Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: August 30th
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
He Fought in Iraq… Now He Writes Epic Fantasy
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, we’re thrilled to host fantasy author William Price Jr., whose latest novel Into the Northlands kicks off The Master of Fate series. Born in San Diego in 1976, William served in the U.S. Army in conflict zones like Kosovo and Iraq, and even worked as an emergency relief firefighter in Montana. These real-life experiences infuse his writing with a grounded authenticity and emotional resonance.
William’s previous works—including Fallen Love, The Northern Keep, and The Western Empire—have laid the foundation for his mythic world-building, but Into the Northlands brings readers into a fresh tale of survival, destiny, and epic struggles. We dive into how his background shapes his characters, where his inspiration comes from, and what hopes he has for his series.
This conversation weaves together military discipline, literary ambition, and imaginative craft—perfect for fans of immersive fantasy rooted in human experience. If you're curious about the making of a modern fantasy saga and the person behind it, this episode is for you.
Project Update: Slow but Steady
Progress has been on the slower side this week, but I’m still moving forward bit by bit. Most of my focus has been on rereading my notes for Appliance and letting everything sink back in so the ideas feel fresh again. It’s not flashy progress, but it’s important groundwork.
Sometimes just revisiting old notes sparks new connections, and I can feel the gears starting to turn again. Slow and steady, but heading in the right direction.
And once I’m back into a full creative groove, I’m also looking forward to diving deeper into my next humor project—those “New England proverbs that don’t exist (but sound like they should).” That one’s already giving me plenty of laughs just jotting ideas down.
Book Review: Tintin and the Picaros – A “New” Old Adventure
When I was a kid, our school library had the full Tintin series—or at least I thought it did. Every album was there on the shelf… except Tintin and the Picaros. For years, it was the elusive missing piece of the collection, the one story I never got to read. Fast forward to now, and I finally sat down with it for the first time. And let me tell you—there’s something pretty special about getting a “new” Tintin adventure as an adult.
Published in 1976, Tintin and the Picaros is the final installment in the series, and it carries that sense of closing the curtain while still delivering Hergé’s trademark humor and charm. The story drops Tintin, Haddock, and Calculus back into South America, where Bianca Castafiore has been imprisoned by the regime of General Tapioca. Naturally, our heroes get swept up in a plot involving guerilla fighters, political intrigue, jungle hijinks, and—because it wouldn’t be Tintin without him—Rastapopoulos causing trouble in the background.
Reading it for the first time, I was struck by two things: how familiar it felt (all the classic elements are there) and how different it is in tone compared to earlier adventures. There’s a slightly more subdued, satirical edge to this one, as Hergé pokes fun at revolutions and politics. And while the stakes are still high, Tintin himself feels calmer, more reflective—like a hero who’s grown alongside his readers.
Was it the most explosive Tintin adventure? Maybe not. But was it fun finally experiencing the “lost” story from my youth? Absolutely. There was a real joy in turning those pages and realizing that, even after all these years, Tintin could still surprise me with something new. As the last book in the series, it may not be the wildest, but it’s a fitting final bow.
Personal Update: Optimism, Preparations, and a Fair Farewell to Summer
It’s been a good week, full of steady preparations as we look ahead to our fall and winter programs. Even with all the planning, I’m feeling optimistic—especially since the paper has held strong at 24 pages for three weeks in a row now. That consistency feels like a real milestone and a great sign of where things are heading.
On the family side, we capped off the summer with a trip to the Caledonia County Fair. It was the perfect way to wrap up the season—rides, food, music, and that buzzing small-town fair energy that always makes you smile. A fun weekend, and a nice reminder to pause and enjoy these moments before fall kicks into full gear.
Fun little fair ride
That’s his second maple ice cream!
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