The past couple of days have been nothing short of incredible when it comes to book mail. I got my hands on the Cartoonist Kayfabe Illustrated Vol. 1 from the Piskor crew, along with a set of mind-blowing comics and original art from the one and only Bryan Moss. These four books are just overflowing with raw creativity—it’s obvious that the marching orders was clear and fully realized.

Flipping through these pages has supercharged my own creative drive. Broken Nose Betty from Outer Heaven might just be my new favorite character—completely electric. And Taku no Gaiji #1 by KayFam and Manga Quest crew is nearly impossible to describe – it needs to be experienced. Every panel, every inch of it is flawless. And Desert Decay is another reminder of why Moss is a creative genius. Each panel is a surreal fever dream.

Then there’s Cartoonist Kayfabe Illustrated Vol. 1: Greatest Hits—this one hit me deep. Not because I personally know the Kayfabe crew, but because, like so many others, I experienced them through their brilliant YouTube channel. I spent over 10 hours wandering Fan Expo Chicago with CK in my ears. I felt an odd sense of kinship with Ed, Jim and the cavalcade of guests. The next convention felt different for obvious reasons – I was lost from a high of discovery that was taken away. I was in a place that I felt like I didn’t deserve to be in. I wasn’t friend or family yet it felt like I had lost one. I liken that experience to when Steve Irwin died. I don’t mind sharing this. It’s a fact that took me a long time to admit. Anway, I’m not an artist, but these guys inspired me to dive deeper into comics and even crack open a sketchbook for the first time. If it wasn’t for CK I most likely wouldn’t have continued writing. That’s how impactful they are.

I’ve loved comics my whole life and even have two self-published titles to my name as a writer but both of those don’t feel like I accomplished anything because of the collobaration was immature and selfish to a degree. But I’ve always felt like an outsider looking in—until now. There’s an idea I’ve been sitting on, something raw, something outlaw. One day, I’ll bring it to life in honor of Eddie P and the Kayfabe crew.

I know I’m rambling—but this collection? It’s something else. There’s a rhythm, a purpose to every color, every line. I can feel the electric current of creativity running through these pages. I’m lit up. I feel like Skan in The Crow “Fire it Up!” or Kurgan in Highlander “It’s better to burn out than fade away!”.