[CDoS] 3 Worlds. 3 Moons. 3 Announcements!
The Day You've Been Waiting For
So, back in August — along with a handful of others — we did this this thing no one had really done before. With some big ideas, and some big ambition, we started a little experiment.
And of course, we had no idea what we were doing.
But that was part of the fun, right? To try something different, play a new song, and do it all in a way that felt fresh. We embraced the experiment, and asked you to do the same.
It’s six months later and to say you responded in kind would be an understatement. You have supported us not just with your hard-earned money, but with feedback and enthusiasm (and a lot of patience), and you’ve helped us build a community that engaged with the work in way that was refreshing and exactly what we hoped for.
When this CDoS event started to come together, it was obvious between the list of luminaries coming onboard (Welcome, Grant! Welcome, BKV & Niko! Welcome, Khary and Joanne! Welcome, Jen! Welcome, Tom & Elsa! Welcome, Mangasplaining Crew!), and so many of the plans hatched by our peers already on here, that something special was in the air. Â
And if there’s one thing we hate, it’s missed opportunities.
So in that shared spirit of creativity and invention, we have what we think are some very big announcements to make about the future direction of 3W3M. Whether it’s upcoming projects, or rewards for new and existing subscribers, it’s all part of an ever-broadening vision for what this can be with your continued support. You took a leap of faith here, and this is us beginning to repay the investment you made in us.
We also made a new comic for you. We’re really proud of it.
With virtually all of the announcements that follow, we’ll be sharing more details over the next couple of weeks. There’s just too much there to capture in one post (and we might even be holding back on you a little).
Oh, and hey, if you’re new here, welcome. We’ve got an index of posts for you to get up to speed on most everything that’s gone down so far. If you enjoy those, just to let you know:
3 Worlds / 3 Moons is a reader supported initiative. Paid subscribers get access to exclusive comics, live events, and more. Your support enables us to make more comics, hire more creators, and tell bigger stories. So, please:
Okay, glad to have you. Here we go…
ANNOUNCEMENT ONE: [COMICS]!
[COMIC] RUINS
Picking up where FABLE left off, RUINS is the beginning, or end, of Tajo Vallar’s doomed expedition on Kaoso— depending on how you look at these things. It portends big things for the Vallar Family Saga to come.
Also, it needs to be said– Mike and Mike draw the absolute hell out of this. Enjoy!
Read it as a post here, or…
But beyond today’s [comic], we want to tell you a little about the [comics] to come…
[COMIC] THE VALLARS: THE ORIGINAL ADVENTURING FAMILY!
Drawn by the amazing Jason Howard, with colors by Michael Garland and letters by Rus Wooton, THE VALLARS is the story of a young Tajo Vallar, boy explorer and inventor, and his first journey across the Three Worlds and Three Moons.
We wanted to do a story about discovery, wonder, and family. And if our larger story is about the cycles of a universe, then this cycle made a great deal of sense to explore, too.
We’re making this series FREE to read. A cool part of this whole experiment is sometimes we get to make the books accessible to as many people as possible, get comics out there for everyone to enjoy. This is one you can share with your friends, your kids, people who might not be able to afford it– all we really ask in return, is to help us spread it around.
[COMIC] THE PATH
Late last year, we introduced our first bit of interactivity for our Founding Level subscribers, THE THIRTEEN QUESTIONS, to a very positive response. But the answers to those questions were just beginning.
THE PATH is our first real attempt at interactive, immersive, truly open-world comics. That’s another part of the experiment here, to use a canvas like this to try new things. The directions you take along the path can be entirely bespoke, and over time, your choices there will directly impact where the larger story leads.
Joining us on THE PATH will be the incredible Alejandro Aragon on art, Michael Garland on colors, and Rus Wooton on letters.
The intensive, reader-focused experience of THE PATH means it will only be available to our Founding Level members. But we’ve got plans to open the experience up to more of you in some fashion down the road, so stay tuned there.
ANNOUNCEMENT TWO: [SYSTEMS] PRINT EDITIONS!
[SYSTEMS] THE COLLECTED PRINT EDITION FOR FOUNDING AND ANNUAL SUBSCRIBERS
First, the simple version: EVERYONE signed up to 3W/3M at the founding or annual level is going to be able to get a beautiful, 180-plus page PRINT collected edition, FREE with their subscription.
Yes. Free. The only thing you have to cover is the shipping and handling. It’s our gift to you, a thank you for your incredible support so far.
