We’re still here!

It’s been awhile since the last post on 1134 Comix, but we’re still doing a lot at 1134. I just wanted to take a minute to touch base and run down some of the things we have coming up.

1134 Press:

This is were we have been focusing much of our attention. Some of you know, but for everyone else, here’s a brief history:

This whole thing started as an experiment in creativity. A handful of creatives came together and started Project 1134; which was a mishmash of crafting, arts, and comics. That was fun, but after maybe a year or so the collective aspects of the project fell away. It wasn’t like some big breakup; reality is that life happens, people need to take full-time jobs, and artists are like cats–hard to wrangle (I know I am anyway). So, Project 1134 became 1134 Comix. In a very off-and-on fashion, I continued making web-comics, and sometimes print, featuring various characters that I came up with over the years. In 2017 I wrote a book of fiction and wanted to self publish, so I started 1134 Press. For the next two-plus years, 1134 Comix continued to be where I posted comics and 1134 Press became the platform for publishing print material. Due to a bit of brilliance outside of my control, 1134 Press began to evolve into something more interesting; and in a way is bringing this whole thing closer to the original idea.

So far through 1134 Press we’ve published: my book, Gestalt, a collection of web-comics, one regular-size comic book, and For Us: A Self-Care Journal for Mamas, by Bri “Bam” Mobley. Where we’ve really been focusing, though, has been in journal crafting, bullet and junk journalling, and writing. The move toward handmade books and the craft of journaling was led by Bryonna Sieck, who was here at the very beginning of 1134 Press. It was her passion for bookmaking that moved us into a new direction with 1134 Press. What I like most about all of this is that, as an entity, we are really emphasizing craft. We’re not just trying to sell books. We want to show people how to make books, and we want to promote journaling as an exercise good for the spirit. I believe the videos posted on our 1134 Press and Bree Be Journaling Instagram feeds capture our desire to share the craft of it all. With every next step I feel like we’re getting closer and closer to what 1134 was meant to be all along.

So, what’s coming up for 1134 Press?

1. A new book of fiction out in early/mid May 2020. This time, by Bryonna.
2. Continued content on the 1134 Press and Bree Be Journaling Instagram accounts.
3. Updates to the website and redesign of other platforms
4. Later this year and into the next:
   1. Calls for submissions
   2. More robust, tutorial-style videos on bookmaking
   3. Additions to the online store that include: crafting materials, merch, and more books.

1134 Comix

1134 Comix has taken somewhat of a backseat. Some of you might have caught my post from a few months ago about the web-comics. In short, I’m not posting web-comics on any kind of regular schedule. Though I liked making weekly updates of News from the Crypt, I wanted to spend more time writing fiction. I plan to have a new book finished soon, as well as some new short stories. That said, new web-comics will pop up here now and then. Random comic-style art will pop up here once in a while, and every so often a new comic-book-size sequential art story will come through 1134 Comix. All of this will be secondary to our work with 1134 Press, though. Consider 1134 Comix as a side project, or something extra from 1134 Press.

So, what’s coming up for 1134 Comix?

There are no solid plans for projects under 1134 Comix at this time. That said, there is a nearly complete story (art pages, colors, etc.; just needs lettering). This story is currently on the shelf as we consider the best way to put it out. At some point, I’d like to continue the Blakbone story, but there is no timeline for this.

Things that are definitely on the agenda (but with no schedule):

1. More News from the Crypt episodes (probably in connection to big news stories, holidays, and/or other times of cultural note.
2. Random one-off comics

To wrap it up,

Look out for all the things mentioned above by following 1134 Press on Instagram, Facebook, and at 1134Press.com. Also, look out for news–probably later this year–about our YouTube channel (it’s not really a thing yet, but it will be). And follow Bree.Be.Journaling on Instagram–that’s where some of our coolest crafting videos will be found.

Before you go, check below for some character design/concept art for a sci-fi fantasy idea I’m working out. Do these look like characters you would want to know more about? Feel free to let us know.

G.J. Sieck

Tags: 1134, art, bookmking, calls for submissions, crafting, Fiction, Journaling, News, web comics