Giving Thanks For Comics

Migrating to the Hive and Mindset/Forever Forward

Hey, it’s Zack!

First off, I hope you all are getting ready for a wonderful Thanksgiving. I think so many of us have found this return to normal year, coming out of the pandemic (and into the endemic) utterly exhausting. So many of my peers, friends and basically everyone I meet, is just burnt out. So if that’s you too, I hope you get to check out a minute and enjoy some loved ones and good food over this Thanksgiving break!

Also, if you are deep in the comics community, then you might have been part of the massive migration that is taking place from Twitter to Hive over the past few days. And so, I’ve strapped on my wings and joined the bees. I’m on Hive Social at zackkaps, so definitely come find me. I will say, it feels like a very young platform that needs a lot of technical additions, but its certainly an enthusiastic and freeing time to be establishing a positive space to connect with friends. I don’t actually think Twitter will ever go away, much like Facebook, and I’m even suspicious that the blue bird could change ownership again in the future, allowing us to even change our perceptions of it. It’s also possible it just loses relevance. Time will tell. But for now, it’s onto the Hive.

For this Thanksgiving week, I'm filled with some real gratitude to be releasing two heart-warming feel-good comics out this week. I can't think of anything I'm more thankful for than mind-controlling technology and social media that dares to rob us of our attention from our loved ones, and a decaying future that becomes more concerning each day. That's right - Vault Comics MINDSET #5 and Scout comics FOREVER FORWARD #3 are out this Wednesday!

All joking aside, while I might explore some dark and dystopian concepts and themes in my comics, I think the message is always one of hope and an attempt to regain control of our lives in the face of these dangerous influences! And sincerely, I'm so grateful to be making comics.

Vault Comics MINDSET is written by me, art by John Pearson and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, edited by Adrian Wassel and Dershing Helmer, with covers by John J Pearson and Conor Boyle.

MINDSET #5 Story Summary - When Ben Sharp fails to stop his partners, his investor is killed, Ben is incarcerated for murder, and Mindset is left to continue its global domination, tearing thread after thread from the fabric of society. For Ben to right his wrongs and stop his out-of-control creation, he'll have to come face to face with his darkest secret. Can he change his mindset in time?

I will just say this is a pretty explosive issue with a real thrilling ending, so no spoilers, but I can’t wait for you guys to read this one!

Scout Comics FOREVER FORWARD, written by me, Arjuna Susini and Brad Simpson, lettering by Jim Campbell, with logo/book design by Tim Daniel & Second Rocket. And I'm especially excited about the next issue's covers...by superstar cover artist Liana Kangas and GRIM artist Flaviano Armentaro.

FOREVER FORWARD #3 Story Summary - A hundred and fifty years into the future. Hunted by advanced A.I. robots, Moody and his friends have turned into survivalist warriors, only to be caught when they jump into a future with an empire of malignant robots who have enslaved humanity to build a better future. The only way to find the technology to go back is to either outsmart the most intelligent A.I. ever invented, or hand over the time travel secrets to humanity's overlords. The future can only get better!

Speaking of burnout, I myself am burnt out! But I’m also equally thankful to have had such an amazing year of making comics. And I have so much more lined up. So I’m definitely looking forward to this break…and the holiday break as well!

• BREAK OUT #4 hits on December 23rd, and I think Forever Forward #4 hits the same day. Those will be my last two comics of the year!

Really everyone, have an amazing Thanksgiving break and thanks so much for your support this past year. You all are awesome!

Thanks for reading!

Zack Kaplan

11.23.22