Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: November 8th
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
When Humanity’s Time Is Up: Last Breeds and the Fight for a Second Chance
This week on Storycomic Presents, we’re honored to welcome Jonathan Ball of Stranger Fiction Inc., visionary creator of the upcoming graphic novel Last Breeds. Set in a world devastated by genetic manipulation—where newborns don’t survive past puberty and the earth is wild and broken—Last Breeds brings a fresh and brutal vision of survival. Jonathan leads us through the broken landscape, introduces us to Bale, a man who turns his back on humanity and his fortune, and asks the question: If we’ve ruined everything, are we even worth saving?
Written by Ball with Matthew Medney and G.M.B. Chomichuk, and illustrated by Scott B. Henderson, the book spans 152 pages of epic size and emotional scope. With its mutant animals, scavenger cults, drone hunters and a teenager who holds the key to redemption, Last Breeds blends monster‑survival storytelling with a drama that hits hard.
If you’re drawn to vibrant visuals, bold ideas, and stories that challenge comfort zones, you’ll want to hear how Jonathan’s process, influences and ambitions shape this dark new world. Pre‑order links and creator insights await—join us and discover what “second chance” looks like when humanity might be beyond repair.
Learn more at LastBreeds.com
Check out Jonathan’s work at Stranger Fiction.
Inside the Fantastical Heart of “Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology”: A Conversation with Angela Hsieh
This week on Storycomic Presents, we’re excited to welcome debut graphic novelist Angela Hsieh to the show! Angela’s middle-grade fantasy graphic novel Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology (coming May 2025 from Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins) is more than just a beautifully illustrated adventure—it’s a deeply personal story about family, grief, cultural identity, and how we make sense of the world after loss.
Set in a richly imagined universe filled with towering, awe-inspiring creatures, the book follows two siblings navigating both the physical terrain of geozoological wonders and the emotional terrain of family expectations and language barriers. It’s a moving, whimsical, and insightful tale that manages to be both magical and grounded in truth.
Angela joined us to talk about what inspired the story, how her background as a Taiwanese American shaped the characters, and what it was like bringing this world to life visually and narratively. We also chat about the importance of representation in children’s literature, and what she hopes young readers take away from Lu and Ren’s journey.
If you’re a fan of emotionally rich stories wrapped in fantasy, or if you’re interested in the intersection of art, family, and storytelling—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Project Update: A Quiet Week for Creativity
Not too much to report on the project front this week—it’s been a pretty quiet stretch with little progress made. Between work, family, and everything else going on, the creative side took a bit of a backseat.
That said, even during the slower weeks, I like to think of it as part of the process. Sometimes ideas need a little time to breathe before they’re ready to move forward. I’ve still been jotting down a few notes here and there and keeping the projects on my mind, just waiting for that next spark to hit.
So, while there’s not a ton of new development to share, the gears are still turning—just slowly and quietly this week.
Book Review: Sam and the Firefly – Friendship, Fun, and a Little Bit of Mischief
This week, I revisited a true classic from my childhood bookshelf—Sam and the Firefly by P.D. Eastman—and got to share it with my kids. It’s one of those timeless stories that’s as fun to read now as it was when I first discovered it years ago.
The book follows Sam the wise old owl and Gus the playful firefly, who loves writing glowing words in the night sky with his light. At first, it’s all good fun, but when Gus’s mischievous side takes over, his glowing words cause chaos around town. It’s up to Sam to help his friend see the light—literally and figuratively—and make things right again.
P.D. Eastman’s storytelling has that wonderful blend of humor, heart, and gentle lessons that make his books so memorable. The rhythm of the text makes it great for reading aloud, and the illustrations—those bold nighttime scenes lit up by Gus’s glowing words—are pure magic. Even though the story is over 60 years old, it still feels fresh and lively.
Reading it again reminded me why I loved it so much as a kid: it’s a story about friendship, forgiveness, and using your gifts for good—all wrapped up in a fun, imaginative adventure. And watching my kids light up (pun intended) as we turned the pages brought it full circle.
Sam and the Firefly is a perfect reminder that even the brightest lights shine best when they’re guided by kindness—and that good friends will always help you find your way back.
Personal Update: Rainy Days, Farewells, and Muppet Movies
This past week has been a chilly and rainy one—definitely the kind of weather that makes you reach for an extra cup of coffee. Even though we’re still in an extreme drought, the rain was a welcome sight. Unfortunately, it came right on Halloween night, which put a bit of a damper on trick-or-treating this year. Still, the kids made the best of it, soggy costumes and all.
On a bittersweet note, our local diner, Deb’s Place, officially closed as Deb retired. It’s been such a staple spot for the community—a cozy, welcoming place to grab breakfast and see familiar faces. It’ll definitely be missed.
Work-wise, both the paper and radio are motoring along nicely. We’re in full prep mode for the holiday greetings on both fronts and gearing up for the start of the high school basketball season. It’s shaping up to be a busy but exciting time of year.
On the home front, the kids and I have been on a bit of a retro movie kick lately. After working our way through some classic ’80s films over the past few months, we’ve now moved into Muppet territory. This week’s pick was The Great Muppet Caper—one I didn’t really remember much from my childhood, but it was such a fun watch. Not quite as many cameos as The Muppet Movie, but still full of that chaotic, musical Muppet charm.
All in all, a wet and chilly week—but full of warmth in all the right ways.
