120+ page sci-fi graphic novel. Mercy St. Clair faces a showdown in the stars with the fate of the galactic rebellion in the balance.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
April Update: Backups and Commissions!
3 months ago
– Thu, Apr 23, 2026 at 11:48:43 AM
Mercy's Strange New Worlds....
Mercy and Molly, going "back to the future" in this retro backup tale!
Greetings, Trekker Trooper!
Progress continues on pace for fulfillment on our TREKKER: THE TIES THAT BIND book. I've completed the mildly playful backup story (see image above) where Mercy and Molly have an improbably old school science fiction adventure, and a few lucky backers are featured in cameo roles. I spent some time to get the tone, look, and style on this tale to look as much like a 1950s-era space adventure as I could. Hope you'll find the results as fun to read as I did to draw!
The Darker side...
A poignant panel from the Steve Lieber-drawn backup tale
Along with our co-colorist Caitlin Like, I've also just finished the colors on the second backup story, with guest art by Steve Lieber! This tale has a vastly different, more sombre tone from the light-hearted retro feel of our other backup story, and Steve struck all the right notes. It's an honor to have this world-class artist grace the book with this short, five-page tale.
Quick shuffle
Our faithful pre-press and production ace, Allyson Willsey wasn't available to help us out this time, due to some intense, full-time job commitments. Allyson has been with us for every Trekker book that Scuff Print Press has produced, assuring that our books all come out consistently in quality, and matching our expectations. So filling her shoes was an essential step to make sure our books will continue to come out just as we want. Luckily, we have been able to bring on board another veteran from Dark Horse Publishing's excellent production crew, Brennan Thome, to take on this crucial role. I'll be getting all the files into her capable hands within a day or three, and once she's done her magic, we'll have the book off to the printer!
MEANWHILE...
A Kickstarter Creator's jobs are manifold, so while tending to the files for the book, I've also been busy getting the requested commissions done for our campaign:
A seasonal spray of Inkwash commissions!
These are always delightful, and the requests this time were no exception. And next on my drawing board, the watercolor commissions. Like I say, the jobs on our road to fulfillment are many and varied!
If all goes well and the printing/shipping stage doesn't hit unforeseen complications or delays in these unsteady times, we're still on target for our projected August fulfillment date. And of course, I'll be keeping you informed each step of the way!
Thanks again to each and every faithful Trekker Trooper who helps keep us firmly on the march to making #MoreTrekkerMoreOften!
This 6th and final graphic novel completes the stylish crime thriller set in the lost culture of Los Angeles' country music clubs.
One of the few books I support instantly upon launch, no questions asked, is Stephan Franck's 100% brilliant PALOMINO series.
Stephen's work is restrained and spare while also being filled with power, immediacy, and dazzling draftsmanship-- a direct result of his years spent in mastering visual storytelling, and his uncanny ability to pick the essential details of each story moment and present them in a striking often unforgettable image.
If you love a tense, terse, noirish crime yarn, you'll love this book and series.
If you love comics and want to experience a story told powerfully and without showy clutter or self-indulgence, you'll love this book and series.
If you're interested in the workings of comics as a unique art form and want a quick, intense master class in how to execute a tale flawlessly, you'll love this book and series.
First, a request, for backers at the premium reward tiers for COMMISSIONS, being NAMED IN THE BOOK, and APPEARING IN THE BOOK: If you haven't yet done so, please respond to my direct message ASAP so that I can complete these parts of getting our book finished and reward ready in as timely a fashion as possible!
FUNDS RECEIVED!
The Kickstarter funds have landed in my bank account, which is always a great day! So we are all set to pay for our fulfillment costs once the final touches are put on the book and I get the files off to the printer! Speaking of which...
BACK-UP STORIES IN PROCESS!
Eisner Award-winning ace artist and prince of a human Steve Lieber is working on the final page of his short back-up story for the book! Here's just a quick glimpse of Steve's masterful work on the book:
Meanwhile, I've been forging ahead on my own back-up story, a fanciful little tale where I drop some backer likenesses into the story. WARNING! For this light-hearted, old-school story, I've intentionally dialed the "Retro-Sci-fi" look up to 10, so brace yourself!
If you know old 1950's EC Comics, you'll find this look familiar!
Once Steve and I have our inks done, Caitlin Like and I will dive into the colors. Then, I'll finish assembling all the other back matter material, and we'll be quickly off to the printer!
CONVENTION REPORT!
Emerald City was as delightful and successful as always. And, also as always, the highlight for me was both meeting both long-time Trekker fans and making new Trekker Troopers at the show. Here are just a few of the wonderful fans of Mercy's adventures that I had the great pleasure of chatting with:
It is always a huge inspiration for me to hear from readers that enjoy Mercy's stories, and go out of their way to support these campaigns and to keep the Trekker coming. Thank you, one and all!
