The waiting is definitely the hardest part now that the book is completed and I’ve just finished my initial review of the proof pages. Only a couple of minor of corrections need to be made and reviewed for approval, and then the presses begin to roll. We’re on track for the books to ship sometime around early June with arrival on my end by June 30, give or take a day or so and baring any bridge collapsing.
Based on what I’ve seen so far, I’m confident this will be the most definitive version of the M25YL chapters featuring the best printing, with colors more vibrant than was possible in the original comics or even the SONIC SUPER SPECIAL magazine issue that featured all but 2 of the chapters. The new material looks even more amazing with the story moving like gangbusters.
At this time, I’m taking the next few days off to gear up for what’s next, which includes work on the app, illustrating the Lara-Su print that will accompany the pre-orders, laying out the next section of SHATTERED TOMORROWS and beginning to assemble KEN PENDERS’ THE KNUCKLES FILES OMNIBUS VOL. 1.
Right now, I’m still taking pre-orders for THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS up until the finished books arrive. Along with the people who already pre-ordered BEGINNINGS, anyone who pre-orders will be included in the SPECIAL THANKS pages of the print edition of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: SHATTERED TOMORROWS, which is at least a year off in the future. All updates concerning this project will be posted here.
I’ll begin taking pre-orders for KEN PENDERS’ THE KNUCKLES FILES OMNIBUS VOL. 1 sometime in the fall, collecting every story featuring Knuckles I worked on up to KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA issue 16. Everyone who pre-orders BEGINNINGS will also be included in the SPECIAL THANKS pages as well, acknowledging I couldn’t have gotten this far without the support of everyone who aided the cause. I’ll have more details once I actually start assembling the book.
Regarding the app, that may or may not be ready by time the San Diego Comic-Con occurs, as I took a number of short cuts getting the book done at the expense of the app, but not from a lack of effort working to get it done. Anyone interested in helping me out with German, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese and any other languages, please contact me for details. At this time, I have a team assisting me with Spanish, French, Swedish, Polish, Portuguese and Russian. (We may not be doing business with the country, but that doesn’t mean I’m not hearing from Russians elsewhere.)
As for the people inquiring about commissioned art, I’ll have more to say on that soon. Right now, I’m planning out my schedule for the next several weeks.
I’ll also be updating the website including adding more items on the store pages due to popular demand, for which I’m appreciative. The lanyards and the patches are proving to be well received, so much so I’m on the verge of having to re-order more of both. With the T-Shirts, I’m still debating whether to sell out and come out with a new design or re-order more.
Now that the book is done, I won’t go as long without posting an update more frequently. However, if you have a question or two, just send them my way and I’ll do my best to enter. Thanks, everyone, and take care.
Hoping everything goes smoothly and happens on schedule. Fingers crossed!
Thanks for the sentiments. I can confirm that at most the book is maybe a week behind schedule but as there was some padding in case of anything unforeseen, the book will pretty much arrive on schedule as far as I’m concerned. Even if the books don’t arrive until the beginning of July, I still have time to ship every pre-order to those who bought a copy prior to my departure for the San Diego Comic-Con. Keep checking back here for updates.
The update is very much appreciated, as is the cool art!
Happy to hear The Lara-Su Chronicles: Beginnings is done at last! All the effort you’re going to in getting it out there inspires me so much as a creator and storyteller! If it was just the first complete M25YL reprint it’d already be worth the asking price – but that it’s got a new ending for the story, The Storm, and a preview of The Lara-Su Chronicles: Shattered Tomorrows makes me look forward to having it in my hands even more!
Very interested to hear about The Knuckles Files Omnibus, too! Will absolutely be pre-ordering that as well, while still planning on collecting the issues in their originally-printed forms while I’m at it. 🙂
You forgot the Data Files, Felicia! Everyone will also get the full dossiers of Lara-Su, Commander Geoffrey St John, Director Remington, Lien-Da, Commander Mykhal Taelor and Julie-Su for starters. There will be more character data files showing up in subsequent app releases as well as seeing print in SHATTERED TOMORROWS. I’ll have more to add later. Thanks and take care in the meantime.
Hi Ken,
Looking forward to these books coming out. In a previous update post you mentioned that anyone who pre-orders THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS would receive a random signed back issue from either the Sonic or Knuckles series. I was just wondering if this is still the case?
Absolutely. Once I promise something, I deliver. This applies only to orders received prior to Wednesday, July 24, 2024, which is the start of the San Diego Comic-Con. Those attending Comic-Con still need to pre-order the book even if they plan on picking up the book at the show as I have only a limited amount of space at the show not to mention space in my vehicle for everything I’m bringing to the show. I’m still 13 orders shy of 200 for those who also want to claim the last of the Lara-Su prints promised as part of the promotion for the first 200 orders.
Really excited about russian version. Thanks for it. I’m very happy, that everything is okay. Good luck.
I’m looking forward to receiving Beginnings and excited to hear about the Knuckles Omnibus! Keep up the great work.
Thanks for the compliments. They’re much appreciated. I’m looking forward to hearing what you and everyone else who ordered BEGINNINGS think of the finished book. Take care.
It’s a really uber exciting time to be a fan! Loving to get to see all your projects coming together and moving forward!