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.
It’s been a long strange trip to get here, but now that I’ve embarked on the journey, I’ve had to take a breather and contemplate where the journey is taking me. All I ever wanted to do in life since I was a kid was draw pictures. It didn’t matter what the pictures were about, but I knew I wanted to draw them, and comics seemed like the perfect outlet.
Then I discovered if I wanted to ensure I was able to get paying work, I might have to take on other tasks, such as writing, inking and/or coloring if the drawing assignment wasn’t available, or if I wanted to generate my own drawing assignment. More often than not, I found I usually had to create my own opportunities.
After my legal battle with Archie, I found I was at a crossroads. I didn’t want to go back and do work for others that I didn’t own, but I wasn’t sure what the best path was to moving forward. So I began work on a couple of projects. The first was a story called THE STORM, which was helping me gather my thoughts where I wanted to take my characters, and the other was the beginning of what was turning out to be the graphic novel THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: SHATTERED TOMORROWS.
As work progressed, I found myself wondering exactly how I would get these projects out to the public in a way that would provide income for myself. I knew I didn’t want to do a monthly comic book, as I saw way too many creators struggle trying to achieve that if they weren’t working for an established company. And even if they were, there was no guarantee of any long-term sustainability.
I soon found myself drawn to the possibility of digital comics. But even with that, I knew I didn’t want to do what everyone else generally seemed to be doing. I wanted to take full advantage of the possibilities the digital format offered. Doing it all by myself, I soon discovered, was taking more time than I anticipated. Even so, I was much happier with how things were taking shape.
I was content to stay this path until a printing representative presented me with her business card at the San Diego Comic-Con back in 2023 and asked me for my specifics for the type of book project I’d like to do. By this point, I’d been asked more than enough times when I was actually going to release something. So I provided those specifics, and thought that would be that.
As I was living with a sales representative for almost thirty years at the time, I should have been prepared when the rep who asked me for my specifics came back with a price quote. I always never make a big purchase without seeing what the alternatives are, but there had been a printing rep who’d been asking me the same question for a number of years, and I never responded with anything definitive as I didn’t feel ready to do anything. Now having a real price quote staring me in the face, I decided to ask the printing rep who had been staying in contact what he could do for me given the same parameters of the print job.
When he returned with a quote that was more than competitive with the first quote, I was now faced with a choice: move forward or continue puttering around with not much to show. So I decided to roll the dice and move forward.
The first question I had: was the project financially viable? I wasn’t a top Marvel or DC artist, and it had been almost twenty years since I last worked on the SONIC THE HEDGEHOG series published by Archie, so I had to know if the support was there from the beginning or else the whole project would be doomed from the start.
I therefore announced I would be taking pre-orders on a book titled THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS, which would be a mix of old and new material. As I wasn’t sure if long-time readers were a big enough market, I knew I had to make the book accessible to new readers as well, and I made it clear in my promotional effort that one didn’t have to know any of the backstory beyond the material presented in the book.
Pre-orders started slow, but they were steady, enough so that I was able to commit to the 50% deposit required. Once the deposit was made, I was now on the clock and had to motivate even more sales. Thus, I offered a free random signed copy of either a SONIC or KNUCKLES comic along with a full color signed Lara-Su postcard in addition to the book. I even made the offer retroactive to those who already ordered, ending the promotion once the books had been delivered in my possession.
This enabled me to pay the remaining printing and shipping charges I now owed. Once the books arrived and began shipping, it didn’t take long for readers to decide they liked the finished product enough that they recommended it to others.
Of course it helped the book arrived in time for me to begin promoting it at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con. As sales increased, it encouraged me to begin thinking about my next effort, which I thought would be SHATTERED TOMORROWS, but I wasn’t ready to think about a print version just yet. I needed to first see how that would work as an app release.
My answer to the question of whether or not to move forward with another book turned out to be a young man who approached me at my table at the same convention I was premiering BEGINNINGS and said he wanted to work with me on a project. He didn’t want to write or draw, just color. So I asked him to submit samples and told him the samples would form the basis of my decision. The big problem I had with his request was my reluctance to take on anyone as I had no money in the budget to pay anyone properly. Even though he said the money (or lack of it) didn’t matter, it did to me.
