THE RAID ANTHOLOGIES RETURN!
We blinked, and the massive event that is FXC came and went, we've wrapped a successful Kickstarter, and are diving into the next... plus so much more!
It's hard to believe summer is ending, with fall around the corner and Fan Expo Canada marking the transition. It was an absolute pleasure seeing everyone at the show, from familiar faces to new friends! Our social media team captured all the work, fun, and excitement— check our Instagram and TikTok for some great moments and laughs…
As if August wasn’t busy enough with Fan Expo, we also launched a crowdfunding campaign that reached full funding within just 6 hours, thanks to our amazing backers! More details on that below, along with exciting news about the upcoming return of the RAID Anthologies, set to launch soon on Kickstarter…
427 backers came out in support of Aardehn: Awakening and helped us raise CA$ 38,870 to bring this unique book to life! From collaborators S.M. Carter (To Steal the Sun) and Eric Vedder (Warframe) this cyberpunk thriller is set to astonish! If you missed the Kickstarter, you can still head over the campaign page and snag yourself a book!
But wait, there’s more…
We’re fresh out of one campaign and diving into our next one!
BARADA & NIKTO, the 5th and 6th books in our RAID Anthology series, are arriving in one massive campaign! With cover art by Shawn Crystal (Marvel SNAP!, Deadpool, Mother Panic) and Mike Del Mundo (Spawn: Unwanted Violence, 3W3M, Transformers) and a connected mega back-cover triptych by Ramón Pérez (Tale Of Sand, Stillwater, The Flash) these books are looking fire from the get-go!
These books contain over 30 original stories, with amazing creators like Fred Kennedy (Dead Romans), Bart Sears (Justice League Europe), Aaron Conley (Rocket Raccoon & Groot), Gustavo Duarte (Bizarro, Monsters!), Derek Laufman (RuinWorld), Ariel Colon (Marvel Masterpieces), Francine Delgado (Gatchaman covers), Jordan Thomas (Weird Work), Jon Berg (SKAB), Chris Matthews (Mugshots), Damon Gentry (Sabretooth Swordsman), Jay Fosgitt (Bodie Troll), Rhys Yorke (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), David Accampo (Spectral: A Showcase of Fear), Chris Anderson (Heavy Metal), Danesh Mohiuddin (Mummy and Me: A Monster’s Tale), Tadd Galusha (Godzilla: Monsters and Protectors), Dax Gordine(Giant-Size Little Marvels), Ramón Pérez (The Flash), Scott Chantler (Bix), Sara Sarhangpour (Wade & Willa), François Vigneault (Orcs in Space), and many, MANY, more!
SIGN UP TO THE BACKERKIT TEASER PAGE to also snag yourself an extra special gift should you become a backer — BARADA & NIKTO launch on OCTOBER 8th!
This year has been transformative for RAID, evolving from four friends sharing a space into something truly extraordinary. A key part of this growth has been the formalization of RAID Studio, our creative agency, led by Stephen Burling, Director of Partnerships and Development.
Stephen connects RAID’s creative network with businesses, building custom teams to turn visions into reality. With his extensive experience in global product launches across the collectibles and creative industries, he pushes creative boundaries, delivering unforgettable experiences in everything from toys to home décor.
What’s your goal for the studio?
My goal for the studio is all about connecting our large network of creatives to projects they are truly excited about which in turn helps our studio partners get the best teams built to help with their goals.
What should companies know about RAID?
RAID is first and foremost a family of freelance creatives. Because they all have ownership and focus on their core talents and capabilities, they are all masters of their craft and able to pursue their own passion projects.
In this sense, every team is uniquely tailored to meet your project’s needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Not only can we build a team that perfectly aligns with your creative brief, but we also bring on people who are genuinely interested in and excited by your project. We believe it works both ways – when everyone involved is passionate about what we’re creating together, it benefits the fans or customers, and that excitement truly shows."
What should a company choose to work with RAID?
Because with RAID’s extremely vast network of creatives that have decades of overall and individual creator experience, you can’t get a more tailored experience for your creative projects elsewhere.
What do you like the most about our creators?
I love that our creators are able to do what they love and what they do best – CREATE! I love that they don’t have to invest their time into projects that do not interest them. I love that they have the freedom to follow their own pursuits. When people are truly happy – magic happens and it can be seen with the projects we have worked on thus far.
Can you explain your role for our audience?
Connections! I am here to help people looking for a service in the creative space connect with the right person for the job. I will facilitate all conversations between our studio partners and creatives and lead us through the projects from start to finish. Also here to explore new opportunities for RAID through physical products like collectible toys, apparel and accessories.
Why do you think you are the right person for the job?
Because I’m a people person at heart! And as someone who was recently diagnosed with ADHD – it makes my whole career make more sense in what I excelled in and what I didn’t. Every single project that comes through is completely different from the next and keeps me constantly excited to explore and understand how we can deliver the best service possible for your brand. The dopamine never lets up with creative projects as there will always be new challenges to overcome through its life cycle from the early creative stages to implementation and delivery.
How would you describe your role at RAID?
