Newsletter comparison
It's Chip Zdarsky's Newsletter, Okay? vs Straczynski’s Substack
Short answer: Choose Chip Zdarsky for compact comics lessons tied to work happening now. Choose Straczynski for scripts, television craft, and a longer professional view. Keep both if you are learning how a script works and how a writing career actually develops.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
An independent guide. Scottie isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by It's Chip Zdarsky's Newsletter, Okay? and Straczynski’s Substack. Each publication owns its name, writing, and subscription terms.
A brief from both newsletters · July 31, 2026
See both newsletters in one brief
See what made the brief, what didn't, and the original links behind every included story.
In this brief: Scottie kept the selected stories separate because they added different value.
Reader priorities
An aspiring professional writer wants candid craft instruction and real scripts from people who have written television and comics at a high level.
These are illustrative priorities, not a customer’s data.
What made the brief
- It's Chip Zdarsky's Newsletter, Okay?4 read · 2 included
- Straczynski’s Substack2 read · 2 included
Scottie
Scottie example brief
July 31, 2026 · Executive brief
01 / The rundown
- J. Michael Straczynski launched an online script archive featuring nearly 300 television and comic scripts for writers to study.
- Chip Zdarsky offered behind-the-scenes insights from the Sex Criminals television pilot set and highlighted active comic writing projects.
02 / The briefing
01 / main
J. Michael Straczynski opens production script archive online
The takeaway: TV and comic writer J. Michael Straczynski is opening his personal vault to share production scripts online. Subscribers get monthly drops starting with the Babylon 5 finale and early animation work like The Real Ghostbusters.
Concrete details
- The archive could eventually encompass nearly 300 scripts across television series, feature films, and comic books.
- Paid subscribers receive two to three scripts monthly, compared to individual script prices reaching $20 to $30 elsewhere.
Why it matters for this reader: As an aspiring writer, analyzing authentic TV and animation scripts directly reveals industry formatting, pacing, and storytelling mechanics from a veteran creator.
Original sourcesStraczynski’s SubstackStraczynski’s Substack
02 / main
Chip Zdarsky visits the Sex Criminals TV pilot set
The takeaway: Comic writer Chip Zdarsky spent a week on set for the Sex Criminals TV pilot, directed by Nia DaCosta. Zdarsky offered a candid behind-the-scenes look at adapting comics for television alongside co-creator Matt Fraction.
Concrete details
- Nia DaCosta is directing the television pilot adaptation of Chip Zdarsky and Matt Fraction's comic series.
- Zdarsky confirmed his Captain America: Our Secret Wars collection launched alongside his upcoming September appearance at Dragon Con.
Why it matters for this reader: Watching high-level comic creators navigate live-action television adaptations gives you real perspective on how graphic stories translate onto screen scripts.
Original sourcesIt's Chip Zdarsky's Newsletter, Okay?
03 / main
Chip Zdarsky shares creative banter with artist Ryan Stegman
The takeaway: Comic writer Chip Zdarsky published text exchanges with artist Ryan Stegman to celebrate two new releases. The candid look highlights the funny, informal creative relationships that drive major superhero titles.
Concrete details
- Captain America #13 features Spider-Man alongside Cap and Doctor Doom joining forces in Hell.
- Avengers: Armageddon #2 features silent pages crafted by artists Delio, Frank, and colorist Sonia Oback.
Why it matters for this reader: Observing real-world text exchanges between veteran comic creators offers you an unvarnished look at professional writer-artist collaboration and script dynamics.
Original sourcesIt's Chip Zdarsky's Newsletter, Okay?
Action items
- Subscribe to the JMS script archive to analyze real production scripts from Babylon 5 and animation classics.
- Study the silent pages in Avengers: Armageddon #2 to learn how comic scripts guide purely visual storytelling.
See every issue behind this brief
JMS Launches Online Script Archive Featuring TV, Movie, and Comic Scripts
- JMS Script Archive Upload: The Real GhostbustersStraczynski’s Substack · Included
- Introducing JMS Online Script ArchiveStraczynski’s Substack · Included
Chip Zdarsky Visits Set of Sex Criminals Television Pilot
- SEXECUTIVE PRODUCERIt's Chip Zdarsky's Newsletter, Okay? · Included
Chip Zdarsky Shares Collaborative Debates with Ryan Stegman
- Sad Spidey ReturnsIt's Chip Zdarsky's Newsletter, Okay? · Included
Chip Zdarsky newsletter research
- Stillwater Now More Than EverIt's Chip Zdarsky's Newsletter, Okay? · Read, not included
Chip Zdarsky San Diego
- San Diego, Here I Come WooooIt's Chip Zdarsky's Newsletter, Okay? · Read, not included
The useful difference
The difference that matters
Chip Zdarsky teaches through concise comics-focused classes and reports from current work. J. Michael Straczynski opens a much broader script archive and explains the professional path across television and comics.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
What each is best for
It's Chip Zdarsky's Newsletter, Okay?
Chip Zdarsky contributes practical comics instruction, examples from an active workload, and a direct account of writing and drawing for current projects.[1][2][3]
Straczynski’s Substack
Straczynski contributes downloadable script history, lessons from television production, and reflections on the decisions that shape a long writing career.[4][5][6]
When it’s worth reading both
The sources meet around professional storytelling craft but offer different evidence. Scottie can group the shared lesson while preserving the specific medium, script, and career context behind it.[1][2][3][4][5][6]