Month: February 2024

Although a bit later than I said, as promised, here is the update of the progress on THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS.

I had been putting in long hours getting this done, so when my son Steve and grandson Julian flew in from the east coast to visit for a few days, I did take the time to relax and recharge my batteries, spending some quality time with my family while they were in town. It may have rained a couple of the days they were here, but we didn’t let that get in the way of our fun. Initially Bernie and I had planned to take Steve & Julian to Knotts’ Berry Farm amusement park this past Tuesday, but decided to postpone that for later in the week while hoping for better weather. So we spent time checking out the sights around town instead. The weather cleared by the next morning, so we were off to Universal Studios for the day. By week’s end, we were seeing them off on their flight back east, and I was back at my workstation, going through the digital files in preparation for submission to the printer.

At the present time, I’m now at 162 pre-orders sold, meaning there’s 38 pre-orders that can take advantage of the current offer, including seeing one’s name on the SPECIAL THANKS pages. I’m still working on the digital hours and anticipate another 6 hours of work – give or take – before I wrap work on the files I’m submitting to the printer for prepping, and that includes the SPECIAL THANKS pages, which will be the last to be completed.

I’m currently rewriting and editing all the remaining text pages before I get to the SPECIAL THANKS, as I’m still fielding requests from people how they wish to be listed. (Believe me, I’ve gone over the list many times making certain I have everyone listed and, most especially, how they are listed. My biggest nightmare is that no matter how many times I check and recheck, I get someone’s name wrong or accidentally omitted.

So for those wanting to pre-order but still on the fence on whether you will be included or receive the limited edition Lara-Su print, you have the next six hours. The first 38 to do so will be listed and receive the print with their book.

As for me, I’m beyond thrilled at the progress being made and with the story’s development. This will be beyond a doubt the finest presentation the characters and their adventures have ever been presented in and you guys made that possible. I simply can’t express my gratitude enough. I’ll have more to say on the story and art later. Thanks and take care.

On Tuesday, February 20, the InDesign Master File of the complete book – except for the final SHATTERED TOMORROWS pages I’m still working on – was turned in. Early this morning, I received an email stating some minor corrections needed to be made, so I have until Monday, February 26, to make the corrections, including any further additions to the SPECIAL THANKS pages.

That means anyone still wanting to be included on the SPECIAL THANKS pages can still pre-order THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS until noon, Monday, February 26, 2024. After that, the corrected files will be submitted to the printer with no further changes allowable. At this time, I’m exactly 43 orders short of 200 for those who are interested in the Limited LARA-SU signed print in addition to being listed on the SPECIAL THANKS pages.

Once Noon Monday hits, I’ll announce if I reached 200 orders, and if not, how many people have a shot at the Limited Edition Print. Beyond that, I recommend anyone still wanting a copy of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS place their order at their earliest convenience, as there will only be the initial print run. At this time, there’s no way to acquire a copy of this through one’s local comic store or any other avenue one buys their books from.

I will announce once the books have been printed and shipped, including personal emails to those who have already ordered. When the books arrive on my end, there will be a further announcement as the books start shipping to those who ordered.

While this is going on, I will be continuing work on the app for its initial release, looking to have it ready in time for the San Diego Comic-Con. As for what else there is to look forward to, subsequent chapters of SHATTERED TOMORROWS will initially be digitally released thru the app with the full, completed story eventually collected in the same hardcover format as THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS.

At some point, I hope to have a Droid version of the app released. Also, I’ve begun prepping for THE KNUCKLES OMNIBUS as a release for Summer 2025, as I do have a couple of people helping with production, as well as the app programming and language translations being worked on for the initial app release. I hope to begin recruiting a colorist by the time Comic-Con rolls around.

As usual, if anyone has questions or comments, feel free to send them my way. None of this would be possible without the support I’ve received for which I’m very grateful. In the meantime, have a great weekend and take care. I’ll be back Monday.

Whatever orders come in by 11:59pm PST, February 20, 2024, will be the last to have their names included on the SPECIAL THANKS page. With the exception of a few SHATTERED TOMORROWS pages, I have everything else featured in the book just about locked. We’re down to making the final adjustments on some page bleeds and other technical details that at this point, any copies ordered after tomorrow will be listed solely on the SPECIAL THANKS page of the app.

