An example of Martin Simmonds’ art from PUNKS NOT DEAD #6: (IDW Publishing)

On September 4, 2019, via his newsletter Escape Hatch,writer Joe Hill reveals more details about Dying is Easy, his upcoming comics series with artist Martin Simmonds, to be published by IDW Publishing.

Hill confirms that the new series will be a “crime comic” and that he has four issues scripted, and that Simmonds has finished illustrating the first issue. Hill also hints at a dark tone for the upcoming comic:

“I’ve got four issues scripted so far of Dying is Easy — and Martin Simmonds has only just finished illustrating the first, visually capturing a world of blurred neon lights and regrets and repressed violence.”

MEANWHILE first reported in December 2018 that Hill was working on a new comics series with Simmonds; the series was originally envisioned as a four-panel comic strip for Hill’s newsletter, Escape Hatch.

But as noted by Hill in Escape Hatch (May 28, 2019), the idea for the strip evolved into a comics series with an initial six-issue run:

“Funny story about this. I started writing a four panel strip for Escape Hatch about nine months ago. Only it all got away from me, and in fits and starts has become a new comic book. I’ve got about three and a half scripts now on a six issue initial run. I thiiiiiink it might be good? You’ll be hearing more about it soon.”

On July 19, 2019, SYFY Wire reported that Hill had revealed the name of the series as “S.T. Holmes, the Insulting Detective, in… Dying is Easy!”:

“Hill also revealed plans for a new comic titled S.T. Holmes, the Insulting Detective, in… Dying Is Easy! a throwback type of comic story that feels more like a Bruce Willis-style action romp. He’s working on the book with Martin Simmonds.”

Hill’s prose work includes Heart-Shaped Box, Horns, NOS4A2, and The Fireman. His comics work includes the acclaimed Locke & Key series (with artist Gabriel Rodriguez) for which Hill won an Eisner Award for Best Writer in 2011. Hill’s most recent newsletter also confirms that a new standalone Locke & Key comics issue entitled “Dog Days” will be released in October 2019.

Recently, DC Comics announced that Hill would be curating the publication of new horror comics under the imprint Hill House Comics. Hill’s most recent newsletter also discusses some of these comics, such as Basketful of Heads, Plunge, and Sea Dogs.

BASKETFUL OF HEADS #1: cover artwork by Reiko Murakami

Simmonds’ recent comics work includes the IDW Publishing series Punks Not Dead and the Vault series Friendo.