FALLING IN LINE...
Travel, Trading Cards, Tomes of Terror, and a whole lot more!
August has faded into the distance, September passed in a blur, and here we are, embracing October with Halloween just around the corner and the holiday season peeking over the horizon. It might be a tad premature to say this, but what a remarkable year it has been!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who graced us with their presence at this year's Fan Expo Canada. Meeting new faces and reconnecting with familiar ones always brings us immense joy. The expo holds a special place in our hearts, and we make sure to go all out. We're delighted to share that our RAID: Creator Visions Trading Card series was a hit, and our eighth RAID Social was nothing short of amazing! We've included some snapshots below for you to enjoy.
Now, let's dive into some shenanigans...
September was rather silent on our newsletter front as a group of us flew over to Ireland to celebrate the wedding of friend and fellow RAIDer Andrew Dorland. The trip was a glorious one — full of laughter, joy, and heartfelt moments that made the trip unforgettable.
Below are some snaps from region, as the crew travelled from Dublin, to Cashel — where the wedding took place — and up through Connor’s Pass (where parts of the Green Knight were filmed), and finally the sea side town of Dingle.
Truly a wonderful experience that will go down in the forever books…
Our convention season may have come to a close, but that doesn't mean we're done with exciting events. We're thrilled to announce our participation in Wordfest, at Western University in London, Ontario. Join us as we gather with a distinguished panel featuring Ramón Pérez, Ho Che Anderson, Ivan Kocmarek, and Doug Rogers. Together, they will delve into the captivating world of the Golden Age of Canadian comics, shedding light on the iconic heroes of that era and the brilliant minds behind their creations. Make sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, November 4th at 2 pm, as we journey back in time to explore the origins of Canada's First Superheroes.
8 TINY REINDEER is an all-ages graphic novel inspired by the eponymous podcast, Santa's world has been completely automated. Machines manufacture toys, and drones deliver presents, replacing Santa's elves and reindeer. Only two resourceful elves, Elvis and Delfina, remain at Santa's side. But just days before Christmas, Santa discovers that the wealthy tech baron, Larchmont Quickbuck, plans to take over Christmas. To thwart Quickbuck's evil plot, Santa needs to bring back the true source of Christmas magic: his 8 tiny reindeer. The gripping adventure unfolds as Elvis and Delfina embark on a quest to find the reindeer in time, blending humour and heart in a fast-paced narrative.
This graphic novel, created by Robert Tinkler, a multifaceted storyteller and podcast producer, captures the essence of the podcast that has captivated audiences worldwide. Structured like an advent calendar, with a chapter for each day of December, the story is brought to life by fellow RAIDer Danesh Mohiuddin's lively illustrations. Packed with contemporary twists on beloved characters, including a technology-challenged Santa and a selfie-obsessed elf, this action-packed, humorous, and heartfelt book is bound to become a Christmas classic.
The book is currently available on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and Indigo.ca — however if you can order this through your local book or comic shop — please do!
We’ve been quiet on the Kickstarter front — as well, to be honest, the year got away from us with unexpected left turns, and monkey wrenches thrown our way.
That said, prepare to be captivated by Cauldron: Forbidden Appetites - our thrilling Horror Comics Anthology Book that we are preparing to launch on Kickstarter. This exceptional collection merges the best of CAULDRON MAGAZINE with fresh and new twisted supernatural tales, tailored for mature readers.
Your support is paramount to our campaign's success. By following our pre-launch Kickstarter page and selecting "Notify me on launch," you become a vital part of this creative venture. Early birds not only get exclusive access but also contribute significantly to the campaign's momentum.
Spread the word to fellow horror aficionados, inviting them to join us in this dark, imaginative journey. With your help, we'll bring Cauldron: Forbidden Appetites to life, creating a masterpiece that lingers in your thoughts long after you turn the final page!
And now a quick word about Kukuburi: A Cotton Candy World...
Ramón, having completed his full run on Skybound’s STILLWATER monthly series, and his 48-page contribution to Image Comic’s DEEP CUTS mini-series, is now dedicating his time fully to completing the tome that is volume one of this series. Already 100+ pages in, he is on schedule to complete the book interiors by year’s end.
We truly appreciate the patience of all the backers — but we are confident, this being Ramón’s creative child, that he is giving it his best efforts and the book will be beautiful once complete.
