Fan Expo, Fall Crowdfunding season and everything in between!
"August brings into sharp focus and a furious boil everything I've been listening to in the late spring and summer." — Henry Rollins
WHAT A MONTH!
We owe a hearty THANK YOU to our incredible backers for making our BLITZ campaign an unbridled success! Thanks to your mighty support, we’re bringing this sensational project to life! Though the campaign has concluded, the excitement is far from over as we dive into crafting the first six issues of our magazine, aimed at promoting and elevating independent comic creators and entrepreneurs doing things their own way. We’re working towards having BLITZ available to the public through comic shops starting in 2025, with new issues coming out quarterly — stay tuned for updates here first!
Now, let’s dive into the busy weeks ahead, starting with our RAID Creator Spotlight! This month, we feature our longtime friend and game developer extraordinaire, Sheldon Carter.
RAID Creator Spotlight: Sheldon Carter
Sheldon Carter has been a prolific contributor to multiple RAID comic anthologies alongside his partner-in-crime, Eric Vedder, where they developed the awe-inspiring AARDEHN series. In the fall of 2021, RAID Press proudly published his debut fantasy-heist novel, To Steal the Sun, which enchanted readers far and wide.
In the realm of game development, Sheldon stands tall as one of the creative masterminds behind the smash-hit game Warframe. Sheldon London, Ontario, Canada, with his wife, two children, and their dog.
What is your favourite word, and why?
Sphere. I love the sound of it, and the expansiveness of its meaning. I don’t know any other commonly used words that start with ‘sph’ either, so I think of it as unique as well.
What is your least favourite word, and why?
Shunt. Ouch—just saying that hurts. I’ll use it in the right situation, but it always makes me cringe.
What turns you on creatively?
I love twists, surprises, and serendipity. I like working on an idea by asking “What if instead…” or “How about the opposite…” and seeing where that leads. The journey and what you discover doing that lights me up.
What turns you off creatively?
Red lights. Too much logic. Laziness.
What is your creative routine?
I don’t think I have any set routine and maybe that’s a problem. I try to listen to myself— do I want to the thing? Do I have to do the thing for a deadline?
Most days the answer to one or both is yes. So then, I just add coffee.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Sports management: let me take over running the Leafs, please!
What is your favourite creator (Author, illustrator, designer)?
The most difficult question. I prefer to label favourite works rather than creators only because everyone is uneven at some point (and that’s ok!). If I had to pick, I’d probably go with director Ridley Scott. Blade Runner, Legend, Alien, Kingdom of Heaven, and Gladiator have all had turns as my favourite movies at some point during my life.
How would you describe your upcoming book, the first volume of Aardehn?
It’s a mystery at its core. Something to sink your teeth into. A kidnapping, suspicious villains, clues. It’s basically an Agatha Christie —except set in a cyberpunk city that’s loaded with synthetically upgraded maniacs who run on blood. Oh, and you know, equal doses of sword violence, motorcycles, and Eldritch Horror. Yeah, come to think of it, it’s nothing like Agatha Christie. Well, except for the mystery… and the twist!
Be sure to check out AARDEHN: AWAKENING by SHELDON & ERIC launching this Tuesday, AUGUST 20TH on KICKSTARTER! More information below…
Follow Sheldon on Instagram [@sheldoncarter] and X [@sheldoncarter].
Uniting Two Legendary Eras: Marvel and Hip Hop
Get ready to experience a thrilling fusion of two iconic worlds at our upcoming exhibit REMIX launching August 19 - October 21 featuring the groundbreaking works of Beddo. This showcase celebrates his ongoing series that brilliantly mashes up classic Marvel comic book covers from the '70s, '80s, and '90s with legendary Golden Era Hip Hop artists. From posters and prints to never-before-seen original pieces, Beddo’s art transforms the heroes of Marvel into a visual tribute to the music icons who defined an era.
To kick off this fantastic exhibit, join us for our official launch party on September 14th beginning at 8 pm. If you’re in the area and craving some incredible art and vibes, this is the place to be. Don’t miss out on a night of outstanding art and the coolest tunes around—see you there!
Based in Toronto, Beddo is a versatile comic artist, illustrator, and graphic designer with a strong Old School vibe. Inspired by '90s Hip Hop, movies, and sports, his artwork is featured in print, on screen, and across social media, attracting clients like CBC Toronto, Footlocker Canada, HULU, Netflix, and TSN.
Currently, Beddo is immersed in various projects, including his self-published comic "UDEJA," set in post-apocalyptic Toronto, the second edition of his popular all-ages "The Golden Age" Coloring/Art Book, and the soon-to-be-released "Hip Hop History - the Comic Book," a unique take on the culture’s legendary origins.
