Writing these newsletters can make me a little nervous. Then I remember: you’re here, reading this, hanging out with me in this weird comic corner of the universe… which means you must actually dig what I do. And that rules. You like my work, you like me, and the feeling is mutual.

One big goal I’ve set for myself this year is to send 12 fun, positive monthly newsletters packed with art I’ve created, cool things I’ve found, and anything that genuinely gets me excited to share.

Back in September, I cooked up the idea for a sitcom webcomic called Coffiends — set in the coffee shop, Perkatory. Located between here and there. a place where humans and monsters grab coffee, hang out, chill and brew up the occasional disaster.

So far, I’ve released 8 episodes, and the plan is to make 52 total to see where it goes. I’ve finally started diving into running storylines and character arcs, so now the real fun begins. I’m having great fun and hope you read it! And did I mention? It’s 100% FREE to read 👇
(links below to multiple platforms)

WEBTOON

GLOBALCOMIX

The COFFIENDS website

(The Coffiend’s site is currently under construction. Not all episodes are available yet.)

Right now I’m working on rebuilding structure in my workflow. Animation trained me well — weekly deadlines made me more productive, and I thrived on them. Since each Coffiends episode takes 1–2 days to create, it’s become my way of recreating that deadline energy to keep me sharp and consistent. The rest of my time will go toward my bigger projects:
• Black Phantom: Holy Terror
• Biodegradable Jiu-Jitsu Jackalopes

And speaking of the Phantom…
Here’s sneak peek art from a short 8-page comic I wrote and illustrated:
Black Phantom — “The Demon Child of Dunwich”
It’ll be appearing in an upcoming anthology (more details soon, I promise!)

I also really love writing goals and gaming them. So here’s my 2026 checklist:
• Create & crowdfund 2 comic books
• Produce 36 Coffiends episodes
• Get my website & shops organized
• Write 12 fun monthly newsletters
• Make 1–3 drawing videos a week
• Pitch an animated series 👈 (Big one!) I might be able to to achieve this one.

To help keep myself accountable, I’m trying a mental reframe this year:
I’m treating Squidco as my boss. I’m the employee, I answer to it — not to myself. I’m hoping it flips the productivity switch in my brain.

Thanks for reading all the way through. You’re the best.
I hope 2026 is the year you surprise yourselves, crush your goals, and make stuff you’re proud of.

Now I want to hear from YOU:
What’s one big goal you hope to achieve this year? I genuinely want to read your comments.

Happy New Year!
Your pal,
Chad Townsend

Buy My Comics & Art.

I have those days.

Some days, I don’t feel like I’m good enough.

Right now, I’m finding my sea legs with comics. I’m learning how to write and how to tell stories visually. Some days, the art flows through me like a gift from God—like it traveled straight from the divine to my fingertips. And other days… I struggle just to get the ideas out of my head and onto the page.

I know where I want to go. I just don’t know exactly where I’ll end up. Sharing my work with the world often feels like shouting into the void.

Today, I watched the Mike Mignola documentary Drawing Monsters. I really enjoyed it. Watching it reminded me how incredible it is that someone can find their voice so clearly. Mignola’s style is so distinct and uniquely his. It made me wonder if it’s even possible to develop something that singular anymore.

But I’m pushing forward—making work that interests me, peeling back layers, experimenting, trying to discover what’s underneath.

One of those experiments is my next book: Biodegradable Jiu-Jitsu Jackalopes.
Yes, it’s in the spirit of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I’ve always cherished those early Mirage issues. That gritty, weird, black-and-white energy? That’s the vibe I’m chasing. Not the cartoon—the comics.

And here’s something I’m excited about:
For the first time ever, I’ll be tabling at Heroes Con! I’ve wanted to attend ever since I first saw an ad in the Overstreet Price Guide as a kid. It’s happening June 20–22, and I’ll be at Artist Alley table AA-2281. I’m hoping to have 50 ashcan copies of Jackalopes available at the show. If you’re there, I’d love for you to stop by and say hi.

Thanks for sticking with me through the journey.

Your pal,
Chad T.

Buy My Art

You’ve GOT to see this—
The printer just sent me a video test of the GLOW IN THE DARK ink for the Black Phantom: Holy Terror #1 variant cover… and it’s absolutely AWESOME. This thing lights up like cursed treasure.

