I received word that THE SHADOW FILES is being packaged and readied for shipping. My printing rep, Rebekah, was kind enough to send photos of the books being prepared for the journey across the Pacific Ocean to our shores, their eventual destination the Port of Los Angeles, and from there, my storage unit, where I will gather copies for shipping to their real eventual destination, everyone who ordered copies.
Personally, I estimate arrival of the books anywhere from mid-June to early July, while hoping for sooner rather than later. Once I have info on the departure date and Estimated Time of Arrival, I’ll post those details ASAP.
While all the pre-order Variant copies are already spoken for, I did have a few extra printed to have available for sale at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Chances are this will be the last and only time people will be able to acquire a copy of the Variant Edition. My signature, whether personalized or not, will cost $25. (I have to make up the increased shipping costs somehow.)
So what’s next after this?
Currently, I’m working on more material for the SHATTERED TOMORROWS graphic novel as well as THE LARA-SU APP, some of which I’ll post soon, but there’s other projects being worked on as well.
Ethan is currently at work recoloring every page of material featured in HER MAJESTY SALLY, which I hope to display some samples later this summer or fall. There’s also discussion of putting together THE ENDGAME SAGA. The main reason I’d like to get two books in the can for printing is to save on shipping costs, but it remains to be seen if the schedule is doable or not.
Regardless of whether or not THE ENDGAME SAGA goes to print, the KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS VOLUME TWO will most definitely come after HER MAJESTY SALLY, especially since one of the Sally stories leads into the adventure THE FORBIDDEN ZONE featured in the KNUCKLES OMNIBUS.
At some point, I’ll start recruiting talent as I’d like the GEOFFREY ST JOHN OF THE SECRET SERVICE volume to be a mix of old and new material. I’d also like to turn over preparation of the reprint volumes to others while I focus on the follow-up volumes of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES.
Bottom line: as long as you guys keep ordering the books, I’ll keep making them. Right now, get ready for THE SHADOW FILES, as they’ll heading this way soon. Thanks and take care.
I received the final invoice from the printer for THE SHADOW FILES, the bulk of the money due was for shipping costs from China to Los Angeles. Because of the idiot in charge of making decisions for our country thanks to his moronic voters, the cost of shipping has gone up over $400 from the last time I paid to have SONIC DAYS shipped over here. Even though it’s taken a bigger bite out of my wallet than I expected, as before when I was dealing with the Chumpster’s tariffs, I didn’t pass the along increased costs onto the customers. I held the line and delivered to everyone exactly what they ordered without any bait’n’switch.
I’m still waiting to hear when the books begin their journey to the Port of Los Angeles, and as usual, I’ll get back with the details. By the way, the video above doesn’t give a clue to the surprises and extras featured in the book. And I look forward to everyone’s comments once they’re able to examine the book at greater length.
In the meantime, I was interviewed by the guys putting out the SONIC WEEKLY podcast which you may want to check out. While the focus was on my native Buffalo, NY roots, due to the fact I produced over 2/3 of my Sonic work while living in Buffalo – specifically, the towns of Kenmore and North Tonawanda – there was just no way we could avoid talking about Sonic and related topics.
Currently, I’ve been going full speed ahead working on pages for THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: SHATTERED TOMORROWS graphic novel, which is scheduled for release Christmas season 2026. At the same time, work on THE LARA-SU APP is progressing with an eye (finally) on a late summer release. Initially, the app will be available in the iOS format through the Apple app store. I hope to have a Droid version out sometime soon after that.
On another note, I’ve been receiving plenty of emails telling me how great the books I’ve published are, but I’d appreciate if everyone spread the word to anyone and everyone with similar interests. Being able to publish the books is one thing, but I’d like to be able to pay everyone at a better rate than I currently am. For that to happen, I need to sell more copies.
I’ve yet to distribute to comic book stores and other outlets precisely because for the most part I’ve been a one-man band and I don’t have a staff to assist me. While it’s true I have Patrick working on the app, Ethan handling recoloring and translators transcribing my script into other languages to allow for the app to reach a greater audience, those are specific tasks, and truth be told, even they aren’t getting paid what they really deserve. And I haven’t even mentioned recruiting new talent to take on penciling, inking and coloring, something I would love to do, but isn’t feasible at this time.