For Founders, you’ll receive a deluxe hardcover. A special edition printed on deluxe paper stock that will only ever be made available to you, signed by Mike del Mundo, Jonathan Hickman, and Mike Huddleston.
For Annual subscribers, you’ll receive a softcover edition with all the same material in terms of interior pages.
(There will be a cutoff date announced for this in the very near future — and we wanted to give you fair warning – so subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss out).
[SYSTEMS] will be a comprehensive sourcebook for the new universe, built off the work we’ve done these last few months, including the discussions with Ram, Al, and Tini, and more to come– but also containing a dozen comic stories capturing the ideas borne out of those explorations, and drawn by a host of amazing artists. Some of them you already know about– Jason Howard, Stephen Green, Jeremy Haun, Christian Ward– but we’ve got many more to announce this month.
And alongside those stories, we’ll have a wealth of behind the scenes process material from Mike and Mike, as they show how they visually designed everything in this universe and brought it all to life.
The whole book is being designed to perfection by Sasha Head, and we have to say, she is absolutely crushing it so far.
And we’ll actually have an inside look at the design of the book very soon. You’re gonna love it.
ANNOUNCEMENT THREE: [REWARDS]!
[REWARDS] FOR OUR FOUNDERS
In addition to an exclusive, signed edition of the [SYSTEMS] Deluxe Hardcover, and access to THE PATH interactive, we’ve got a number of new benefits to offer Founding Members, in addition to what’s already promised. Here’s the full list.
Exclusive deluxe edition of the Ashcan Signed by Mike del Mundo, Jonathan Hickman, and Mike Huddleston. This ashcan will contain both FABLE and RUIN, along with bonus material, and feature a cover by Mike and Mike (that’s right, both of them).
A limited edition print signed by Mike del Mundo, Jonathan Hickman, and Mike Huddleston.
A limited edition collector card signed by Mike del Mundo, Jonathan Hickman, and Mike Huddleston.
The Coin, The Map, and The Key. Details to come.
Founders Meetings. Once a month, we’re going to convene an exclusive live online gathering, just for you. It’ll be an opportunity to have a more in-depth conversation with us, and we might even share some advance looks at what’s ahead that you won’t get anywhere else.
First 24 Hours on Online Purchases. Later in the year we’re planning to offer a number of new items exclusively for sale through the site. Your status as a Founding Member will give early access to purchase these (restrictions and limits may apply).
Access to in-person VIP events. For all the obvious reasons, we’re not ready to announce any in-person appearances or conventions yet. But when that time comes, we’re going to offer you first-in-line access to VIP events where you can meet us, get your books signed, etc.
Founders Dinners. Likewise, at any live appearances that may be announced, world permitting, we’ll host dinners at each, exclusively for our founders. Come break bread with us and have a fun time. Fair warning, we love to eat.
[REWARDS] FOR THE FIRST 500
If you were in the first 100, 250, or 500 back at launch, we offered you a choice. You could choose the physical rewards- the card, the print, or the ashcan- or you could choose the The Coin, The Map, or The Key.
We were very heartened to see that most of you chose to take the risk and embrace the known. So much so that we’ve decided: you’re going to get both.
The first 500 will get the collector card signed by Mike del Mundo, Jonathan Hickman, and Mike Huddleston, AND The Coin.
The first 250 of you will get the limited edition print signed by Mike del Mundo, Jonathan Hickman, and Mike Huddleston, AND The Map.
The first 100 of you will get the ashcan signed by Mike del Mundo, Jonathan Hickman, and Mike Huddleston, AND The Key.
We’ll be shipping these out at the same time as the [SYSTEMS] Collections and will have more specifics on that later this month.
Non-US Subscribers
For non-US Subscribers, Founding or Annual, we can now offer to ship you the above (previously unavailable to you) items, so long as we’re already sending you the [SYSTEMS] collection and you’re covering the shipping and handling costs. More info on that very soon.
So there you have it. 3 Worlds. 3 Moons. 3 Announcements. We hope you’re as excited as we are. None of this would be possible without your support. Here’s to an exciting year ahead, and an even brighter future.
"Well, I want his HEART... because it is MINE." I'm shook
This is amazing! I originally signed up just to be an annual member. Then 2 days later I signed up as a founder and am so happy I did not just for the benefits but to be able to support this amazing gathering of artists and ideas crating magic. Love it all so much. I thought comic collecting would bankrupt me but it seems as substack will now with all the amazing creators now on the platform. I will happily go to my grave broke lol