J Alex Morrissey
@jalexmorrissey.com
Writes novels + comics
Hosts Tradecraft Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tradecraft-podcast/id1645103726
👇All other links👇
jalexmorrissey.com/links
Hosts Tradecraft Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tradecraft-podcast/id1645103726
👇All other links👇
jalexmorrissey.com/links
“Show me a comic you loved when you were 13, that’s all I need to know about you” - Brad Meltzer
January 11, 2026 at 6:26 PM
“Show me a comic you loved when you were 13, that’s all I need to know about you” - Brad Meltzer
Going into 2026 like…
January 1, 2026 at 5:33 AM
Going into 2026 like…
LEGENDS OF THE FALL
Jim Harrison
Three, three-chapter—plus epilogue—novellas in one collection. An interesting overlap of themes and subjects connect and weave through all three stores of bare bone, omniscient third-person prose. Similar to, yet different than Cormac McCarthy.
#bookshelf25
Jim Harrison
Three, three-chapter—plus epilogue—novellas in one collection. An interesting overlap of themes and subjects connect and weave through all three stores of bare bone, omniscient third-person prose. Similar to, yet different than Cormac McCarthy.
#bookshelf25
January 1, 2026 at 12:29 AM
LEGENDS OF THE FALL
Jim Harrison
Three, three-chapter—plus epilogue—novellas in one collection. An interesting overlap of themes and subjects connect and weave through all three stores of bare bone, omniscient third-person prose. Similar to, yet different than Cormac McCarthy.
#bookshelf25
Jim Harrison
Three, three-chapter—plus epilogue—novellas in one collection. An interesting overlap of themes and subjects connect and weave through all three stores of bare bone, omniscient third-person prose. Similar to, yet different than Cormac McCarthy.
#bookshelf25
THE LOOKING GLASS WAR
John le Carré
This feels like the clear moment when le Carré first tipped his hand to the readers. Even those of the “good guy” side are wee, self-serving, pawns for forces deeper within the security departments playing global chess.
#bookshelf25
John le Carré
This feels like the clear moment when le Carré first tipped his hand to the readers. Even those of the “good guy” side are wee, self-serving, pawns for forces deeper within the security departments playing global chess.
#bookshelf25
December 31, 2025 at 11:47 PM
THE LOOKING GLASS WAR
John le Carré
This feels like the clear moment when le Carré first tipped his hand to the readers. Even those of the “good guy” side are wee, self-serving, pawns for forces deeper within the security departments playing global chess.
#bookshelf25
John le Carré
This feels like the clear moment when le Carré first tipped his hand to the readers. Even those of the “good guy” side are wee, self-serving, pawns for forces deeper within the security departments playing global chess.
#bookshelf25
THE BLACKTONGUE THIEF
Christopher Buehlman
My reading greatest joy is finding a voice that stands out and demands I continue. On page one, Buehlman hooked me, and it’s hard to put this story aside. I only wish there were a dozen more of his lively and clever books to work through.
#bookshelf25
Christopher Buehlman
My reading greatest joy is finding a voice that stands out and demands I continue. On page one, Buehlman hooked me, and it’s hard to put this story aside. I only wish there were a dozen more of his lively and clever books to work through.
#bookshelf25
December 31, 2025 at 11:07 PM
THE BLACKTONGUE THIEF
Christopher Buehlman
My reading greatest joy is finding a voice that stands out and demands I continue. On page one, Buehlman hooked me, and it’s hard to put this story aside. I only wish there were a dozen more of his lively and clever books to work through.
#bookshelf25
Christopher Buehlman
My reading greatest joy is finding a voice that stands out and demands I continue. On page one, Buehlman hooked me, and it’s hard to put this story aside. I only wish there were a dozen more of his lively and clever books to work through.
#bookshelf25
METAMORPHOSES
Ovid
Another research book, that sheds a light deep into the mythologic and historical stories that sparked so many of my youthful dreams. So worth reading these magical tales. Here’s hoping I do some justice to the source.
#bookshelf25
Ovid
Another research book, that sheds a light deep into the mythologic and historical stories that sparked so many of my youthful dreams. So worth reading these magical tales. Here’s hoping I do some justice to the source.
#bookshelf25
December 31, 2025 at 2:32 AM
METAMORPHOSES
Ovid
Another research book, that sheds a light deep into the mythologic and historical stories that sparked so many of my youthful dreams. So worth reading these magical tales. Here’s hoping I do some justice to the source.
