Growing up, we didn’t have Pride walks, Pride flags, or really Pride anything. For me, representation looked like Jack from Dawson’s Creek and my love of the musical RENT. This was the 90’s and well your sexual preference was never a threat to me. Shit, i grew up after the term “GAY” was used as an adjective for anything and everything.

Even during my years in theater and chorus, I can’t remember a single person coming out. And if someone did, it either wasn’t public or it simply wasn’t something I thought much about at the time. Looking back now, it’s wild to realize that so many of the guys from the chorus have since come out. I’m still friends with a lot of them—more Facebook friends than “hang out all the time” friends—but friends nonetheless.

My one honest-to-goodness gay friend was a man named Jason Clark. We used to grab dinner from time to time, do karaoke, and play board games. He sadly passed away, and I still miss him. But even with Jason, I never really felt connected to the gay community just because I had a gay friend.

And I think that disconnect is part of why I’ve struggled with posts like this.

Outside of theater, I’ve had very little direct connection to the LGBTQ+ community, and because of that, I’ve often felt like speaking up might come across as fake or performative. Like maybe I didn’t have enough lived experience to say anything meaningful.

But over time, I realized support doesn’t have to come from being deeply embedded in a community.

Sometimes it comes from empathy.
Sometimes it comes from grief.
Sometimes it comes from simply knowing what is right.

The Pulse shooting hit me harder than I expected.

I still carry emotions from that day.

Maybe it was because it happened here in Florida.
Maybe it was because it was an attack on people whose only “crime” was being themselves, loving openly, and existing in a space where they felt safe.
Maybe, its my local goverment that held the place captive and still paints over the colored crosswalk daily.
Maybe it was all of it.

What I know is that it shook something in me. So, when i started writing UPHEAVAL, and i set it in Florida. I wanted to add the pulse shooting and characters that came out of a direct result of that.

These characters are my two sides of it…. THE ANGRY SIDE - MASCOT and THE COMPASSION SIDE - REVERB. This was important to me, but just as important was not highlighting it during the campaign. I see far too many people use the LGBT+ community as a marketing tactic.

However, now that the book is being released. I wanted to take a moment and tell you about it and hopefully you can see that these characters have a long life in UPHEAVAL and SUMMIT COMICS. I am proud to be inclusive in my books.

It reminded me that representation matters.
Safety matters.
Being seen matters.

And those feelings found their way into my work.

As I’ve been building Upheaval, one thing that became important to me was making sure the world felt honest—filled with different people, different backgrounds, and different experiences. That includes LGBTQ+ characters.

Not because I’m trying to score points.
Not because I’m chasing representation as a buzzword.

But because stories help us understand each other.

At my core, I believe something very simple:

Love is love.

People deserve to love who they love.
People deserve to be exactly who they are.
And nobody should have to live in fear because of that truth.

I may never feel like the loudest voice in this conversation.
I may still worry about saying the wrong thing.

But silence doesn’t feel right either.

So this is me saying: I see you. I support you. You matter.

Happy Pride.

Travis

PRE-LAUNCH FOR VOODOO NATIONS IS LIVE!! This is a very important one for me. So, please give a follow and back… ill explain more later.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/voodoo-nations-trade-paperback

CTHULHU INVADES FAIRY TALES 3 - CONVENTION EXCLUSIVE

PREVIEW


Emperor’s New Clothes

Jack And Jill

Muffin Man

PRETTY COOL?? Now for previews of Detours Towards Bohemia

So, i hope this gets you excited and wanting to order your own copy!!

Thanks
Travis Gibb

https://orangeconeproductions.com/collections/orange-cone-pre-orders

One book celebrates rare and hard-to-find stories from across multiple anthologies. The other continues a fan-favorite series that blends classic fairy tales with Lovecraftian horror giving you a preview of what is to come.

Detours Toward Bohemia

If you’ve ever wished you could track down some of the rare anthology stories scattered across independent comics, Detours Toward Bohemia was made for you.

This 48-page collection gathers together unreleased and difficult-to-find stories from a variety of anthology projects, creating a unique showcase of genres, characters, and creative ideas. Some of these stories appeared in limited anthology releases, while others have never been released at all due to the BAD FAITH CREATORS.

Inside you’ll find:

EL LION – 4 Pages

A short story about a professional wrestler who is also a superhero.

Kaiju Mania – 6 Pages

A giant monster attacks a Mexican village in this action-packed kaiju tale.

Pots and Panels – 4 Pages

A revenge-driven western story following a lonely cowgirl seeking justice.

Concrete Arcanum – 8 Pages

A supernatural tale featuring a leprechaun with a dark twist.

Concrete Arcanum 2 – 8 Pages

The strange world of Concrete Arcanum continues with terrifying weregators.

Nightmare Theater 3 – 8 Pages

Frogs and bikers collide in a story that only independent comics could deliver.

Modern Mythology: Folklore Retold – 8 Pages

A powerful story centered around gods and mythology.

What makes Detours Toward Bohemia special is its variety. Within a single story, readers will experience superheroes, giant monsters, westerns, folklore, horror, mythology, and creatures pulled from the strangest corners of imagination. It’s a snapshot of independent storytelling at its most creative and unpredictable.

For longtime supporters, it’s a chance to finally own stories that may have been missed. For new readers, it’s an excellent introduction to a wide range of Orange Cone Productions projects.

Cthulhu Invades Fairy Tales: Convention Special 3

The Cthulhu Invades universe continues to grow, and this latest convention special dives headfirst into the world of classic fairy tales.

Beloved stories are transformed into terrifying encounters with cosmic horrors beyond human comprehension. Familiar characters find themselves facing ancient entities, impossible truths, and nightmares that lurk just beneath the surface of stories we thought we knew.

The Cthulhu Invades line has become known for taking iconic worlds and injecting them with Lovecraftian dread, and Convention Special 3 continues that tradition with new creators, new stories, and new horrors waiting to be discovered.

JACK AND JILL - (W) Chad Perkins (A) C Michael Lanning
EMPEROR NEW CLOTHES (W) Fred Schwartz (A) Fish Lee
THE MUFFIN MAN (W) Jason Nutter (A) Martha Schwartz

Two Books, Endless Imagination

Together, these books showcase what independent comics do best.

Detours Toward Bohemia celebrates creativity by collecting rare stories from across multiple anthologies and genres, giving readers access to hidden gems that deserve another chance to shine.

Cthulhu Invades Fairy Tales: Convention Special 3 continues a beloved series that twists familiar stories into unforgettable nightmares.

Both are available now for pre-order from Orange Cone Productions. If you’re a fan of independent comics, unique storytelling, and ideas you won’t find anywhere else, these are books you won’t want to miss.

https://orangeconeproductions.com/collections/orange-cone-pre-orders

I recently got kicked off Facebook.

I didn’t get banned for doing something terrible. I had a complete BOOMER moment and clicked a bad link. Someone hacked my account and started spamming invites to random groups and pages until Facebook locked everything down.

For about a day, I lost access to my account completely.

And honestly? It messed me up more than I expected.

At first, I was angry. Then I got depressed.

Not because of “followers” or numbers — but because I started thinking about everything tied to that account. Years of memories. Pictures of my kids growing up. Comic announcements. Convention photos. Successes. Failures. Old friends. Projects that changed my life.

I thought about things like INDIETOBER.
All my CTHULHU groups.
Communities I helped build and spent years being part of.

Suddenly, it felt like all of it could disappear overnight.

I eventually got access back, but things still aren’t fully normal. I still can’t do everything I used to do on the account, and the whole experience really made me think about audiences and how fragile social media actually is. I now gotta figure out how to get back in and fight this but that's tomorrow's battle

As creators, we spend years building followings on platforms we do not control.

Facebook can disappear.
Instagram can change algorithms.
TikTok can vanish tomorrow.

That’s why building an audience matters more than building followers.

A real audience follows YOU — not just your social media account.

That’s why newsletters matter.
That’s why company websites matter.
That’s why Kickstarter communities matter.

Because at the end of the day, social media is rented land.

And sometimes all it takes is one bad click to realize how quickly it can all be taken away.

This is so important, for instance, right now I have 2 campaigns that have my name on it. Plus the summit stuff.

ORANGE CONE ANNUAL - 2026 ( $50 FROM FUNDING 3 DAYS TO GO)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/orange-cone-productions-annual-2026

HOTSHOT - 14 ($550 FROM FUNDING 3 DAYS TO GO)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chatanddraw/hotshot-14

PLUS SUMMIT COMICS LIVE CAMPAIGNS

TRENCH, WAYFARER, AND COLBOLT CRICKET.

https://readsumm.it/campaigns/

That’s a lot. I know it's a lot, and i don’t expect everyone to read everything i do. (I WOULD LOVE THAT) However, it’s a lot to ask of people, even more so in the current economy. However, making comics is what i do and its how i pay my bills and i am so grateful that you have been part of this journey but for those creators trying to figure out the path to do this year self let me give you some super basic advice.

And the truth is, none of these projects survives without an audience.

Not “followers.”
Not algorithms.
Not viral moments.

An actual audience.

People who trust your work.
People who see your posts regularly.
People who joined your newsletter.
People who met you at conventions.
People who backed you before and want to see you win again.

That stuff matters more than people realize.

A lot of creators think audience building is some giant impossible thing, but honestly, it starts with really basic habits:

POST CONSISTENTLY.
Even when posts flop.
Even when engagement sucks.
People need to see you EXIST.

SHOW THE PROCESS.
Pages.
Sketches.
Packing orders.
Convention setups.
Printing updates.
People love seeing the journey happen in real time.

COLLECT EMAILS.
Seriously.
Start a newsletter.
Social media can disappear overnight, but an email list belongs to YOU.

