Ben Crane
@bencranewrites.com
He/him. Co-created COSMIC CADETS (Book 2 out on 12/9!!). Wrote A MAN OF LIES. Edited SYSTEMIC. Profile pic by @andyalvesart.bsky.social
bencranewrites.com
bencranewrites.com
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Ben Crane
@bencranewrites.com
· Nov 16
Since we all seem to be doing re-introductions, and I've got some new followers, hi there! I'm Ben!
I write comics and novels for both kids and adults with a focus on finding hope through community, particularly in moments of darkness.
I also love talking about board games and my idiot dogs.
I write comics and novels for both kids and adults with a focus on finding hope through community, particularly in moments of darkness.
I also love talking about board games and my idiot dogs.
Cleopatra in Space is one of my favorite series, so you know I lost it just a little bit when @mikemaihack.com called #CosmicCadets "everything I want in a sci-fi adventure story."
Book 2 is out next month!
art: @andyalvesart.bsky.social
colors: @prips.bsky.social
#comics #kidlit #kidscomics
Book 2 is out next month!
art: @andyalvesart.bsky.social
colors: @prips.bsky.social
#comics #kidlit #kidscomics
November 11, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Cleopatra in Space is one of my favorite series, so you know I lost it just a little bit when @mikemaihack.com called #CosmicCadets "everything I want in a sci-fi adventure story."
Book 2 is out next month!
art: @andyalvesart.bsky.social
colors: @prips.bsky.social
#comics #kidlit #kidscomics
Book 2 is out next month!
art: @andyalvesart.bsky.social
colors: @prips.bsky.social
#comics #kidlit #kidscomics
Reposted by Ben Crane
I can’t begin to express how it feels to see your neighbors fleeing in terror. I cried all the way to work. Please take care of yourself, your neighbors and family. And if you can, give: alotrolado.org . AOL do direct service for migrants. We’ve raised $350K. They need more.
November 4, 2025 at 6:12 PM
I can’t begin to express how it feels to see your neighbors fleeing in terror. I cried all the way to work. Please take care of yourself, your neighbors and family. And if you can, give: alotrolado.org . AOL do direct service for migrants. We’ve raised $350K. They need more.
Cosmic Cadets: Accused! comes out in 5 weeks! If you know a #middlegrade reader who loves #sci-fi adventure, you can be a holiday gift-giving hero! #comics
words: me
inks: @andyalvesart.bsky.social
colors: @prips.bsky.social
@idwpublishing.com @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
preorder: ow.ly/Pjqy50XjYg8
words: me
inks: @andyalvesart.bsky.social
colors: @prips.bsky.social
@idwpublishing.com @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
preorder: ow.ly/Pjqy50XjYg8
I had way too much fun making this little promotion. But yes, Cosmic Cadets: Accused is coming out next month!! Here are some pages. I think Priscilla Tramontano's colors are just extraordinary. #art #cosmiccadets #comics @idwpublishing.com @bencranewrites.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Cosmic Cadets: Accused! comes out in 5 weeks! If you know a #middlegrade reader who loves #sci-fi adventure, you can be a holiday gift-giving hero! #comics
words: me
inks: @andyalvesart.bsky.social
colors: @prips.bsky.social
@idwpublishing.com @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
preorder: ow.ly/Pjqy50XjYg8
words: me
inks: @andyalvesart.bsky.social
colors: @prips.bsky.social
@idwpublishing.com @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
preorder: ow.ly/Pjqy50XjYg8
Calling all #CosmicCadets! Jimmil, Teiran, Felix, Nishika, and Bobby are back for an all new adventure, releasing Dec 9!
With the Khonsu's mission on the line, the kids have to solve a brazen theft while avoiding the station security that thinks they did it! Preorder here: ow.ly/G3iT50XjYg7
With the Khonsu's mission on the line, the kids have to solve a brazen theft while avoiding the station security that thinks they did it! Preorder here: ow.ly/G3iT50XjYg7
While the crew of the ESS Khonsu is negotiating a treaty, someone robs their hosts… and every piece of evidence suggests Nishika is the thief!
Preorder #CosmicCadets: Accused by Ben Crane & Andy Alves here!: https://ow.ly/G3iT50XjYg7
#OGN #CosmicCadetsAccused Cosmic Cadets
Preorder #CosmicCadets: Accused by Ben Crane & Andy Alves here!: https://ow.ly/G3iT50XjYg7
#OGN #CosmicCadetsAccused Cosmic Cadets
October 30, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Calling all #CosmicCadets! Jimmil, Teiran, Felix, Nishika, and Bobby are back for an all new adventure, releasing Dec 9!
With the Khonsu's mission on the line, the kids have to solve a brazen theft while avoiding the station security that thinks they did it! Preorder here: ow.ly/G3iT50XjYg7
With the Khonsu's mission on the line, the kids have to solve a brazen theft while avoiding the station security that thinks they did it! Preorder here: ow.ly/G3iT50XjYg7
Reposted by Ben Crane
While the crew of the ESS Khonsu is negotiating a treaty, someone robs their hosts… and every piece of evidence suggests Nishika is the thief!
Preorder #CosmicCadets: Accused by Ben Crane & Andy Alves here!: https://ow.ly/G3iT50XjYg7
#OGN #CosmicCadetsAccused Cosmic Cadets
Preorder #CosmicCadets: Accused by Ben Crane & Andy Alves here!: https://ow.ly/G3iT50XjYg7
#OGN #CosmicCadetsAccused Cosmic Cadets
October 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
While the crew of the ESS Khonsu is negotiating a treaty, someone robs their hosts… and every piece of evidence suggests Nishika is the thief!