I kept the Indiegogo campaign open in case you’ve been thinking about grabbing one. Now’s the time. These start shipping in just a few weeks, and the print run is limited.

Hit the link below to grab your copy before the campaign closes!

Thanks so much for the support—
Your pal,
Chad

Get Your copy!

Here's all my Sites

Big news—Black Phantom: Holy Terror is officially off to the printer! Huge thanks to everyone who backed the campaign and helped bring it to life. 🙏 If you missed out, don’t worry—you’ll have another chance to grab a copy during my next campaign, hopefully launching this July!

If you’re going to Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC (June 20–22), come find me in Artist Alley! I’ll have books, merch, and probably too many Sharpies.

🚨 In the meantime, I’m jumping straight into production on Black Phantom: Holy Terror #2—the next chapter is already in the works starting today!
PLUS, I’m hoping to finish the first book of my weirdest creation yet:
🦡♻️ Biodegradable Jiu-Jitsu Jackalopes—it’ll be included in the next campaign as well!

Thanks for supporting indie comics and staying on this wild ride with me. More updates (and sneak peeks) coming soon!

Your pal,
Chad

Visit my Shop!

The Kickstarter campaign for Black Phantom: Holy Terror has officially wrapped—and it was a success! 🎉 Thank you so much to everyone who backed and supported the project.

Missed it? No worries! Late pledges are still open on Kickstarter, so there's still time to jump in before the books go to print.

It’ll be about 14 days before I receive the Kickstarter funds and I can then start my Print order. In the meantime, for all my Indiegogo supporters—that campaign still has 14 days left before it closes. Pretty slick timing, right?

Thanks again for riding with me. Let’s bring this comic to life!

—Your Pal,
Chad Townsend

The Links for those of you who prefer Kickstarter or Indiegogo.

Back it on Kickstarter

Back it on Indiegogo

Visit my shop, where you can pick up my other books and original art too!

MY SHOP

If you haven’t jumped in yet—this is your sign!

My latest comic, Black Phantom: Holy Terror, is fully finished and just waiting to hit the printer in April—but I need your help to make it happen!

🔥 $10 gets you the Holochrome Edition!
🔥 $20 gets you the Glow-in-the-Dark Variant!

This is an indie, Action monster war thriller packed with Excitement, mystery, and stunning artwork. If you love comics with grit, heart, and killer storytelling—this is for you!

Time is ticking! Don’t miss out on these exclusive editions before the campaign ends.

👉 Back it now: [Kickstarter Link]

👉 Back it now: [Indiegogo Link]

Thanks for your support—let’s make this book a reality!

Your pal,
Chad Townsend

The wait is over—Black Phantom: Holy Terror is officially LIVE on Indiegogo! 🖤💀

This action-packed, 24-page comic follows Black Phantom and his sidekick, Gremlin, as they race to secure the legendary Spear of Destiny—but a ruthless general stands in their way! Thrills, mystery, and undead vengeance await.

🔥 What You Get:
✅ Holochrome cover edition for just $10
✅ Limited Glow-in-the-Dark variant (printer confirmed it)
✅ Exclusive bonuses at stretch goals!

• $10K: Free glow-in-the-dark die-cut stickers for all backers!

• $24K: Free 6-inch acrylic standees for all backers!

• $40K: An 8-page Horn Toad origin story added to the book!

✅ And More!

🚀 My past campaigns have been fully funded and delivered on time—and this one is no different. The book is 100% done, so no long waits!

Back it now on Indiegogo!
📌 [LINK TO CAMPAIGN]

Your Pal,
Chad Townsend

Black Phantom: Holy Terror has officially launched! 🎉 The fate of the world hangs by a thread, and you can be part of the adventure. My past campaigns were a smash hit, and this one is set to be even bigger!

⚡ Back it now for $10! The Kickstarter link is below ! ⚡

🔥 Let’s make this campaign legendary! 🔥

KICKSTARTER

I’m thrilled to share the first look at the cover for Black Phantom: Holy Terror! This 24-page comic, packed with action, thrills, and bonus material, will feature a stunning Holochrome cover—yours for just $10!

But that’s not all. I’m exploring a limited Glow-in-the-Dark Variant cover to make this launch even more special. Fingers crossed my printer gives the green light—stay tuned!

