One could say, things are SPOOKTACULAR!
We've got stories of all genres coming your way as one Kickstarter ends, and another begins!
We’re in the final days of BARADA and NIKTO, the two newest volumes in our RAID Anthology series! These two 160+ page tomes are full of amazing stories, by 50 international creators — from legends like Bart Sears (Justice League Europe) and Scott Chantler (Two Generals), to rising starts Chris Matthews (Mugshots) and Fred Kennedy (Dead Romans) and they are available on NOW (with a handful of days left) on KICKSTARTER!
Aside from the books, we have some wonderful tiers showcasing Limited Edition items like the Channel 37 Silkscreen Print below (sans type of course)!
And now, let’s chat with one of our creators, writer and artist Kyle J Smith, who has a story in the aforementioned anthologies with collaborator Gabe Sapienza, and upcoming original graphic novel with co-creator Katie Sawatsky!
What is your favourite word, and why?
I’ve never thought about what my favourite word is. Maybe ‘versatility’, because I appreciate people, tools, and methods that can be effective in more ways than one. Also the word ‘fuck’, because it’s one of the most versatile words.
What is your least favourite word, and why?
Hmm. Maybe ‘corporate’, because everything I associate with that word makes me want to shout “Blow Me To Bermuda”, and then my feet turn into rockets and I blast off through the roof just like Merlin from Disney’s ‘The Sword In The Stone’.
What turns you on creatively?
Whether it’s a film, comic, video game, illustration, or whatever, I always get very inspired and excited to create when I experience a piece of art that feels uncompromising and true to the artist’s vision. There’re far too many creative projects that are watered down by committees to feel more “safe” and “accessible”, especially in our current culture, and that bores the hell out of me. It’s always exciting to see or experience something that feels truly bold and maybe even controversial; something that sparks thoughtful conversation. Give me that stuff all day.
What turns you off creatively?
I think I answered this with the last question, but I will reiterate. Whenever a creative project starts to feel artistically compromised in an attempt to ‘play it safe’ or to turn it into something that appeals to the widest possible audience, I get a really sad, sinking feeling in my chest. I don’t believe the goal of any work of art should be to appeal to as many people as possible. The goal should be to utilize a creative medium to execute a creative idea or story in the most effective, honest, and emotionally resonating way possible.
What is your creative routine?
I don’t think I have a creative routine. I tend to create whenever I feel excited about an idea. That can happen at any time of day, and I can be in any mood. I feel that some of my best creative work happens when I’m feeling sad, frustrated, or angry. One thing I tend to do consistently when I’m creating is listen to music. Music helps me focus and channel my emotions.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I really don’t think there’s much else I’d like to do that I’m not already doing; I do too many things in my professional life for my own good. If anything, I think I’d like to narrow down the kinds of creative work I do. But if I’m not doing something creative, I tend to feel unfulfilled, or like I’m wasting my own time. All that being said, I always thought it would be exciting to run a really cool music venue/bar.
What is your favourite creator (Author, illustrator, designer)?
This is a really difficult question to answer. Off the top of my head, I love the film work of Alex Garland. I think he’s one of my biggest creative influences with regard to his approach to telling deep, meaningful stories in the most exciting and uncompromising ways I’ve personally ever experienced.
How would you describe your upcoming book, Blackmouth?
Blackmouth is a horror-drenched gothic mystery set in a world of dark fantasy and witchcraft. It’s a 3-part graphic novel that explores themes of occultism, the inner fears that keep us rooted in places we want to escape, and how ideology is unconsciously formed through lineage. It’s a story that will appeal to fans of gothic horror and dark, mature fantasy; for fans of video games like ‘The Witcher’ and ‘Bloodborne’, and films like ‘Crimson Peak’ and ‘The VVitch’.
SPEAKING OF BLACKMOUTH…
Sign up to our KICKSTARTER campaign landing page to get notified when we go live with the campaign on OCTOBER 31st, and to help us have a strong launch day!
Some things we like that are happening this month…
RAID PRESS is on AMAZON.CA!
RAID is on the rise! Since launching our publishing efforts, we’ve been blown away by the overwhelming support from our fans — whether through crowdfunding campaigns, at conventions, or via our online store. Now, we’re expanding our reach to make sure our books get into the hands of even more readers!
While we're in the process of developing a solid distribution strategy to get our titles into your local comic shops and bookstores, we’re also working with the devil we know — Amazon — since it's a key player in the marketplace. We’ve just launched on Amazon.ca, but this is only the beginning.
It took a hot minute, but after dodging a few digital curveballs and wrestling with some tech gremlins, we’re thrilled to announce that our Amazon store is now LIVE! 🚀
We’ve dropped a selection of our initial titles for all to snag: Forest Folk vol 1-3 (click on Dax Gordine to find them all!), To Steal The Sun, Mr. Monster: The Original Adventures Of Doc. Stearne, and our RAID Anthologies to start. Get ready to dive into epic adventures, heroics, and intergalactic escapades from the comfort of your home!
RAID LIFE DRAWING!
Our LIFE DRAWING SESSIONS are in full swing! Join us, and our featured model MISS IVIE this Halloween Eve for some tricks (costumed poses) and treats (chocolate)! Session starts at 7pm this Thursday and runs till 10pm — with breaks on the hour. $30 at the door, $25 if you sign up on Meetup.com!
RAMÓN PÉREZ visits the QUESTionnaire PODCAST!
Ramón sits down and chats with the good folks over at QUESTionnaire about the divisive Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the multiculturalism of the X MEN, and RAID!
Enjoy the episode on either YouTube or Spotify!
RAID at LIGHTBOX!
If you’re in the Los Angeles / Pasadena area of sunny California during OCTOBER 25-27 please swing by and say hello! You can find us at Booth Number 1102 at the Lightbox Expo being held at the PASADENA CONVENTION CENTER! We’ll have books, prints, and original art.
Last but not least…
SAVAGE STREET VIGILANTE!
We wanted to give a shout-out to our good friend JIM MAHFOOD (Into The Spider-Verse, Grrl Scouts, Tank Girl) who has been running an amazing Kickstarter Campaign for his DEFECTIVE COMICS PRESENTS SAVAGE STREET VIGILANTE, an over-the-top, creator-owned, superhero parody comic book unlike any other! It’s an incredible fusion of superheroics, indy comics, horror, comedy, and psycho-sexual mayhem over 48 pages of pure R-rated, glorious destruction!
If you haven’t checked out his wonderful campaign do yourself a favour and shimmy on over…
That’s it, that’s all — thank you for joining us on our amazing journey within the creator-driven ecosystem we call RAID. We’ll chat soon 😌