Surreal modern horror for mature readers that's The White Lotus meets Midsommar. Part One of Three
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Thank you! + Next Steps
3 months ago
– Thu, Nov 20, 2025 at 02:45:02 PM
On behalf of the whole team: THANK YOU!
A week out from Thanksgiving, we are feeling bloody grateful to each and every one of you who supported BLOOD OF THE GRUNCH #1 on Kickstarter.
The thought of launching a new property in the current landscape was, like our book, surreal modern horror. But you came out strong for us, and we greatly appreciate it.
This is a comic we're all insanely proud of, and we can't wait to put it into your hands.
I'll be back to tell you more about what lies ahead, but for now, I'll just say: You rock!
What happens now:
Kickstarter has already charged the card you have on file. We'll send out backer surveys at a later date to get everyone's addresses.
If you got a message from Kickstarter asking you to update your payment information, pretty please do it fast!
You only have one week to correct it, and we want you to get your rewards.
Otherwise, your work here is done.
I promise not to bombard you with messages, but I WILL keep you updated on our progress so you know what to expect.
As I mentioned last time out, the book is nearly finished. Fabio and Ilaria are recuperating from Thought Bubble, but they'll soon get back to work tackling the final round of notes, and then we'll get this off to the printer ASAP.
At Third Contact Comics, Frank Martin and Gerald von Stoddard have been putting their minds together to develop unique stories such as the Norse horror series Immortal Coil and the noir thriller A Thousand Cuts. Love & Death on the Dark Side of the Moon is something entirely new. Here's the pitch:
"In the not so distant future, the sun is dying and the best scientists from around the globe are gathered, along with their families, to inhabit a research station on the far side of the moon: Helios 1. Desperate to find a solution, lead research scientist Neil Collins is tasked with overseeing the facility and its projects.
As an eclipse approaches, an anomaly disrupts the entire facility. In the nursery where Neil and his wife admire their newborn baby girl, another newborn exhibits terrifying behaviour.
Concerned and determined to understand this child named Nero, Neil isolates the boy, thus beginning a life of experiments and loneliness for Nero. Reluctantly, Neil allows his young daughter, Selene, to become friends and connect with Nero. Their bond grows through the years and Selene becomes his only connection to the outside world. A love grows between them while her father seeks answers to Nero’s condition, all while keeping his existence secret from Earth.
Many years later, Helios 1 is forced to shut down and its inhabitants are required to return to Earth. Yet not all its inhabitants return. One is forced to stay behind and confront the darkness of betrayal, heartache, and isolation."
Frank and Gerald have 4 more days left in this campaign, and YOU can help put them over the top. If this book sounds like something you'd like to shine more light on...
The Book is 99.999% complete + Fabio and Ilaria at Thought Bubble this Weekend!
3 months ago
– Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 07:26:07 PM
Hello Luxuriants--
As the subject line says, the book is nearly complete!
Fabio turned in the final page Sunday, Ilaria turned in the final color page on Monday morning, and I've been keeping pace with the lettering.
All that's left to do now is a quick round of edits and put together the bonus material to round out the package.
What does this mean for you?
Well, it should mean we can fulfill a little earlier than our timeline suggests.
(More details on that when we're ready to send the book to the printer.)
But if you'll be at Thought Bubble this weekend, you miiiight be able to catch a sneak peek courtesy of Fabio and Ilaria, who will be in attendance...
I've been informed that since this graphic was made, our dynamic duo have been moved...so please note you can now find my favorite Italians at booths D9/D10!
The fine folks at Collector Cartel asked if they could print a very limited run of the book (30 copies) for the show, and we felt like the opportunity was too good to pass up. As it technically isn't finished yet, consider this a sneak preview, or a "test screening," if you will.
So, if you'll be at the show, go see them... and tell 'em The Grunch sent you!
Not blowing smoke: Dave Dwonch is one of my favorite creators. Seriously, if you haven't checked out his Titan Series The Loose End, you are sorely missing out. Dave also has the distinction of being one of the few writers published in all three editions of Nightmare Theater.
And look, don't tell him this, but he's also a creator I've looked up to for a long time. The original Cyrus Perkins book was one of the first comics I supported on Kickstarter, back when I was trying to figure out how this crazy site worked. So, of course, I was thrilled to see the Haunted Taxi Cab return to the scene of the crime.