Our Crowdfunding Season Begins August 20th!
Hold onto your hats — we have a spectacular crowdfunding season kicking off on August 20th, and it's going to be a whirlwind of excitement! We’re beyond thrilled to unveil an incredible lineup of independent creators whose innovative projects we’re proud to publish and introduce to a new audience.
Stay tuned for a season filled with fresh, creative talent and groundbreaking ideas, all beginning with…
AARDEHN: AWAKENING by ERIC VEDDER & SM CARTER • AUG 20 - SEP 10
Blade Runner meets Kill Bill in AARDEHN: AWAKENING, a cyberpunk thriller, set in a megacity that runs on blood.
Celeste is a THP agent hunting down The Teardrinker — an infamous killer threatening the Megacity's vital blood trade. The complexity of the case is compounded by the mysterious incident that has rendered Celeste’s memory unreliable. When Celeste uncovers a link between the Teardrinker and her missing past, the investigation takes a dark turn.
BARADA & NIKTO: The RAID Anthology Volumes 5 & 6 • SEP 24 - OCT 15
The RAID anthology series is expanding with the simultaneous release of two new volumes, RAID 5: BARADA and RAID 6: NIKTO, featuring a plethora of international creators over a variety of genres!
Borne of creative energies too big to be contained by a single spine, BARADA and NIKTO showcase the monstrous talents of Alisa Chung, Arianna Irwin, Ariel Colon, Bart Sears, Calum Gillespie, Chris Anderson, Chris Matthews, Claudia Grande, Damon Gentry, Danesh Mohiuddin, Dax Gordine, David Accampo, Derek Laufman, Dora Grents, Francine Delgado, François Vigneault, Fred Kennedy, Gabe Sapienza, Gustavo Duarte, Jay Fosgitt, Jon Berg, Jordan Thomas, Kalman Andrasofszky, Kyle J Smith, Magnus Merklin, Mahour Pourghadim, Michael Dubo, Omar Al-Hafidh, Ramón Pérez, Sadaf Faghihi, Sara Corsi, Sara Sarhangpour, Scott Chantler, Shane Heron, Shane White, Tadd Galusha, and many many more, over two volumes!
BLACKMOUTH by KYLE J SMITH & KATIE SAWATSKY • OCT 22 - NOV 12
Hopeful souls travel to the prospering mining town of Blackmouth in search of a better life, but the town holds a dark secret. In the woods on the outskirts of town, lurks a murderous Witch who haunts its residents and curses them with a mysterious mark. No one has seen the Witch and lived to tell the tale; however, a skeptical few believe there’s something far more sinister at play.
OMEGA REIGN by BILL COFFIN | TBA:
Hudson City: a bustling metropolis where the rich and famous flaunt their latest high-tech gadgets, while the city's powered protectors, the Capes, keep a vigilant eye out for any threats posed by the villainous Masks. In the midst of it all, stands Simon Rand, the city's mightiest hero, better known as Praetorian.
After 75 years of saving the world, Praetorian is haunted, angry, and bitter— especially towards the very people he protects. This growing resentment comes to a head when he faces o against a mad scientist wielding a quantum doomsday device. On this day like any other, Praetorian does the unthinkable: he dares the scientist to pull the trigger.
Brace yourselves for an electrifying new chapter as we celebrate the one and only Marcus To launching a brand new X-Force series! That’s right—our favourite artist extraordinaire is diving into the heart of the Marvel Universe with his unparalleled flair and creativity. Prepare for a rollercoaster of action, intrigue, and jaw-dropping visuals as Marcus brings his artistic magic to the X-Force team. Snag your copy today at your local comic shop!
Follow Marcus on X [@marcusto], Instagram [@marcusanthonyto], and Bluesky [@marcusto].
The moment we’ve been waiting for is almost here — Fan Expo Canada is just around the corner, and RAID is ready to bring you four action-packed days of comic book brilliance and artistic wonder!
From Thursday, August 22 to Sunday, August 25, make your way to Artist Alley (AP26, and A542-A54) where we’ll be showcasing our incredible 2024 Fall lineup. Be among the first to get sneak peeks of our upcoming projects and new books that’ll make your imagination soar! 🚀 Our talented creators will be there to meet, greet, and share more about the thrilling adventures we have in store for the future.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the world of RAID, don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in the magic of comics and creativity. We can’t wait to see you at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre — where the excitement of Fan Expo comes to life!📍