GO TO CONVENTIONS.
Some of my best supporters came from random conversations at shows years ago. They may never back a KICKSTARTER but they will buy my table when they see me at a con.

SUPPORT OTHER CREATORS.
Indie comics grows stronger when creators help push each other forward.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY:
KEEP SHOWING UP.

Most audiences are not built overnight.
They’re built one comic at a time.
One campaign at a time.
One reader at a time.

That’s the real grind of indie comics.

TRAVIS GIBB

SPEAKING OF GRIND!! We have some shows coming up

LAST BUT NOT LEAST!! Did you miss BUBBLEGUM RAZOR?? We failed to have it for LATE PLEDGES but we have added to our website. This is going to be shipped to me next week!! So, if you want a copy at a good price, buy today!!

https://orangeconeproductions.com/collections/bubblegum-razor

Kickstarter’s NSFW Changes — My Thoughts (For Now)

So, a few people have been asking what my thoughts are on Kickstarter’s recent NSFW changes.

I’m going to give a more detailed response in the future, but I wanted to get some initial thoughts out there—because this is one of those moments that affects everyone in indie comics, whether you create NSFW work or not.

And if you’ve followed me long enough, you know this is how I look at everything:

How does it affect the community?

That’s always been my biggest concern as Travis Gibb and as the guy running Orange Cone Productions. I’ve been doing this long enough, I’ve launched enough books, and I’ve dealt with enough behind-the-scenes drama to know that the indie space is fragile. It doesn’t take much for the whole thing to get shaken up.

And whether people like me or not, I’ve always tried to be someone who speaks up when something feels off.

I’m not afraid to say what I think… even when it causes problems.

Any “feuds” I’ve ever been involved in have usually come from one thing:

I’m defending backers and creators alike.

And yeah, most of the time I believe I’m right.

But I’ve also been wrong before.

I’ve said this publicly, but one example is Phillip Rusett. Years ago I felt he came down way too hard on a creator who I thought deserved grace. But that creator still hasn’t shipped the project.

So maybe I was right in the moment, but Phillip ended up being right overall.

That’s why I try to keep perspective now. I’m not always correct. But I’m always paying attention.

Where I stand as a creator

Here’s the truth:

Orange Cone Productions is not a NSFW company.

Now, I’m not pretending I’ve never had scenes in books that could be considered NSFW. I’ve written gritty crime stories. I’ve written horror. I’ve written violence. I’ve written things that aren’t “kid friendly.”

But I don’t use NSFW content as a brand.

I’m not the guy putting out a “sexy variant cover” just to spike funding. That’s never been my move. My work has always been about story first—whether it’s Coins of Judas, Broke Down, Voodoo Nations, or whatever madness I’m working on next.

So I’m looking at this situation from a different angle than some people. Not from a place of panic, but from a place of concern.

1) Censorship is bad. Always.

Let’s get this out of the way:

Censorship is always bad.

I understand restricted access. I’m all for protecting kids. I don’t want a ten-year-old stumbling onto some of the stuff that’s been flooding Kickstarter lately.

But when companies start overcorrecting, they don’t stop at the “bad stuff.” Eventually, it creeps into everything.

And creators are the ones who get crushed in the process.

2) There are TWO types of NSFW on Kickstarter

And this is where I think the conversation gets real.

NSFW on Kickstarter isn’t one category. It’s two completely different worlds.

There are creators who use adult content because it’s part of a story they’re passionate about. They’re not doing it for shock value. They’re not doing it to be edgy. It’s simply part of the narrative. Those projects usually don’t have clickbait porn titles. They’re just comics that happen to include adult themes.

And honestly?
Most of those creators respect the rules. They deliver. They communicate. They have loyal fans because they’ve earned them.

But then there’s the other side…

The side that pushes the boundaries daily. The cover mills. The projects that feel like they were created in five minutes. The campaigns that launch again and again and again.

Six or seven campaigns before they’ve shipped one.

And a lot of those campaigns—again, not all, but a lot—are leaning heavily into AI production to pump them out faster.

That stuff doesn’t just hurt Kickstarter. It hurts all of us.

Because when backers start feeling like the comics section is just a swamp of scams, fetish covers, and spam campaigns, they don’t just stop backing those creators…

They stop backing comics entirely.

And that affects every indie publisher, including Orange Cone.

The elephant in the room: NSFW has taken over the platform

Here’s the part people don’t want to talk about:

NSFW content has grown into a massive percentage of the comics category. I’ve heard numbers as high as 60%.

That’s insane.

And at a certain point, it stops being “indie freedom” and starts being a business liability.

Because Kickstarter doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Kickstarter relies on payment processors.

And Stripe doesn’t like risk.

Stripe doesn’t like adult content without strong age verification. And Kickstarter is not OnlyFans. It doesn’t have the same infrastructure, the same vetting, or the same systems. The dont like the chargebacks that come when a 17-year-old buys a comic on the platform and somones mother saw it.

So Stripe starts looking at Kickstarter and thinking:

“What the hell is happening over there?”

And suddenly the comics category starts looking less like a valid publishing platform and more like Pornhub with shipping fees.

That’s the truth, whether people want to admit it or not.

So whose fault is this?

Is it the creators?

Kind of.

If you push the envelope long enough, something is going to snap. People warned about it. And the response was always:

“You’re just jealous.”
“You’re just a hater.”
“You don’t want people to succeed.”

But this isn’t about jealousy. It’s about the reality of how platforms work.

If you treat the rules like a joke, eventually the rules change.

But if I’m being honest?

The bigger fault lies with Kickstarter.

Because Kickstarter had rules in place. They just didn’t enforce them.

If they enforced the standards from the start, it never would’ve gotten out of control. Stripe wouldn’t be panicking. And now we wouldn’t be dealing with this sudden crackdown.

Yes, I’m assuming some things.
But I’m also not blind.

Now Kickstarter is overcorrecting… and it’s getting messy

Instead of making a clean, consistent system, Kickstarter is now swinging wildly in the opposite direction.

We’re seeing overreach. We’re seeing campaigns flagged for things that shouldn’t be flagged. We’re seeing confusion. We’re seeing creators punished for stuff that was acceptable a month ago.

And that’s not stability. That’s panic.

And panic is dangerous for creators.

Because when you’re building a publishing brand like Orange Cone Productions, you need predictability. You need to know what the rules are so you can plan releases, marketing, covers, ads, and stretch goals.

Right now, nobody knows what the rules are.

What SHOULD have happened

In my opinion, the solution was simple:

• No offensive naming on the platform

• Clear rules

• Clear standards

• One rating system

• One visual censor bar system

Not this nonsense where one project gets a black bar, another gets “peaches,” another gets “hot peppers,” and another gets the guy from Up.

Consistency is everything.

So where are we now?

Right now, we’re in a free fall.

And I feel for the creators caught in the middle of it. Even the ones making NSFW books. Especially the ones who do it responsibly and treat it like real storytelling.

I hope Kickstarter can clean up the category so it feels less like Pornhub, but still has room for NSFW creators to exist and thrive.

Because whether you like it or not, adult content has always been part of comics. It always will be.

If creators leave Kickstarter… I’m paying attention

If people move on from Kickstarter because of this, let me know. I’ll support you. I’ll share your links. I’ll back your campaign if it’s something I believe in.

If there’s something to sign, I will sign it.
If there’s a petition, I’ll sign it.
If there’s a real alternative platform, I want to hear about it.

Because at the end of the day, I don’t just care about Orange Cone Productions.

I care about indie comics.

I care about backers.

I care about creators being treated fairly.

This is a tough shift, and it’s scary, but comics have survived worse than this.

The world hasn’t killed us yet.

We can still make books.

We just might have to get a little more creative in how we market them.

And trust me…

Orange Cone Productions isn’t going anywhere.

UPCOMING CON APPEARANCES

• FAN EXPO Philadelphia — May 29–31, 2026 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.

• Heroes Convention — Friday, June 12 through Sunday, June 14, 2026 at the Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC

• Five-Star Comic Con — June 20–21, 2026 at the Dayton Convention Center (based on show schedule posts).

• Plastic City Comic Con — August 22, 2026 at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel in Leominster, MA.

Who is coming to see me at any of these shows??

LIVE PROJECTS ON KICKSTARTER

The 2026 ORANGE CONE ANNUAL will feature original and exclusive content drawn from some of our most beloved series — plus stories you won’t find anywhere else. Titles and universes featured include:

✔ Upheaval
✔ Expired
✔ Pup Van Winkle
✔ Broke Down and Four Dead Bodies
✔ Voodoo Nations
…and more, all woven into a single, powerful annual

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/orange-cone-productions-annual-2026

“Hotshot Runs the Gauntlet” begins here — a ten-issue saga where every villain tests a different part of Hotshot’s humanity. Each issue is a new creative team, a new tone, and a new trial that will push our hero further than ever before.

⚙️ WHAT IS “HOTSHOT RUNS THE GAUNTLET”?

This isn’t just another arc — it’s a creative collision of the indie comics scene.

Each issue from #14–#23 pairs Hotshot with a new writer and villain, crafted by some of the most talented creators in indie comics today.
Different voices. Different styles. One continuous evolution of Freestyle Komics’ core hero.

