One of my favorite parts of doing illustrated fiction and sequential art is the details! For instance, my character Murron who has been featured a few times in the page reveals, is holding and drinking a canned beverage. It doesn’t amount to much concern in the overall story context, BUT what exactly is that drink? I love this kind of detail. So I created this collage of moments and highlighted the can for your reference.
Various Cells From Inchi #02
With that in mind I have to create a “brand”. Of course, I could write COLA, SODA, or some other generic thing on that can, but I couldn’t resist doing this mockup. It’s Italy after all…
Spritz-Oh! Brand Mock-Up!
LOL…well, I have to come up with something. And there’s time. I don’t know if it will end up as Spritz-Oh! but I’m open to your thoughts. Inchi #02 presses on! I appreciate you all so much!
Quick All-Con Recap
All-con is slightly different from most con’s I’ve attended or exhibited. The best way I can describe it is to say it’s about activities. So while many cons focus on celebrity guests, signings, photo ops, and fan merchandise, all-con is about experiences! Every half hour from 11:00a.m. to midnight, something happens in one of the hotel’s various ballrooms and conference rooms. It could be anything from cosplay tips to Cards Against Humanity flash games. There’s something for everyone hence the name “All-con.” So in the moments in between when there is downtime, attendees spend some time perusing the vendor hall or Artist’s Alley, where I was set up. It’s incredible to observe from behind the black-cloaked table! Look! An actual Krampus was there who looked a lot like my interpretation! He got a free book.
Krampus At All-Con
Far and away, my flash fiction book 21 Steezy Snuffs outpaced interest in Inchi. Still, I’m guessing gothic horror will always feel more attractive than fantasy. There’s plenty of reluctance to get involved with a series too! I get all that, and it’s totally cool! My vision remains pure, and I love the way this story is developing. However, it encourages me to move up some other short-form literature I have on the schedule.
I’ve really embraced the necessity of doing book shows. So I’m experimenting more right in my back yard starting with All-Con. It starts today and runs through Sunday. If you are located in or around Dallas or are just happen to be in town I’d love to meet you. Just out there raising awareness!
All-Con 2023
Inchi #02
For Backers of Inchi #01 you may have recieved an update already via Kickstarter or through the Voyages newsletter. I’ve already been thinking about when is the right time to prepare for the next launch. Much of that content you all receive first as Voyages subscribers so I’ll just hit you with the main update! Page 4!
Inchi#02 – Page 4
Nothing has changed as all of this will go through a final edit. Some details I like to leave until the end to make sure the creative flow doesn’t suffer and to have better continuity. One thing I’m sure of, this will be an even better book than the first.
I’ve definitely grown since the publication of Inchi #01, both as a writer and an illustrator. Making comics is hard and takes a lot of dedication to the craft. There is always something to improve upon, so thank you for your support from the bottom of my heart.
It’s a full-court press this spring to get this Book ready for launch. I’ll keep you posted as always.
A lot has happened since my last update. First, Inchi #01 wrapped, and then 21 Steezy Snuffs launched! Truth be told, I kinda wrecked my very cool-looking site turning it over to an e-comm page. I still don’t love it yet, but I’ll get there! But that’s not why you’re reading this! Let’s talk art!
If you’ve already pledged for 21 Steezy Snuffs (21SS), then you know that I’ve been on studio lockdown finalizing art. It’s been so much fun! I’m super excited about where it’s at and coming together nicely. That said, (Pirate Voice) “there be 10 days left” on this Voyage at $707 raised. As I said in yesterday’s Kickstarter update, I’m thrilled! Considering this type of book isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, it’s incredible! But that’s why we serve tea, coffee, and scotch on this ship. No spiced rum in this update.
So let me take you through some of the new art that’s coming into the book. Another word of caution these are in progress! Let’s start with the surprise breakout star, the plague doctor!
Plague doctors have never gone out of fashion. Still, considering we have been living a modern plague for some time, perhaps that’s a boost. I love this dark and mysterious version, but this is how he will appear in 21SS with the story.
I’ll work the dark and mysterious version in somewhere too just cause he’s cool. Maybe on a keychain? Or a fridge magnet! This is what’s circling through my mind right now!
Ah, ha, ha! Love that movie, and oh, so true! But more on the fall conventions I’ll be at later!
