Context Junkie - Updates!
Wandering off, Moon Pioneers, DC Superfans & Rogue AIs
Hi Subscribers!
Thanks for hanging in there and/or forgetting to unsubscribe from my newsletter. I’d love to say I’m coming back to more regular posting, but I can at least say it’ll be less than a year between this one and the next one.
Mysterious reasons I did not update - which one is true???
Moved to the desert, caught up in epic conflict between local coyotes and ravens
Got lost in a very elaborate Gotham City ARG
Turned into an owl after a really bad pitch presentation
A very wise friend once described my general style to be, “You tend to be around and active and doing lots of things, then disappear into projects for years at a time before you resurface.” They’re right! I’ve been completely immersed, full-time since 2021 in a program I find utterly fascinating.
I can say I happily and easily dive completely into research and creation, then look up and several months have passed with some regularity, so if you’re waiting on an email reply from me. Apologies. I have been up to a few other things that are very worth mentioning before I dive into the project that has eaten this newsletter’s updates…
FASCINATING OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD SUSPENSE!
MOON PIONEERS MISSIONS
I still work on 21st Century Astronaut Training Programs with Space Nation! Our next Space on Earth tours are in Midland, Texas - simulating the environment of the Moon with training and simulations to become a Moon Pioneer! If you’re interested in our Moon Pioneers Missions, hanging out with an actual astronaut, and build skills that will support all your projects on Earth take a look.
WHAT LURKS IN THE SHADOWS? WHY HAS EATEN MY UPDATES? WHY AM I TALKING ABOUT IT NOW?
Since 2021, I’ve been working with DC and Warner Bros. Discovery on an experimental fan program. We’ve pulled together elements from ARGs, promotional programs, comics and digital collectibles to build a place where audience members get to play along as citizens in Gotham City in a story world with Batman, Harley Quinn and more.
We began this program in 2021 by releasing in-world objects as digital collectibles, featuring puzzles and comic covers… but things really kicked off with The DC Bat Cowl Collection - a selection of generative Bat Cowls featuring an invitation from Batman to join the Gotham City District Knightwatch (GCDK) and be part of online adventures in Gotham City.
These AR enabled masks were also access passes to an incredible fan experience - exclusive events with DC talent, promotions & merchandise, early access to other collections and more. The most exciting part of collecting a Bat Cowl - in my opinion - was being able to vote on an original DC Comic series: Batman: The Legacy Cowl.
We worked with DC Editorial and amazing creators: Dan Abnett, Pablo M. Collar and more… and to date, have created 3 issues in the storyline with everything from the titles, characters, covers, even down to lettering design determined by the vote of the Bat Cowl holders.
Over the 2 years we’ve been developing this series, we’ve been rolling out mysteries in Gotham City, introduced Harley Quinn and our second experience stream for Harley Quinn Crew, and a wide range of puzzles that let users explore their journey as a citizen of Gotham City.
As we work to bring the comics to print, we’re invited new audience members to join the amazing fan community already involved in this program with a new collection. As part of Batman: The Legacy Cowl - fan votes chose the design of a new DC Super-Villain, The Legacy Cowl.
A rogue AI prototype discarded by Batman, it managed to escape the Batcave, infiltrate Gotham City’s systems… and began replicating itself. Now, the next phase of our experience invited citizens of Gotham City (anyone!) to collect their own Legacy Cowls and work together to define the next steps in the story. Monthly votes will let collectors unlock exclusive opportunities to uncover clues to the mystery of how to combat the swarm, and craft exclusive limited edition collectibles.
If you want to join me, Batman, Harley Quinn, Nightwing, and an amazing community of super-fans The Legacy Cowl Collection is dropping this friday - 29 MAR 2024 on Candy.com. For $49.99 you get access to the experience, the collectible and lots of surprises.
I’m planning to do a few more posts about what I’ve learned from these collections so far, from the 8500+ hours of community-organized social spaces, the AR enabled meet-ups, fanfic, and the impact of community voting, there’s a lot to unpack. If you have questions, please reach out! Are you curious? I’m always excited to dive in on this project and more.
SOME ARTICLES FOR CONTEXT
Here are a few articles I’ve published in the dark period if you want to get into the theory and practice of what I’ve been up to lately.