I Hate Fairyland #41 FOC

Final Order Cutoff is Monday 5/19

I Hate Fairyland is coming back to comic book shop shelves soon with issue #41! Monday 5/19 is the FOC (Final Order Cutoff). What does that mean? It means it’s the last day your retailer can finalize their orders for this issue. So if you want to make sure you get a copy saved for you, let your LCS know you want a copy!

I’m excited about this issue for several reasons! Derek Laufman is joining us as the series regular artist, and you’ll see below that you’re in for a treat. We’re giving the covers an overhaul and bringing the logo from the hardcovers and compendium to the single issues. I figured it’s about time to get some brand unity across all the various formats! I’m putting our Stupid Fresh Mess company logo on the covers now too! Then there’s the thing that might have some of you feeling like you’ve lost time or missed out on 20 issues over the spring… the renumbering.

Yup, I decided that I wanted the series to go back to where it would’ve been if I hadn’t relaunched the series with a new #1 back in 2022. I know, I know. It’s wacky and it’s one of the wild things we do in comics. But it’s also the fun thing about being free in the indie comic world. I can be nimble and makes changes along the way depending on where things are with me, or my company, or the industry, or whatever. 2022 was post-pandemic and the boom of retailer exclusives was hot and #1’s worked. And after a few years of us all being trapped in our houses, we needed things to work. So I thought it was best to bring the series back with a new #1.

Now it’s 2025, and we’ve put out 20 issues since then. When I realized how close IHF is to hitting its 50th issue published, I was bummed that the numbering didn’t reflect that. There aren’t a ton of creator-owned series that make it to 50 and beyond, and being this close, I wanted to be one of them that does.

Then I remembered that this a creator-owned book, a comedy book, and fully independent, so I can do whatever I want. And just like that… #21 is now #41. Luckily, this is the kind of book where we can just make fun of the whole thing right on the cover!

Cover C 1:25 by Me!

Run and make sure your LCS has your copy ordered, and buckle up for the fun ride to issue #50. Also make sure you’re subscribed to this newsletter for a really fun one next week. Derek and I interviewed each other, and you won’t want to miss out on that!

Here’s a peek at issue #41 with me, Derek, Jean, and Nate just straight-up cooking!

Thanks everyone! Have a great weekend and see you on shelves again soon!