These Animals are all “Rude men, gangsters, proper naughty boys, and all that bollocks!” Love that line from Guy Ritchie’s, The Gentlemen! In the print version, expect blood on Mr. Rabbit.
You probably never considered the challenges Brownies and Faerie Folk go through daily! Empathy is a blade that requires constant sharpening.
I love doing these silhouette-style pieces. It has an inherent drama to it that is unique to the form. In this piece, I’m working towards having the bloodied face the focal point as the story pivots on this detail. Sort of. 😉
OMG! She has no hands….NO HANDS!!! LOL!!! I love the drama unfolding on this one too. It’s different in that I’m going for more of an oil on canvas look. It’s exciting to see it coming together.
This book is a long-time dream come true with a wide breadth of art styles throughout. There are ten days to pledge if you want to support it directly. I appreciate you being on the Voyage in any case! I gotta get back to work, and you gotta get on to enjoying the holiday!
It’s a great day on the blimp because bookmarks and postcards have arrived! Take a look!
The stickers are due to arrive on Tuesday, and we are still on track for the book in the next two weeks. The stickers are due to arrive on Tuesday, and we are still on track for the book in the next few weeks. Once we get inventory, those will be on the website for purchase. Book 2 is already in art production! Can’t wait to post up some prelims.
As I write, less than 70 hours of this campaign are remaining, and I am grateful. I can’t thank all of you enough for believing in and supporting this project. Everything about this project is fun, and it’s because of you! Every single backer of this campaign has a special place in Moonblimp history. I won’t forget that. I’m actually in the process of preparing unique letters for my Doge level backers. You all went above and beyond, and because of that, I will too! Inside these letters is something never before done in business! Well, it’s probably been done and is now considered a bad idea for profits, but you Doges deserve a little something extra. I can’t wait for you to see what’s inside.
It’s not too late to help get the word out on this project to jump everyone to $1500. I still want to be able to print the Armida Bookmark and get that in with all the print-level backers. But hey, digital backers! I’ve been thinking about you too. If we can get to $1500, I’ll drop some wallpapers for everyone!
If you haven’t pledged don’t wait! Have a great Saturday!
There are just 8 days remaining in this campaign and only $115 left to unlock the Runa Postcard Extra! Thats thanks to some generous backers who joined us in the last few days. Remember, Runa is only available at a print tier so you can always upgrade your pledge to make sure you get this bonus! Either way, please share the campaign around in this final week because I really want to print this card!
Campaign Updates You Should Know About
I decided to do something fun with the project cover in this final week on Kickstarter. When you look for updates you will notice I changed the cover to this…
I’m calling this the “dark vs. light” version. Armida and her legion of monsters taking on the world against our hero’s! Speaking of Armida, she’s appeared a few times in the preview but for you guys…here’s another preview page!
But that’s STILL NOT ALL! I added TWO MORE preview pages to the story on the project so head over and check those out when you have a moment.
You’ll have just 8 more days to wait because I’m not giving you anymore teasers! More rewards, sure! We just have to get the word out. Thanks for your help!!!
Friends to Check out
Our friends over at Last Ember Press are currently raising funds for a unique take on Alice In Wonderland that has some fun reversals from the original.
Curiouser is a sequel of sorts set some time in the future starring Alice’s adult son, Alec as he gets pulled into a plot to save Wonderland from a hostile takeover by a mysterious new threat! Join, Alec, The Knave, The Mad Hatter, and more as they fight to restore Wonderland to the peace and balance that Alice managed to leave this wondrous place in when she left so many years ago.
I love this concept and the art is gorgeous. If your any kind of fan of Alice this is something you should be looking into…through a looking glass perhaps?
The campaign to print this book is 157% funded! So that’s $786 pledged and with just 13 days remaining I’d love to unlock a second stretch goal! Wait, you don’t know what a stretch goal is?
Stretch goals are extra’s that I can throw in the more money that we raise together. The first stretch goal was $750 and we blew past that last night. That means that everyone who’s backed this comic will be receiving this fun Inchi character sticker for free with their reward package.
The second stretch goal is set for $1000. I know we can do it because I know there are a few out there who want to stress me out and haven’t pledged yet. Well, let me sweeten the pot a little. If we get to $1000 pledged then it will unlock this Runa character postcard.