My better half Bernadette reminded me of all the times I did free work in order to land a job, not to mention drawing complete issues for free for some form of ownership stake in the project. So the young man and I came to an understanding, and thus began work on the KNUCKLES OMNIBUS, always with an eye on releasing the book prior to the 2025 San Diego Comic Convention.
While the KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS VOLUME ONE was at the printers, I wanted to focus on getting the LARA-SU APP completed and released, but based on the experience putting together the KNUCKLES OMNIBUS, the young man whose work I was promoting was interested in doing more, and since I had been discussing with Scott Shaw! himself over hot dogs at Fab’s the possibility of releasing a book focused on his Archie SONIC work, the SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAYS book began to take shape.
Since I felt Scott was better served by others who could place his accomplishments in their proper context, I enlisted the services of my app programmer, Patrick Luque, a huge Sonic fan in his own right ever since I first met him when he was nine years old back in the ’90s, to organize and edit the project. I even requested he write a forward placing Scott’s work in historical context where the Sonic franchise was concerned.
As the project came together, I decided to shoot for a Christmas release for the simple reason of seeing if the audience I was building wanted to grow along with me.
At this time, the results are looking positive for Floating Island Productions to release more material, but it’s critical the audience not only continues to support the various projects, but that the audience grows to the point that it enables people involved to be fairly paid, and not just me.
Once Scott’s book goes to the printer, my attention will be centered solely on the LARA-SU APP along with the writing and drawing of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: SHATTERED TOMORROWS. Only my efforts making sure everyone receives their pre-ordered copies of SONIC DAYS when they do arrive will interrupt that process.
My game plan for Floating Island Productions to continue and grow involves working on 2 different books for release at the 2026 San Diego Comic Convention, primarily out of economic concerns. If I do one book, it’s the cost of printing plus – at a minimum – $1700 in shipping costs. If I do 2 books at the same time, I can probably get a break on the cost of printing but more importantly, shipping 2 books at the same time would cost FIP $2000 instead of $3400.
Also, the retail price of both books would be on a par with SONIC DAYS, about $50 per book, allowing me to put out a high quality product within range of most people’s budgets.
The big question mark at this time is whether I have the people to maintain the quality. Make no mistake, Ethan Alvaree is doing a fantastic job on SONIC DAYS, surpassing his work on the KNUCKLES OMNIBUS, but Ethan also has a life and a full-time job outside of comics and can only do so much. While he is capable of getting the next two volumes ready for printing, at some point it will be necessary to add another colorist because of the limits of time and the production schedule.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention my translators – Adalisa, Alice, Amanda, Ana, Andrey and Magnus – who’ve been working with me since prior to COVID to help make the LARA-SU APP accessible on a global scale. They’ve stuck with me through thick and thin, and I can’t express enough how thankful I am for them.
It also goes without saying the LARA-SU APP in its present form would not even exist without the efforts of Patrick Luque. Patrick has been invaluable over the years with his skill set that I can’t even quantify what Floating Island Productions would be today without him.
Last but not least is my better half, Bernadette, who has been with me almost from the very beginning of my SONIC experience with Archie. She has seen history unfold and met all the players involved. More importantly, she has been my rock throughout.
Getting back to the release schedule, while the one volume I have on the drawing board – THE SHADOW FILES – will be more dependent upon the original coloring, the other volume – HER MAJESTY SALLY – will require extensive recoloring, especially on the early stories. While it seems the time between September 2025 and late March 2026 should be more than sufficient to get both books assembled properly, trust me when I say there will be plenty of late nights before both books go to press. (And it’ll be all I can do to make sure SHATTERED TOMORROWS has a Christmas 2026 release.)
Once those books go to press, work will have to begin on KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS VOLUME TWO almost immediately to have that ready for Comic-Con 2027, followed by preparations for 2027’s planned Christmas release, GEOFFREY ST JOHN: ON HIS MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE.