So I need everyone to get the word out how the books are presenting the best version of these stories and encourage people to check them out. It’s much appreciated.
Finally, I’m still working on getting out to more conventions and will post those dates and locations once they’re confirmed. Thanks for reading and take care.
It is my sad duty to inform Sonic fandom that Vickie Williams, who lettered so many Sonic classics, had passed away on December 18, 2015. I didn’t know that myself until I started assembling the biographies of the various creators whose work is featured in THE SHADOW FILES.
Surprisingly, the one source I thought I could depend on for details, the Sonic Wiki, turned out to be just as misinformed on a number of details as the rest of the internet, and not just about Vickie Williams either,
For instance, Vickie, as well as a number of Sonic freelancers, are listed as being staff members of Archie Comics, which is certifiably 100% incorrect. Freelancers were never staff members. If anything, freelancers are private contractors, but the term freelancer will suffice. After seeing DC Comics’ Wiki page for Vickie, I can understand why fans have some confusion over the correct terminology.
DC lists themselves as well as Marvel, Archie, Malibu, Dark Horse and other companies as employers when they should be listed as clients. None of those companies were ever employers to Vickie in the sense they collected taxes from her pay, contributed to an unemployment fund, provided health insurance and a 401K. None of those items was ever a consideration. What the term “employers” serves when it comes to describing comic book publishers is the implied ownership of anything a freelancer creates is automatically theirs.
Other things the Sonic Wiki gets wrong is what’s listed among Art Mawhinney’s most famous works while omitting classics like PRINCESS SALLY’S CRUSADE from the SONIC IN YOUR FACE SPECIAL as well as the ENDGAME saga, in which he not only depicted the death of Princess Sally but also the splash page showing Sonic kissing Sally for the first time ever.
Manny Galan’s Wiki page doesn’t even state he was the main artist on the KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA for almost two dozen issues before leaving Archie to work for Nickelodeon.
Not to take away anything from Dave Manak, who illustrated the entire run of the ALF series for Marvel that was written by Sonic’s 1st writer Michael Gallagher, but unless we’re talking cartoons on the Letters Pages, Dave had absolutely nothing to do with the KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA series. He did, however, draw the very first story, featuring Sonic meeting Knuckles for the 1st time in a story written by me that was recently collected along with other stories in KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS VOLUME ONE.
Speaking about the KNUCKLES OMNIBUS, not to mention the other Floating Island Productions releases THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS, SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAYS and the soon-to-be released THE SHADOW FILES, but it’s like they don’t exist as far as the Sonic Wiki is concerned. Could it be their existence doesn’t fit the narrative they try to convey where I’m persona non grata as far as the fanbase is concerned?
The fact is not only do the books exist, but by the reaction of the people purchasing copies, they’re the best versions of previously released material, period. Even more relevant, none of these books would exist were it not for the willingness of the fans to support my efforts in the publication of these collections.
Unlike the Sonic Wiki, other comic creator wikis are already including my books when listing the credits of various creators included be they writers, pencilers, inkers, letterers and/or colorists.
If anything, THE SHADOW FILES alone deserves mention for its inclusion of an unpublished story that takes place right after the events of SYSTEM REBOOT as seen in the pages of SONIC THE HEDGEHOG issue 159.
Even more notable, THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS not only collects for the first time the entire run of MOBIUS: 25 YEARS LATER chapters originally featured in SONIC issues 131 thru 144, but the final page from issue 144 has been revised to allow the story to continue into the all-new material that advances the story, featuring the same cast of characters they’ve known, loved and followed with the notable exception of Sonic and Knuckles.
And if people wondered how popular a character Lara-Su is in her own right, THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS has been my biggest seller beyond question. That’s why my next Mobian Adventure Series release is going to be THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: SHATTERED TOMORROWS. The reprint material won’t resume until after this book has been released.