At this time, the only way to obtain a copy of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS is by ordering solely through my website. I haven’t listed it on Amazon or solicited through Diamond and don’t plan on it until after I check out my options during the San Diego Comic-Con. I’m contemplating just attending comic conventions or store appearances on the West Coast for the time being. I’ll keep everyone posted once I figure out what’s next after sending the book to the printer. Thanks for all your support in the meantime.

I’ve been working all weekend, even during the Super Bowl, and there are now only two items left to take care of. The first are the last 6 pages of the SHATTERED TOMORROWS chapter, which are in various stages of completion, and the last is locking in the SPECIAL THANKS pages.

Above is a screenshot of the InDesign file showcasing the cover and opening pages of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS book. Except for the pages I’ve just mentioned, everything else is in place and locked. The file will be turned over to the printer on Monday, February 19, 2024. Whether or not I reach 200 names is besides the point. The SPECIAL THANKS pages will be locked and inserted on that date. Anyone pre-ordering after that date will be listed in the app but not in the book. Once Monday February 19 hits, that’s it.

So if anyone still wants to see their name listed on the SPECIAL THANKS pages of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS, there are now less than seven days remaining to do so.

Speaking of the app, additional character Data Files will be included along with new story material once the book is sent off to the printers. I look at the app and any print material released as complementary of each other, as I want people to feel they’re getting their money’s worth with each.

So that’s my update for today. It’s back to work as I finally see light at the end of a long and winding road. (Sorry. Just can’t resist those Beatles references.) Take care.

I’m getting ready to submit a file to the printer so they can begin prepping the first 134 pages for the presses. When I do, only eight SHATTERED TOMORROWS pages remain to be finished, the Julie-Su Data File and one page of content after the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Oh, yes, at that point I will be updating the SPECIAL THANKS page one last time. 164 pages of total content will be submitted to the printer.

Because everyone who’s ordering a copy right is hoping and asking if they’re among the 200, I can state by tomorrow morning chances are we cross the 150 mark. If I do sell the full 200 before the book goes to the presses, great. If I don’t, I will still be excited and thankful because of everyone who ordered. THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES will be a reality, going out to 34 different states across the USA (I’m still holding out for at least one order from every state, including Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam and Puerto Rico) as well as 6 countries outside the US.

Considering this has yet to be distributed by Diamond or any other distributor or listed on Amazon, and the print runs of most editions of Marvel Masterworks runs about 650 copies or thereabouts (the latest Daredevil Marvel Masterwork hardcover edition lists a print run of 656 copies), I’m quite confident once people see the finished book that demand will increase. I wanted this to be as special as I could make it, and I’ve been told I’ve exceeded expectations. I look forward to the reaction upon its release. Thanks, everyone!

I’ve been asked how come Steven Butler’s and Jim Amash’s name are not on the front cover of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS, as they significantly contributed to the MOBIUS: 25 YEARS LATER chapters that make up a large part of the book. The most I can say is this was done at their request, which I am honoring. Their contributions are acknowledged prominently on the interior credits of the book. As for any other arrangements I may or may not have with them, that’s a topic that will remain private. In fact, I have entered into business arrangements with several creators who have worked on the SONIC and KNUCKLES series, and those too will remain private.

There is no one more appreciative of his fellow colleagues than I, especially when we’re talking about those who were in the trenches with me during the time I submitted work to Archie Comics as well as those who assisted me however they could during my fight with Archie Comics. It’s because those events continue to have a ripple effect to this very day that explains my reticence concerning discussing certain topics.

While there are those who publicly supported me during those days (and they know who they are), there were others equally supportive but for various reasons kept it confidential, which given their circumstances are completely understandable. I won’t go into detail but the reasons are many, ranging from the very personal to the deeply professional.

The point is I was witness to and recipient of acts of kindness and support, but it’s going to be a long time before I can acknowledge certain individuals who came through for me, if ever. Chances are there are matters held in confidence that will likely go to the grave with me.