Written by: Travis Gibb (Cthulhu Invades Oz, Broke Down & Four Dead Bodies) Covers by: Michael "MostEPIC" Watson
Illustrated by: Fletch Griffith & Brian Wolf
Colored by: Veronica Smith
Lettered by: Danny Cooper
Published by: Freestyle Komics

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chatanddraw/hotshot-14

UPCOMING KICKSTARTERS

This VOODOO NATIONS TRADE is coming soon!!! Make sure you sign up for the pre-launch!!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/voodoo-nations-trade-paperback

WEBSITE STORE UPDATE

Updated the webstore so if you missed some stuff, now is the time to buy!!

https://orangeconeproductions.com/collections/new-release

KODIAK

This has 48 hours to go, and we need to at least get over 100 backers on this project!! This is a completely new superhero book created by me, and it takes place in ROOK CITY, a new superhero verse created by Brayden Viloria

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/braydenv/kodiak-1-a-rook-city-one-shot

Now, in his 60’s worn down by decades of violence and old injuries that never healed, Kodiak lives quietly in a deteriorating apartment complex, far from the legend he once was. When the Devil Syndicate resurfaces and targets his building in a violent daytime takeover, the past he tried to leave behind comes crashing back.

This time, Kodiak isn’t the unstoppable force he used to be. And this time... he’s not fighting alone.

Written by Travis Gibb of Orange Cone Productions. Kodiak #1 is a 24 page standalone comic set in the gritty world of Rook City, a place where survival is earned, not given. This is a self contained story designed to introduce new readers while expanding the larger universe of the series.

At it’s core, Kodiak blends character driven storytelling with grounded cinematic action, similar to The Raid. You can expect a focused narrative that explores identity, survival, and the cost of power in a world that doesn’t forgive mistakes. It follows the relationship between a retired vigilante and his daughter while they fight tooth and nail to protect all they have.

NEXT UP HOTSHOT: 14

The ROAD TO 50 BACKERS!!!! —- LETS GO!!

Hotshot’s life is finally starting to stabilize. The city’s rebuilding, EHD’s keeping him busy, and for the first time, Mike’s starting to believe he can balance heroism, friendship, and responsibility.

But this series of one shots doesn’t begin with a supervillain. WHO IS GRAVEL?

It begins with Eli Brutus, a day laborer trying to survive in a system that chews people up and spits them out. When a workplace accident costs him his legs and the company responsible refuses to take accountability, Eli learns the harsh truth about how easily the powerless are discarded.

This isn’t just a superhero fight.

It’s a story about exploitation, anger, and what happens when injustice pushes someone past the point of no return. Because sometimes the monsters heroes face aren’t born from evil—they’re created by a world that failed them.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/braydenv/kodiak-1-a-rook-city-one-shot

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

ORANGE CONE PRODUCTIONS ANNUAL - 2026

OUR FIRST ANNUAL FEATURE NEW STORIES FROM VOODOO NATIONS, BROKE DOWN AND 4 DEAD BODIES, COINS OF JUDAS AND PUP VAN WINKLE

What Is ORANGE CONE ANNUAL?

ORANGE CONE ANNUAL is Orange Cone Productions’ first yearly anthology — a mammoth, all-inclusive comic book that brings together stories, characters, worlds, and creators from across our expanding Orange Cone universe. This isn’t just a collection — it’s a celebration of the stories, styles, and spirit that make Orange Cone what it is.

This annual anthology exists to:

• Give indie fans a single tome featuring multiple flagship titles.

• Celebrate the diversity of our worlds — from action and crime to supernatural, horror, and shared-universe storytelling.

• Offer both new and long-time fans something epic, collectible, and unforgettable.

• Showcase the work of amazing artists and writers who bring our Orange Cone stories to life.

What’s Inside?

The 2026 ORANGE CONE ANNUAL will feature original and exclusive content drawn from some of our most beloved series — plus stories you won’t find anywhere else. Titles and universes featured include:

✔ Upheaval
✔ Expired
✔ Pup Van Winkle
✔ Broke Down and Four Dead Bodies
✔ Voodoo Nations
…and more, all woven into a single, powerful annual

This annual is a storybook mosaic of interconnected universes, cherished ideas, and creative breakthroughs from across the Orange Cone portfolio.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/orange-cone-productions-annual-2026

ALSO ON THIS KICKSTARTER YOU CAN GET THE EPIC 21 GAME FOR ORANGE CONE!!!

We have been talking about this game since late 23 and early 24!!! Its finally time for the game to be live!!

EPIC 21 - ORANGE CONE - THE GAME

What is EPIC 21?

EPIC 21 is a fast-paced strategy card game, inspired by Blackjack, featuring original INDIE COMIC CHARACTERS. In this 2-player game, players face off against each other, representing one of the many characters. The goal is to accumulate a higher point total than your opponent, but without going over 21.

It’s a fun game, and we decided to do a STAND ALONE set with just your favorite ORANGE CONE PRODUCTIONS characters!!

Featuring Characters from

Cthulhu Invades
Coins Of Judas
Holiday Spirits
Granite State Punk
Pup Van Winkle
Expired
Sing Along Cottage Cheese
The Federalist
Voodoo Nations
Broke Down And Four Dead Bodies

The main deck comprises 54 cards: 4 Character Cards and 48 Cards mixed with Heroes, Ambush, Support, Spells, and a new card type, Lethal cards. Each card has a different ability, allowing for different combinations of strategic decisions and playthroughs. We try to have a few cards from each of our hit series to play together

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/orange-cone-productions-annual-2026

So I’ve been wanting to talk about this for a while…

Because HOTSHOT #14 is finally happening, and honestly? This is one of those stories that’s been living in my head for a long time. I wrote this story like 2 and 1/2 years ago, and FSK has been sitting on it. So, writing a SUPERHERO book for FSK was something I have been wanting to do for a while. I like the way they handle business.

And if you know me, you know I don’t just jump into something unless I actually care about it. I’ve written a lot of books, a lot of genres, a lot of weird stuff (in a good way)… but superhero comics were always where my heart started. That Claremont/X-Men style storytelling, big moments, bigger drama, characters that actually matter… that’s the stuff that shaped me.

This book is also super personal to me because the main charecter is a person with a disability. If you dont know, my brother has one arm. So, i have been waiting for a chance to write something that uses my knowledge about the subject. My brother is one of the best people in the world, and im so proud of him.

So getting the chance to write HOTSHOT #14 feels like stepping into a world that’s been building for a long time… and now I get to add something real to it. It was like writing an issue of SPIDER-MAN, BATMAN, SUPERMAN…. It has 13 issues before i got there, and I am now a small part of that.

FSK HOTSHOT Isn’t Just Another Indie Book

If you’re not familiar with FSK Hotshot, let me put it like this:

This isn’t some “new indie hero that popped up last week.”

Freestyle Komics (FSK) has been putting in work since the late 90s, and Hotshot has been one of the core characters of that universe for a long time. This is a legit indie superhero legacy book. The kind of thing that’s survived because people actually love it and keep showing up for it.

And now they are at issue #14… which is wild when you think about how hard it is for indie superhero titles to stay alive.

But Hotshot has. I’m not going to spoil everything (yet)… but this issue is a big deal.

We’re talking:

• new suit

• new villain

• higher stakes

• bigger action

• and a story that pushes Hotshot forward in a way that feels like the next era

One of the coolest parts? I got to create a brand new villain for this issue named Gravel… and yeah, he’s exactly the kind of problem Hotshot does not need right now.

This isn’t a “filler issue.”

This is a shift. This is the start of the status quo change of HOTSHOT!

This is the kind of story that changes how you look at the character moving forward. Plus, i get to do it with BRIAN WOLF!! One of my favorite creators and partners for UPHEAVAL.

I’ve Been Working Toward This for a Long Time

The truth is… I’ve been building toward this type of superhero storytelling for years, even when I wasn’t writing superheroes. Thats why you see some cool stuff with summit and with my other superhero comics.

So when I got the chance to take on HOTSHOT #14, I didn’t want to just write “a Hotshot comic.”

I wanted to write the kind of issue that feels like it belongs on your shelf next to the best ones.

And I’m not gonna lie… it feels damn good to finally see this thing coming together.

So, now is the time to grab HOTSHOT #14.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chatanddraw/hotshot-14

And I think you’re going to feel that when you read it.

More soon.

— Travis

PLUS - YOU ONLY HAVE ONE 1 WEEK LEFT TO BACK

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/braydenv/kodiak-1-a-rook-city-one-shot

For 30 years, the Devil Syndicate feared the name Kodiak.

He was relentless. Brutal. Unbreakable.

Now, in his 60’s worn down by decades of violence and old injuries that never healed, Kodiak lives quietly in a deteriorating apartment complex, far from the legend he once was. When the Devil Syndicate resurfaces and targets his building in a violent daytime takeover, the past he tried to leave behind comes crashing back.

This time, Kodiak isn’t the unstoppable force he used to be. And this time... he’s not fighting alone.

Written by Travis Gibb of Orange Cone Productions. Kodiak #1 is a 24 page standalone comic set in the gritty world of Rook City, a place where survival is earned, not given. This is a self contained story designed to introduce new readers while expanding the larger universe of the series.

At it’s core, Kodiak blends character driven storytelling with grounded cinematic action, similar to The Raid. You can expect a focused narrative that explores identity, survival, and the cost of power in a world that doesn’t forgive mistakes. It follows the relationship between a retired vigilante and his daughter while they fight tooth and nail to protect all they have.