The spotlight on Geoffrey will be different because other than Lara-Su, Geoffrey’s collection will mark the first time a collection will not only feature stories Geoffrey appeared in during the original Archie SONIC run, it will also include an entirely new story that connects the original run with THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES.
What will also make this book different is that for the first time I’m seriously considering hiring an artist to do the pencils from my original script. The inking and coloring have yet to be determined, but this is something that only the people who support what FIP is doing can make possible.
While I’m considering adding a DONATE button to the website to help with the costs of this website and production of the books along with the app, I’d rather people buy a book and get something for their money. I still have a lot of copies available of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS along with KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS VOLUME ONE. The early to mid-sales are doing the heavy lifting of covering the costs while it’s the remainder of the print runs that bring in the profit that makes all things possible.
If you’ve been following the latest comics industry news, distribution has become a big problem thanks to the collapse of Diamond Distribution. Considering what a number of publishers are having to deal with, I believe I made the right call selling only through my website, at conventions and on EBay. But Diamond isn’t the only problem.
The last time I checked, and unless someone has numbers that show otherwise, there are about 2000 comic book retailers in the USA alone. Of that amount, maybe more than a third are inclined to order product beyond just the usual Marvel and DC fare. After that, it’s questionable how many would’ve supported a $35.99 hardcover even with a retailer discount.
Currently, the earliest I can contemplate bringing out a KEN PENDERS’ SONIC OMNIBUS VOLUME ONE is summer of 2028, and there’s some question already whether there’ll even be a Comic-Con that summer as the Olympics will be taking place in Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California, including San Diego. That in turn will decide when THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: THE DARK DOMINION will make its debut, Christmas 2028 or Summer 2029.
That leaves the remaining two KNUCKLES OMNIBUSES and three SONIC OMNIBUSES before I get to the other remaining material, hopefully with the involvement of the creators who actually wrote and illustrated the material.
In the meantime, I apologize for once again sounding like a commercial, but I don’t do Kickstarter or Go Fund Me, and you’re all I’ve got. A fact I’m extremely grateful for. As usual, your comments and questions are always welcome by emailing me here. And yes, go buy a book. If you’ve already done that, buy a gift for a friend. Thanks and take care.
Screw the haters. There’s no need to compare SUPERMAN with FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. Both were great films, and both were truer to their comic book roots than the vast majority of comic book films combined. While I love both films, I’m here to talk about FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. And make no mistake, this is a GREAT film. Every frame of this movie sprang 100% from the imagination of Jack Kirby and it is all the better for it.
Also ignore comments of superhero fatigue. People using this phrase are lazy, lack imagination or critical analytical skills. No one is forcing anyone to sit through a movie based on a comic book series, and there are vast differences between FF: FS and the majority of not only Marvel films, but comic book-based films in general. For my money, horror is a pretty well-played out genre that surpasses any so-called superhero fatigue.
One doesn’t need to have watched every Marvel film or TV series – or even previous FANTASTIC FOUR films – to understand the characters or the basic story. The film opens on a very human moment never before seen in any comic book film, then efficiently provides all the basic info on the characters and background before getting into the actual story proper.
Not only are they establishing the characters, they’re establishing actual Fantastic Four history directly from the comics, recreating in live action the cover art from FANTASTIC FOUR issue 1 while at the same time introducing the villain from that same issue – the Mole Man – as he launches his attack on New York City exactly as shown in FANTASTIC FOUR issue 31. While another historic foe, the Red Ghost, isn’t shown, his super apes are seen battling with Mr Fantastic. The Mad Thinker, the Wizard and Diablo are also given shout-outs in the build-up to the arrival of the Silver Surfer, appearing exactly as the character was shown in FANTASTIC FOUR issue 48.