Ever changing. Each project is so different from the next. There is constant learning as each new challenge arises. On top of that, communication needs to resonate with the client. If there is no connection, then the opportunities rarely move forward. You need to not just be flexible with what you can offer, but also how you communicate.
What is your favourite word, and why?
My favourite word(s) are Winner/Gagnon!
What is your least favourite word, and why?
My least favourite word(s) are Please Play Again.
What turns you on creatively?
Fully customizable fan experiences. While it can lead to longer timelines and higher investment, I’ve never worked on something truly unique and custom that fans were not excited about. Your fans deserve more than just cookie-cutter merch and experiences and they will be appreciative and pay you back tenfold with their loyalty, dollars and praise.
What turns you off creatively?
Strict brand guides. Understand why they are there, and happy and experienced in working within these guidelines, but it does limit creativity and fully customized ideas/solutions.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Storytelling. Books were such a fun and safe space for me as I was growing up. I loved the different worlds that would form in my mind while reading different stories. They brought laughter, tears, comfort. I’d love to explore books that left some details up in the air. One that made it’s reader come up with different perceptions and judgements of the characters and their situations. It would create an opportunity for people to discuss their different thoughts and why they came to those conclusions and feelings.
What is your favourite creator (Author, illustrator, designer)?
One of my fav comic artists is Simone Bianchi. After taking a break from comics I came across his art for Astonishing X-Men, Ghost Box in particular. I was blown away by the style, level of detail and costume design. That book pulled me right back into the X-Men universe and is a prime example of how creative can make a huge impact on a project.
Get ready to dive into a thrilling sci-fi adventure that defies time and expectations with the digital preview of TIME WAITS by Chip Zdarsky, David Brothers, and RAID’s very own Marcus To.
Meet Blue, a former soldier trapped in the past—our present. Sent back in time for a mission he couldn’t bring himself to complete, Blue builds a new life with Grace, the Sheriff of a small rural town. Together, they create a foundation of happiness built on a history of violence, far from the clutches of the trigger-happy corporate overlords who once used Blue as their human weapon.
After ten peaceful years, Blue and Grace are on the verge of adopting a child, but just as Grace begins to convince Blue to take the next step in their relationship, the future comes knocking. The overlords want their deserter back—and they're determined to finish the mission Blue abandoned, with one rule: eliminate anyone who stands in their way.
This is just the beginning of four explosive miniseries by Chip Zdarsky from DSTLRY!
REMIX: THE ART OF BEDDO
The launch event for REMIX, our newest gallery show that brings together the best of classic comic book art and Golden Era Hip-Hop in an exciting, creative fusion — was a wonderful night of music, art, and a helluva lotta fun — check our highlights from the event on our Instagram!
This unique collection reimagines iconic Marvel comic covers from the 70s and 80s, blending them with legendary musical artists of the same era. Explore posters, prints, and original artwork from the creative mind of BEDDO, all available for purchase. Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of two cultural powerhouses — the exhibit runs till November 17, 2024 at the RAID Gallery located at 1720 Queen Street West, in Toronto, Ontario.
BEDDO is a Toronto-based artist, illustrator, and graphic designer with a passion for all things Old School — spanning music, comics, movies, sports, and beyond. His work has graced print, screens, and social media for high-profile clients such as CBC, Footlocker, HULU, Netflix, and TSN. Beddo’s current projects include his self-published comic book UDEJA — a gripping tale of survival in post-apocalyptic Toronto — and the second edition of his all-ages Colouring Book The Golden Age available at our gallery cafe and shop.
LIFE DRAWING RETURNS!
We're excited to announce the return of our LIFE DRAWING SESSIONS on October 3rd, 2024, featuring live nude and costumed models in a relaxed, creative setting—no formal instruction, just pure artistic exploration. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, all are welcome! Sessions start with quick 10-30 second poses and work up to longer 15-minute poses.
Held in our Gallery & Cafe, the session runs from 7 pm to 10 pm, with two 15-minute breaks for socializing and refreshments. Stay for the entire session or dip out as you like. Limited supplies of sketchpads and charcoal are available for all to freely use, along with snacks and drinks which are available for purchase. So bring yourself and join us for an evening of art and community!
AWARD NOMINATION
We’re thrilled to share that our very own Ramón Pérez, our beloved herder of cats, has been nominated for the prestigious Premier’s Awards! These annual awards honour outstanding graduates from Ontario’s 24 public colleges, recognizing their remarkable career achievements.
Sheridan College is proud to nominate alumni like Ramón, whose exceptional success is a testament to the skills and experiences gained during their time at college. The Premier’s Awards offer a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of graduates, and we couldn’t be more excited for Ramón to be recognized!
That's a wrap for this week! Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter—we hope you have an amazing day!
Best,
The RAID Team
Here at RAID, we bootstrap everything we do, and in the vast, cluttered world of the internet, your support means the world to us. If you feel inclined, please share our Substack with friends or anyone who might enjoy discovering more about who we are and what we do.
And if you're looking to support independent creators, don’t forget to...
Snag something from our RAID shop—help support incredible indie talent!
Grab some swag—we're always rolling out fresh tees, hats, and other merch!