Not Released Orange Cone

Bubble Razor - 20 Pages
Coins Of Judas - ANNUAL SHORT - 4 pages
Upheavel 2 - 22 pages
Coins Of Judas 5 - 25
Granite State Punk - Short- 3 pages

Work For Hire

- Government Bodies #3 - 5 Page - Short BackUp
- Negative Burns #21 - 8 pages (Original Short)
- The Pit #1 - 4 Page - Short BackUp
- Return To Sender #1 - 4 Page - Short BackUp
- The Hierograph Volume 2 - 8 Pages (Original Short)
- Why Faith - 8 pages (Original Short)
- The Great Commandment - 8 Page Short (Original Short)-
- Mississippi Zombies: Volume 2 - 8 Page Short (Original Short)
- Cthulhu Is Hard To Spell: Volume 2 - 4 Page Short (Original Short)
- Modern Mythology: Folklore Retold - 8 Pages (Original Short)
- Night Wolf - Volume 1 - 4 pages - Short BackUp
- Night Wolf - Volume 2 - 4 pages - Short BackUp
- Mavericks - 4 pages - New Lifes
- Blood N Chrome - 2 Pages - Back Up
- Tales From Kerra Prime - Volume 1 - 6 Page - Short BackUp
- Dogdays - Original Graphic Novel - 112 Page
- Concrete Arcanum - 8 Pages (Original Short)
- Roseblood Manor 4 - 10 Pages (Evilyn Short)
- Moved by the Spirit - 4 Pages
- Red Button - 8 Pages
- Nightmare Theater 3 - 8 pages
- Oxymoron - 4 Pages
- Kid Cretaceous - 4 Pages
- I summoned Cthulhu To Fund My Kickstarter 2

- Concreate Arcanum 2 - 8 pages (Original Short)
- Childless - 8 Pages
- Ignite Prime - 6 Page

-Pots and Panels

Not Currently Released (WFH)

- How To Die In The Quad - 7 Pages
- Hotshots #14 - 22 Pages
- Sacrificial Lambs - 24 Pages
- Kaiju Mania - 6 pages
- Pouches - 10 pages
- Omni 1: EL LION - 4 Pages
- Asa ( 5 issues, 3 written 60 pages)
- Storage Horrors (6 pages)
- Kodiak - 22 Pages
- Snow Paw - 4 pages
- Pots and Panels - 4 pages (Kind of released)

So, of this list there are 3 shorts that i don’t think will be released

OMNI 1- EL LION

A short about a wrestler who is also a superhero

Kaiju Mania - 6 pages

A Kaiju attacks a Mexican village

Pots and Panels - 4 pages

A revenge tale about a lonely cowgirl

So, those are 3 stories that i could put together in a book. I can also reprint any of these that were printed long ago and in various anthologies but I own the rights.

- Government Bodies #3 - 5 Page - Short BackUp
- Negative Burns #21 - 8 pages (Original Short)
- The Hierograph Volume 2 - 8 Pages (Original Short)
- Why Faith - 8 pages (Original Short)
- The Great Commandment - 8 Page Short (Original Short)-
- Mississippi Zombies: Volume 2 - 8 Page Short (Original Short)
- Cthulhu Is Hard To Spell: Volume 2 - 4 Page Short (Original Short)
- Modern Mythology: Folklore Retold - 8 Pages (Original Short)
- Concrete Arcanum - 8 Pages (Original Short)
- Concrete Arcanum 2 - 8 Pages (Orginal Short)
- Roseblood Manor 4 - 10 Pages (Evilyn Short)
- Moved by the Spirit - 4 Pages
- Red Button - 8 Pages
- Nightmare Theater 3 - 8 pages

Now, my question for you is this: if I put together a collection of these shorts (and maybe 1 or 2 from the list above), would you buy it directly from the website — no Kickstarter, just a straight release?

One cover. One book. Simple.

But these stories deserve to be told.

So vote below. If I get at least 20 people who say they would buy it, I’ll go ahead and put the book together and make it happen.

My goal is to keep this hopefully shipped for less than $15.00

Also, if you have a preference on which story from above that I should republish, let me know in the comments!!!

Read more

If you’re anywhere near these stores, make the trip. These aren’t just places to grab free books—they’re community hubs that keep this whole medium alive year-round.

I love going out to these events and grabbing comic books. However, i want to give you a comic book today!!

To celebrate Free Comic Book Day, I’m also offering a free digital download of Cthulhu Invades Oz. This book holds a special place for me—it was the very first anthology I created for Orange Cone, and it really set the tone for everything that came after in the Cthulhu Invades line. What started as a single experiment quickly grew into a full family of books built on one simple idea: bring incredible creators together and let them play in the mythos. Over the years, the Cthulhu Invades anthologies have featured a wide range of talented writers and artists who each brought their own voice, style, and madness to the universe, helping shape it into something far bigger than I ever imagined at the start. This Free Comic Book Day, I’m excited to share where it all began—download it, dive in, and see how the invasion started.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pPbFVI06x311vJS2xF238FpKIKMQk_UH/view?usp=sharing

If you love what you read here, I’d truly appreciate you considering backing the Cthulhu Invades Oz: Second Edition as a late pledge. A lot of people miss the original Kickstarter window, and this is the best way to still jump in and support the book while getting access to the full campaign rewards. It helps keep these kinds of creator-driven anthologies alive, and it directly supports the artists who make them possible.

WHY A SECOND EDITION?

Well, the first edition is one of ORANGE CONE PRODUCTIONS best sellers, and we just can’t seem to keep it in stock. So, instead of doing just another reprint. I thought lets me something special.

This is a complete reimagining of Cthulhu Invades Oz—a definitive, upgraded, anniversary edition designed for collectors, new readers, and every fan who’s been with us since the first tentacle tore through the Emerald City. Collecting the stories you loved and 6 brand new stories.

When we first created this story, it was just an idea taking shape. Since then, we’ve released five full volumes, and the world has grown far beyond those early pages. Looking back, there were characters and elements I wasn’t able to include the first time around. Now, we’re returning to expand, refine, and elevate the book into the version it always deserved to be.

We’re retiring the original edition with honor and unleashing this all-new Second Edition.

👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/cthulhu-invades-oz-second-edition

📚 Shoutout to the shops making free comic day happen. Below is a list of a few of my favorite comic stores!!! I love so many more but please head out to these stores today!!

Jetpack Comics

A cornerstone shop with deep roots in the indie and mainstream scene. If you want a place that understands both collectors and new readers, this is it. Always packed, always passionate, always worth the visit.

Famous Faces and Funnies

A true fan-first store with a long-standing reputation for community support and deep back issue love. This is the kind of shop where you can lose hours digging and not regret a second of it.

Flashpoint Comics and Toys

Flashpoint is built for collectors and casual readers alike—comics, toys, and everything in between. A perfect FCBD stop if you’re bringing kids or just want that “walking into a treasure room” feeling.

Collective Con / Collective Comics

A Florida staple that leans into events, fandom, and bringing creators directly to readers. Expect energy, conversation, and a real celebration of pop culture.

Comic Bug

One of those iconic West Coast shops where comics feel like a lifestyle. Great staff, great recommendations, and a strong connection to both indie and mainstream publishers.

Blackbird Comics and Coffeehouse

Comics and coffee is always a winning combo. Blackbird has that relaxed, welcoming vibe where FCBD feels more like a hangout than a rush.

Double Midnight Comics

A powerhouse New Hampshire shop that supports creators hard and consistently shows up for the community. If you want a shop that treats FCBD like a true event, this is it.

Cowabunga Comics

A Florida shop with personality—high energy, strong fandom roots, and a name that pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the vibe.

If you’re going out today

• Grab something free, but also buy something if you can

• Talk to your shop owners and staff—they’re the backbone of this industry

• Try something outside your comfort zone

• Bring a friend who doesn’t read comics yet

Comics survive because of places like these—and days like today remind us why that matters.

Happy Free Comic Book Day.

I wrote and created a BRAND NEW HERO for ROOK CITY — and I’m beyond excited to finally share it with you.

KODIAK #1 is now LIVE on Kickstarter, and this isn’t a preview, a short story, or a “sample issue.” This is a FULL ISSUE, written by me, and if you’ve ever enjoyed my writing in books like Coins of Judas, Granite State Punk, or Voodoo Nations… then trust me. I have often done shorts for other people but its VERY RARE that someone hires me for full issues. I am SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!!

For a long time, I avoided diving head-first into superhero stories — even though they were the reason I fell in love with comics in the first place. Between Granite State Punk, horror, crime, and punk-rock books, the capes and tights sometimes took a back seat in my creative life. But that changed as I found myself drawn again to the raw energy and emotional depth only superhero fiction can deliver. Now, that has changed with SUMMIT COMICS and UPHEAVAL#1 however while that was in production. I got hired by Brayden Viloria to create a SUPERHERO for his universe. I gave him a couple of ideas, but after a while, we came up with KODIAK.

Kodiak is an old retired superhero that wants out of the business, but his daughter wants to keep the fight alive, This is a real reflection of me raising my oldest daughter. I was a single father, and i want to keep a legacy but didn’t know how. As i get older i feel close to death and age is creeping up. However, this book is like something you havent seen and the books art blows me away.

I’m beyond excited to finally share KODIAK #1, now live on Kickstarter — a one-shot vigilante thriller set in the Rook City Universe that centers on legacy, aging, and the cost of fighting for what matters.

What Kodiak Is All About

For thirty years, the name Kodiak struck fear into the heart of the Devil Syndicate. He was relentless. Brutal. Nearly unstoppable. Now, he’s in his 60s — older, slower, worn down by old injuries and long-forgotten wars — living quietly in a run-down apartment complex among the very people he once swore to protect.

But peace doesn’t last long.

When the Devil Syndicate stages a violent takeover of the building, Kodiak is pulled back into the fight — and this time he doesn’t fight alone.

Enter Ursa — his daughter. She’s faster, sharper, and part of a new generation of street heroes shaped in the shadow of legends. She believes her father is still invincible. He knows better.

KODIAK #1 is a contained, high-intensity story — less sprawling superhero epic, more visceral crime drama with cinematic pacing. It’s about combat, yes — but also about aging, responsibility, legacy, and what it means to pass a mantle from one generation to the next.