#bookshelf25
Ovid
Another research book, that sheds a light deep into the mythologic and historical stories that sparked so many of my youthful dreams. So worth reading these magical tales. Here’s hoping I do some justice to the source.
#bookshelf25
THE STONE SKY
NK Jemisin
A magical ending to this titanic literary trilogy. Jemisin challenges the genre with her ambitious prose on every page, each worthy of the countless accolades this series earned.
#bookshelf25
NK Jemisin
A magical ending to this titanic literary trilogy. Jemisin challenges the genre with her ambitious prose on every page, each worthy of the countless accolades this series earned.
#bookshelf25
December 30, 2025 at 11:36 PM
THE STONE SKY
NK Jemisin
A magical ending to this titanic literary trilogy. Jemisin challenges the genre with her ambitious prose on every page, each worthy of the countless accolades this series earned.
#bookshelf25
NK Jemisin
A magical ending to this titanic literary trilogy. Jemisin challenges the genre with her ambitious prose on every page, each worthy of the countless accolades this series earned.
#bookshelf25
PRECIOUS RUBBISH
Kayla E
A tour de force graphic novel that pushes the medium envelope with brilliant design. Past the polished presentation, a series of brutal and gut-wenching autobiographical stories await. Hard to imaging a better way to serve this.
#bookshelf25
Kayla E
A tour de force graphic novel that pushes the medium envelope with brilliant design. Past the polished presentation, a series of brutal and gut-wenching autobiographical stories await. Hard to imaging a better way to serve this.
#bookshelf25
December 30, 2025 at 12:24 PM
PRECIOUS RUBBISH
Kayla E
A tour de force graphic novel that pushes the medium envelope with brilliant design. Past the polished presentation, a series of brutal and gut-wenching autobiographical stories await. Hard to imaging a better way to serve this.
#bookshelf25
Kayla E
A tour de force graphic novel that pushes the medium envelope with brilliant design. Past the polished presentation, a series of brutal and gut-wenching autobiographical stories await. Hard to imaging a better way to serve this.
#bookshelf25
CHICAGO
David Mamet
A less-than driving Mamet tale that wallows in sadness and empty bottles for one protagonist, while an almost-protagonist other serves as function nursemaid. Maybe I’ll watch Glengary Glen Ross, or Spartan, or read one of his plays next.
#bookshelf25
David Mamet
A less-than driving Mamet tale that wallows in sadness and empty bottles for one protagonist, while an almost-protagonist other serves as function nursemaid. Maybe I’ll watch Glengary Glen Ross, or Spartan, or read one of his plays next.
#bookshelf25
December 30, 2025 at 3:03 AM
CHICAGO
David Mamet
A less-than driving Mamet tale that wallows in sadness and empty bottles for one protagonist, while an almost-protagonist other serves as function nursemaid. Maybe I’ll watch Glengary Glen Ross, or Spartan, or read one of his plays next.
#bookshelf25
David Mamet
A less-than driving Mamet tale that wallows in sadness and empty bottles for one protagonist, while an almost-protagonist other serves as function nursemaid. Maybe I’ll watch Glengary Glen Ross, or Spartan, or read one of his plays next.
#bookshelf25
SNOW CRASH
Neal Stephenson
A book that entered my zeitgeist when it came out, but never made it to the TBR pile. It’s clear to see why this landed hard with a certain group of readers, and had—for better or worse—a lasting impression. Not my cup of tea
#bookshelf25
Neal Stephenson
A book that entered my zeitgeist when it came out, but never made it to the TBR pile. It’s clear to see why this landed hard with a certain group of readers, and had—for better or worse—a lasting impression. Not my cup of tea
#bookshelf25
December 29, 2025 at 4:36 PM
SNOW CRASH
Neal Stephenson
A book that entered my zeitgeist when it came out, but never made it to the TBR pile. It’s clear to see why this landed hard with a certain group of readers, and had—for better or worse—a lasting impression. Not my cup of tea
#bookshelf25
Neal Stephenson
A book that entered my zeitgeist when it came out, but never made it to the TBR pile. It’s clear to see why this landed hard with a certain group of readers, and had—for better or worse—a lasting impression. Not my cup of tea
#bookshelf25
IMPOSSIBLE JONES VOL 2
Karl Kesel & David Hahn
A fantastic, and beautifully packaged, hardcover collection of Kesel and Hahn’s ongoing lighthearted crime adventure comic. Perfect for fans of Batman the Animated Series who don’t take things so seriously. Great comics.
