... and we're off to the races!
Getting ready to kick off 2024 in high gear!
Happy New Year, everyone!
We hope you had a wonderful holiday surrounded by loved ones.
We've been a bit quiet here on Substack as we've been focusing on some essential behind-the-scenes groundwork. But now, we're back—and we're brimming with excitement and enthusiasm as we gaze into the year ahead, which promises plenty of thrilling developments. From the expansion and evolution of our studio space, to the ambitious publishing projects under our RAID Press banner, there's so much to look forward to.
At RAID, we continue to thrive, fuelled by the passion and creativity of our talented family. Our growth and evolution are happening faster than expected, and we're eagerly embracing the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Following our takeover of the Gallery & Cafe space at our physical HQ on 1720 Queen St. West in late 2023, we're gearing up for a host of exciting events. Expect regular exhibits featuring local and international talent, pop-up shops, markets, and engaging speaker and life-drawing sessions.
We’ll keep you posted as things take shape!
Meanwhile here's a peek at what's on the immediate horizon:
We have a lineup of incredible publishing projects scheduled for 2024 under the RAID Press label. These projects embody our dedication to storytelling, design, and individual expression.
To give you a visual taste of what's to come in 2024, here are some sneak peeks:
Our approach to launching these projects involves crowdfunding campaigns, allowing us to bring creators' visions directly to you, with extended print runs available later through events, tradeshows, and our online store — and coming in 2024 to a retailer near you! We're constantly refining this process to ensure the best possible experience for you, our fans and patrons.
Sinking our teeth into Cauldron: Forbidden Appetites!
We're kicking off the year with "Cauldron: Forbidden Appetites," a grind-house horror anthology featuring the twisted work of some brilliant minds! This project is a labour of diabolical love, and we can't wait to share it with you. Visit our Kickstarter pre-launch page here to show your support.
A quick update on Kukuburi: A Cotton Candy World by Ramón Pérez.
Initially planned as a 160-page volume, featuring around 80 pages from the original webcomic of the same name, Ramón has decided to take extra time to re-adjust, refine, and add new pages expanding the scope and story of Nadia's adventure. The new version will now include an additional 80+ pages, including a 24-page story sequence that delves deeper into Nadia's persona, taking the book from 160 to 192 pages!
We're thrilled with the progress and wanted to share some of Ramón's process pages with you:
We'll keep you updated on the publishing schedule as we move forward. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!
We're always thrilled to see our RAIDers getting recognition in the media. Recently, North Country Comics had the pleasure of sitting down with Paris Alleyne, and Sam Noir for some insightful conversations.
Paris shared his thoughts on Static Shock, offering a unique perspective on the character, while Sam Noir took a reflective look back at 2023 providing valuable insights into the year's achievements and challenges.
In addition to these exciting interviews, we're ecstatic to announce that Dax Gordine and his Forest Folk book series made the Top 10 Graphic Novels Reads of 2023, according to Near Mint Condition!
We're also grateful to Omar for featuring our RAIDbot Directive Box set, which showcases volumes 1-3 of the RAID anthology series, in his Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2023. We're truly honoured to receive this recognition and appreciate the support.
We're relishing the love and look forward to continuing to share our passion for storytelling and creativity with all of you. You can enjoy more of Omar on his Youtube channel Near Mint Condition!
Traveling around the world and meeting fans is one of the wonderful perks of working in comics! We'll be sharing any upcoming convention and expo travel plans here, so stay tuned for updates!
In turn, we are excited to announce that Danesh Mohiuddin will be a guest at Comicon India from January 27-28, with copies of R4ID: KLAATU in hand, as well as some of his own independent books and prints!
Visit www.daneshm.com to explore more of his work.
On a more local note…
We're excited to announce that RAIDers Kalman Andrasofszky, Ramón Pérez, and Damian Canta will be special guests at Wayside Comics & Cocktails in Newmarket, Ontario, on February 3rd. This event celebrates the comic shop and bar's move to a larger space with a mini-con style gathering!
For more details about this exciting event, be sure to follow Wayside Comics & Cocktails on their Instagram. Stay tuned for updates and join us as we commemorate this milestone in style!
As we embark on this new year, we are grateful for your continued support and dedication. Together, we will make 2024 a year to remember - thank you for reading!