This postcard is a vertical format 4×6 that you can collect or actually mail out. Runa is a mermaid unlike any other and she can be yours once we get past this stretch goal. Please note that the art isn’t final…but close.
If your new to Kickstarter or went on there and thought you were looking at a Chinese menu then please watch this video I prepared just for you! It explains the reward tiers and what you get per contribution starting as low as $5. Please keep in mind that only “print backers” are eligible for the stretch goal unlocks which start at $10.
Please help this project get all the way from dream to reality!
Happy Friday everyone! Very happy for MoonBlimp indeed because as this is written we are already 86% funded and $66 away from goal. BUT, I still need your help to get us all the way there!
Please help this project get all the way from dream to reality!
If you’re unfamiliar with it, Kickstarter is a “crowdfunding” platform. In short, that means that entrepreneurs like me don’t have to rely on traditional funding vehicles in the hopes they can build a business or product that resonates with people. Instead, they can offer the business or product directly to people, and they decide if it resonates with them. They do this by “backing a project.” In most cases, this is in exchange for a product or service. In some instances, it’s just a donation.
In my case, Kickstarter is allowing me to not only raise the capital for this book but to offer you a unique experience on top of it. In the traditional model, I would print the books and take them to market in a static experience. What you see is what you get. However, Kickstarter allows me to offer you a customized experience through various reward tiers. These tiers allow you some control over what you value in the project.
Then there are stretch goals! The more funds raised, the more flexibility. As funding exceeds the goal, there will be free (no additional commitment) add-ons like art prints, postcards, stickers, etc. These are just fun things that can enhance the experience of a crowdfund that you can’t do traditionally. You’ll see those on the landing page Friday.
Lastly, trying an unfamiliar platform can be unnerving. Trust me, I know. But I think you’ll be hooked once you join the Kickstarter community. It’s an incredible marketplace full of unique projects from books like mine to film, music, and food!
While I KNOW you’re as excited as I am that Inchi is launching in just six days, there is much more content to enjoy and support! So many creators like me utilize the Kickstarter platform because of the power it imbues to the independent publisher. I’d love to take you through a few authors and titles that I think are worthy of your attention and support this June.
Bigfoot is lost in space! Enjoy his humorous & sensational adventure of aliens, betrayal, spaceships, empires, & arm wrestling!
This book is right up your alley if you are a fan of STAR TREK, FIREFLY, FARSCAPE, TMNT, and BUCK ROGERS. Can you imagine Jack Burton from BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA replacing Luke Skywalker in STAR WARS and realize how much better that would be?
If you can, you may have an idea of what you’re going to get from the SAVAGE SASQUANAUT!
The mind behind this is Wes Hartman. Wes is an internationally published and award winning comic book colorist, an indie creator, and a small press comic editor spending the last 15+ years working with the biggest and best talent and publishers (Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Aspen, Dynamite, etc.) in the comic industry. In that time his work has also been featured in TV, film, and video games. Currently he is developing an imprint, COSMIC ROOTS STUDIO, to feature a line of his creator owned comic and other future endeavors. This along with his family keep him insanely busy and chained to his desk being viciously whipped by deadlines, but occasionally he is allowed to see the sun as long he doesn’t get wet or eat after midnight.
Savage Sasquanaut ends in 26 days so jump over there and check out all the details!
A new comic starring monster-slaying, foul-mouthed, bumbling adventurers The Turner Family! Think The Simpsons meets Hellboy.
TurnerFamilyTerrors Issue #3: ‘The Professor’ – an adrenaline-fueled 28 page, part black & white, part technicolor, horror show! TFT is the new comic starring monster-slaying, foul-mouthed, bumbling adventurers The Turner Family!
Wait! I don’t have 1 & 2? Don’t worry because this campaign offers TFT #1 & 2 to catch readers up and debuts Chapter 3 of the Turner Family saga. Sparks fly in issue 3 as heroine Laura Turner reunites with her estranged father, Professor Ezra Brahms, world-famous monster hunter, sociopath, and all around lousy Dad.