As for future releases, the next three books will be HER MAJESTY SALLY, THE ENDGAME SAGA and KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS VOLUME TWO. A KEN PENDERS’ SONIC OMNIBUS VOLUME ONE is somewhere on the schedule after that, but I’m interested in doing something different with the release of GEOFFREY ST JOHN ON HIS MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE. Namely, I’d like to feature a mix of reprints with all-new adventures illustrated by promising new young talent with stories written by me. But that’s a way’s off at this time.
My point being that if they’re going to list the SONIC ARCHIVES, SONIC SELECT, SONIC LEGACY, BEST OF SONIC and KNUCKLES ARCHIVES, the Mobian Adventure Series should be included as well.
While I could offer numerous other additions and corrections to the Sonic Wiki pages, it’s not my place to do so, especially since doing so would betray the confidence of the other creators with me. The authors of those pages will have to get the facts elsewhere.
On the other hand, my Wiki page has numerous errors as well. The only thing I was able to get them to correct was the suffix after my name. They originally listed me as a Jr when it really was the Roman numeral II. Neither of my parents wanted a Junior. More important, I never, ever go by my full legal name for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, Kenneth Penders was my father, so my preference was always Ken. I’m always tempted to get my name legally changed, obliterating my middle name Walter as my grandfather from whom I derive that part of my name was a total scumbag who abandoned his family when my father was but eight years old and his younger brother was only an infant at the time. But the part of me that dearly misses my father feels changing any part of my name is a rejection of him. So I’ve settled for not changing what isn’t broke.
And setting the record straight for the sake of posterity. The haters are definitely not getting the last word.
First, let’s get the obvious out of the way. I’m not just progressive in my beliefs, I’m an outright card-carrying red pinko commie liberal. I believe in the working class while thinking it’s about time the rich quit their whining and pay their fair share. I believe in inclusion to the point where if someone calls me woke, I know that person to be racist, sexist and any other negative label one can hang around that person’s neck.
I also vote the straight Democratic ticket, but make no mistaking it for preferring one political party over another. The Republicans haven’t fielded anyone but bootlickers, criminals and opportunists while Independent candidate siphon off votes that allow the worst of the worst of both parties, but particularly Republicans, to take advantage of the situation.
Democrats at least offer a sane choice when compared to everyone else. Even so, we can do better. Thus, I support those that put the American working class first instead of the political elite of this country. If the politician is 70 years or older, they should retire and make room for the next generation, no matter which party they belong to. Seniority is no longer a reason to keep a person in office.
Bringing it home, I may not agree with my fellow Sonic creators on any number of things, but I will endeavor to be supportive, especially in their personal choices as best I can.
Case in point: while putting together THE SHADOW FILES, I learned two of my colleagues have transitioned from male to female. Normally I don’t care what a person does if it doesn’t normally impact anyone else in a negative way, but this was a situation I could easily screw up by taking the wrong action or using the wrong terminology. It doesn’t take much to offend someone these days. So I contacted my colleagues.
The individuals in question, however, made it clear they wanted to be represented as who they are today rather than who they were when most readers were growing up. Thus, they submitted new pics and bios for inclusion to the listing.
They were formerly listed in the credits as Andrew Pepoy and Josh Ray, respectively, but now they identify as Margeaux Pepoy and Jolée Ray. I call attention to this because I saw a posting from Margeaux on Facebook letting it be known she’s available for various comic and art-related assignments. I’m certain Jolée is as well.
They may identify themselves differently from what they previously were known as, but they’re still capable of producing the same high-level quality work they were always known for.
Which brings me to my main point. For Margeaux and Jolée to come out as they are during these dangerous days with a pedophile in the White House pretending he’s an American President is an extreme act of courage. Way too many people have forgotten their morals, ethics, self-respect and humanity on account of the pedophile.
What really floors me are the Sonic fans who identify themselves as Trumpers. Sonic may be a wise ass at times, but I know we’ve never portrayed him as mean spirited and cruel towards anyone, not even his enemies. I certainly never have.