I have been quite clear over the years about the ownership of my work and my ability to move forward building on that work. THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS is part of that. I have the right to repackage my previous work for future audiences. As for other creators who contributed, they have a right to benefit as well. And they have a right to their privacy, which I will continue to respect. 

My production artist Tom and I are currently getting ready all the remaining pages for THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS that aren’t pages intended for the SHATTERED TOMORROWS section, as just about everything else is finished. He’s already prepared the SPECIAL THANKS section for inclusion in the book, and while I’m looking at a week at most to lock the names of those who pre-ordered a copy, or the Limited Edition Print or the T-Shirt or any combination of the above (which some of you have and I wanted to acknowledge that), my printer is looking for the material sooner rather than later.

So I’m sending a first pass of the pagination formatting so they can get started prepping the first 2/3 of the book while I race to complete the remaining pages and extraneous details for the final polish. The SPECIAL THANKS pages are in the back, which is buying me additional time to make this LAST CALL announcement.

This project is as real as it gets and it’s all because of those of you who enjoyed the stories and wanted more. If the interest, the passion, the support wasn’t there, I’d have called it a day and moved on to other things.

But people wanted this, and their purchases made possible a commitment to the printer, who’s already been paid a sizable chunk of the cost. The orders coming in now have covered the remaining cost of printing and we’re now working on getting ready to pay the shipping cost of the books from overseas to here in Los Angeles.

I still haven’t hit the 200 order mark, but that’s okay as this was never about how much money I could rake in. Rather, it was all about how viable undertaking this project would be. If I was going to do this, I wanted to do this in the formats of my choosing, both print and digital, and getting it out to as wide an audience as possible on a global scale, which is already happening. Mission accomplished as far as I’m concerned.

So those of you still sitting on the fence, now’s the time to jump in and fully commit so I can acknowledge my gratitude inside the pages of my latest work. Those who jump later will still be acknowledged on the app as I can’t promise anything more beyond that.

It’s been a long, crazy ride, but it wouldn’t be happening without you guys. Thanks with much appreciation.

I know I said I posted the last sneak preview, but it’s been taking me a bit longer than I thought to complete these last few pages. Mainly, I keep shooting for the moon and striving to keep improving and adding detail as I go along.

Take the scene shown above which is from the flashback sequence. It’s a moment that was actually depicted in a chapter of MOBIUS: 25 YEARS LATER, but in the context of the flashback sequence is a necessary moment. Not to cast any negative aspersions on the original version, but lifting it “as is” for insertion into the new sequence wouldn’t have worked, thus the necessity of me spending time working on a version that does.

I’m putting the same effort into each and every illustration on every page. More than that, as I go along, I’m having to make corrections to keep everything as consistent as humanly possible while still working to wrap up work on the project. If you notice, the chair Lara-Su is sitting on is different from what was originally depicted as I opted to depict furniture that accounted for the ergonomics of Echyd’nya tails as opposed to human-based designs. So there’s world building going on even in the smallest details.

The biggest motivating factor for all the extra work as been the reaction I’m receiving not just from the THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS pre-orders, or people ordering other Lara-Su items, but from the people sending email stating how much they’re looking forward to the book’s release and seeing the story continue. More than that, the expression of love for the original stories and the excitement of seeing my characters again in new material has been extremely gratifying for me. The support of the team assisting me with the translations and app programming has been consistent and much appreciated.

I didn’t do a Kickstarter primarily because I wanted to use a different model, one that supported my effort to do THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES as a digital app release as well as a series of graphic novels as opposed to comic books. I’m now receiving orders from over 30 states plus the District of Columbia as well as 5 countries outside the continental USA.

It’s taken me a bit longer than I anticipated, but everyone who has emailed me or ordered has made it clear how much this project matters to them. (Some have even ordered multiple copies much to my surprise.)

I will be including a personalized Thank you note with each order as my expression of gratitude to each individual who ordered. Being able to pull this effort off in the manner I always envisioned wouldn’t have been possible without their support.

It’s back to the drawing board for me, but my thoughts will be with those who made it possible. Thank you and take care.