The creator, Robert Krisch, is a comic book writer/creator and Emmy nominated TV editor based out of Culver City, California. After graduating film school from the University of Texas at Austin, Rob edited professionally in New York City before moving to Los Angeles. In 2017 he edited Earworm, a horror film that screened at over 50 film festivals (now available on Shudder). After helping tell other peoples stories for the past two decades, Rob has recently turned to producing his own works. In 2018, he wrote, directed, and starred along with his family in the Kickstarter funded nightmare The Crows of Culver. The award winning horror short screened at over 20 film festivals worldwide, including Roswell, Moscow, Glasgow, and Hollywood’s Chinese Theatre. Most recently Rob has been collaborating with Serbian artist Aleksandar Bozic Ske on the Horror/Comedy graphic novel Turner Family Terrors. Issue #1: Night Terrors was funded through Kickstarter and released in the fall of 2020. Issue #2: Welcome to Roswell was funded on Kickstarter in the Spring of 2021. Issue #3: The Professor is scheduled for a Spring 2022 release.
Sci-fi tale of abducted teens brought to a secluded, tropical island with no explanation, no supplies and no way off.
A group of teens are abducted and brought to a secluded, tropical island with no explanation, no supplies and no way off. Left to their own devices and forced to find a way to survive, they soon discover they aren’t alone – and their fellow inhabitants are hostile!
Things become more complicated when boxes begin to appear on the beach near their camp with weapons and supplies of unknown origin inside.
Part Lord of the Flies, part Hunger Games, this is a story of survival where you can’t trust anyone.
Dren Productions LLC is a publisher and creator of all things sci-fi, fantasy, nerd and geek. Our mission is not only to bring quality stories and graphic novels out to the masses, but to have fun doing it. We introduce classic science fiction, fantasy and horror stories to new audiences by creating original graphic novels, as well as create original stories that will knock readers’ socks off. Dren Productions – where dreams are alive!
A supernatural monster stalks the grounds of an exotic vacation resort…but something even more sinister hides under the surface!
Happy Hill is a supernatural vacation thriller and horror action dramedy comic book series about the deadly consequences of the pursuit of happiness, written by Bram Stoker-Award Nominated writer Rich Douek (Sea of Sorrows, Road of Bones, Wailing Blade) and co-written & drawn by artist Joe Mulvey (Scam, Wailing Blade).
Wyatt Willows and Thea Rippley are the only survivors of the infamous “Roanoke Orphanage” disappearance that claimed twelve children in a single night.While Thea has done her best to put it behind her, Wyatt is convinced that local urban legend, The Wudsman, was responsible and he’s been obsessed with proving it.When 6-year-old Mackenzie MacIntyre disappears on the grounds of the exclusive Happy Hill resort, the only thing found in the search is an old mask once worn by the Wudsman, covered in Mackenzie’s blood!
Happy Hill is a concept from the mad mind of Joe Mulvey. Joe made his comics debut as the writer and illustrator of the electrifying super-powered Vegas heist series Scam, from ComixTribe. He is also the writer, artist and creator of the acclaimed children’s book Mummy’s Always Right, was published in the Where We Live Anthology from Image Comics. This project reunites him with his WAILING BLADE writer Rich Douek, who has returned to script Happy Hill.
Happy Hill Ends in SIX Days! Grab your copy today!
The sequel to the over-the-top dark comedy continues, from the team behind Scout Comics’ RED XMAS.
“Six pregnant women go back in time and accidentally kill a young Hitler — unleashing a nightmare future! Now with mad scientist Nikola Tesla acting as Charlie to their Angels, they must save the world from the evil Exalted Father… before their water breaks!”
Think of it as The Handmaid’s Tale meets Kill Bill.
And if you thought Volume One was nuts… you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
Brought to you by Fried Comics. Proud purveyors of offbeat, irreverent pulp fiction since 2013, FRIED Comics is a partnership between actor/writer Clay Adams and filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe. RED XMAS (now out from Scout Comics), P.B.O.W., DEADSKINS!, and RE-FRIED COMICS. We are super-backers on Kickstarter, and we always give back to the community.
An all-ages fantasy about magic, implicit bias, and heroism.
Birdwith Stick #2 is a 32-page comic book illustrated by EnricoOrlandi, a celebrated artist whose most recent personal project was signed by Dark Horse Comics. Enrico’s whimsical style is a perfect fit for a story involving anthropomorphic birds, and his imaginative flair truly brings to life the varying environments, architecture, and costumes in this fantasy setting.