#bookshelf25
Karl Kesel & David Hahn
A fantastic, and beautifully packaged, hardcover collection of Kesel and Hahn’s ongoing lighthearted crime adventure comic. Perfect for fans of Batman the Animated Series who don’t take things so seriously. Great comics.
#bookshelf25
December 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
IMPOSSIBLE JONES VOL 2
Karl Kesel & David Hahn
A fantastic, and beautifully packaged, hardcover collection of Kesel and Hahn’s ongoing lighthearted crime adventure comic. Perfect for fans of Batman the Animated Series who don’t take things so seriously. Great comics.
#bookshelf25
Karl Kesel & David Hahn
A fantastic, and beautifully packaged, hardcover collection of Kesel and Hahn’s ongoing lighthearted crime adventure comic. Perfect for fans of Batman the Animated Series who don’t take things so seriously. Great comics.
#bookshelf25
AMERICAN PASTORAL
Phillip Roth
My first dive into Roth’s literary canon. Blown away by the ironclad prose, confused by abandoned protagonists, and shifting POVs, but much to consider within the text.
#bookshelf25
Phillip Roth
My first dive into Roth’s literary canon. Blown away by the ironclad prose, confused by abandoned protagonists, and shifting POVs, but much to consider within the text.
#bookshelf25
December 29, 2025 at 12:20 AM
AMERICAN PASTORAL
Phillip Roth
My first dive into Roth’s literary canon. Blown away by the ironclad prose, confused by abandoned protagonists, and shifting POVs, but much to consider within the text.
#bookshelf25
Phillip Roth
My first dive into Roth’s literary canon. Blown away by the ironclad prose, confused by abandoned protagonists, and shifting POVs, but much to consider within the text.
#bookshelf25
THE RISE AND FALL OF ATHENS
Plutarch
One luxury of novel research is chasing down themes and ideas. When that action connects, or in this case reconnects with the first fantastic tales of my childhood, I know I’m a lucky person. Do yourself a favor and find a copy—so worth it.
#bookshelf25
Plutarch
One luxury of novel research is chasing down themes and ideas. When that action connects, or in this case reconnects with the first fantastic tales of my childhood, I know I’m a lucky person. Do yourself a favor and find a copy—so worth it.
#bookshelf25
December 28, 2025 at 9:09 PM
THE RISE AND FALL OF ATHENS
Plutarch
One luxury of novel research is chasing down themes and ideas. When that action connects, or in this case reconnects with the first fantastic tales of my childhood, I know I’m a lucky person. Do yourself a favor and find a copy—so worth it.
#bookshelf25
Plutarch
One luxury of novel research is chasing down themes and ideas. When that action connects, or in this case reconnects with the first fantastic tales of my childhood, I know I’m a lucky person. Do yourself a favor and find a copy—so worth it.
#bookshelf25
DC STYLE GUIDE
José Luis García-López
A re-printing of the legendary brand guidelines for DC Comics by the equally legendary artist, José Luis García-López. This document stands as the gold standard for fans and artists—not mutually exclusive. A nostalgic must-have.
#bookshelf25
José Luis García-López
A re-printing of the legendary brand guidelines for DC Comics by the equally legendary artist, José Luis García-López. This document stands as the gold standard for fans and artists—not mutually exclusive. A nostalgic must-have.
#bookshelf25
December 28, 2025 at 12:15 PM
DC STYLE GUIDE
José Luis García-López
A re-printing of the legendary brand guidelines for DC Comics by the equally legendary artist, José Luis García-López. This document stands as the gold standard for fans and artists—not mutually exclusive. A nostalgic must-have.
#bookshelf25
José Luis García-López
A re-printing of the legendary brand guidelines for DC Comics by the equally legendary artist, José Luis García-López. This document stands as the gold standard for fans and artists—not mutually exclusive. A nostalgic must-have.
#bookshelf25
DJIBOUTI
Elmore Leonard
A documentarian searching for her next award-winning subject enters the dangerous waters of the commerce and pirate-laden Horn of African nation and finds far more than just a story. Not the most stylish of Leonard’s books, but possibly the most dangerous.