Likewise, unlike the Chumpster (I’m sorry, but I have ZERO respect or regard for the monster), Sonic is not a coward, a liar or disloyal. Nor does he prey among the weak and helpless.
True, Sonic is a fictional character, but he is someone the kids are exposed to at a young age, so he does set an example. As someone who chronicled his tales, I am well aware of the character’s impact on children and thus, am careful with his depiction. Name me a parent that says the Chumpster is someone their children should emulate and I’ll show you an unfit parent.
What is real is that neither the Chumpster or his administration have any use for minorities, women and the disabled. Only white guys need apply, and even then, only certain white guys need apply.
But if one examines the makeup of the creators who worked on the stories featured in THE SHADOW FILES, at least half the individuals would be ruled unsuitable to contribute.
Already, the idiot in charge of the Department of Defense has allowed a Good Friday service for Protestants. Catholics are being told they’re not welcome to attend. Considering a good portion of Sonic’s audience is autistic, it’s easy to see them discriminated against, if not made fun of, by the Chumpster himself.
The point being there’s nothing admirable or worthy of emulation by the Chumpster for Sonic fans to embrace. He’s as despicable as they come, and I meet way too many Sonic fans to believe they see any good in him either.
I embrace the differences and diversity of each other and hope whoever reads this does as well. Take care.
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about whether I feel scammed by the $Knuckles coin or the person behind it. Honestly? Not really. It’s hard to feel “scammed” when everyone was told upfront that the money was going to support a creator whose work they enjoy—and that money is coming to me, just like they said it would. Am I getting all of it? No, but I’m getting more than I ever expected for basically doing what I’d be doing anyway: chatting with folks who have questions or comments. It’s still a better deal than I ever got at Archie, where I didn’t receive any royalties at all.
If people are upset that I’m not getting every dollar, there’s an easy fix: go to my website’s homepage, scroll down, hit the PAYPAL DONATE button, and send whatever you would’ve spent on the coin. Or even better, check out the MERCH page and buy something—a print or one of my books—so you actually get something real from me in the mail.
I just don’t have the time to run a full-time online presence and finish my upcoming books and other projects at the same time. But I am doing my best to respond to everyone. If I don’t reply right away, I promise I’ll get there eventually.
As I’ve said before, I’m really grateful for all the support so far, and I hope I’ll keep earning it as we go forward. Thanks so much, and take care.
I just turned in the cover file for THE SHADOW FILES, allowing my printer to begin production on the dummy copies so I know how the covers will turn out as the final product. This is the beginning of a process I have used ever since my first book release, THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS, and stayed with since.
While this is going on, I’m compiling the pages into an InDesign file, making changes, corrections and additions along the way. I’m also creating new art and writing text as well as constantly looking for the smallest item that requires attention. When the book is finally ready to go to press, the files are uploaded and the proof copy is sent to me for review and approval.
Since the printer is located in Singapore, the people I deal with are just starting their day while I’m looking to go to sleep, so during the proofreading and approval process, sleep is very much a casualty on my end.
The completed book is scheduled to be turned in to the printer anytime between February 28 and March 10 of this year.
At this time, there are currently just 16 copies of THE SHADOW FILES Variant Edition available for sale, making this the fastest selling pre-order I’ve made available. Once they’re sold, that’s it.
Regarding our most recent release, SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAYS, there are only 2 copies of the Variant Edition (above left) available for sale. But before pulling the trigger on buying a copy, anyone wanting to make their copy of either edition even more special beyond having Scott sign and personalize it, Scott will now do headshots of one character for $50 extra. As Scott has been getting a lot of requests for this, he’s decided to accommodate.
One other point I want to make clear: generally I ship out everyone’s order that’s not a pre-order within 24 hours, most of the time generally less. It all depends when the order is placed.
Since Scott lives across the San Fernando Valley from me, I now generally make the trip to his house once a week to get SONIC DAYS signed. So orders not requiring a signature generally go out within 24 hours, but orders requiring Scott to sign – and now add a sketch, it could be a week from the placement on the order before the book is finally off in the mail to its intended destination.