Back with further updates as we continue our march along on the noble path of making #MoreTrekkerMoreOften!
The long-running hit pulp series starring a globetrotting aviatrix returns in this double-size 56-page one-shot!
YOWSA!
Pulp Adventure ace Steve Bryant is back with the latest ATHENA VOLTAIRE book, and I am so there for this "knuckle-dusting classic pulp adventure."
Nominated for a slew of awards over his career, Steve is now publishing his creator-owned passion project. Something I'm a wee bit familiar with myself!
ATHENA is a great example of what crowdfunding does best-- giving creators a platform to tell their own passion projects, whether they fit easily into the large schemes of a publisher or not. Climb onboard for this one now right HERE!
Mummy Detective. Vampire sidekick. And a monster melee with the creepy cabal The Council Macabre as cult murderers are revealed!
BAM!
Patrick Coyle's supernatural PI BIXBY GRANT is back, chums, with another hard-boiled and hard-hitting tale as he goes up against all sorts of supernatural mugs. Bixby's no sap, but I'm betting even he will have his two mummy-wrapped arms full of trouble. Just the way we like it.
Don't be a chump-- jump in now, ya get me? Click on the LINK. Tell 'em Ronny Blackfingers sent ya.
Some business, plus Emerald City Convention next weekend!
5 months ago
– Sat, Feb 28, 2026 at 12:58:53 PM
Happy weekend, Trekker Backer,
Thanks again for the fantastic campaign for TREKKER: THE TIES THAT BIND. I'm thrilled with the enthusiastic and energetic support that Mercy's adventures continue to inspire in so many readers. We unlocked ALL of our stretch goals, and will be making a terrific book, plus a fine new stack of bonus treats to every backers' rewards packs. And I can't wait to get this latest tale into your hands! But meanwhile...
Commissions, etc!
If you pledged at a level for a commission, or to be named in, or appear in the book, you should have received a direct message from me asking for info about your reward. If you haven't yet responded to that message, please do get back to me here through the Kickstarter Message feature so that I can get rolling on your requests!
Emerald City Comic Con (+ Heroescon)!
No sooner than we finish a great campaign for Trekker than ECCC 2026 is upon us!
If any of you will be in the Seattle area and want to take in a terrific and fun show, ECCC next weekend is the place to be.
I'll be bringing the Trekker Empire to the show, offering all the books from the series, plus original art, and signing, sketching, and fielding commissions. Swing by and let's share a high five over the success of our campaign!
This is an incredible show, filled with comics creators, original art, and comics enthusiasts from around the world. No frills beyond the most complete and classy collection of comic creators, collectors, and fans in the States. If you haven't gone, it's where to go!
I'll be back again after my trip to Seattle with more news and details as we work toward fulfillment on our campaign.
Thanks again for our continued success on our road to #MoreTrekkerMoreOften.
A 100 page A4 anthology featuring a selection of classic and some unseen strips taken from Tripwire's Stripwire section.
“Tripwire is research done right celebrating and investigating the love of comic books.” - Jimmy Palmiotti
TRIPWIRE, for those who may not know, has been a top-shelf comics and culture journal for decades, covering the many varied aspects of our field with depth and insight. Here's a dazzling selection of the cartoon strips featured over that long expanse of years by some of the very top talents in the business. Plus a new Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders short!
Only 5 days left to get in on this treasure chest of comics. Get in on this one HERE.
THANKYOU, BACKERS!!!
5 months ago
– Thu, Feb 26, 2026 at 07:15:03 PM
Throw the confetti! It's time to celebrate another super successful TREKKER campaign!
Thank you SO much for all your support and making this campaign such a fun and exciting ride! This last day was amazing! And I'm so grateful that I believe I'm going to bend the ""rules" here and throw in our Ben Dewey Trading card since we o got so very close to that final stretch target :)
I'll be back soon with some more info, and of course keep you all informed as we move through the steps toward fulfillment. But for now, thanks again, and I hope we ALL have a good night's rest after this trek!
Best,
Ron
LAST HOURS! Full LIEBER STORY UNLOCKED! NEW Stretch Goal REVEAL!
5 months ago
– Thu, Feb 26, 2026 at 02:52:41 PM
One more trick up my sleeve-- but I need YOU to make the magic happen:
Big Benjamin Dewey's explosive Trekker Take" feels like the perfect note to end this campaign on. If you agree, please help spread the word, and/or consider visiting the campaign for a last-hours upgrade to your pledge. There are a very few SKETCH in BOOK slots still open. Commissions and Add-on rewards like additional Trekker books, Enamel Pin and Trading Card sets are still available... you get the idea!
Thanks so much for making this another thrilling and inspiring campaign on our road to #MoreTrekkerMoreOften!
