New!
articles • book quests • news • library
reviews • podcast • gifts • archives
Crew manifest Faith statement FAQs
All author resources Lorehaven Guild Subscribe for free

A Crown of Chains
Reviews, Jan 27, 2023

The Magician’s Nephew Taught Me Christ’s Compassion in the Midst of Grief
Elijah David in Articles, Jan 26, 2023

Rose Petals and Snowflakes
Book Quests, Jan 25, 2023

Library

Find fantastical Christian novels

fantasy · sci-fi · and beyond
middle grade · young adult · grown-ups
All novels Search Add a novel
Silver Bounty, Victoria McCombs
A Sword for the Immerland King, F. W. Faller
Calor, J. J. Fisher
Once Upon A Ren Faire, A. C. Castillo
Exile, Loren G. Warnemuende
Aberration, Cathy McCrumb
The Truth Beyond the Lies, Kathleen Bird
Frost, Winter's Lonely Guardian, E. E. Rawls
Dream of Kings, Sharon Hinck
The Change, Bradley Caffee
Quest of Fire: Desperation, Brett Armstrong
Wishtress, Nadine Brandes
Flight, Kristen Young
The Deliverer, Jason William Karpf
Podcast

Get the Fantastical Truth podcast

Podcast sponsors | Subscribe links
Archives Feedback

146. How Did Animators Adapt The Wingfeather Saga For Streaming TV? | with Keith Lango
Fantastical Truth, Jan 24, 2023

145. How Did Edmund Spenser’s ‘The Faerie Queene’ Shape Christian Fantasy? | with Rebecca K. Reynolds
Fantastical Truth, Jan 17, 2023

144. Which Top Six Fantasy Franchises Gave Fans Grief in 2022?
Fantastical Truth, Jan 10, 2023

143. Which Top Ten Lorehaven Stories Proved Most Popular in 2022?
Fantastical Truth, Jan 6, 2023

142. What Christmas Gift ‘Tools, Not Toys’ Helped You Grow As a Person?
Fantastical Truth, Dec 20, 2022

141. Ten Years After ‘An Unexpected Journey,’ Must We Really Hate The Hobbit Films? | with Rilian of NarniaWeb
Fantastical Truth, Dec 13, 2022

Quests

Join our monthly digital book quests.

Lorehaven Guild Faith statement FAQs

Rose Petals and Snowflakes
Book Quests, January 2023

Prince Caspian
Book Quests, January 2023

Dream of Kings
Book Quests, December 2022

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
Book Quests, November 2022

Reviews

Find fantastical Christian reviews

All reviews Request review

A Crown of Chains
“A Crown of Chains creatively retells a biblical tale to explore themes of providence, racism, faith, and fidelity.”
—Lorehaven on Jan 27, 2023

Lander’s Legacy
“Lander’s Legacy stacks modern thrills and complex characters on a foundation of biblical what-ifs.”
—Lorehaven on Jan 20, 2023

Prince Caspian
“Pacing starts slow but creature lore grows in C. S. Lewis’s sequel, introducing practical tyrants and talking-beast politics into a Narnian resistance.”
—Lorehaven on Jan 13, 2023

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
“New and returning readers of all ages would do well to seek deeper magic within C. S. Lewis’s faithful classic.”
—Lorehaven on Jan 13, 2023

Gifts

Find new gifts for Christian fans

Archives

The original SpecFaith: est. 2006

Speculative Faith | archives

Lorehaven issues (2018–2020)

Order back issues online!
About
Library
Reviews
Podcast
Gifts
Guild
Archives
SpecFaith
Lorehaven helps Christian fans explore fantastical stories for Christ’s glory: fantasy, science fiction, and beyond. Articles, the library, reviews, podcasts, gifts, and the Lorehaven Guild community help fans discern and enjoy the best Christian-made fantastical stories, applying their meanings to the real world Jesus Christ calls us to serve. Subscribe free to get any updates you choose and to access the Lorehaven Guild.
Subscribe free to Lorehaven
/ SpecFaith /

Terraform Comics: Changing the Landscape of Comics

Terraform comics seeks to produce high quality stories that are mostly stand-alone and are not limited to superheroes. They treat contributors well and are accepting submissions!
Cindy Koepp on Jul 16, 2020
1 comment

About a year ago, I set up as a vendor at the Indie Author Book Expo here where I live. While I was at the event, I met Brian K. Morris, an indie author who runs a small press called Rising Tide Publications. Brian runs a few podcasts every week (Clever Title Pending and Nevermind the Furthermore). When I got a chance, I listened in. Through those podcasts I met indie author Rob Andersin and comic book writer and artist Luke Stone.

Terraform logo

Within the last month, Brian, Rob, and Luke joined forces with Varian Grant, Erik Hodson, and Meredith Loughran to form Terraform Comics (http://terraformcomics.com), a new comic book publisher. Among them, they have over 100 years of experience in comic books, publishing, and marketing. Although not a strictly Christian press, they’re governed by those principles. Brian has joined me today to chat about this new venture.

Cindy: There are many book and comic publishers out there. What makes Terraform unique?