Once THE SHADOW FILES is finally on the presses and making its way back here to Los Angeles, my priority will be finally on getting THE LARA_SU APP along with the graphic novel THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: SHATTERED TOMORROWS finished and ready for release.
I won’t even think about the project after that until SHATTERED TOMORROWS goes to press. It’s a toss-up on whether KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS VOLUME TWO or HER MAJESTY SALLY will be the next release of the Mobian Adventure Series. All I can say is Ethan is dedicating himself to seeing HMS as the follow-up release with most if not all stories fully recolored and remastered.
Before I forget, just like every one of my previous books, anyone and everyone who makes a pre-order purchase of THE SHADOW FILES will find their names listed on the SPECIAL THANKS pages inside. You guys are the real heroes that make all of this possible, of which I’m very much appreciative. I’ll keep making these books as long as people want more. Thanks for being there. Take care.
This one is very personal, and makes me aware I should have been paying closer attention than I did. When I didn’t see Adalisa at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, I chalked up her absence due more to Trump’s border policies than anything else, and thus sent email asking her to confirm the address I should send her comp copy of the KNUCKLES OMNIBUS to. I never followed up on that email as she always got back to me. Then I got lost in all the things I was working on and taking care of.
Today I discovered Adalisa had passed away on September 6 of this year, and I was devastated. This was a person full of life whom I looked forward to seeing at Comic-Con each year, who would show me the latest in what she was up as well as telling me what a fan she was of my work.
More than that, Adalisa was the first to offer her services as a Spanish language translator for THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES App, making it clear she was committed to the project until it was finished. Only I never knew she had health issues that would cut short that commitment.
Adalisa stood by my side and believed in what I was doing even while I was taking criticism from all directions, even standing up to critics at Comic-Con who were putting me down. I never asked her to defend me, but she never hesitated.
Adalisa was but one of a handful of people who have assisted me with getting my projects out, and her passing makes me realize how special these people are, that they aren’t just random strangers doing a job for me.
While I did express my appreciation for her commitment and dedication to my work in general and THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES in particular in our email exchanges, I just wish I had a chance to say that in person before her passing, to give her a hug and tell her she was special.
The proof copies to SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAYS arrived earlier today, just in time before I had to meet Scott for lunch at our usual stomping grounds. Like kids on Christmas morning, I hadn’t opened the package until Scott and I were together as I wanted to get his reaction when he finally laid eyes on the books.
There before us were both the Variant and Non-Variant editions. Scott grabbed the Non-Variant edition while I perused the Variant edition. When I asked him which copy he’d like to take home, he held up his copy in acknowledgement.
Scott was thrilled with the finished product and we believe everyone else will be as well.
I was just in contact with my representative Rebekah, who with her team are responsible for the great production job that results in a wonderful finished book, and as I have given her my approval, the books are now getting packaged and readied for shipping. I’m hoping for a mid-December arrival, but I won’t be able to confirm that until the books are on the cargo ship.
Work is already underway on THE SHADOW FILES as FIP’s next release in time for Comic-Con 2026, but more about that later. Right now, the focus is bringing to books back here for Scott to sign and for me to ship out.
As usual, if anyone has any questions, they can email me here anytime. Everyone’s support is truly appreciated and Scott and I are both grateful. Take care.
At this time, I’m awaiting proof copies of SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAYS before the book goes to press and bound together, upon which it will be shipped and I’ll be in full update mode letting everyone know the progress being made.
However, unlike the previous FIP releases, I’m encountering headwinds. While orders are coming in, they’re at a much slower rate than previous releases at this time, which behooves me to tell people I need their support now more than ever.
The part that really has me concerned is that Trump and the Chinese government are playing hardball with each other at this time that could make what I paid in tariffs on the KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS look cheap in comparison.
As everyone knows, I didn’t raise my price on the Omnibus while keeping to my commitment of paying out advance royalties to creators. In fairness to my printers, they are currently working to make sure the tariffs have little to no impact on SONIC DAYS, but I’m in a believe it when I see it mode at this time.
