Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: November 1st
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
Deep Cuts, Big Hearts, and Giant Swords: Barb's 4th Book!
This week on Storycomic Presents, we were thrilled to welcome back the dynamic duo of Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson, creators of the wildly popular Barb the Last Berzerker series. With Book 4 now out, they joined us to talk about where Barb’s story is heading—and why this latest installment packs an emotional punch alongside the usual laughs and action.
Unlike past volumes that built toward all-out war, Book 4 explores the aftermath. What happens after the dust settles? What’s left to fight for when the battle is over? Dan and Jason opened up about how this book focuses more on heart than spectacle, deepening character arcs and introducing complex themes—like identity, loss, and resilience.
One of the juiciest threads? A mysterious hint at Barb’s dad. The emotional weight of a parent returning—or not—adds new stakes to Barb’s journey, and fans will love decoding what’s left unsaid.
We also dove into their approach to villains. Turns out, making baddies “big and bad” isn’t enough for this team. They’re always looking for nuance: scars, humor, and personal history that elevate the bad guys into characters you love to hate—or hate to love.
From behind-the-scenes art tidbits to storytelling challenges, this episode was packed with insight, creativity, and laughs. Whether you're a die-hard fan or discovering Barb for the first time, you’ll want to check it out.
Building a World Where Everything Has Fallen Apart
Randall Drew, known online as RK DIA Comics, steps into the spotlight with Citadel Volume One, a crowdfunded high‑fantasy comic that asks: what happens when the apocalypse isn’t the end, but the beginning? Two centuries after a catastrophic event shattered civilization, the remnants struggle—not just to survive, but to build meaning in the ruins. The Kickstarter campaign launched, collected issues #1‑4, and swiftly reached its funding goal within days.
In this week’s episode of Storycomic Presents, Randall walks us through his creative journey: designing the world of Citadel, navigating the independent comics scene, and bringing epic scope to an indie budget. We explore why huge fantasy ideas don’t require giant publishers, and how passion, community and smart planning can build something remarkable. If you love fantasy, world‑building, and the behind‑the‑scenes of creator‑driven comics, this chat will inspire you. Visit the Kickstarter and keep an eye on RK DIA’s channel for more.
Project Update: A Pivot Toward Proverbs
This week, I’ve decided to pivot my creative focus a bit and spend more time working on my New England Proverbs That Don’t Exist (But Sound Like They Should) book. It’s been simmering on the back burner for a while, and now feels like the right time to give it some proper attention.
I’ve been jotting down new ideas and sketching out the tone and structure for the book—it’s already shaping up to be a fun blend of regional humor, tongue-in-cheek wisdom, and that unmistakable New England practicality. There’s something really enjoyable about capturing the rhythm and flavor of the region while putting a playful twist on it.
It’s a nice creative shift—still writing and world-building, but with a lighter, more humorous focus. I’m excited to see where it goes as I start fleshing out the proverbs and pairing them with the kind of dry wit only a New Englander (or someone who’s shoveled a driveway in March) could appreciate.
Book Review: Cartoon-Style Illustrations – A Retro Treasure Trove of Creative Charm
Every once in a while, I stumble upon a book that feels like a time capsule of pure creative joy—and Cartoon-Style Illustrations by Dave Ubinas and Esther Langholtz is exactly that kind of find. It’s part art reference, part nostalgia trip, and all-around inspiring fun for anyone who loves the classic look and humor of mid-century cartooning.
This book is packed cover to cover with black-and-white cartoon illustrations—everything from people and animals to everyday objects and holiday scenes—all drawn with that wonderfully exaggerated, expressive linework that makes old-school cartooning so timeless. Even though it was first published decades ago, the style still feels lively and full of personality. There’s a warmth and playfulness in every drawing that makes you want to grab a sketchbook and start doodling.
What I love most about Cartoon-Style Illustrations is how versatile it feels. It’s not just a clip-art book—it’s a creative spark. Whether you’re a cartoonist, a teacher, a designer, or just someone who enjoys flipping through vintage illustration art, this book has something that’ll make you smile (and probably inspire you to draw a few silly faces of your own).
As someone who loves comics, cartoons, and anything that celebrates humor in art, this book instantly hit that sweet nostalgic note for me. It’s a reminder of how much energy and storytelling can live inside a single, well-drawn line.
Cartoon-Style Illustrations is the kind of book that makes you want to make things—simple as that. It’s a cheerful throwback to when art was bold, expressive, and just plain fun.
Personal Update: A Man Cold, a Livestream, and Some Sweet Moments
This week was a bit of a funky one. Things started out fine until Tuesday night, when I began feeling a little off—and by Wednesday, it had developed into a full-blown man cold. I powered through Wednesday as best I could, but by Thursday I waved the white flag and stayed home to rest. I ended up working from home on Friday, too. Thankfully, I’m on the other side of it now and feeling much better—energy mostly restored and glad to be back in the groove.
On the bright side, I also got to do something really fun: I joined Clark Rowenson and a few others for a roleplaying session set in the LitRPG world he created. It’s been a great couple of weeks collaborating on that story, and we even livestreamed the session on Saturday. It was such a fun creative escape—lots of laughs, good storytelling, and a reminder of how much I love that kind of world-building play.
I also managed to sneak in some quality kid time. Jordan and I made a Peanut Butter Pie together (which turned out amazing), and the girls and I went out to Deb’s Place for breakfast. It was a nice little outing, though bittersweet—Deb is closing her restaurant at the end of the month, and it’s been one of our favorite local spots.
Even with a week of sniffles and sneezes, there were plenty of bright spots. Here’s to feeling better, good food, and great company—both in real life and in imaginary worlds.
The girls enjoying a game of Checkers at Deb’s Place on the final weekend she is open
Making some Peanut Butter Pie!
🎙️ Been Here. Still Awesome. Still Limited. 🎨📚🎲
For a while now, we’ve been offering a tried-and-true promotional opportunity through the Storycomic Patreon—and if you’re an independent creative, it’s still one of the best ways to sustainably share your work and grow your audience.
Here’s what our Patreon members have been benefiting from:
✅ Permanent Promotion
Your website or project link is featured in the show notes of all podcast episodes for as long as you're a patron. That’s long-term visibility across every platform where our show is streamed.
🏆 Founders Club Access
The Founders Club remains limited to just 15 spots. No expansions, no waiting list—once it’s full, that’s it. These early supporters have their names (and links) locked into the Storycomic platform.
📢 Monthly Promotion at the Super Club Level
At the Super Club tier, members receive a minimum of one promotional post per month—whether it's a new release, project update, or spotlight on their creative work.
Founders Club patrons include amazing creators like:
Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese.
Explore their work:
🎯 If you're a creator—author, game designer, comic artist—this is your signal. This system is working. Don't wait until the last spot is gone.
Let’s keep building the kind of community that lifts each other up.
—Barney Smith