#bookshelf25
Elmore Leonard
A documentarian searching for her next award-winning subject enters the dangerous waters of the commerce and pirate-laden Horn of African nation and finds far more than just a story. Not the most stylish of Leonard’s books, but possibly the most dangerous.
#bookshelf25
December 28, 2025 at 2:27 AM
DJIBOUTI
Elmore Leonard
A documentarian searching for her next award-winning subject enters the dangerous waters of the commerce and pirate-laden Horn of African nation and finds far more than just a story. Not the most stylish of Leonard’s books, but possibly the most dangerous.
#bookshelf25
Elmore Leonard
A documentarian searching for her next award-winning subject enters the dangerous waters of the commerce and pirate-laden Horn of African nation and finds far more than just a story. Not the most stylish of Leonard’s books, but possibly the most dangerous.
#bookshelf25
SECRET IDENTITY
Alex Seguera
I love reading books written by people I know. This is my second of Alex’s books, and it plays to all his storytelling strengths. It’s a twisty and unexpected murder mystery set in the NYC comic book industry of the early ‘70s.
#bookshelf25
Alex Seguera
I love reading books written by people I know. This is my second of Alex’s books, and it plays to all his storytelling strengths. It’s a twisty and unexpected murder mystery set in the NYC comic book industry of the early ‘70s.
#bookshelf25
December 27, 2025 at 6:36 PM
SECRET IDENTITY
Alex Seguera
I love reading books written by people I know. This is my second of Alex’s books, and it plays to all his storytelling strengths. It’s a twisty and unexpected murder mystery set in the NYC comic book industry of the early ‘70s.
#bookshelf25
Alex Seguera
I love reading books written by people I know. This is my second of Alex’s books, and it plays to all his storytelling strengths. It’s a twisty and unexpected murder mystery set in the NYC comic book industry of the early ‘70s.
#bookshelf25
THE DEATH OF COPRA
Michel Fiffe
The last love letter to the comics & stories that sparked Fiffe's soul to create his own works. These highly interpersonal and narratively improvisational superhero tales play WITH tropes as much as challenging them in Fiffe’s inimitable writing & art. #bookshelf25
Michel Fiffe
The last love letter to the comics & stories that sparked Fiffe's soul to create his own works. These highly interpersonal and narratively improvisational superhero tales play WITH tropes as much as challenging them in Fiffe’s inimitable writing & art. #bookshelf25
December 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
THE DEATH OF COPRA
Michel Fiffe
The last love letter to the comics & stories that sparked Fiffe's soul to create his own works. These highly interpersonal and narratively improvisational superhero tales play WITH tropes as much as challenging them in Fiffe’s inimitable writing & art. #bookshelf25
Michel Fiffe
The last love letter to the comics & stories that sparked Fiffe's soul to create his own works. These highly interpersonal and narratively improvisational superhero tales play WITH tropes as much as challenging them in Fiffe’s inimitable writing & art. #bookshelf25
Small four-pointed stars have appeared wherever I surf the internet, like unwelcome sores.
The entirety of tech is built on careless ??? Seeking un-spendable wealth, and headless of the long-term effects of their actions.
They believe they’re in a ract to the top, as we plummet to the bottom.
The entirety of tech is built on careless ??? Seeking un-spendable wealth, and headless of the long-term effects of their actions.
They believe they’re in a ract to the top, as we plummet to the bottom.
December 16, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Small four-pointed stars have appeared wherever I surf the internet, like unwelcome sores.
The entirety of tech is built on careless ??? Seeking un-spendable wealth, and headless of the long-term effects of their actions.
They believe they’re in a ract to the top, as we plummet to the bottom.
The entirety of tech is built on careless ??? Seeking un-spendable wealth, and headless of the long-term effects of their actions.
They believe they’re in a ract to the top, as we plummet to the bottom.
@jhwilliams3.bsky.social returns to talk about starting his love-letter to comics, ECHOLANDS and where he and the story are four-years in. Plus progressive visual storytelling, subtext, writing stories in collaboration, and for others.
open.substack.com/pu...
Links through bio
#podcast
open.substack.com/pu...
Links through bio
#podcast
December 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
@jhwilliams3.bsky.social returns to talk about starting his love-letter to comics, ECHOLANDS and where he and the story are four-years in. Plus progressive visual storytelling, subtext, writing stories in collaboration, and for others.
open.substack.com/pu...