Here's the pitch:
"After a young boy named Michael Bernbaum dies in his taxi cab, driver Cyrus Perkins must solve the boy's murder... or be haunted by the spirit trapped in his car! But as Cyrus digs into the mystery surrounding Mikey's death, he uncovers something even more sinister than murder. Drawn by Anna Lencioni (storyboard artist: Amphibia, Hazbin Hotel, Luck) and written, colored and lettered by Dave Dwonch(The Loose End, Jenny Zero, The Automaton)."
It's a good time...but don't take my word for it. Listen to these guys:
"Accessible to horror newcomers while retaining an ever present air of spookiness that old fans have come to love." Fangoria.com
Dave's offering a hardcover and a brand new issue this campaign, so pick your poison...or get 'em both!
Half a world away, in a land down under, lives another creator whose career I've been following for a while now. Shaun Keenan is the man behind the highly successful Australian publishing house COMICS2MOVIES and the creator of Australia's #1 independent comic book series the Xtreme Champion Tournament.
Shaun's book Fractured Shards has been nominated for a slew of awards, including 2023's Ringo Award for Best Series, the 2022, 2023 & 2024 Readers' Favorite Illustration Award, 2023 Bronze Medal Winner & 2025 Silver Medal Winner Readers' Favorite Graphic Novel/Comic, as well as short-listed for the Comic Art Awards of Australia.
So, trust me when I say the dude puts out great books! Here's the pitch:
"In a dystopian future, the world is separated into the glittering paradise of the LIGHTS and the slums of the DISTRICT. Detective Sebastian Vetro works on the most horrific cases, bridging both worlds as an enforcement officer. When a horrific crime occurs, sometimes that moment can fracture, opening up glimpses into the event.
Follow troubled Detective Sebastian Vetro on this crazy cyberpunk ride as he uses these fractures that he experiences to solve crimes within the Lights and District.
Will he be able to control this power he seems to have obtained, or will it destroy him?"
OK! Now that the book is (mostly) finished, I gotta finally catch some ZZZs. Making comics is exhausting...
More soon!
- Clay
Special Cross-Over Print Deal for Backers Who Also Support WITCHING SEASON!
4 months ago
– Mon, Nov 03, 2025 at 12:52:22 PM
Hello Luxuriants -
If you just joined us: Thanks, and welcome to the family!
If you've been with us from the beginning: Thanks again!
We broke $10k over the (hallo)weekend, which means we're unlocking another crossover print, this time with our friends at Lifeline comics and their awesome new anthology WITCHING SEASON!
If you back both campaigns physically, you will receive this print by Gerald von Stoddard:
Then leave a comment that says "The Grunch Sent Me" on the Witching Season campaign so they know who sent you!
That's it! We'll cross-check our backer lists at fulfillment time, so please only comment if you backed both campaigns at a physical level.
WHAT'S WITCHING SEASON ALL ABOUT?
WITCHING SEASON is a 154-page Horror Anthology filled with stories about WITCHES, WARLOCKS, and FAMILIARS from some of the biggest names in comics including: Heather Antos (Star Trek), Alex Segura (Archie, Star Wars), Chrissy Williams (Die, The Wicked + The Devine), Tilly & Susan Bridges (Star Trek), David Booher(Ghostbusters), Dan Parent (Archie), Stephanie Williams (Nubia), Miranda Mundt (WEBTOON's Muted & LoveBot), Bailie Rosenlund (Avengers Academy), Paulina Ganucheau (DC Comics' Young Diana), Phillip Sevy (X-Men), Jadzia Axelrod (DC Comics' Galaxy: The Prettiest Star), Rye Hickman (DC Comics' Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story), Mark Abnett (Hitgirl), Francis Stokes & Andrea Dailey (Wicked Town), Auguste Kanakis (A Brave Blue World's Young Men In Love), Lauren Knight (Image Comics' Golden Rage), Piper Whitaker (AIPT Comics), and EVEN MORE wonderfully talented people.
Editors Kat Calamia & Phil Falco (Lifeline Comics) always put out quality books, and we're certain WITCHING SEASON will be no different--especially with that lineup of talent.
...and remember to leave a comment over there telling them THE GRUNCH sent you!