For more up-to-date insights on Ramón’s progress, please follow his personal substack linked below…
They’re here!
Get ready to embark on a thrilling nostalgia trip with RAID: CREATOR VISIONS Series 1 Trading Card Set, inspired by the iconic Marvel Comics Impel series from 1991. Dive into the world of independent creators and their extraordinary characters by collecting them all. Discover the talent behind RAID Press, the imagination of Lethal Comics, the beauty of Abominable Books, the creativity of Pegamoose Press, the artistry of Derek Laufman, the vision of Cary Nord Comics, and the brilliance of Group Of 7 Comics.
Embrace the vibrant world of indie creators and dive headfirst into the irresistible retro charm of our trading card collection. Each pack promises 10 captivating cards, with a guaranteed Foil Parallel that adds a touch of shimmering brilliance to your collection. But that's not all – keep your eyes peeled for randomly inserted Foil Chase cards and DIY Sketch Cards, enhancing the thrill of every unwrapping. And here's the ultimate jackpot: discover the rare Golden Ticket, your ticket to owning an original piece of comic art that's truly one-of-a-kind
Hurry, and start your collection today – because every card tells a unique story, and together, they form a saga of creativity and passion. Snag yours today at RAID PRESS and become a part of the indie comic revolution!
As mentioned in our August newsletter we were thrown a bit of a curveball (one of those left turns we alluded to above) when El Almacen had to prematurely end its tenure at our public-facing gallery located at 1720 Queen St. West. While we hugged goodbye and wished them the very best at their new location in North York — we quickly pivoted and took over the cafe ourselves and re-opened a quick 14 days later!
This quick pivot wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of our team. Special thanks to Rob Coughler, our Director of Operations, whose experience managing Starbucks proved invaluable, and our talented barista Melanie Burgos who made sure everything was up to snuff — and continues to be our public-facing hero interacting with the awesome Parkdale community on a daily basis!
We're thrilled to announce that we continue to offer the beloved empanadas made from scratch by El Almacen. Additionally, we've introduced delectable pastries from Duflets, enhancing our menu while maintaining a high standard of quality. And of course, our coffee remains as delicious as ever!
With our official takeover of the café, transforming it into the RAID Gallery & Cafe we are thrilled to announce a new exhibit in the Gallery featuring artwork created for publisher Eye Of Newt Books. Featuring a captivating blend of horror, fantasy, and the delightfully peculiar the exhibit showcases the remarkable talents of Kamila Mlynarcyk, Kyle Beaudette, and Larry MacDougall.
Mark your calendars, as the exhibition launched on October 13th and will enchant visitors until December 31st, 2023. All displayed artworks are available for purchase, providing art enthusiasts with the opportunity to own these unique pieces.
Our gallery doors are open on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm and on weekends from 10 am to 5 pm. We invite you to step into our space, indulge in a delicious cup of coffee, and immerse yourself in the world of exquisite art. Join us in celebrating creativity and talent at the RAID Gallery & Cafe.
The 2023 RAID Social: A Remarkable Return
In the shimmering ambiance of the 2023 RAID Social, our creative community celebrated a triumphant return after a prolonged hush during the pandemic. Although it was meant to be our 11th gathering, the 8th official RAID Social became a vibrant testament to our resilience.
The event buzzed with the energy of both old friends reuniting and new connections blossoming. Artists, writers, and enthusiasts converged, painting the night with shared passions and creative fervor. This social wasn't just a gathering; it was a spirited leap forward, showcasing the indomitable spirit of our community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who graced the event, infusing it with life and creativity. Your presence reaffirmed the belief that art knows no boundaries. A cheers to the memories made, the friendships kindled, and the artistic horizons we'll explore!
You can peruse more photos at theRAIDsocial.com
And that wraps up this month’s updates.
We genuinely appreciate all the love and support you've shown us. Your encouragement means the world, and it keeps us motivated to bring you more exciting content.
Looking ahead to the new year (it’s mere months away!), we're keen on making our content more tailored to your preferences. We'd love to hear from you about what you enjoy most – whether it's videos, tutorials, interviews, or peeks behind the scenes.
Your input is incredibly valuable to us as we plan our future content. Thank you for being a part of our community. We'll be back next month with more, and until then, take care!
All the best,
The RAID Team.
Thanks for the love team!
Love seeing RAID news in my inbox, thanks y'all!!!