Brian: We’re combining a number of aspects that we believe will make us attractive to readers and creators alike. For one thing, we don’t go for long, drawn-out storylines. If a story takes more than one issue to tell, it’d better be an epic. For another, we’re looking forward to working with skilled storytellers, both in terms of writing and in visuals.

Terraform’s direction is decided by six people who share similar goals; and while we each have a specific function in the group, our skills overlap to a degree where we speak a similar creative language. For instance, I’m the “face” of the team, but with my own Rising Tide Publications, I can talk editorial, art, promotion, and overall business with the rest of the team.

Also, no one who works for Terraform does it for free. We have a business model that while we don’t pay upfront, the creators will get paid. There will be contracts. There will be oversight. Expect ethical treatment.

A Terraform Comics cover.

Cindy: Ethical behavior is a critical need in so many businesses these days, and it’s good to have overlap in skills. You can compliment each other and make sure that no one person gets buried.

I noticed that Terraform is looking for submissions. What do you look for in a good one?

Brian: Although Luke goes over the majority of submissions, the ones that make it to perusal fr

om the rest of the team are judged on how skillfully the story is told, both in words and in pictures.

Me, I look for a cohesive story told in a visually-stimulating way. I want to have enough information that I can understand the characters, whether I’m rooting for them or not.

A Hybrids cover.

Cindy: A coherent story is so helpful. I’ve read works in a number of genres and media types that are just too far all over the place in the story-telling department.

Because of the comics I collected when I was a kiddo, I usually associate comics with superhero stories, but I have since seen other sorts. Do you focus on a particular genre or are you open to a variety?

Brian: Our brief from Luke has always been we want to produce and publish “good comics.” We hold ourselves to the same standards we expect of others.

The initial wave of books from Terraform include all-ages humor, zombie horror, pulp adventure, and superheroes. While the comics field is dominated by the “long underwear” books, there’s plenty of variety out there and I don’t think any of us want to pigeonhole the company into one specific genre.

Cindy: Diversity is good. There are many good stories out there that would fit in the comic book style but don’t involve phenomenal cosmic powers. What are some of your current projects?

Brian: One I’m personally involved with is my co-creation, Scarlett Trace. It’s a nod to the great pulp heroes of long ago. Scarlett Trace fights off big crime in the early 20th Century and a number of the wrong people seem to know who she really is. However, the right people don’t, one of whom is Scarlett Trace. By the way, I’m thrilled to have Luke Stone as my penciler and co-creator.

Cindy: I’ve read some of your other pulp action tales including The Original Skyman Battles the Master of Steam. Good stuff! I can’t wait to see what happens with Scarlett Trace.

If everything goes according to Hoyle, what goals will Terraform Comics achieve?

Brian: World peace.

Cindy: That’s a lofty goal to aim for, but who needs easy goals, right?

Where can folks find out more about Terraform Comics?

Comedic Terraform…

Brian: Our delightful website at www.terraformcomics.com where you can read all about us and submit your work.

Cindy: Lots of interesting stuff happening there.

What question do you wish I’d asked?

Brian: What the heck do I do around here? What were they thinking when they asked me to join? ?

Cindy: I think you’re the Chief Fez Collector and Bowtie Organizer, right? As for what folks were thinking, I don’t know. I’m afraid my telepathy gene is on the fritz. Probably safer for everyone that way.

Thanks for joining me today.

You can find out more about Terraform comics (including submission info) on their webpage and connect with them on Facebook.

Terraform Comics main brands

Cindy Koepp
Originally from Michigan, Cindy Koepp combined a love of pedagogy and ecology into a fourteen-year career as an elementary science specialist. After teaching four-footers (that's height, not leg count) she pursued a master's degree in adult learning with a specialization in performance improvement. Her published works include science fiction, fantasy, and GameLit novels; a passel of short stories; and a few educator resources. When she isn't reading or writing, Cindy is currently working as a tech writer, hat collector, quilter, crafter, and strange joke teller.
Website ·
  1. Heather Titus says:
    July 16, 2020 at 12:42 pm

    fascinating! I’ll have to keep an eye out…getting into comics and graphic novels is definitely something I’d like to pursue in the future!

    Reply

What do you think? Cancel reply

  • Making a Story Visual UPDATE: Behind the Scenes of the Animal Eye ComicMaking a Story Visual UPDATE: Behind the Scenes of the Animal Eye Comic
  • So Many BooksSo Many Books
  • Beatitudes and Woes: A Groundbreaking AnthologyBeatitudes and Woes: A Groundbreaking Anthology
  • Free Original Storyworld Ideas, Part 5: GameLit (and Animal Eye)Free Original Storyworld Ideas, Part 5: GameLit (and Animal Eye)
Lorehaven magazine, spring 2020

Wear the wonder:
Get exclusive shirts and beyond

Listen to Lorehaven’s podcast

Authors and publishers:
Reach new fans with Lorehaven

Lorehaven helps Christian fans explore fantastical stories for Christ’s glory: fantasy, science fiction, and beyond. Articles, the library, reviews, podcasts, gifts, and the Lorehaven Guild community help fans discern and enjoy the best Christian-made fantastical stories, applying their meanings to the real world Jesus Christ calls us to serve. Subscribe free to get any updates you choose and to access the Lorehaven Guild.
Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter