An oversized comic book first issue and adventure module inspired by the old school fantasy roleplaying games that scared a nation
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Role-Playing Game Writing Class
about 1 month ago
– Fri, Feb 13, 2026 at 12:38:59 PM
Hey Everyone,
I'm once again teaching "Writing for Tabletop Roleplaying Games", a continuing education class at the School of Visual Arts. It’s 6:30-8:30 PM on Zoom Thursdays from February 19th - April 23rd. In 8 classes, I’ll teach you how to write an adventure for roleplaying game, regardless of your level of experience (some of my students have never even played an RPG before).
Two years in, this has quickly become my favorite class to teach, because like the medium of games itself, it’s interactive. In addition to the work students do on their own (which has been really exceptional), in class we’ve created dungeons together, as well as adapted an Agatha Christie mystery into a playable game. As with any class I teach, you can expect lots of one-on-one feedback from me.
Chris Anderson and I are still working on Chaotic Neutral Issue 2. We want to have both the comic and the module completely finished before we do another Kickstarter.
Thanks again for supporting Chaotic Neutral,
Mark
Galaxy Gods by James Coats
8 months ago
– Wed, Jul 30, 2025 at 10:14:23 AM
Hey everyone,
Rare update here just to give a shoutout to a project that I want everyone to know about. Galaxy Gods is by James Coats. I say this with all sincerity, that James is my favorite artist that nobody knows about. He's like my little secret. I keep buying up originals, knowing that they're like gold. GalaxyGods is a Kirby-esque, fun, action comic that we all need in our lives right now. Pure joy and escapism. The best part is that there are TWO issues you can get RIGHT NOW!
Here are some examples of the interior pages. James' work on this is clearly influenced by Jack Kirby, the King and undisputed heavyweight champion of comics. But to me there are elements of Jeff Darrow and Ren and Stimpy, Paul Pope and Doug Wildey. All in all though, James is James. An artist unto himself.
Rewards include the books, a sketchbook of things James has doodled, Limited small sketches, original pages from GG 1 & 2 (You know I got one of those), originals from Family Fun no. 18, the celebrated Stardust book that he and his brother, John, created together and this stunning variant cover by STARSEEDS and NOOSPHERE creator Charles Glaubitz. So if I haven't enticed you by now, you might want to check your pulse. While you're at it, head over to POWER PULP COMICS to find more creators of the highest calibre and get their books sent to your door or to a retailer near you (James and I are co-founders and we think you'll live it. Sorry for the plug).
Writing for Roleplaying Games
about 1 year ago
– Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 10:15:55 AM
First, despite having to evacuate LA for a week due to a wildfire breaking out a few blocks from me, I'm safely back home. Chris and his family are safe as well. Thanks to everyone who reached to check in on us.
On a lighter note, have you missed me dressed as a wizard?
I'm mainly writing because I'm once again teaching WRITING FOR TABLETOP ROLEPLAYING GAMES, an online, continuing education class at SVA, The School of Visual Arts. It's a 10-week class running Thursday evenings 6:30-8:30 PM from Feb 13th to April 10th, 2025. It's held over Zoom, and open to everyone, everywhere. (If you can't make one or more of classes, each class will be recorded).
"Driven by the success of Stranger Things and Critical Role, Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games have never been more popular. Yet there are few courses that teach how to create adventures for tabletop games. Students in this course will learn how to write, design and publish a short adventure for Dungeons & Dragons or a system of their choosing. Through a combination of lectures and weekly assignments, we'll create work individually and as a group, with the end goal being a short adventure that each student can publish if they choose. This course will cover encounter and dungeon design, cartography and creating compelling non-player characters, as well as game challenges such as monsters, puzzles and traps, and focus on creating "sandbox" style adventures that allow for player choice. There will be an additional emphasis on usability, by encouraging students to create adventures that are accessible for Dungeon and game masters-the people who actually run adventures at the table-whether it's a physical or virtual one. Note: This course is fully online and offered through a combination of regularly scheduled sessions during the listed course hours, as well as asynchronous material that may include prerecorded lectures and media, and interactive discussions."
What is NOT in the class description is that Chris and I are both at work on Issue 2 of CHAOTIC NEUTRAL. Chris is finishing the art, and I'm writing the module, so that everything is 100% done before we launch.
I'm planning on developing the module as the class progresses, so if you want a sneak peak, that would be a good place to get it.
I taught the class last Spring, and it was a tremendous success. The students created really great work, from fantasy to sci-fi to horror, and one student has even gone on to work for Games Workshop (of Warhammer fame). Some students had never even played an RPG before. So even if you're not necessarily interested in writing and publishing an adventure module, this will make you a better gamemaster, and I also many of the writing and design techniques will transfer over to other mediums.
If you've got any questions, feel free to comment and message me directly.
Hope this finds you all safe,
Mark
Signing at Golden Apple in LA TODAY Sat March 23rd/live demo on WhatNot
almost 2 years ago
– Sat, Mar 23, 2024 at 12:03:53 AM
Hey Everyone,
Chris and I are doing a signing today, March 23rd 2024 from 1-3 PM at Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles. If you're in town, please stop by!
We'll also be doing a live demo of the module and with some special guests after the signing Golden Apple. It will be streamed live on WhatNot, the auction app. Here's the link.
It's free to join, and a chance to get to watch me Dungeon Master the adventure. I will not be wearing a wizard costume but I can guarantee shenanigans.
Also, if by some chance you haven't received your rewards, please fill out your survey. If you've filled out your survey but still haven't received your rewards, please message us and let us know.
As always, thanks for your support. It's so great having not just a comic I'm proud of out in the world, but a module that I can run. We quite literally could not have done this without all of you.
Mark
Fulfillment and RPG Writing Class
about 2 years ago
– Tue, Jan 09, 2024 at 12:02:14 PM
Hey Everyone,
As I write this, Chris is headed over to my apartment, which is currently filled with comics, dice, mailers etc. to work on fulfillment with me. Our goal this week is to try send out rewards to everyone who has filled out their survery on Backerkit. If you haven't, please do so as soon as you can so we can get your books etc. to you.
Also, this *February I'm going to be teaching Writing for Comics and Roleplaying Games, an online continuing education class at SVA (The School for Visual Arts). Once a week, we'll be meeting online to learn how to create adventures for tabletop RPGs like (but definitely not limited to) D&D. We'll cover dungeon design, cartography, writing mysteries, raids and heists etc. Even if you don't want to become a professional designer, I think it will make you a better gamemaster and player.
As a bonus, as Chris has mentioned that we've already been working on Chaotic Neutral #2. I plan on using the module for that adventure as a demo, so you'll be able to get a sneak peak.
I've been teaching writing for comics, film, tv, games etc. at SVA for grad students for over 10 years, and as far as I know this is the only writing class of it's kind at an accredited institution. Unlike my grad school classes, open to anyone.