The series will be a total of 3 issues, spinning a heroic adventure that traverses the region known as The Greenish. When birdsong abruptly disappears one morning without any explanation, the Bird Kingdom becomes divided by suspicion, accusation, and violent oppression. But one small Nightingale risks everything to seek out the true cause and restore his song.
CREATOR/WRITER JOHN SCHLIM JR is a lifelong storyteller who has worked as a journalist, editor, and copywriter. He’s also been published as a columnist, short story author, and comic book scripter. Most of his fiction falls into the genres of fantasy, science fiction, supernatural, or some combination thereof. His published comics work includes Dandelion (Arcana Studios), Fiendish Fables (Brain Scan Studios), Goth Ghost Girl (Ovation Comics), Masque (Ovation Comics), Infinity Agents (Ovation Comics), Battle Royale Planet (Ovation Comics), Thistleheart (Ovation Comics), and a contribution to the critically acclaimed Outlaw Territory (Image Comics). His writing studio, Fablehaus, is hidden somewhere in the legendary Owlwood of New Hampshire.
A Cotton Candy World is volume 1 of a storybook series from the Eisner & Harvey Award-winning cartoonist of Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand.
Alice in Wonderland meets Little Nemo in Slumberland with a dash of Studio Ghibli / Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away in this modern fairy tale adventure for all ages…
KUKUBURI: A COTTON CANDY WORLD
Young Nadia’s mundane life is turned upside down when she stumbles into an unpredictable fantasy realm, a world that feeds off the subconscious – turning simple thoughts into dreams or nightmares – encounters strange denizens, all while being hunted down by the realm’s self-appointed king.
Ramon Perez is a multiple Eisner, Harvey, and Schuster Award-winning and nominated Cartoonist. He is best known for his graphic novel adaptations TALE OF SAND and JANE, along with his current ongoing series STILLWATER. Ramón’s other lauded works include NOVA: RESURRECTION, ALL-NEW HAWKEYE, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: LEARNING TO CRAWL, JOHN CARTER: THE GODS OF MARS, and creator-owned endeavours BUTTERNUTSQUASH and KUKUBURI.
The Grand For-Now-Ly of this riotous, entertaining & charming superhero buddy-cop adventure is here! #1-3 available! CAN YOU DIG IT?!?
Spider-Squirrel is an entertaining, fun, riotously hilarious, generally humorous, sometimes silly buddy-cop super-hero action in the vein of Blue Beetle & Booster Gold, or Justice League International during the “BWAHAHA” years. I am pretty darn certain that you might actually kinda sorta maybe like this book a little bit, mostly.
Spider-Squirrel creator Charlie McElvy has long been a comics fan, whose writing has been described as reminiscent of Roy Thomas by Nexus creator Mike Baron and Savage Dragon creator Erik Larsen commented that Charlie, “has a great sense of page pacing… getting the reader to want to turn to the next page to see what happens next.” Charlie wrote and produced The WatchGuard in 2007, and was also a competitor on American Ninja Warrior season 10!
The Big Bad Wolves are after Panda City. Only one Panda can stop them. Join us on this 28 page fun underdog road trip adventure book.
Kai, a misfit teenage panda, dreams of becoming a warrior. His world is turned upside down when his village’s water supply runs dry. The wolves who live upstream have built a dam to protect their own water supply forcing the Pandas out of their land. Only problem is, his training simulations haven’t quite prepared him… This book is perfect for you if you love fun action adventure books and movies that just leave you feeling good and wanting more.
Farhan Qureshi spent ten years working as a VFX and CGI artist on movies including HARRY POTTER (3, 4 and 5), BATMAN, ALIEN VS PREDATOR, POSEIDON, PIRATES and RIDDICK. He has also worked as an artist in games including working on the launch of the XBOX ONE and was one of the lead artists for the LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES. Frahan has written four Amazon bestsellers including a book on CGI and VFX for film and game producers.
BOTH projects END THIS WEEK! Jump on it to unlock the special double backer reward!
COMING SOON
Let me end this post with a coming soon section! Here are some others to be watching for!!!
I know that was a lot but there is a lot to be excited about. Thank you for supporting independent creators and startups. The world gets a little more creative and interesting every time you do!
