A quiet moment on the shelf this week just after the launch of ELLA FOREVER: SCHOOL RIVALS by the amazing Aussie creator Serena Geddes.
Stories don’t always arrive in paragraphs.
Sometimes they arrive in panels.
And sometimes the most powerful invitation to read begins with a picture.
Two weeks ago, I posted a rough of a comics panel of tide lines.
A path appears where there should be none, and six figures walk toward an island.
Now, we have the same panel but in inks and shadow.
Fourth collaboration with comic book artist... Wendell Cavalcanti.
More coming soon.
And then come the words that open the door wider— “curses”, “royalty”, “prophecies,” a “chosen one”, and “tigers” (one of my spirit animals).
An ancient Indonesian kingdom waits beneath the surface.
This is not a review—just my first impressions at the threshold.
3/3
From the first pages, I was drawn into the textured detail of an Indonesian-Australian household—the rhythms of family life rendered with such specificity that I found myself leaning in with curiosity.
There is beauty in observation.
2/3
Reading fiction is a luxury for me. My weeks are filled with research, technical reading, charity work, & the discipline of scriptwriting. So, when I open a novel, it feels indulgent.
This weekend, I began MY HARIMAU KING, written by Australian author Annie McCann.
1/3
Just signed. Saying no to the Trump Tower Gold Coast proposal. 23,000+ others say "no" too and the petition is in its early stages.
c.org/wqTHYQFnXM
17 February 1936 marked the first appearance of The Phantom in print & the beginning of a legend.
I’m honoured to have written 3 Phantom stories (with a 4th in development). Working within this mythology is both a privilege & a responsibility.
Happy 90th to the Ghost Who Walks—still standing.
A dear friend gifted me this denim jacket after stitching Wonder Woman into the back with the kind of care you only give when you truly see someone.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will wear it with pride and gratitude. Look for it at the next Comic Convention I attend.
This story arrived in a dream. I accepted a dare to write horror, even though it isn’t natural for me. I woke up one morning with the entire outline in my mind & promptly wrote it down. Years later, it’s finally becoming real on the page. Fourth collaboration with artist Wendell Cavalcanti.
Light blue and teal green metal medal for the Conqueror virtual walking challenge. The word "Paris" is centred in gold. There are two lamp post images on the top left hand and right hand corners, and embelishments on the top and sides and bottom.
There’s something powerful about beautifully crafted objects.
This Paris medal drew me in long before I earned it.
Design matters.
This is me now.
A new chapter — stepping into the next phase of my work as a writer and visual storyteller with clarity and intention.
Grateful for the journey so far. More to come.
Happy New Year, dear friends. Let it be peaceful, blessed and sparkly, and may all your dreams come true.
Best wishes for the holiday break, and to embracing a brilliantly creative, productive and joyful 2026!
I between Alex Jewson, stunt performer, and me on creating action scenes in The Phantom comics. Thanks, Jermayn Parker and the Chronicle Chamber.
www.chroniclechamber.com/post/x-band-...
Thanks, Karen.
I'm presenting a workshop for Young Adults this Friday at the Inner West Council Libraries – Marrickville Library and Pavilion in Sydney, Australia. It's called "Creative Doorways: How to Find Your Comics Story Entry Point". More info here.
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/creative-d...
Loved sharing the Oz Comic-Con–Sydney stage with the wonderful Annie McCann when we talked about plot twists and turns in our respective stories. Congratulations, Annie, for the release of your debut novel My Harimau King!
Day 1 & Day 2 at Oz Comic-Con Sydney on the weekend and my table. I had a wonderful time thanks to a great host and crew, and wonderful colleagues and punters. Thank you, OCC, for hosting a fabulously friendly and happy event. It was a privilege to participate and feel the vibe.
Here's a local opportunity for Aussie graphic novelists.
www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/202...
I'm keen to review comic art portfolios at Oz Comic-Con (Sydney) in Sept so please feel free to approach me and have a chat. I'm particularly interested in seeing sequential art for a children's audience, and in the (all ages) fantasy and action-adventure genres.
I'm thoroughly delighted & excited to be a comic book writer guest at Oz Comic-Con (Sydney) on 20-21 Sept 2025. I'll be showcasing my latest Phantom story, as well as some of my other comics & short fiction works.
Hope to see you there, Sydney-siders and beyond!
ozcomiccon.com/julie-ditrich/
Just a little something I’m working on with artist Marcelo Baez.
This is a new CollectFestAu exclusive limited edition ‘Djiniri’ gold foil comic cover print, which is being launched in Brisbane this weekend!
We adore this character. More to come in the near future.
I'm delighted to announce the launch of a comic book trailer for my story THE PHANTOM: THE RETURN OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE, which will be published by Frew Publications in the PHANTOM GIANT SIZE EDITION #2000 in mid June 2025.
You can check it out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsNX...
Final THE PHANTOM: RETURN OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE art leak. The Giant Size Phantom (216 pages in all) featuring my story (96 pages) will be out mid June 2025 through Frew Publications.
Story: me
Art: Wendell Cavalcanti
Colours: Ivan Pedersen
Letters: Alan Ho
Editing: Glenn Ford.
Thanks, Team Frew!
Time for another Phantom pic from an upcoming book. We're in the final proofreading stage of RETURN OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE.
Release date: mid June 2025 via Frew Publications. Thanks, Glenn Ford
Story by me
Art by Wendell Cavalcanti
Colours by Ivan Pedersen
Letters by Alan Ho.
Cheers!
Another couple of panels from the upcoming book THE PHANTOM: RETURN OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE. Art by Wendell Cavalcanti. Story & script by me. The Phantom's extraordinary wife Diana Palmer & his best mate & mentor Guran, who are both upfront heroes, feature heavily in this story. Don't trifle with them!
I'm slowly going to be leaking some panels from my upcoming book THE PHANTOM: RETURN OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE. Pencils & inks are by the incredible comic book artist Wendell Cavalcanti who has been a joy to work with on not only this project but two others. The book will be released in June 2025.
Good morning!
Maybe I'm naive, but I find it an endless source of fascination that I can find this type of information on the internet: The Phantom's hex colour code for his costume.
This is the website I sourced it from for anyone who's interested: www.color-name.com/phantom.color
Came across this meaningful quote the other day. I will remember it.