Why This Story Matters to Me

In my Substack piece The Rise of Superheroes, I talked about the evolution of the genre — how modern readers crave flawed, real heroes instead of flawless paragons. With Kodiak, that thesis becomes a narrative reality. This isn’t Superman flying above it all — it’s a grizzled veteran, bruised by life, being challenged by the very person who has the most to lose.

Because that’s the world we live in — messy, complicated, and honestly a little broken.

And that’s where the best stories come from.

What You’ll Find in the Book

Expect:

• Brutal, close-quarters combat

• High emotional stakes

• A character-driven father/daughter dynamic

• A tightly focused setting — all inside an apartment complex

• A story told with heart, grit, and cinematic momentum

This is more than just a superhero comic — it’s a look at what happens when the body fails but the responsibility never leaves you.

Backing the Kickstarter

I also want to be completely upfront about something: this is a Canadian company, so depending on where you live, shipping may be a little higher than what you’re used to seeing on some of my Orange Cone campaigns.

But honestly? That’s a small price compared to what this opportunity means to me.

A company taking a chance on me—trusting me enough to write a full issue and create a brand new hero for their universe—is something I don’t take lightly. It’s a risk on their end, and it’s a huge milestone on mine. I’m beyond grateful for that trust, and I feel incredibly blessed to be part of this project.

This isn’t just another comic to me.

This is proof that my work is being seen, and that doors are opening.

And the truth is… I would LOVE to do more with this character.

Kodiak has so much story left in him. There’s more history, more pain, more legacy, and more of this world to explore—but if we want that to happen, I need your support.

Because this isn’t an Orange Cone book.

This isn’t something I can just roll into my normal publishing pipeline. If readers want more Kodiak, if we want sequels, follow-ups, and more stories in Rook City… then we have to show that there’s a demand for it right now.

That’s what Kickstarter is for.

This project isn’t just about creating a comic—it’s about supporting creator-owned stories that push the genre forward. More importantly, the SUPERHERO genre that struggles on the platform. Kickstarter is where these kinds of personal, bold projects thrive, and your support brings them to life in a way that traditional publishing sometimes can’t.

Whether you’re into grounded vigilante thrillers, character-centered drama, or indie superhero world-building, Kodiak #1 has something for you.

And trust me…

THE ENDING OF THE BOOKS IS AMAZING

TRAVIS GIBB

👉 Check out the Kickstarter now and grab your copy while the campaign is live!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/braydenv/kodiak-1-a-rook-city-one-shot

SUMMIT COMIC - UPHEAVAL #1-2 - ACTION/ADVENTURE - SUPERHERO

Upheaval is back, facing a new villain called RESPAWNZ!!

Featuring New Characters - MASCOT, REVERB, and SOLORANA.

PLEASE BACK TODAY!! LAST 10 HOURS!! This campaign is RED HOT!! Dont miss out

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/summit-comic-upheaval-1-2-action-adventure-superhero

Alright, now the selling is done lets talk about everything that has been done in 2025 and anything you are still waiting on for Q1 of 2026.

COMPLETED AND READY TO ORDER- GRANITE STATE PUNK- LIVE FREE OR DIE, HOLIDAY SPIRITS-CHRISTMAS IN JULY, VOODOO NATIONS 5, UPHEAVAL #1 AND GRANITE STATE PUNK - BOOTLEG TRADE

IF YOU MISSED ANYTHING, PLEASE ORDER NOW!! We have also added the SUMMIT COVER of UPHEAVAL #1 to the website if you dont want to wait for the Kickstarter to end.

ORDER NOW BEFORE THEY ARE GONE!!

https://orangeconeproductions.com/collections/new-release

COMPLETED BUT NOT SHIPPED!!

Cthulhu Invades Fairy Tales 2 - GRIMM FATES. We have sent out the digital and the print copies will be done on Friday, and I will get a quick 150 shipped to me to start shipping, and the rest towards the end of May!! If you want a copy and didn’t get it, please back late pledges before we take them down.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/cthulhu-invades-fairy-tales-grimm-tales

IN PRODUCTION

BUBBLE GUM RAZOR - FINAL EDITS FROM HEATHER (Should be VERY SOON) below is a video update of it.

REROLL- Is still in production. I just got the final layouts and the book is being finished as we speak. 30 days max.

If you missed this one back here

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/reroll-1-comedy-rpg-adventure-action


HOLIDAY SPIRITS - MONSTER SPECIAL - We are at the lettering phase. All stories are complete and should hopefully get a draft out soon.

If you missed this one, please go ahead and back here.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/holiday-spirits-monsters-special

CTHULHU INVADES OZ - SECOND EDITION

We have a few more pages that need to be colored, and then we can release then we can get this lettered and sent to backers. Should be a quick turn around.

If you missed this one, please go ahead and back here.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/cthulhu-invades-oz-second-edition

UPHEAVAL 2 -

I know it’s live on Kickstarter, but why not show what’s complete!! It can’t hurt!!

So, thats all the update for what is in production. So, lets talk about plans for Q2. We have a bunch of stuff coming out!! Here is the current plans

Q2 PRODUCTION

VOODOO NATIONS TRADE - I am hoping to launch this very soon. It has been announced that this will be with SOURCE POINT. So, i need to get some stuff approved but it should be VERY SOON.

ORANGE CONE ANNUAL - This is soooooooooooooo late, but i should be able to get it out soon!! This books i gonna be great

COINS OF JUDAS - SEASON 2 - ISSUE 1

I am finishing up the script any day now and Gerald should be working on the pages to get a launch in june!!

Cthulhu invades Fairy Tales 3 - NURSERY RHYME TIME

We are collecting pages to launch when we deliver GRIMM FAIRY TALES 2!! Check out the page below based off JACK AND JILL

GRANITE STATE PUNK - OFFICIAL TRADE

I am working on doing the nice hardcover and complete trade with new content and hopefully an album.

So, thats the state of the CONE. We are working super hard around here and cant wait to get these books out too you!! Let me know what you are most excited about for 2026 so far???!!!

Travis Gibb

So… I posted that message, and people have been begging me to call someone out.

And honestly? I really want to.

This person has been a thorn in my side for years. He’s made inappropriate passes at a friend’s wife, hit on underage girls, and I’ve watched him burn people over and over again. At one point I even offered to fight him. I walked right up to him and confronted him at a con. Not my best moment, and im way too old for that, but i come from the streets and sometimes old self comes out and i have never been one to avoid confrontation though he’s double my size — but I was that sick of his shit. I was sick of him doing bad to creators.

And now, most recently, he’s costing a very good creator over $1,000 just to make right what he did wrong. This creator asked me if he should do business with the guy, and i said HELL NO.

And none of this is the first time.

This dude is a con man in this business. He’s had the same problems follow him from publisher to publisher, project to project, and somehow he keeps slipping through the cracks.

And I’m pissed.

So… should I call him out?

Because I’m going to say something I think a lot of people are afraid to say :

We DO need to call out creators when they do wrong. We do, and I have never been afraid to do it. In this situation, I really want to do it.

When someone abuses power, manipulates fans, steals money, hurts people, exploits others, or acts in ways that poison a community… it needs to be addressed. Silence protects the wrong person. Ignoring it just gives them room to keep doing it.

If you have followed me for awhile you know i kind of view myself for better or for worst the police of indie comics. I will call out bad behavior every time

I believe accountability matters.

I believe consequences matter.

And I believe that “being a creator” doesn’t give anyone a free pass to treat people like trash. I believe that if you hurt one fan on KICKSTARTER, you are hurting them all.

But…

I also think we need to stop for a second and recognize something else. Maybe, I shouldn’t even say WE. I should say I.

Because while we’re/I busy putting spotlights on the worst people in comics, we’re also doing something dangerous:

We’re letting the bad news become the only news.

We’re letting the worst behavior become the loudest story.

And I don’t want that.

Because for every creator doing shady, selfish, disgusting things behind the scenes… there are ten more who are doing the opposite:

Creators who deliver.
Creators who support others.
Creators who answer messages.
Creators who promote other campaigns.
Creators who show up for conventions.
Creators who mentor younger artists.
Creators who stay humble.
Creators who keep their word.
Creators who don’t use their platform to harm people.

And those people deserve to be talked about too. I want to talk about this guy! I really do but he didnt really hurt me directly in this instance.

Not because we’re trying to “balance it out” or avoid uncomfortable conversations…

But because the good deserves to be celebrated with the same energy the bad gets condemned. I was at a con this weekend in NH called LITTLE GIANT COMIC OLD SCHOOL SHOW.

At this show my wife and I got so many people coming up to us and telling me how much the love my books. That’s great, I wish more shows would do that. However, we need to do more that.If we don’t do that, the entire community starts to feel like a minefield.

Like everything is corrupt.
Like every creator is secretly a villain.
Like the only reason anyone speaks up is to tear someone down.

And I refuse to believe that’s what comics is.

I’ve met too many good people.
I’ve seen too many creators grind for years without recognition.
I’ve watched too many artists pour their soul into their work and still show kindness to others.

So yes—call out wrongdoing.

But also…

Call out integrity.
Call out effort.
Call out generosity.
Call out creators who do it the right way.

Because the good news needs to drown out the bad, so do me a favor and help me up. If you like my books, please leave a comment below. If you like other people’s book please leave a comment below and i will let them know. We need more of this… Instead of calling this guy out lets say some positive things about indie creators. I will do the same later this week, sharing some people i love in comic books.

Thanks for doing good work friends!!

Travis Gibb

Ohhhhhh, before I forgot. We have a little bit over 48 hours for SUMMIT COMICS - UPHEAVAL 2!! We would love your support!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/summit-comic-upheaval-1-2-action-adventure-superhero

Here is 5 Secret Kickstarter Tips to get more funding. These are tips that I don’t normally share in public because if everyone does them, it could result in getting fewer results. Some of these will sound basic, but I promise they work.

5. “Backer Psychology Pricing” (Odd Numbers Beat Round Numbers)

This is weird but real.

$25 feels like “a purchase.”
$27 feels like “a Kickstarter tier.”

Kickstarter backers don’t behave like Amazon shoppers. They behave like collectors.

Pricing like:

• $27

• $33

• $44

• $69

makes it feel more custom-built, and less like retail.

Why it works

Odd pricing creates the illusion that the tier was carefully calculated for value.

People subconsciously assume:

• shipping was accounted for

• printing was accounted for

• extras were accounted for

• it’s “the right tier” for what they get

Round numbers feel like you guessed.

Read more

They’re not “over.”

And they’re definitely not going away.

I know, I know, I know, middle-aged white men keep telling you how they are over and no one likes them. I can tell you for a fact they are wrong. You can trust me in this because i too am a MIDDLE AGED white man.

But something is happening. Something new. Something you can feel if you’ve been reading comics long enough, or if you’ve been paying attention to what people actually get excited about. Those old REVAMPED #1 aren’t hitting as they used to. Valiant Reboots have failed…. New Numbers Ones have failed. (If you dont count Absolute)

The superhero genre is changing right in front of us… and most people are either pretending it isn’t happening or blaming the wrong things.

It’s not just “superhero fatigue.”

It’s not just “too many movies.”

It’s not even about Marvel or DC.

It’s about the audience.

And it’s about the world.

Because the world isn’t the same world it was even ten years ago, and superhero stories don’t hit the same way when reality already feels like the end of a third act.

In the last few years, we have had some great characters!!! GEIGER, RADIENT BLACK, VANISH, MINOR THREAT, and BUG WARS are all brand new SUPERHEROES that could stand the test of time. That’s not even mentioning both BATTLE BEAST AND INVINCIBLE being larger than they ever have been

The Old Superhero Fantasy Isn’t Enough Anymore

There used to be comfort in superhero stories.

Even if things got dark, you knew the hero would find a way. You knew the city would be saved. You knew good would win, evil would lose, and by the end of the issue the status quo would more or less return.

It was reassuring.

But now?

Now the world feels unstable. People are exhausted. People are broke. People are angry. People are anxious. People are watching systems fail in real time. Trust in institutions is gone. Faith in leadership is gone.

So when you show someone a superhero punching a villain through a building and then smiling for the cameras, it doesn’t feel like fantasy anymore.

It feels like a lie.

And modern readers can smell a lie instantly.

Readers Don’t Want Perfect Heroes — They Want Survivors

The modern superhero doesn’t feel like Superman floating above the city. They are more MARVEL inspired and flawed heroes.

The modern superhero feels like someone trying to keep their family together while the world collapses around them.

Readers don’t want a hero who is “above it all.”

They want a hero who is drowning but refuses to let go of someone else.

They want a hero who is stressed, flawed, damaged, complicated… but still choosing to fight.

Not because it’s noble.

Because they have to.

That’s the way the world is right now. Blue and Red yelling at each other and the amount of wars we have going on… make us feel unsafe. However, these are the times that great HEROES are created!!

I think SUPERHEROES are about to pop off very soon!! It’s because of that I have 3 superhero stories coming out very soon. I want you to be made aware of them and i want you to get excited about them!!

Lets start with the first one!!! UPHEAVAL 2 is live on KICKSTARTER and needs your support!!

UMMIT COMIC - UPHEAVAL #1-2 - ACTION/ADVENTURE - SUPERHERO

Upheaval is back facing a new villian called RESPAWNZ!! Featuring New Charecters - MASCOT, REVERB and SOLORANA

Popi Katou was orphaned at 13. When her family was slaughtered by the Violet Lotus, a ruthless Japanese crime syndicate with roots stretching from Tokyo to the streets of Orlando. Left in the care of an adoptive family, she spent years planning her next move—studying their operations, tracking their networks, and pushing her mind and body past every known limit.

They took everything from her—now she’s taking everything back.

She became a ghost in the system. A phantom on the streets. A nightmare for criminals.

Armed with cutting-edge tech of her own design and speed that makes her untouchable, she’s no longer just Popi.

She’s UPHEAVAL—the fastest, smartest, deadliest force Orlando has ever seen.

BACK NOW - 8 DAYS LEFT

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/summit-comic-upheaval-1-2-action-adventure-superhero

HOTSHOT #14

Story

HOTSHOT— “GROUND ZERO”

The Gauntlet Begins.

After the fallout of “Unforgiven,” Hotshot emerges with a new uniform and a new mission as a member of Heroes International.
He thought he’d seen it all — until the ground itself rose up against him.

When a catastrophic construction accident unleashes Gravel, a vengeful worker turned walking avalanche of concrete and fury, the streets of Columbus become a warzone. Now Hotshot must battle not only a force of nature but the buried guilt and consequences left in the wake of being a hero..

SIGN UP NOW!!! We are trying to get to 100 pre-launch followers

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chatanddraw/hotshot-14

KODIAK #1

For thirty years, the Devil Syndicate feared the name Kodiak.

He was relentless. Brutal. Unbreakable.

But time breaks everything.

Now in his 60s, battered by old injuries and long-forgotten wars, the once mythic vigilante lives quietly in a crumbling apartment complex, surrounded by the very people he once swore to protect.

When the ruthless Devil Syndicate targets the building in broad daylight for a violent takeover, Kodiak is forced back into the fight. Only this time, he is not fighting alone.

His daughter has secretly followed in his footsteps as Ursa. She is faster, sharper, and part of a new generation of vigilantes who grew up in the shadow of legends. She believes her father is still invincible. He knows better.

What to Expect

A gritty, grounded vigilante thriller packed with brutal close-quarters combat inside a single apartment complex. A father and daughter legacy story about aging, sacrifice, and passing the mantle. Emotional stakes as high as the action on the pages. A contained, high intensity one-shot told with cinematic pacing.

KODIAK is about what happens when the body fails but the responsibility does not. It is about the cost of being a symbol, and whether some legends deserve to rest.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/braydenv/kodiak-1-a-rook-city-one-shot

The Genre Isn’t Dying. It’s Leveling Up.

The superhero genre isn’t fading. It’s evolving.

And it has to evolve, because audiences aren’t children anymore, and the world doesn’t feel like it did when superheroes were first invented.

Superheroes were born out of war, poverty, fear, and uncertainty.

They were built to answer the question:

Who will protect us when the world feels hopeless?

And that question is louder now than it has been in decades. The world is scary. Shit we cant even let our kids play video games without worrying if a PEDO is grooming theme. Its scary.

The answer isn’t clean-cut heroes in bright costumes smiling for the camera.The answer is messy. The answer is complicated. These are the heroes i create!! Messing for a messy world.

We still need heroes. I hope you will take a moment and show some support to mine!!

Travis Gibb

Success in Comics as a Kickstarter Creator: What It Really Takes to Make It

There’s this myth in comics that success happens in one big moment.

One big break.
One viral post.
One publisher deal.
One comic creator celebrity shoutout.
One Kickstarter that explodes and changes everything overnight.

And sure… that can happen.

But for most of us? Especially the creators building careers through Kickstarter? Success looks nothing like that.

Success looks like showing up when no one is watching.
Success looks like failing publicly and coming back anyway.
Success looks like a long line of campaigns that slowly build momentum until one day you look up and realize: I’m doing it. I’m actually doing it.

But if you’re trying to “make it” as a Kickstarter comic creator, you need to understand something upfront:

Talent is important. But talent alone is not enough.

Kickstarter comics success is built through a mix of craft, hustle, community, business sense, and endurance.

And endurance might be the most important …

Read more

”I wrote my way out”

When the world turned its back on me

I was up against the wall

I had no foundation

No friends and no family to catch my fall

Runnin’ on empty, there was nothin’ left in me but doubt

I picked up a pen and I wrote my way out!

[Verse 3: Lin-Manuel Miranda]

High speed, dubbin’ these rhymes in my dual cassette deck

Runnin’ out of time like I’m Jonathan Larson’s rent check

My mind is where the wild things are, Maurice Sendak

In withdrawal, I want it all, please give me that pen back

Y’all, I caught my first beatin’ from the other kids when I was caught readin’;

“Oh, you think you smart?”—Blaow!—start bleedin’

My pops tried in vain to get me to fight back

Sister tapped my brains, said, “Pssh—you’ll get ‘em right back.”

Oversensitive, defenseless, I made sense of it, I pencil in

The lengths to which I’d go to learn my strengths and knock ‘em senseless

These sentences are endless, so what if they leave me friendless?

“Damn, you got no chill,” fuckin’ right—I’m relentless

I know Abuela’s never really gonna win the lottery

So it’s up to me to draw blood with this pen, hit an artery

So, that song echoes my desire to make comics every day, all day for the rest of my life. A rival once said that I wasn't relevant in comics. He may be right but

RELEVANCE IS ON ME

So, lets talk about it. Lets talk about how i am gonna level up and what i plan to do to get there because, as Lin-Manuel said, “Fucking right, im relentless.”

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about where I’m at as a creator. I get this way a lot when I go home for a convention. (Come see me if you can!!) I think when i got home i think its like my time to prove myself. However, the reality is the people that I desperately want to prove wrong are dead and gone.

So, i when i am going home. I always start to take notes on whats working and whats not with me in my comics career. So, lets check…. I’ve done a couple of conventions. I’ve launched Kickstarters. I’ve put new books into the world. I’ve met readers, shook hands, and had real conversations with people who genuinely care about what I’m creating. I have had genuinely deep conversations with people i have inspired And I’m grateful for all of them and all of you. I don’t take a single sale for granted. I don’t take a single backer for granted. I don’t take a single person stopping at my table for granted. I dont take a single promotion or convention and even email for granite. Understand, in my world I am not worthy of any of it.

