Nervous System, where you can learn more about ThoughtScape Comics and Lifeformed. ThoughtScape Comics #1 on sale now in print and digital!
Hey gang,
So last time around, I convinced myself that I did indeed want to try and execute some digital release plan for ThoughtScape Comics #2. I've spent much of the intervening weeks coming up with what that plan looks like. But first, I had to decide on the key goals for such a release...
Oh wait, I almost forgot because the pandemic continues to fry my brain... FIRST I had to wrap up production of the comic itself.
So, what was left to do? The fake advertisements! The proofreading! The proofreading of the fake advertisements! You get the idea. A lot of proofing. Also, deciding how to lay out a purely digital version (alignment alterations! bleed-sized pages? non-bleed-sized pages?). A lot of silly little decisions that never feel silly at the time and instead feel like they are going to crush you. Anyway, I made those. The most notable thing from a reader perspective, I suppose, is that if you were a Zoop campaign supporter in any way, including just clicking the Notify button, your name will show up in issue #2 in what I hope is a fun, amusing way in one of a couple of the ads.
Alright, back to those key goals:
Be able to call issue #2 DONE
Get issue #2 into the hands of TSC supporters before a year passes since #1 was released
Possibly generate some funds to finish up issue #3
Promote issue #2 in a targeted way that might generate some interest from a slightly larger audience
Keep options for eventually printing the issue open
A quick discussion of each goal in some detail...
Be able to call issue #2 DONE
Sitting on a project too long isn't a good feeling, and has in the past led me to resenting the project itself, so I want to avoid that here, considering especially that this is an issue that features both the first short story that I ever wrote for TSC (Drones, which Tyrell Cannon and I worked on like 3-4 years ago), and one of the most successful short stories I feel like I've written so far, The Griever (art by Jacob Edgar, colors by Lesley Atlansky). Even the issue itself has been nearly ready to roll for over four months. So, yeah, anyway, time to call it complete, get it out there in whatever form, and move forward.
Get issue #2 into the hands of TSC supporters before a year passes since #1 was released
I built TSC with the express intention of having it be highly re-readable, so that folks could give the previous issue a quick or not so quick second look before diving into the latest, but I also built it to be quarterly at slowest, and I don't want to keep the people who are willing to support this book waiting ridiculously long between issues, or in the case of ThoughtScape 2319 and Dash Varrick, chapters. At least if I can help it.
Possibly generate some funds to finish up issue #3
Honestly, right now I am not seeing a ton of options that I like for gathering the funds needed for issue #3, so having issue #2 out in the world and having it maybe lead to folks picking up BOTH issues #1 and #2, is one way to incrementally chip away at the small but significant amount of cash I need to pull together to finish up the art for the third issue. Even five to 15 dollars trickling in slowly via web sales is a real help - and a huge motivator - so more of that will be welcome.
Promote issue #2 in a highly targeted way that might generate some interest from a slightly larger audience without exhausting myself
This one is tricky, because I totally love working with the folks who cover indie comics, but it also takes a lot of time and a lot of preparation. And one thing I really need to do to at this point, to keep myself sane, is just be working on stories. SO, I am planning to pick a small set of promo engagements, and most importantly, not worry a lot about spreading the It's Coming Soon word. I’ll just let folks know that it's available as soon as it is purchasable in my web store.
Keep options for printing the issue open
Staying purely digital for now of course means that if I do decide to crowdfund at some point in the near future, I have this book all set to be printed. And maybe that becomes an option for both issues two and three at some point, if/when I find some crowdfunding option or other approach that I’m happy with the idea of engaging.
The Plan
Alright, so with those goals in mind, I believe I arrived at a simple plan that keeps things moving forward and hits all the goals in a way that I feel I can manage.
In the interest of full-transparency, I will also note that a big aspect of this plan is the successful management of my mental state around my comic endeavors and dealing with the fact that I am straight-up exhausted but also not wanting to lose my personal creative momentum, or leave supporters hanging.
:: ThoughtScape Comics #2 will be available digital only for now ::
It will be available as an extremely high-resolution PDF for sale from my website.
It will be available to anyone who is a paid tier subscriber to Nervous System, this very Substack newsletter right here that you are reading right now.
It will drop sometime in April or May, in an exclusive announcement to be made by one of my favorite comics sites/entities (of course I will also let you know about it right here, so stay tuned).
I will appear on the Blake’s Buzz podcast to discuss the issue, and maybe we’ll do something cool with the format of that discussion (TBD).
I would be happy to appear on any other podcasts, but I will not be seeking out appearances, so if you have a show and want to chat with me about the project, hit me up at mattmlpdx@gmail.com.
This will be a tough row to hoe, as us old people say. Website-based sales are generally not easy to make happen. BUT, this gets the issue out into the world and maybe, with some luck and the support of you fine folks, we can successfully spread the word and generate some $ for issue three, which is REAL CLOSE to being complete, art wise, but needs just a little bit of help to cross the funding finish line (speaking of which, I have a couple awesome sneak peeks beyond the paywall - don’t forget, if you sign up for a paid sub here you can check out frequent behind the scenes looks and I’ll send you issue #2 as soon as it drops).
Alright, have a great weekend, and if you are looking for a wonderful and speedy sci-fi read, I highly recommend…
This Is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, sort of a wartime romance between two Terminator-like beings quantum-leaping through time and space (plus shades of Annihilation somehow). I read this in a couple sittings on Sunday and loved it. It is abstract, but if that’s your wheelhouse, definitely check this out.
Matt
Sneak peek at issue #3 art…
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