With SONIC DAYS, I’m still keeping my pledge not to raise the price while everyone else is raising theirs as well as paying out who needs to get paid. But unless sales pick up sooner rather than later, it will have a very real impact on future FIP releases.
While I have no expectations of getting rich from the book sales, I’d at least appreciate NOT losing money on this or future releases.
Look, I get it. $50 for a book can seem pricey to people, especially when adding $15 shipping on top of that plus sales tax if one lives in California. The economy is shakey and people are wondering how badly Trump’s tariffs are really damaging the economy.
So while I would like to see an increase in book orders at this time, I’m currently taking a number of steps that will be implemented in the days ahead, beyond asking people to buy a print or T-Shirt or even a patch, as every little bit helps. I’m already working to expand the back issue selection and plan on having a sale at a discounted rate in the days ahead.
And I’m also adding a DONATE button to the homepage of this website. I’ve been asked about this previously, and I’ve hesitated for a number of reasons, but if people want to pitch in, this is my version of any Patreon page. If it’s not yet up when this post is published, it soon will be.
At this time, the USPS is increasing their shipping rates along with everyone else, so that’s an additional expense, and the costs of this website will be going up next year as well. Either I become more proactive in keeping everything moving forward or let everything whither and die, which is not in my nature.
I will also soon be listing THE LARA-SUCHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS and the KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS available for sale on Amazon once those items have been approved to be included in the Amazon inventory and search engine. In the meantime, they’re still here available for sale, shipped out within 24 hours of order placement.
People ask why I release the books I do instead of the traditional comic book format, and the answer to that is the comic book format is dying a very slow death at this time. Distribution has become a major obstacle for small publishers as a result of Diamond’s implosion and subsequent bankruptcy. A lot of small publishers have lost huge sums of money as a result and are doing what they can to survive. Comic shop retailer friends of mine tell me a lot of small publishers have no means of distribution other than doing what i am. Those that make it to the distributor catalogs can just as easily fall through the cracks for a variety of reasons.
I am taking the steps I am to publishing and releasing the books I have so far precisely because of all the uncertainty in the marketplace. I believe if one puts out a quality product and provides great customer service, one should be able to navigate through the rough spots.
The part I really suck at? Marketing. I’m not a sales person and I don’t have the budget to advertise in ways I would like to. Part of the problem is I’m more interested in getting work on the app completed than spending time promoting. So I’m doing the best I can, and counting on everyone to get the word out I could use help.
I appreciate the support of everyone who has purchased a book or other items beyond what words can express. I just need a few more friends at this time along for the ride. Thank you for your consideration and patience in the meantime. Take care.
I’ll be appearing at the Los Angeles Comic-Con inside the West Hall at Table WP22 within Artists Alley. Chances are I’ll be easier to spot if you look for my LARA-SU CHRONICLES table cloth and backdrop I always bring with me to conventions.
The set up I’ll be bringing with me will be a bit different, and I may have to resort to using the 8-ft table cloth – the one in the photo above is the 6 ft table cloth, which has different images from the 8 ft cloth – depending the size table we’re provided.
Speaking of SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAYS, the printer now has the completed book uploaded and is diligently at work getting a proof copy made for me to approve to put on the presses. At this time, the SPECIAL THANKS page is locked, but I’ll figure out some way to acknowledge everyone who buys a copy of either the main Non-Variant edition and/or the Variant edition going forward. As it is, there’s approximately 30 copies of the Variant edition remaining, and once they sell out, that’s it. So don’t wait. Christmas is coming, y’know?
Finally, I’ve been collaborating on an article with my co-author, Nicholas J Stamates, about my legal fight with Archie and SEGA that will eventually see publication in the Berkeley Journal of Entertainment and Sports Law. While we await publication, people can access the article online here.
I’m also working on a screenplay of the events that I hope to be seen made into a film. That should be fun.
As usual, if anyone has any thoughts, suggestions, comments and/or criticisms, you can always contact me here.
And now, I have a convention to get ready for. See you soon.