Because if I’m going to be honest, some of it didn’t hit the way I wanted. Not the way I expected. Not the way I needed it to. And instead of blaming algorithms, bad luck, bad timing, or the industry, I’m looking in the mirror. Because if I’m being real, relevance is on me. I need to write thing you want to read. I need to market them so you need to own them. This shit is one me.

The world doesn’t owe me success just because I worked hard. It doesn’t owe me recognition just because I sacrificed. It doesn’t owe me sales just because I poured my soul into a book. You can bleed into the pages and the world will still scroll past you like you’re nothing. That’s the brutal truth about being a creator. You can make something incredible and still get ignored—not because you aren’t good, but because you haven’t forced the world to pay attention yet.

So, as i am about to do the last end of the tour and get back into promoting kickstarters and writing books. I need to reflect. The conventions were solid, but they didn’t hit the way I wanted them to hit. I didn’t walk away feeling like I broke through. I didn’t walk away feeling like I leveled up the way I should’ve. And that feeling stays with you. Because cons aren’t just tables and banners. They’re gas money, hotels, food, printing costs, weeks of preparation, long drives, late nights, packing boxes, hauling inventory, and standing for hours. It takes a toll. And when the numbers don’t match the effort, you start asking yourself questions you can’t dodge. Did I bring the right books? Did I market this right? Did I hype it enough? Did I do enough to stand out?

Kickstarter has been good to me. It has allowed me to create books that would’ve never existed otherwise. It’s helped me build a fanbase, build momentum, and build a library of stories I’m proud of. But I’m going to say it straight: I want bigger. Not because I’m ungrateful, but because I’m hungry. Because I know what I’m capable of. Because I know the ceiling is higher than where I’ve been landing. And if I’m not reaching it yet, then I have to stop pretending the ceiling is the problem.

Maybe I didn’t push hard enough. Maybe I didn’t sharpen the pitch enough. Maybe I didn’t make the campaign hit like it needed to. That’s not the world’s fault. That’s mine.

The truth is, I’m more driven than ever. Not in a fake motivational quote kind of way. In a real way. In the kind of way where you don’t even have a choice. I wish i could do something else but this is all i think about. I have a drive. The kind of drive where you wake up and your mind is already building the next story. Where you’re sitting in traffic, thinking about the next cover. Where you’re watching movies and studying pacing. Where you’re reading comics and taking mental notes. Where you’re constantly asking how to get better, how to get louder, how to get sharper.

I’m not here to be “one of those guys who makes comics.” I’m here to matter. I’m here to be a name people recognize. I’m here to build worlds people want to live in. I’m here to create characters that stick with people long after they close the book. I want to be one of the first names you think about when the word Indie Comics Creators…. SCRATCH THAT…. Comic Creator.

I keep thinking about that line from I Wrote My Way Out—that idea that when everything is against you, when nobody’s coming to save you, when the doubt is louder than the support, you pick up the pen anyway. You create anyway. You fight anyway. That’s where I’m at. I’m not waiting for permission. I’m not waiting for a lucky break. I’m not waiting for someone bigger to pull me up. I don’t need that.

What I need is discipline. What I need is consistency. What I need is obsession. Because obsession is what makes you undeniable. And I’m becoming undeniable.

If the last few months didn’t go exactly how I planned, good. That means I’m still climbing. That means I still have something to prove. That means there’s still a hunger in me that hasn’t been satisfied. And I’m not running from that feeling anymore. I’m using it.

Because relevance isn’t luck. It’s built. It’s earned. It’s fought for. And if I don’t have it yet, then I know exactly what comes next. I am not gonna buy a bunch of ads and create a fake success. I am gonna find the fans and become an outlier.

I create my way out. I write my way out. I grind my way out.

And when I finally hit that next level, it won’t be because the world decided to notice me.

It’ll be because I forced it to.

THE PART I CAN’T DO ALONE

But here’s the truth that matters just as much as discipline, ambition, and obsession…

I can’t do this without community.

No matter how hard I work, no matter how many books I create, no matter how much better I get, I will always need people. I will always need readers. I will always need friends, creators, supporters, and believers.

I really dont know how to survive without community everything i build. I need to reflect on how i can be part of a community. How other can come with me. Comics has always been about people. About the conversations at cons or online. About meeting someone who says “this story meant something to me.” About creators pushing each other to level up. About readers becoming friends. About fans becoming family.

That’s what keeps this whole thing alive.

That’s what keeps me alive.

So if you’ve ever enjoyed my work, if you’ve ever backed a Kickstarter, if you’ve ever shared a post, if you’ve ever bought a book at a show, if you’ve ever told someone about something I made… just know it matters more than you think.

And if you’re wondering how you can help me keep pushing forward, here are a few ways:

• Join the Paid Substack – We’ve got monthly and yearly options, and every subscription truly helps keep everything moving forward. I’m going to be adding a ton of new content there, including five Kickstarter tips I’ve never shared publicly before.

  Subscribe now

• Back a Kickstarter – We just launched UPHEAVAL 2, but if you missed any past campaigns, no worries—we have late pledges available on everything, so you can still jump in and catch up.
  
  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/summit-comic-upheaval-1-2-action-adventure-superhero
  

• Share My Posts – Whenever you see my updates or announcements, sharing them is one of the biggest ways you can help spread the word and grow the audience.

• Buy Something Off The Website- We have lots of cool books and this helps when a convention or kickstarter doesnt hit to keep cashflow.
  
  

  https://orangeconeproductions.com/

• Help Me Make Connections – If you know any editors, publishers, or industry people you think I should meet, send their names my way. And if you ever get the chance to mention my work to other companies, I’d seriously appreciate it—I’m always looking for more writing opportunities.

• Give Me Honest Feedback – Tell me what you like, what you don’t like, and what you want to see more of. I can only improve if I hear real feedback, and I genuinely want to keep getting better with every project.

Even one of those things makes a difference. Even one small action helps keep the wheels turning and keeps the momentum alive. I know a lot of them seem money focused and i hate that when i see it as well. However, that is the stuff that allows me to do more books and afford better art.

I’m going to keep creating regardless. I’m going to keep writing regardless. I’m going to keep building regardless.

But I’m not trying to do it alone.

Because community is the difference between surviving and thriving.

And I don’t just want to survive….F-That

I want to build something real—with all of you.

Like we have been. Like we always will

Travis Gibb

Five years ago, we launched something that genuinely surprised me— a dream project born out of love for cosmic horror and childhood wonder. Cthulhu Invades Oz was imagined as a wild mash-up: take L. Frank Baum’s beloved Emerald City and Yellow Brick Road, and let the indescribable terror of Lovecraft’s mythos creep into every crack and corner.

This was a idea set up at a ikea and is our best selling property for ORANGE CONE PRODUCTIONS. When we did this we had 2 books. BROKE DOWN AND FOUR DEAD BODIES and we were about to launch our second title VOODOO NATIONS.

Back then, we didn’t know what to expect. We hired creators whose work inspired us, people who i knew were just more talented them me. We trusted them with our strange idea, and they delivered something incredible. What started as an anthology quickly became a cohesive exploration of an Oz fractured by cosmic dread. Fans embraced it — in fact, it became something much bigger than any of us anticipated.

🎉 Remastering a Classic — But Not Just a Reprint

Now — with the original nearly out of print and long-time supporters still asking for another chance to experience this world — it’s time to go back. But this isn’t a simple reprint. CTHULHU INVADES OZ – SECOND EDITION is the definitive edition, the version we always wanted to make:

What’s new in this edition:

🧠 All-new stories exploring deeper corners of Oz’s corruption
📖 New poems drenched in dread and wonder
🎨 Remastered art and visuals — sharper, richer, and more terrifying
🖋 Expanded narratives and new character arcs
🆕 New covers to honor both the original edition and the legacy it’s become
👁 Fan-favorite characters you’ve never seen before in print

From the Patchwork Girl pieced together from lost souls — to the Nome King twisted by unspeakable forces — our roster of newly explored horrors expands the ways this world can shock and enthrall you. I mean look at this talent sheet.

Creators include

Richard Rivera (Stabbity Bunny, Shadowplay, Head of Scoot Imprint for Scout Comics), David Byrne (Stake, Co-Publisher Scout), Russell Nohelty (Ichabod Jones: Monster Hunter), Greg A. Elysée(Is’nana the Were-Spider), Jonathan Hedrick (The Recount, Freak Show), Jamie Primack (Binary Star), Kurt Belcher (Rottentail), Travis Gibb (Broke Down And Four Dead Bodies, Voodoo Nations), Brian Silverbax (Loggerhead), Chuck Pineau (Belial), Jerome Gagnon (Tellos), Clara Meath (Shadow Play), Emilio Utrera (Lucier’s Knight), David Galiano (Savage Bastards), Stonie Willams (Villainous), Brian Silvera (Bun), Kyrun Silva (Xob), Joel Rodriguez ( Dusk County Chronicles), Steve Ekstrom (Negative Burns), Eric Hawkins (Zombiful World Of Oz), Kathryn Frizzell (The Absentee),Tyler Carpenter (Demons), Brian Wolf (Upheaval), Mikal Barker (Midnight Carousel), Rob Andersin (Barbara Unleashed), Nicolas Touris (Pixie Dust), Ryan Shimek (The Pit), Caleb Palmquist (A Small Favor), Emily Riesett (Kyrra: Alien Jungle Girl), Craig Florence (Local Haunts, Always Punch Nazi’s), Micheal Watson (Hotshots), Martha Schwartz (Seed Seekers), Claudia Giuliani ( Dogdays ), Luke Stone (Hybrids), James Burton (Damage Inc.), Matt Knowles & Steph Cannon (Tales From Nocturnia, Heirs of Isildur), Robby Bragdon (Collapse), Sunil Gharge (Freakshow Princess), Allen Ellsworth (Hurricane Harmonie and the Mystery of Plush Hollow), Danny Quick (Aceblade) Michael Spivey, Sam Boother

AND MANY MORE

For many of you, CTHULHU INVADES OZ wasn’t just another comic — it was an entry point into a universe we’re still building. Because of the overwhelming response, the book sold out multiple times and helped launch an entire line of Cthulhu-infused fairy tale horrors. I have hired 100’s of creators, and I have made over 200k on the universe. This book has changed my life. So, i am back

A Definitive Edition, A New Beginning

This Second Edition isn’t a nostalgic retread — it’s a reimagining that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with everything that came after it. We’ve taken what we learned over five years of storytelling, reworks, expansions, and more worlds touched by cosmic horrors than we ever imagined — and brought it all back home to Oz.

