Things Are Going to Be

in which our hero sends the next issue to the printer

Dear Readers,

Earlier this week, I shipped The Blood of Seven Queens #4 to the printer. I’m still waiting on the proof copy, but I have every reason to believe it will be fine and that I’ll be starting pre-orders for the book next week.

This was a hard one, as I think I’ve probably made abundantly clear over the past few months. From complicated scenes featuring more characters than ever before to a mid-project decision that this would be the last issue before a creative reset, issue #4 took a lot out of me. The challenge now is to balance being proud of this thing I’ve made with analyzing how I can do better the next time.

Striking that balance has been easier this week because I’ve taken a few days off from doing any art or writing, all so that I can focus on doing an editorial read-through of my friend Brendan Mahan’s manuscript Overcoming the Wall of Awful—a fantastic book about the emotional barrier that prevents us from initiating tasks, which is coming out in 2026 from a big-time, traditional publisher!

When I get back to work on the comic next week or the week after, I should feel recharged as a result. And the content of the book is helping me, even as I’m helping Brendan get the manuscript as polished as it can be. Thinking about my own Walls of Awful® and how I might better climb them is kinda-sorta just what I needed these past few days.

At any rate, I’ll leave things there for now. I have to shower and head into the office soon. But I’ll be back next week with a cover reveal for and full preview of The Blood of Seven Queens #4. Paid subs can keep scrolling for their early look at pages 21-24. Everyone else, I’ll see you next time!

Yours,
Chris