMILLA UNBOUND, and co-editor of the NIGHTMARE THEATER horror anthology. You probably signed up for this newsletter on one of those Kickstarters… or maybe we met at a signing or con? In any event, glad you’re here. Pull up a seat, grab a beverage of your choice, and feast your eyes on the latest news…

Hey, Substack-land! Want to hear something really scary?

It’s 2026.

WTF?

Resolutions? We Don’t Need No Stinking Resolutions!

In lieu of resolutions, this year, my family and I took a cue from Jessica Maison and made 13 wishes:

Happy Winter Solstice and Holidays!

But if I had a resolution it would be this:

Go Down the Rabbit Hole

One of the things I’m learning about myself is that if I can spend the whole day on one project, I’m happier than when I bounce around between tasks.

So, this year, I’m aiming for deep focus.

What that means, practically, is that I’m going to aim to write a complete series—or arc, at least—in one go.

Usually, I’ll write an issue of one series, then write something else while that’s being drawn, then come back to the original thing. It keeps me from getting bored and allows several series to be in production at the same time.

But while co-writing PRODIGAL SON with Don Handfield, my contract and deadlines required me to write all four issues consecutively.

This allowed me to stay in the world, and not have to waste too much time getting myself back up to speed, wondering what the hell I was thinking when I came up with this or that idea.

When I sat down to write BLOOD OF THE GRUNCH, I wanted it to feel all of a piece, so I took a page from PRODIGAL SON and wrote all three issues back-to-back to back.

And I think it’s some of my best work.

So this year: I’m going down the rabbit hole, and following one thing to its end.

Which projects?

Stay tuned, gentle reader.

Rabbit Holes Aren’t Just For Work

When I was a kid, I pretty much only read things like Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, and Agatha Christie novels.

(And comics. Lots and lots of comics.)

One well-meaning family member asked me if I thought I was a “well-rounded” reader.

And then school and college drilled home the idea that I needed to expand my horizons beyond purely escapist entertainment.

And I’m glad I did. There’s a time and place for that.

But right now, I’ve decided I’m an old man who gets to read (and watch) what he damn well pleases.

So for the past few years, I’ve enjoyed a few rabbit holes.

2024 was the year of Slow Horses. Inspired by Steve Bryant, I picked up Mick Herron’s brilliant series of spy novels and spent the year immersing myself in that world.

(The Apple+ show is pretty great as well. Gary Oldman IS Jackson Lamb. And that theme song by Mick Jagger? Friggin’ unbelievable.)

2025 was the Year of James Bond. Inspired by Slow Horses, I went back and re-read Ian Fleming’s novels for at least the third time in my life.

And watched the movies for probably the 80-gazillionth.

(For the record: Connery, Moore, Dalton, Lazenby, Brosnan, Craig. Although I can respect a list that puts Moore first.)

(Like this one:)

Despite what I said about being an old man, I resent being called “Older.” But maybe there’s hope for the new generation after all…

Anyway, for the three of you who care, 2026 shall thus be christened…

Please Hammer, don’t hurt ‘em.

This year, I’ll be hanging out with my new besties Kev and Becky (critics Kevin Lyons and Becky Darke) and watching every single horror movie Hammer made from the late 1950s through the 70s.

I’ve seen the big ones—CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and HORROR OF DRACULA—but there’s lots I’ve missed. And for someone who makes horror comics for a living, that seems like a pretty big gap in my knowledge.

So this year, I’m putting it right.

The podcast started during spooky season last year, and I used the holiday break to catch up. The best part about it is seeing how these movies inspired some of the great filmmakers of the 70s & 80s.

The face melting effect in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK? Straight out of X THE UNKNOWN.

And the climax of GREMLINS was lifted whole cloth from THE HORROR OF DRACULA, with Gizmo playing the role of Van Helsing.

It’s all a ton of fun—even, so far, the less great movies (looking at you, THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH).

Anyway, if anyone wants to join me down this particular rabbit hole, check out the podcast here.

Hitting the Convention Circuit (Again)!

Next month, I’ll be doing a one-day show in Neosho, MO, where I get second billing behind Star Trek’s Chase Masterson (I’ll take it).

This show will have more of an anime focus, although, as usual, I’ll have the secret menu of comics behind the table if someone asks.

(Other comics guests at this show include Cullen Bunn and Jeremy Haun—if you’re in the area, comes say hi!)

And then later that month, Mick Beyers and I are off to Atlanta for the first Horror Con of the year:

More convention dates to be announced. Stay tuned!

What About New Comics?

There will be those, too!

It’s too early to announce anything yet, but this year should see new issues of BLAZING BLADE OF FRANKENSTEIN, DREAMQUEST, BLOOD OF THE GRUNCH, and CARMILLA UNBOUND…plus one or two surprises.

Don’t touch that dial.

2026 is gonna be lit…erary.

Happy New Year,

-Clay

P.S. On a recent edition of the ComixLaunch Podcast, I talked to Frank Martin about his lessons learned on the way to raising $100k+ on Kickstarter. Listen here: