Hello Emberverse!
Welcome to the month of my birth and thank you for joining me around the fire once more this fine March afternoon!
Also, in case you missed it, we did pretty well on the latest Kickstarter for The Last Ember! I’ll share about that in a bit.
If you’re new to Last Ember Press (LEP) and Around the Fire (ATF), take a look around. If you like what you see, consider hitting that button below to get us in your inbox!
Here’s a quick sneak peek at what you can expect this time Around the Fire:
That’s right, your boy is a March baby. Not for almost three weeks, mind you.
I was born on March 21st, the first day of the Aries sign I believe (not a big astrology guy, but I think I recall reading that at some point). It’s ironic too, because Spring is my least favorite season because of the bugs and the flowers (I have bad allergies).
Anyhoo, I am someone that places meaning on stages of life, important dates, special occasions and the like. It’s not that I think those things are important just because they take place, but because of the meaning we, as individuals and a community, place upon them. So milestones are something I celebrate and embrace and even create.
Spring is a time of rebirth and preparation for things to come, so I always find myself gaining motivation at this time of year. 2024 is no different as so many plans are in motion professionally and personally for myself, my wife and our businesses.
In this edition of ATF, I’ll go through some of that, but also just update you all on what’s going on around here.
I’d also love to know what’s in store for you in 2024!
Back, Back, Back it Up
I wrote last time that I was scheduled to get six shots in my back on February 19th. Well, I ended up getting really sick the weekend before that with a sinus infection, so I had to reschedule. Now, those shots will take place on March 18th, just three days before my birthday (it was either that or the day of!).
This procedure is called a Medial Branch Block, which is, again, basically shutting off the tiny little nerves that run up my spine that send pain signals to my brain.
If this works, thus greatly reducing my pain, they’ll go in and do a more long-lasting procedure called an ablation. This burns those nerves out. It takes a couple of years or so for them to regenerate, so it’s not completely permanent, but would potentially give more relief than I’ve gotten in nearly a decade.
Even though this is more shots than I got previously, this procedure, I’m told, is LESS invasive than the first one. I’m still a little nervous, but if I can go into my birthday this year with far less pain then that will be a wonderful present!
Has anyone reading this had this procedure done before? I’d love to hear your feedback if you have.
Our Many Brands
Loops ‘n’ Scoops
Now that we’ve gotten the personal out of the way, let’s get down to business… or businesses!
As you know, we have a diversified portfolio of services and disciplines and we’re always trying different things. The latest venture my wife, Lisa and her sister have tried their hand at is Amigurumi, or crochet stuffed animals.
I’ve talked about their Loops ‘n’ Scoops brand here before, which is their “Cuddly Crochet Creations” business. They have been setting up at markets every month for a little while now and doing very well. They even hooked up with a boutique who ordered and reordered product to keep in stock in their shop!
I’m extremely proud of them and happy for them that they’ve found something they both really enjoy doing that has also become quite the side hustle. I think they have three shows in March alone!
These pics are from their latest show.
Last Ember Press
The Last Ember Was a Success!
Last month, we ran a Kickstarter for that beautiful Lenticular cover, you may recall. Well, we ended up more than doubling our goal and unlocking one stretch goal. We had hoped to unlock a couple more, but we’re very happy with how things ended up.
The funds for that campaign just came in this week so we’re in prep mode to get all that sorted.
In the Land of the Dragon Pages
Stefano sent 6 new colored pages in the other day. We only have a handful of pages left to complete issue 2 and then we’ll send it off to be lettered! Here are some snippets of the latest pages:
A Steampunk Carol & Pneumatic Cases
We are talking to more printers just trying to get this book made. Every one we’ve talked to so far we’ve encountered one issue or another. Be it pricing, inability to do the treatments we need, additional costs involved, pre-press issues, etc. This is the most trouble we’ve had trying to get a book printed, but we are confident we are close to the solution now thankfully. We’ve been talking to these printers about both books as they are both our first trades/OGNs. Updates on both soon.
Curiouser is Close!
Curiouser is the one that has taken the longest of late, but we have turned a corner. Marco just has a few pages left to draw and what he has been turning in looks so good! Here’s a sneak peek:
And here’s a clip of the latest thumbnail Marco sent:
Everything Else
We have been making progress with Torch Knight Games (TKG), Keepin’ it Kawaii and other stuff we’ve been quietly and slowly working on behind the scenes as well. We just don’t have as much to report in those areas at this time. But I did want to reassure you all that the machines are moving, especially in the case of TKG and our latest puzzle project. We hope to have news on that soon as well.