Links through bio
#podcast
open.substack.com/pu...
Links through bio
#podcast
@michelfiffe.bsky.social joins me to talk about his creative journey, wrapping-up his psycho-drama epic COPRA, and the internal conflicts and wealth of unknowns that arose in the wake of this massive change.
open.substack.com/pu...
More links through bio
#podcast
open.substack.com/pu...
More links through bio
#podcast
November 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
@michelfiffe.bsky.social joins me to talk about his creative journey, wrapping-up his psycho-drama epic COPRA, and the internal conflicts and wealth of unknowns that arose in the wake of this massive change.
open.substack.com/pu...
More links through bio
#podcast
open.substack.com/pu...
More links through bio
#podcast
Yesterday, as we wrapped up a day at the Spartanburg Art Museum, I thumbed-through the Illustration '97 look book, and found some familiar names in the "less fancy" Comps, Animatics, Storyboards section.
But Neal & Co went all out on a double-page spread in the section.
attn. @kurtbusiek.bsky.social
But Neal & Co went all out on a double-page spread in the section.
attn. @kurtbusiek.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Yesterday, as we wrapped up a day at the Spartanburg Art Museum, I thumbed-through the Illustration '97 look book, and found some familiar names in the "less fancy" Comps, Animatics, Storyboards section.
But Neal & Co went all out on a double-page spread in the section.
attn. @kurtbusiek.bsky.social
But Neal & Co went all out on a double-page spread in the section.
attn. @kurtbusiek.bsky.social
@ronmarz.bsky.social and I talk writing, and his amazing comic book career. He clarifies the world of video game writing for me. We discuss the value of travel, his passion for prose, and how he remains engaged with his craft.
open.substack.com/pu...
Links in bio
#podcast
open.substack.com/pu...
Links in bio
#podcast
November 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
@ronmarz.bsky.social and I talk writing, and his amazing comic book career. He clarifies the world of video game writing for me. We discuss the value of travel, his passion for prose, and how he remains engaged with his craft.
open.substack.com/pu...
Links in bio
#podcast
open.substack.com/pu...
Links in bio
#podcast
Part 4:
In the spirt of my upcoming talk with @ronmarz.bsky.social here are some old GREEN LANTERN drawings.
This is the time capsule of the lot. '95/6 was filled with young men quoting the hot new cartoon, SOUTH PARK— ad nauseam. In my head, Kyle was one of those guys.
In the spirt of my upcoming talk with @ronmarz.bsky.social here are some old GREEN LANTERN drawings.
This is the time capsule of the lot. '95/6 was filled with young men quoting the hot new cartoon, SOUTH PARK— ad nauseam. In my head, Kyle was one of those guys.
November 16, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Part 4:
In the spirt of my upcoming talk with @ronmarz.bsky.social here are some old GREEN LANTERN drawings.
This is the time capsule of the lot. '95/6 was filled with young men quoting the hot new cartoon, SOUTH PARK— ad nauseam. In my head, Kyle was one of those guys.
In the spirt of my upcoming talk with @ronmarz.bsky.social here are some old GREEN LANTERN drawings.
This is the time capsule of the lot. '95/6 was filled with young men quoting the hot new cartoon, SOUTH PARK— ad nauseam. In my head, Kyle was one of those guys.
Part 2:
In the spirt of my upcoming talk with @ronmarz.bsky.social I'm sharing some old GREEN LANTERN drawings.
A dash of action. these were all on one page of copy paper, but I broke them up here. "Now" me wants to break out the tracing paper and restructure the entire thing.
In the spirt of my upcoming talk with @ronmarz.bsky.social I'm sharing some old GREEN LANTERN drawings.
A dash of action. these were all on one page of copy paper, but I broke them up here. "Now" me wants to break out the tracing paper and restructure the entire thing.
November 15, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Part 2:
In the spirt of my upcoming talk with @ronmarz.bsky.social I'm sharing some old GREEN LANTERN drawings.
A dash of action. these were all on one page of copy paper, but I broke them up here. "Now" me wants to break out the tracing paper and restructure the entire thing.
In the spirt of my upcoming talk with @ronmarz.bsky.social I'm sharing some old GREEN LANTERN drawings.
A dash of action. these were all on one page of copy paper, but I broke them up here. "Now" me wants to break out the tracing paper and restructure the entire thing.