Fuck. Yes.

Today is Wednesday. New comic book day. Always a cause for celebration. But next Wednesday will be especially so, as it will see the release of the first of the Fantastic Comics #24, the first volume of the Next Issue Project that I gushed about awhile back.

But even better than that, I just the other day discovered that not only will Stardust, the seminally bizarre creation of Fletcher Hanks, make an appearance… but he’ll be written and drawn by Mike Allred. Good God, just look at that art. You can see more previews, and an interview with Allred himself, right over here. (They’ve also got an interview with Jim Rugg about his own story in the same 64 page monster of an issue.)

Now that I’ve read the Fletcher Hanks collection I Shall Destroy All the Civilized Planets I’ve got an even greater appreciation for the mad genius that was Hanks, but I no matter how many usages I make of “maddening,” “nutso,” and “ridiculous” I honestly can’t do the man justice, and I suggest that everyone at least take a look at the book in a store somewhere, although really you should buy it and support these sorts of collections of obscure old comics. I’m very interested in seeing what Allred will do with the utterly strange character of Stardust, and the equally mind blowing world in which resides. It sounds like Allred’s intent is to find a good middle ground between his own style and Hanks’, which is a good idea, because I don’t think anyone could match Hanks at his own game. Man was crazy.

So it’s looking like next week’s Fantastic Comics#24 will be something to look out for. A bit on the expensive side, I’ll grant you, but 64 pages of obscure golden age superheroes by some damn good writers and artists. I’m excited.