Mark your calendars! I’m aiming to launch the campaign on February 4th, pending approval from the crowdfunding platform. Let’s make this epic together!

Thanks for all your support. You’re the best!

Your Pal,
Chad Townsend

Holochrome cover.

limited Glow-in-the-Dark Variant cover.

I’m thrilled to announce the official launch date for Black Phantom: Holy Terror #1—mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 4th! 🎉

What better way to celebrate than to kick things off the week of my birthday? I’d love to have all of you there on day one to share in the excitement. And guess what? I’ll have a few exclusive goodies up for grabs to make the launch even sweeter.

In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at the cover sketch—I can’t wait to hear what you think! Drop your thoughts in the comments; I love hearing from you.

Thanks for your support, as always!

Your pal,
Chad T.

P.S. Keep an eye out for more updates as we get closer to the big day!

My Shop

Here’s a rare glimpse of my studio when it’s not in disarray—unlike right now! It’s a whirlwind of activity as I prep for the Christmas holiday. Boxes of my comics are piled up next to my desk, and I’m overdue for a good closet clean-out.

The centerpiece of my workspace is this drafting table, the best gift my dad ever gave me. It used to be his, and I’ve been drawing on it since I was 17. Every sketch, every story—it all starts here.

Do you have a special gift like that? Something with history that inspires you? I’d love to hear about it!

your pal,

Chad T.

Black Phantom #1

“I have this amazing idea for an epic story!” How many times have you said it? Or heard it? Let me tell you—it’s often the first step to never making it happen.

Sound familiar? You get hyped dreaming up all the details, feeling that rush of excitement. But when it’s time to sit down and actually create, you stall out. Then the cycle starts again, right?

I’ve been there. Making comics (or writing a novel or a screenplay) is tough, especially when you’re just starting out. So why do we pile on impossible expectations? Why make it harder than it has to be?

Here’s what finally worked for me: I started small. One-page comic strips. Two-page origin stories for my characters. These short projects gave me hands-on experience without the pressure of a giant commitment. If a character didn’t click, no big deal—I’d move on. Plus, I could explore tons of ideas much faster.

This isn’t just for comic creators! Writers, filmmakers, anyone—take a cue from George Lucas. Before Star Wars, he was making short 10-minute films. One of them, THX 1138, scored him his first big break.

The secret? Think small. Create bite-sized projects. Finish them. Learn from them. Then build toward your big, epic dream. Not only is it less overwhelming, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

Ready to leap? Let’s do this!

Your pal,
Chad T.

Below is the two-page origin comic for my character, Dr. Cthulhu from 2004.

Black Phantom #1

Starting something new is always exciting—and a little scary. Like many creative people, I started this indie comic company with stars in my eyes, dreaming of big goals and grand ideas. While drawing my comic book I got stuck planning my Social Media, and newsletter instead of just doing it. It hit me: Why not just leap and see what happens?

After 20 years as a contract artist for animation studios (working from home in Texas, no less!), my journey recently took a sharp turn. My work on Tiny Toons Luniversity wrapped up just as Hollywood entered a recession. With the writers' strike and studios outsourcing, the work dried up. Tough times for many.

But then my wife gave me a nudge—a push, really—to focus on my dream: creating my own characters and stories. It’s terrifying and exhilarating to start over, but here I am, leaping headfirst into a whole new adventure.

Last year, I published two comic books: Black Phantom: Rockets Red Glare and Kid Squid. Many of you joined me for those campaigns, and your kind words and support kept me going. Thank you for that!

Now, I’m thrilled to share my next project: Black Phantom: Holy Terror #1. The stakes couldn’t be higher—Black Phantom and his fearless sidekicks are racing to secure the legendary Spear of Destiny before a mad general uses its power to wreak havoc. Thrills, action, and danger await! And guess what? The line art is 100% done!

Want to stay in the loop? While you're on this mailing list already, you can also sign up on Indiegogo to get notified the moment the campaign launches. I’m planning physical copies for $10 and digital books for $6—or grab a digital bundle for even more savings. Here’s the link!

Here’s a sneak peek at a couple of preview images. I’ll have the cover ready soon, and gray tones and lettering should be finished during the campaign, launching soon!

Thank you so much for your support. It means the world to me. Let’s leap into this adventure together!

Your pal,
Chad Townsend