Did I care the Surfer was a female in this version? Not in the slightest, as it’s established we’re watching events unfold on Earth-828. Thus, the multi-verse allows for some discrepancies with comics and MCU continuity. Even with the changes in plot and story details, the film manages to remain incredibly faithful to events that transpired in the pages of FANTASTIC FOUR issues 48 thru 50 while adding in events from FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL 6. The story structure reminded me of the best Bond films that were true to the Ian Fleming novels, making changes only where it made sense for the film.
I’ve heard people – even a well-known comics creator or two – say the film is boring, to which I say, “On what planet?” The film moves like gangbusters, going from one set piece to the next with a sprinkling of quiet family moments that show us how much the characters mean to each other. The trip to find Galactus and eventual getaway was equal parts jaw-dropping, on the edge of one’s seat tense and relief with joy.
The only other criticism I didn’t get was anyone complaining about H.E.R.B.I.E. While I wasn’t enamored with the character in the 1979 cartoon series, he was wonderful here in the film, providing comic relief when necessary and demonstrating his usefulness the rest of the time. The film wouldn’t be the same without him and a return appearance is much warranted.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t praise the work of Cinematographer Jess Hall, whose work was utterly stellar in capturing visuals Jack Kirby himself would be proud of. This is a film that deserves to be seen in 3D IMAX because anything less doesn’t display the full grandeur depicted onscreen, especially the IMAX screen at the AMC Universal 19. I’ve seen it twice in that format and the second time was even better. There were shot compositions I wanted to frame and hang on my wall as they were that astounding.
The film was exceptionally well cast, so much so they visually looked like they stepped out of a Kirby-Sinnott issue of FANTASTIC FOUR. Although Pedro Pascal’s mustache took a little getting used to, as I watched his portrayal of Reed Richards, I couldn’t help but notice overall how much he closely resembled Jack’s depiction on the page. In the end, the entire cast won me over. These were the characters I grew up with and loved for the past 60 years.
Will I see another FANTASTIC FOUR film? If they have this cast, absolutely! What I don’t get are the critics. This film had everything – and I mean EVERYTHING – in spades. It was not only most comic-faithful rendition, it was the most cosmic, the most family-oriented, the most epic, with plenty of charm and humor to spare. It even had a Kirby & Lee blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo set in the Marvel offices adorned with actual Jack Kirby art, with Kirby getting the last word in while Lee was the silent observer. So what was there to criticize and complain about?
If I had to guess why families didn’t turn out as much for this as they did for SUPERMAN has to do with the family budget. Taking a family to the movies these days, especially seeing a film on an IMAX screen, is an expensive proposition. Both of the these films needed to be seen in the IMAX format, but it would’ve been better had both had some breathing room between them, as they both catered to the same audience.
Streaming as upended the theatrical movie-going experience to the point where I no longer go see a film in a theater unless it warrants a premium screen experience. Out of all the trailers I saw before the screening of FF: FS, only the new AVATAR sequel coming for Christmas and possibly PROJECT HAIL MAIL warrant me breaking open the wallet. I can wait for the others that interested me to hit streaming.
My hope now is they at least do a 3D Blu-ray release of FF: FS as I’m not going to bother with the smaller screens at current prices.
As for where this stacks up in my Top 5 Comic Book Films; it’s a toss-up between CAPTAIN AMERICA FIRST AVENGER and FF: FS, then WINTER SOLDIER, then BLACK WIDOW, followed by SUPERMAN. I know there will be people who disagree with this list and more power to them. This is my list and the hill I’ll die on. I would say the 1st IRON MAN, DR STRANGE, THE DARK KNIGHT, the 1st CHRISTOPHER REEVE SUPERMAN and ROAD TO PERDITION fill out my next 5. (Yes, that last one qualifies as a comic book film.)
So yes, if you want a fun, jaw-dropping, exciting thrill ride of a time, you won’t find any better in the theaters this week than FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS.
It’s only now that I’m up for writing about my time during the San Diego Comic-Con. It’s definitely not what it was when I first started attending and promoting my work. It couldn’t be, as I first attended the con as a guest of DC Comics back in 1990 and the convention hall itself only consisted of sections A, B and C. It would be years before ground was broken to construct what exists today.
I had arrived and set up my table on Tuesday prior to Preview Night, which made everything a lot more manageable as I didn’t have to rush in Wednesday trying to find parking and getting my books and portfolios into the building just before the crowds were let in. The next 4 days after Preview Night were a blur of meeting people, promoting my book, and checking out various points and people of interest throughout the hall.
After the convention, I took my family out to dinner in Little Italy where we enjoyed a great meal at Mimmo’s. It was a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. Both the food and service were excellent.
Once I was back at the hotel where I was staying, I was able to reflect on what transpired over the past several days. The best part were the familiar faces that showed up once again to check in to see what I was up to. It’s absolutely amazing to discover the people who travel a great distance just to see you so they could tell you how much your work means to them. It definitely makes one humble.
It was also encouraging to see people embrace my latest efforts such as the KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS VOLUME ONE and THE LARA_SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS, to say nothing of my FALLEN SCOURGE and both of my SHADOW prints. I also sold out of the SONIC SELECT books I brought, but it’s clear I’m foregoing bringing any back issues with me to any further shows. I’m content to sell those strictly through my online web store or through EBay.
People definitely were asking about SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAYS, and with news the tariffs may not affect that project at all, I made a unilateral decision to move forward with the publication of the book while at the convention. Ethan has been busy recoloring everything and is close to finishing up, while Scott has been thrilled with everything he’s seen so far. I’m a little bit anxious about this project myself as it’ll mark the first time my role on a book is solely as a publisher / production artist. I make no claims to having contributed any writing, penciling, inking, lettering or coloring where the stories and art are concerned with this book.
While reaction to the books have been great, please forgive me for sounding like a commercial frequently. Because I only sell the books through my website initially, I have to make sure enough sales are generated to at least pay for printing and shipping. It isn’t until the books are in my hand that I can begin selling on Ebay as well. Then I still need to keep generating sales so I can pay creators their royalties and others involved in the production of the books as well as other expenses. Running a website like I have isn’t free, and there are numerous other business costs involved.
Planning for the long-term is beginning to take shape. As I prepare getting SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAYS ready for the printer, I’m adding new material to the LARA-SU APP in getting that ready for release. I’m also in the early stages of planning the Mobian Adventure Line’s following releases, THE SHADOW FILES and HER MAJESTY SALLY for release by the time the San Diego Comic-Con arrives in 2026.
As for further convention appearances, the Los Angeles Comic-Con taking place this September from the 26th thru the 28th is the next on my docket. Beyond that, everything is up in the air, but I hope to do more on that front.
So while I get back to my drawing board, I ask that if you’ve been thinking of getting either BEGINNINGS or the KNUCKLES OMNIBUS, I ask you do it sooner rather than later as it makes all things possible where Floating Island Productions and the Mobian Adventure line are concerned. What I’ve found out during Comic-Con is that I’m doing good by my fellow creators where many other publishers aren’t, and that’s only made possible because of everyone’s support. The creators appreciate it and so do I. Thank you.
The book is being worked on. Ethan is literally recoloring everything that Scott worked on that was published in the pages of the Archie SONIC series while Patrick is coordinating all the material that will be included in the book. I myself am personally overseeing every aspect of the production so the final product is stylistically consistent with every preceding FIP MOBIAN ADVENTURE SERIES release.
The big problem is economic.
I’m hesitant to begin taking orders until August 1st and everyone knows what Trump’s tariffs will be. If it’s 20%, I know what I’m dealing with and will move forward with the project.
Because my books are printed in China, there’s also the chance Trump could go nuts and establish 145% increase in the tariffs charged to books imported from there.
That would make printing in China both impractical as well as unprofitable, forcing me to look elsewhere for other options. It could also put the entire viability of FIP’S MOBIAN ADVENTURE SERIES at risk, if not outright kill it.
On the brighter side, I’ve been very happy with the results from the printer I’m currently working with and have no desire to look elsewhere for an alternative. If anything, even my printer is working to offer an alternative solution in order to keep my business.
There’s also the issue of FIP operational costs. We can’t afford them unless we keep increasing sales. When SONIC DAYS is ordered, printed & shipped, the books will need to end up somewhere, and unfortunately, that means I have to rent storage space, as I’m all tapped out at home. That’s why sales of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS, the KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS VOLUME ONE and other items in my MERCH section are critical even now. If I can’t cover my costs, including the cost of this website, at some point I have to shut down.
When I order copies, I’m looking at a print run of at least 1000 copies. I know I’m not immediately going to sell all 1000 copies, but I can see I’m getting additional readers with each new FIP release. So I’m planning for the long term, as going back to do a 2nd printing for anything is impractical due to the costs involved.
To give some idea of the variables I have to take into consideration, shipping an order of books from China to here in Los Angeles costs about $1700 before the usual customs tax and Trump’s tariffs are applied.
I was asked by my printer if I would consider printing 2 books at the same time as the shipping cost would be considerably less, approximately $2000 instead of $3400. My concern with that scenario is seeing if the number of copies of each book ordered would justify going forward under those circumstances. Would readers be willing to pre-order 2 $40.00 hardcover collections, in this case, my proposed THE SHADOW FILES and HER MAJESTY SALLY additions to the Mobian Adventure Line? I’m not sure, but I’d love to hear from readers interested in these projects to send their comments to me.
On a final note, I’d like to address some points that were brought up in what I consider a completely balanced and fair review of the Omnibus. As the critic noted, I’m not Marvel or IDW, so therefore I don’t have the resources they do. That said, his observation that Omnibuses run 1000 pages or more is incorrect. I have a number of Omnibuses in my collection that run far less than 1000 pages, such as Marvel’s DR. STRANGE Omnibus collecting the Steve Ditko run from STRANGE TALES issue 110 thru 146, which is approximately 440 pages and cost $75 back in 2015. To acquire a copy of this same book would cost at least $100 on the collector’s market as it’s no longer in print.
THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA is another case of an Omnibus approximately the same page count and not available any where for less than $100. The price of an Omnibus with 1000 pages or more is generally selling for $150 newly released these days.
Other factors I had to take into account included weight and shipping cost. The book is a hefty 3 lbs. and 3 ounces before packaging for shipping. If people weren’t happy with shipping costing $25 here in the USA, to ship the Omnibus to Europe cost just under $100. Fortunately, using the Post Office Priority Medium Flat Rate shipping boxes allowed me to ship both the variant and non-variant editions for the cost of one book. Using my own packaging would’ve shot up the cost through the stratosphere.
But here’s the main difference between the Omnibus I published and the omnibuses published by Marvel and IDW. The creators involved in my book were already paid an advance against their royalties. They also know further royalties are tied to sales of the book, so it’s not just me benefiting from the cost of the book, but others as well. When’s the last time you heard from creators at Marvel or IDW being paid royalties for their work when reprinted? Also, the creators received comp copies of the book which is not a given from most publishers these days.
In case anyone hasn’t been paying attention, distribution has also become a major problem for the comics industry. So much so that a number of publishers are now teaming up to sue Diamond Distribution for attempting to sell their inventory in a manner that only benefits Diamond while the publishers take a loss.
Unless a book sports a Marvel, DC or Image logo, only roughly a third of comics retailers will order from a new publisher, and that’s if the product is a comic book. I’m selling hardcovers, so the retailers that would order from me would only purchase at best 1 copy each at a discounted rate from a distributor. Thus, I’m forced to be my own publisher, distributor and retailer.
The economics of doing cheaper versions are not sustainable either, not at the pace everything is changing. As for putting out editions that preserve everything as originally presented, including the coloring, that’s not possible either. The original coloring on the early issues was not great and not worth preserving. In fact, all the coloring for SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAYS had been totally redone, resulting in a much more vibrant and exciting visual look. And if Scott Shaw! himself is happy with what he’s seeing, that’s good enough for me.
As usual, I welcome all questions and comments via email. I look forward to hearing from you.