I also have a couple of Kickstarter page design projects on my plate at the moment (Be sure to follow the prelaunch pages for Beastlands and Boston Metaphysical Society linked below!) and possibly some logo design work as well.
I’ve recently been exploring some other ideas outside all of this too, but trying my best to reign that in for after I’ve fulfilled obligations in all these other areas FIRST as it should be. But if and when the time comes, I’m excited to share more about that.
Now, it’s time to…
As usual, I have some projects I’m thrilled to share in this space. The two prelaunch pages I am linking first are the two pages I’m doing some design for this weekend. So be sure to check them out!
Beastlands #1-9: A Heartful Fantasy Adventure
In a unique fantasy world, a boy must journey to save his companion beast and get his friends back, before he pushes them all too far.
I’m happy to be working with Curtis Clow again providing a few graphics for the page. This is the second time I’ve had the pleasure and I hope to do more in the future.
Boston Metaphysical Society Vol. 1 Special Edition Hardback
An ex-Pinkerton detective, a spirit photographer, and a genius scientist battle supernatural forces in late 1800s Boston.
This is the first time I’ve had a chance to work with Madeleine on a Kickstarter and I’m really excited for the opportunity. We’ve done interviews together and cross promoted for years, but working together is a treat!
Now onto three that are live right now, two of which I shouted out prelaunch pages for last time. But we’ll start with one I designed the logo for:
Incident Report #1-3
Incident Report takes place in a world where superpowers are a mundane part of life. People don’t have secret identities and vigilante night jobs. They become teachers or firemen. They work 9 to 5. Some fly to the office, but most take the subway.
Humans with enhanced abilities are called Chimerans. They are registered with the International Chimeran Administration (I.C.A.), a global organization dedicated to helping them integrate into society. They work to minimize harm caused by dangerous or destructive abilities and provide support and training to super-powered kids and their families.
Wurst & Mayhem #1 - A medieval caustic adventure
This one is by my friends Ryan Kroboth and John Edingfield II. They are just over their goal with still nearly 4 weeks to go! So it’s off to a great start.
Wurst & Mayhem is a medieval caustic adventure series for mature readers.
Written by John Edingfield II and Ryan Kroboth, with art by John Edingfield II, colors by Ryan Kroboth, letters by Dave Lentz and edited by James Powell, this overstuffed 58 Page first issue of Wurst & Mayhem follows two strangers who must work together to pay a debt after destroying a bar owner’s property.
This campaign is to raise funds to print and ship Wurst & Mayhem #1.
Wurst & Mayhem is an ALL-NEW series from the ceators of Sunmaker and Rancidville that is set in, and makes fun of, the middle ages. It is the first comic from our new imprint, Commonwealth Comix.
And finally, for the horror fans…
SINK #1-13: MONSTERS Deluxe Edition - Vampire Crime Horror
The latest from ComixTribe just in time for a bloody Valentine’s once more.
Get ready for a Sink double-feature, encompassing two eras of Sinkhill, Glasgow’s most notorious neighborhood!
First, in the present day, crime boss Si McKirdie must navigate an array of potentially explosive headaches and mishaps, all under the watchful eye of a ghoulish superior looking for an excuse to permanently retire him.
Then, 70 years in the past, young Chrissie Woods goes hunting for the Gorbals Vampire, and finds herself in a nightmare.
Two standalone tales with a surprising connection, and one clear message: Whatever the era, past or present, in Sinkhill… MONSTERS ARE REAL.
This special edition will also include TWO New Sink back-up tales, including Hairy Hauns, by Alan Gardner and Iain Laurie and Wah-Wah, by Tom Moore and Paul Tonner.
Just about done with this one, but I did want to mention a couple of other things.
Comic Book Weekly YouTube Memberships
We recently added YouTube Memberships to our channel. I created some custom badges for members and we’ll be releasing custom emojis at some point. If you’d like to support the channel you can do so and get some perks as well here:
Easter Tree… Yep!
We’re keeping the party going because why not?
My poor niece is waiting ever so IMpatiently to open her mystery egg from the tree. LOL
Just wait until you see what we have in store after this one…
That’ll do it for this time Around the Fire. Thanks for joining me for another chat.
Enjoy your weekend and stay toasty!
-Brant