-Clay
Ear Candy: Halloween Horror Comic Roundtable
4 months ago
– Tue, Oct 28, 2025 at 06:22:17 PM
Hi Folks -
If you just joined us: Thanks, and welcome to the family!
If you've been with us from the beginning: Thanks again!
We are very close to unlocking another crossover print (more news on that soon), but first...
I've been invited to participate in a Dark Sci-Fi/Horror Comic roundtable livestream tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 5pm EST/2pm PST!
Carl Choi, co-founder of 247 Comics, will be hosting a diverse collection of comics creators to discuss the different approaches to science fiction / horror.
Guests include: Madeleine Holly-Rosing, Boston Metaphysical Society Shawn Patrick Boyd, Hello Darkness Elijah Henry, Hello Darkness and Cow Jessica Maison, Mary Shelley's School For Monsters Clay Adams, Nightmare Theatre and Blood Of The Grunch (hey, that's ME!)
Here's where you can watch this illustrious group of creators (and me):
EVERMIND is a dystopian sci-fi thriller from legendary Marvel artist Sean Chen and actor Daniel Wu: An ambitious scientist and his activist daughter battle ruthless paramilitary corporations... while trapped in the bodies of a theme park mecha gorilla and a pleasure bot.
I've had a chance to check out the first three issues, and it's loads of fun. Here's the pitch:
If you're a fan of Jurassic Park,Westworld, or Robocop, get ready for the epic cyberpunk action thriller EVERMIND!
An ambitious scientist and his activist daughter battle ruthless paramilitary corporations... while trapped in the bodies of a theme park mecha gorilla and a pleasure bot.
If that sounds like a book to lose your ever(loving) mind over...
Writer Will Allred is back with the latest edition of his long-running series, and there are only three more days left to grab it. Here's the pitch:
When stories come to life and threaten to fracture reality beyond repair, only an English professor and a research librarian have the knowledge and smarts to save us all. Join Hank Wallace and Hector Ramirez in Crossover Division #7 as they encounter death cults, monsters, insanity, and ancient gods as they answer the Call of Cthulhu to save a city.
If that sounds like a Crossover (Division) you'd like to Add:
Special Cross-Over Print Deal for Backers Who Also Support SINK!
4 months ago
– Fri, Oct 24, 2025 at 07:46:49 AM
If you just joined us: Thank you!
If you've been with us from the beginning: Thanks again!
As I mentioned last time out, we love highlighting other great projects for our audience when we have a live campaign.
And sometimes we get an opportunity to collaborate with those creators in a way that amplifies both projects.
Our friends at ComixTribe have been putting out some of the best books on Kickstarter for years, and we're THRILLED to announce a CROSSOVER BACKER deal with their awesome horror series SINK.
THIS AWESOME LIMITED EDITION PRINT CAN BE YOURS IF YOU BACK BOTH PROJECTS AT A PHYSICAL LEVEL!
That's right, simply by backing both campaigns, you score an awesome print upgrade featuring The Grunch vs. Mr. Dig!
(And if you came from the SINK campaign and already left a comment here, no need to take any more action! We've got you down.)
WHAT'S SINK ALL ABOUT?
"For years, he would roam the streets on Halloween night, hunting for those who broke the old traditions..."
SINK: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL #1 is a special Kickstarter Exclusive DELUXE EDITION of ALL-NEW material that tells a special terrifying HALLOWEEN tale to kick off the highly anticipated 4th Volume of SINK!
It's Halloween night in Sinkhill and all your favorite denizens of Glasgow's most terrifying district are there to celebrate, along with the first-appearance of Tattie-Bogle, a brand new killer in the vein of Michael Myers, Jason, Freddy, and all your favorite October 31st slashers!
This issue from the acclaimed team of award-winning writer John Lees (Hotell, Orla!) and horror superstar artist Alex Cormack (Drive Like Hell, Road of Bones), comes in a deluxe 48-PAGEGLOW-IN-THE-DARK Cover that won't be sold in stores, along with an array of amazing HALLOWEEN MOVIE HOMAGE VARIANT COVERS from a variety of awesome artists for you to choose from!
I've been a SINK backer from the very first campaign, and it's one of my favorite books on Kickstarter. John Lees and Alex Cormack make a hell of a creative team, and Tyler James at ComixTribe always puts out stellar books.
Check out the teaser trailer below and pledge with confidence:
