iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Check out my Substack, wydoncha? I love stories and my Substack is a place to talk about that. The URL is right here in the pic, but here: www.hunterblackwriter.substack.com

A picture of Nikki from Obsession making an exaggerated sad face.

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

I started this Substack to talk about writing and genre fiction -- to speak to whatever my audience is. But it turns out that I have things to say. 1/2

I'm using the popular "Donald Trump is a RA_IST" balloon meme as a cover for my Substack on my fears about the susceptibility of Americans to charm and to video.

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Hunter Black Book One: Betrayer's Blood is out -- it's free and easy to get on Global Comics -- and Book Two: Whetstone is on deck. Read the comic the way it was always meant to be read! #comics #webcomic #fantasy #noir

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Starting next week, we'll be re-presenting Hunter Black to you, one chapter each month, for absolutely nothing. These digital comic versions of the best hardboiled fantasy webcomic on the 'Net will be 100% free, available on Global Comix. globalcomix.com/c/hunter-black

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

For just a few short weeks, the #webcomic known as #HunterBlack will be played by a #SUPERHERO #COMIC. We will get back to your favorite #hardboiled #fantasy goodness soon enough. www.HunterBlackComics.com

The silhouette of a cloaked figure, suspended in midair and surrounded by a nimbus of energy. This is a cut out from the hardboiled fantasy webcomic known as Hunter Black.

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Sundays are when the #HunterBlack Big Spenders (Patrons donating a mere five bucks a month) are treated to the upcoming week's pages and our thoughts on them. www.patreon.com/HunterBlack 1/2

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

If you feel this same sense of connection, or maybe something different, maybe check out our dive into this final installment...you can find us wherever it is you listen to #podcasts. 3/Fin

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

It's time to start talking about the #StrangerThings finale! There was lots of good...and a wee-bit that wasn't as good...but most of all, there was just the reminder that since the very first frames of this show, this has felt like a show FOR ME. 1/3

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

What's she so happy about? The world is going to sh--OH...this is a flashback. Hopefully this is a reminder of last year and not what this one has in store for us...or your favorite #hardboiled #fantasy #webcomic! www.HunterBlackComics.com

A masked thief frolics in a pile of treasure as a grim thug looks on -- a snapshot from today's page of the hardboiled fantasy webcomic, Hunter Black.

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Happy New Year from Jacob, Will, and me -- not to mention our friends and partners in Massive Chaos. Let's hope 2026 is nicer to us than 2025 was...but let's expect to have to continue to fight, because the bad guys haven't gone anywhere. See you next year!

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

When the voices in your head start speaking in unison, you might hear something new...and that's what's happening to #HunterBlack RIGHT NOW. We're not your favorite #hardboiled #fantasy #webcomic for nothing! Come back and catch up! www.HunterBlackComics.com

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

The New Year is almost upon us and we're sure that you're thinking about what to do differently in 2026. Well, may we suggest supporting more independent creators? Can we suggest availing yourself of the opportunity to help small businesses and creator-driven works of art? 1/2

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

It's kinda like comparing apples to oranges -- but at the end of the day, I can pick one over the other (oranges, obviously). Search for "POPSKL" wherever you get your podcasts to hear the whole thing! 3/Fin

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

It's kind of inevitable that I'm going to compare the two best SF shows of the year, isn't it? The truth is that #Andor and #Plur1bus are different in very fundamental ways having to do with craft and style -- before we even get to considerations of story. 1/3

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

Every once in a blue moon, we'll have a flashback where Will can't reuse old artwork -- and tonight the moon is blue. In today's page, Hunter gets to see what he missed before because he was busy running for his life -- and maybe that was just as well, because he didn't miss anything good! 1/2

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Listen to #ThatEpisodeWas from @popsklpod, wherever you get your podcasts. 3/Fin

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Wanna watch me #podcast by the seat of my pants? When the POPSKL crew starts discussing Will Byers and his feelings for Mike Wheeler, people start getting in their feelings and losing the ability to speak...and so I ramble on to the rescue! 1/3

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Flashing back to one of the more intense moments in the comic. #HunterBlack Volume 6 is building up to its titanic conclusion, so of course we call upon the classics to help get us there! It's never a bad time to catch up with your favorite hardboiled fantasy #webcomic! www.HunterBlackComics.com

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

(Nowadays, @phillipcreates.bsky.social and I say, GO LISTEN TO THE #PODCAST! Search for @popsklpod.bsky.social wherever you listen!)

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

I'll say this...after 8 episodes of #Plur1bus, I don't think that anything is an accident or a throwaway decision. I think that everything is intentional -- even the small things. Trust but verify, as we said during the Cold War.

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

If I'm being honest, Will puts a ton more work into each page of Hunter Black than I do...so every once in a while I like to throw him an easy page if I can. I was able to do that this week, but only on one page. The other page forced him to reimagine one of the comic's craziest moments. 1/3

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

In the world of Hunter Black, if you drowned and came back as a zombie, this is probably what you look like. They're not really that similar, but they make me think of Alice the Goon from Popeye anyway. 1/3

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

A new episode of #Plur1bus drops tonight on AppleTV...and @phillipcreates.bsky.social and I will recording our reactions and analysis on Saturday. Expect a new @popsklpod.bsky.social Pop-Up Sunday or Monday (depending on Phil's editing schedule), wherever you get your podcasts!

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

The first wave of Marvel For Dummies books is now available for purchase -- and to celebrate, MY book (pictured here) is now ten bucks off on Amazon.

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

You know why you should listen to @POPSKLPOD? We try to talk only about things we actually like. We're not interested in tearing anybody or anything down.

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Don't ever think that just because our undead necromancer's magic manifests as cute little cartoon skulls -- that he isn't capable of HORRORS. He's still the worst. (Is he? He's not our only villain...) It's the villains' turn to shine in your favorite #hardboiled #fantasy #webcomic... #HunterBlack!

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

You knew it was coming, the part where the villain's master plan is revealed. (Of course...we have more than one villain.) Five bucks a week gets you access to what Will and I are thinking as we create pages and craft stories. (A bargain at twice the price!) www.patreon.com/HunterBlack

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

You know, the point that @phillipcreates.bsky.social makes here about Pluribus' Carol Sturka is one that I TOTALLY relate to. Literally no one in my family is into the kinds of things that I write -- and while my stuff isn't written FOR them, it still hurts a little.

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

You know, the villain having a bad day doesn't necessarily mean the hero's having a good one. This is a great time to catch up on your favorite hardboiled fantasy webcomic! Link's in the bio! www.HunterBlackComics.com

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

This past year saw me getting a chance to do something that ended up being one of the most fun experiences of my writing career so far -- I was invited to write Fantastic Four For Dummies (thanks to kind recommendations by @troybrownfield.bsky.social and @geneselassie.bsky.social).

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

So... #HunterBlack sees his enemy's plan (or thinks he does)...wouldn't you like to? Time to get back to your favorite hardboiled fantasy webcomic! www.HunterBlackComics.com

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

If you were elected to public office (never mind whether you'd ever actually run), what book would you swear in on?

The cover to a collection of essays by philosopher Bertrand Russell titled, "Why I Am Not A Christian"

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Um...I haven't seen this yet but the score is 🔥🔥🔥.

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Pop-Ups are how we discuss shows or films that we weren't planning for -- and we certainly were not planning for #PLUR1BUS. This show is remarkably thought-provoking...and so maybe @phillipcreates and I sound smarter than usual. If you're a fan, check POPSKL out wherever you get your podcasts!

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Why apologies to Mark Waid? That's a story that goes all the way back to Hunter Black Volume One (this week's Patreon drop is from the tail end of Volume SIX) -- and our mid-tier Patrons just got that story. 1/3

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

TFW you rip off the first and greatest superhero of all time for your webcomic's absolute WORST villain. #HunterBlack #webcomic #fantasy #noir (You know you want to read it.) www.HunterBlackComics.com

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Can we just agree that @qwantz.com loves dinosaurs? (I'm not even considering his webcomic, just his Marvel work.)

A panel from a comic showing the Incredible Hulk fighting a bunch of velociraptors and predictably saying, "Hulk. Smash. Dinosaurs."

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Join the Hunter Black Patreon for early access to pages and insights into what we do. Support independent comics while enjoying exclusive commentary on the inspiration behind the work. (Don't you want Will to quit his day job? Or do you want Justin having to go back to slinging drinks?)

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Whatever these two are looking at, you know it isn't good! Check out the latest pages of Hunter Black to see just how bad things are getting! Dive into a world where fantasy meets gritty storytelling brought to you by William Orr and yours truly. (The link is in my bio!)

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

You know the deal. This is tomorrow's Hunter Black page, available today if you subscribe through Patreon. It's only two bucks a month and it helps keep indie comics going. Do you really want to wait for tomorrow to find out what "Outside Ground Zero" means?

A blurred image of Hunter Black Page 1995, meant to entice you to become a Patron so you can see tomorrow's page today.

Give us two bucks a month!

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

If you need to know who or what the blue blur in this image is, you really need to catch up on your #HunterBlack. If you DO know, please consider becoming a Patron. For two bucks a month, you'd already know what's going on. www.Patreon.com/HunterBlack

A blurred image from the Patreon for hardboiled fantasy webcomic Hunter Black.

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

The blurred image you see below is tomorrow's #HunterBlackComics page. If you gave @mrorr.bsky.social and me two bucks a month through Patreon, you'd have this page already -- and you'd get EVERY page a day early. Wouldn't that be nice? www.Patreon.com/HunterBlack

A blurred image of tomorrow's Hunter Black page, produced by Patreon. Give us money!

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Today's #HunterBlackComics by William Orr, Jacob Bascle, and ya boy. New pages every Tuesday and Friday. www.HunterBlackComics.com

Hunter Black Page 1991 - A hardboiled fantasy webcomic. Hunter Black walks away from Hoc Zhai, his archenemy, thinking "Gods damn us both."

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Hunter Black Page 2000. 🤯🤯🤯

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

It does still come up when you search on Amazon, at least for me. But it says you only have 25 5-star reviews. (And I have to click through to see that.)

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

LOVE YOU TO DEATH, from Byron Gray, @patriciavilletto.bsky.social, and ya boy, is coming soon! We're racing to finish so we can put this #comic in your grubby little hands!

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

COMING SOON from Byron Gray, @patriciavilletto.bsky.social, and your boy. Check out the LinkTree in my bio for more information!

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Is death cold? Or can it be...hot? "Steamy," even? We're still not ready to announce what Byron Gray, @patriciavilletto.bsky.social, and I have been working on -- but it's not what you think. (Man, I love comics!)

The Grim Reaper as a teenage girl emerges from the mist, an hourglass in one hand and a black scythe in the other. Illustration by Byron Gray.

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Justin Peniston @hunterblackcomx.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Going forward, I'll be working more with my partners in Massive Chaos, Inc., developing new projects for animation and comics. We're fortunate to be building what I think is a good reputation in the industry, and we're always looking for the next thing to sink our teeth into! 4/Fin

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