I can tell these stories way better 5 years in then i was able to do then. I have a talent for this and i would love to show you the new narrative that we have created.

Whether you’re returning to the Bloody Brick Road or stepping onto it for the first time, this edition stands as the ultimate entry into a dream torn apart by madness.

This is the last 36 hours. I would love you to consider adding this to your collection.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/cthulhu-invades-oz-second-edition

All of this seemed fun on paper but as I start doing its a lot of work. I am getting less work done, but i am making mistakes because im rushing and cannot focus. However, it’s just new. I will figure out this new HEAVY going to CON’s status of Orange Cone. However, i have been mostly thinking a lot about gratitude. For what i am doing and what’s to come.

I’ve been invited out as a guest to more conventions than I ever expected. Not just as a guy with a table… but as someone people actually want there. Someone they feel adds something to the show. Someone they trust to represent the community. I also have seen as a travel so many people who really want to meet me. They will change plans to come to a con just to meet me…. Me??? I spent 14-18 in a trailer park. Its wild that i can be seen as a value to anyone.

And I’m not gonna lie… that still blows my mind.

Because I’ve been doing this a LONG time.

I’ve been grinding, printing books, hauling bins, building communities, driving hours, hitting show after show both online and off and just trying to build something real. There were plenty of years where it felt like I was screaming into the void. Where it felt like I was working twice as hard just to be noticed half as much.

And now… people are seeing it.

Not because I suddenly “made it” with Marvel or DC. I don’t have a Big 2 resume. I don’t have some corporate stamp of approval. I built this whole thing the hard way — through independent comics, Kickstarters, conventions, long nights, and putting out story after story after story.

So when a convention reaches out and says “We want you as a guest,” I don’t take that lightly. That means something. That’s respect. That’s community.

And I’m humbled by it.

I’m thankful for every reader who’s picked up a book. Every fan who’s followed my work. Every creator who’s supported me. Every show that’s taken a chance on me and believed I belong in that guest lineup.

Because none of this is guaranteed.

And I’ll never act like it is.

I’m just grateful I’ve been able to do this as long as I have… and even more grateful that people are finally seeing the body of work for what it is.

It’s not Big 2…
but it’s BIG to me.

And I’m not done yet. However, this focus comes at a cost. My Kickstarters are running a little slower than they used to. The scripts aren’t coming out as fast but as the great Tarantino once said.

So, here is where I ask for help!! My latest CTHULHU INVADES isn’t doing the numbers that it normally does. This could be for many reasons.

• I am not focused on the promo as i normally am because of all the cons and stuff. (MOST LIKELY)

• Its a second edition and 60 pages of content isnt worth the rebuy for some people. (Possible)

• Cthulhu Invades is a dying brand. (Doubtful but also possible)

So, i am gonna ask for some help. If you want to help me. Please, pick one or more of the following options

• If you are interested in the book, please back it!!

• If you didnt back it and you have backed CTHULHU INVADES before, let me know why this one didnt get you excited. This is information that can help me make a better product

• Help me share it out!! I am so busy at these events that i cant share as much as i normally do and can use some help in that directions.

Here is CTHULHU INVADES OZ - SECOND EDITION if you haven’t checked it out

ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT to Back CTHULHU INVADES OZ – SECOND EDITION! 🚨

The definitive, upgraded version of CTHULHU INVADES OZ — the anthology that started a dark shared universe — is now LIVE on Kickstarter, and it’s almost at the finish line!

This isn’t just a reprint — it’s a true Second Edition with:

✨ New Covers
📖 ALL-NEW STORIES
📌 Expanded narrative & remastered art
👀 Fan-favorite characters twisted into cosmic horror
🖋️ New poems and intros you won’t find anywhere else

• the original material that sold out multiple times!

This is your chance to finally step back onto the Bloody Brick Road, whether you missed the original or you want the definitive edition for your collection.

⏳ With only 4 days left, this is the moment to pledge — and bring Oz’s darkest invasion back into print. So many fans have been waiting for this, and it’s your last shot to be part of it before the campaign ends.

👉 Back it here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/cthulhu-invades-oz-second-edition

LAST BUT NOT LEAST!!! We have UPHEAVAL returning APRIL 1st!!! If you havent checked out the prelaunch now is the time.

Orlando is under attack. Again.

In the aftermath of a brutal assault on Mazona Industries, the city is left asking one question: Who is Upheaval?
Masked behind an anime-style digital avatar and surrounded by swarms of weaponized drones, the city’s newest vigilante has gone viral—and she’s about to become a target.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/summit-comic-upheaval-1-2-action-adventure-superhero

There are books you plan…

…and then there are books that take on a life of their own.

CTHULHU INVADES OZ was always meant to be ambitious. A mashup of childhood nostalgia and cosmic dread. A question that felt too fun—and too dangerous—not to explore:

What happens when you let something like Cthulhu into a world like Oz?

At the time, it felt like a wild idea.

Now? It feels like the beginning of something much bigger. If you can believe

Where It Started

When we first launched Cthulhu Invades Oz, we didn’t know what to expect. I hired anyone who i felt was more talented then me and we made a book together.

What we got was something incredible.

Creators showed up in a big way—bringing wildly different interpretations of Oz, all connected by a creeping sense of dread. What started as an anthology quickly became something more cohesive… more alive. Every story added another crack in the world. Another piece of a larger, darker picture.

And readers responded. We broke all of our records on kickstarter and put out something magical.

They didn’t just read it—they embraced it.

That support didn’t just make the book a success. It gave us a direction.

Because Oz wasn’t the end.

It was the beginning.

The Birth of a Universe

From there, things escalated.

We didn’t just stop with Oz. We pushed further into other worlds—twisting familiar stories, breaking them open, and letting the horror seep in. What started as a single project became a growing line of books… a shared idea:

No world is safe.

Every fairy tale, every childhood story, every place that once felt magical… can become something else entirely.

And at the center of it all?

That same question we started with.

What happens when something ancient and unknowable invades everything you thought you understood

We have had some of the most talented people in comics work on this book. We have hired 100’s of creators to work in this universe. We have even been nominated for so many awards and even won a few.

?

So Why Come Back to Oz?

Because this is where it all started.

And honestly?

Not everyone got to experience it the first time. Our goals were smaller back then. We didnt even use all the charecters in oz. Returning just seemed like a no brainer to me.

Over the years, we’ve had people ask:

“Can I still get Cthulhu Invades Oz?”
“Will you ever bring it back?”
“Did I miss it for good?”
”Can i get more comp copies?? I am sold out”

We heard you. Creators and Fans have been wanting more of this and we have had too go back to print not ONCE but TWICE!!

Introducing: CTHULHU INVADES OZ – SECOND EDITION

This isn’t just a reprint.

This is a chance to bring the original invasion back—with everything we’ve learned since.

A chance for new readers to finally step onto that Yellow Brick Road…

…and for longtime supporters to revisit the book that started it all.

We’ve taken care to make this edition feel like it belongs alongside everything that came after it—while still honoring what made the original special.

For Those Who Were There From The Start

If you backed the original… this part matters most.

You helped build this.

You believed in a strange idea before it became a universe. You took a chance on us, on the creators, and on a book that didn’t play it safe.

We don’t forget that. If you look at the orginal kickstarter i gave some special pricing in a BACKER ONLY update.

That’s why we’ve made sure there are ways for original backers to come back in—with exclusive options and a little something extra as a thank you.

Because this isn’t just about launching a book.

It’s about continuing something we built together.

We also ADDED TONS of stuff

WHAT’S NEW IN THE SECOND EDITION

• NEW STORIES

• NEW CHARACTERS

• NEW COVERS

• REMASTERED ART

• EXAPANDED NARRATIVE

• NEW POEMS

• NEW INTRO

EIGHT NEW STORIES

Dive deeper into the horrors of Oz with all-new tales from all-star creative teams!
Featuring fan-favorite characters like:

REMASTERED ART (SELL-OUT - STORY UPGRADE)

We’ve gone back to remaster and enhance pages from the original run — sharpening artwork, updating lettering, and polishing visuals for the definitive reading experience.

The Road Is Waiting

We’ve come a long way since that first campaign.

More books. More creators. More worlds touched by something they were never meant to contain.

But it all leads back here.

Back to Oz.

Back to where the road first broke.

Back the Second Edition

The invasion begins again.

👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/cthulhu-invades-oz-second-edition

Oz changed everything for us.

Now it’s your turn to see why.

Ohhhh also incase you missed it. We had a cool thing happen to us last week!! I made this announcement on SOCIAL MEDIA.

That’s right!! We are getting a foreign language translation!!! CTHULHU INVADES is getting bigger and bigger!!