Preorder #CosmicCadets: Accused by Ben Crane & Andy Alves here!: https://ow.ly/G3iT50XjYg7
#OGN #CosmicCadetsAccused Cosmic Cadets
Preorder #CosmicCadets: Accused by Ben Crane & Andy Alves here!: https://ow.ly/G3iT50XjYg7
#OGN #CosmicCadetsAccused Cosmic Cadets
Reposted by Ben Crane
QRP with your horned art! 😈
October 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM
QRP with your horned art! 😈
And if you're a librarian or teacher, Andy and I would love to visit (in person in the Los Angeles area, or virtually anywhere) and talk to your students about how to make their own comic books!
Comics pros and reviewers, LMK if you want an ARC of my new sci-fi MG adventure, Cosmic Cadets: Accused!
It follows the kids of the crew of a galactic exploration ship as they have their own adventures alongside their parents' www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/cosm... Coming from Top Shelf/IDW on 12/9.
It follows the kids of the crew of a galactic exploration ship as they have their own adventures alongside their parents' www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/cosm... Coming from Top Shelf/IDW on 12/9.
October 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
And if you're a librarian or teacher, Andy and I would love to visit (in person in the Los Angeles area, or virtually anywhere) and talk to your students about how to make their own comic books!
Comics pros and reviewers, LMK if you want an ARC of my new sci-fi MG adventure, Cosmic Cadets: Accused!
It follows the kids of the crew of a galactic exploration ship as they have their own adventures alongside their parents' www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/cosm... Coming from Top Shelf/IDW on 12/9.
It follows the kids of the crew of a galactic exploration ship as they have their own adventures alongside their parents' www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/cosm... Coming from Top Shelf/IDW on 12/9.
October 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Comics pros and reviewers, LMK if you want an ARC of my new sci-fi MG adventure, Cosmic Cadets: Accused!
It follows the kids of the crew of a galactic exploration ship as they have their own adventures alongside their parents' www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/cosm... Coming from Top Shelf/IDW on 12/9.
It follows the kids of the crew of a galactic exploration ship as they have their own adventures alongside their parents' www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/cosm... Coming from Top Shelf/IDW on 12/9.
California Inc is a really excellent near-future geopolitical thriller, and the whole series is available now! Help them print the trade, and get an incredible deal on some of the fantastic variant covers!
JUST A FEW LEFT! Physical backers can add-on a Mystery Variant Set: One random variant from each issue #1-4 and save over 60% the original variant price. Get your set at @kickstarter.com before they're gone: www.kickstarter.com/projects/art...
October 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
California Inc is a really excellent near-future geopolitical thriller, and the whole series is available now! Help them print the trade, and get an incredible deal on some of the fantastic variant covers!
I heard a desperate thumping behind my fence, beneath a tree. Worried a small critter had fallen from its nest, I took a stave off the fence to free it.
Reader, it was a skunk.
Ask me how I know.
Reader, it was a skunk.
Ask me how I know.
October 21, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I heard a desperate thumping behind my fence, beneath a tree. Worried a small critter had fallen from its nest, I took a stave off the fence to free it.
Reader, it was a skunk.
Ask me how I know.
Reader, it was a skunk.
Ask me how I know.
Reposted by Ben Crane
SoCal friends near Long Beach! Me and some amazing creators are signing comics at the amazing shop @pulpfictionlbc.bsky.social Come talk comics with us and buy from small businesses! 12p-4p 10/18
October 17, 2025 at 5:06 AM
SoCal friends near Long Beach! Me and some amazing creators are signing comics at the amazing shop @pulpfictionlbc.bsky.social Come talk comics with us and buy from small businesses! 12p-4p 10/18
This Saturday! Come by Pulp Fiction in Long Beach to meet some cool comics folks. I'll be there with my all-ages sci-fi adventure Cosmic Cadets.
With the next book out in December, now's the perfect time to get caught up on this "heartfelt, thrilling escapade" (School Library Journal).
With the next book out in December, now's the perfect time to get caught up on this "heartfelt, thrilling escapade" (School Library Journal).
Hey #LongBeach! In two weeks, I'll be at @pulpfictionlbc.bsky.social alongside awesome #indiecomics creators @solissequentials.bsky.social and Joe Ellis. Between the three of us, we should have something to interest just about anyone!
Oct 18, 12-4PM
Pulp Fiction Long Beach
3925 E Anaheim St.
Oct 18, 12-4PM
Pulp Fiction Long Beach
3925 E Anaheim St.
October 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
This Saturday! Come by Pulp Fiction in Long Beach to meet some cool comics folks. I'll be there with my all-ages sci-fi adventure Cosmic Cadets.
With the next book out in December, now's the perfect time to get caught up on this "heartfelt, thrilling escapade" (School Library Journal).
With the next book out in December, now's the perfect time to get caught up on this "heartfelt, thrilling escapade" (School Library Journal).
This was a really fun and wide ranging chat that brought in such a variety of expertise. Thank you for putting it together, Sean!
TODAY Wednesday, 10/15/25 at 3 PM PDT! Watch my panel discussion "ARE KAIJU MONSTERS? with
@bencranewrites.com
#billmasuku #patricklugo #gretchenbrooks
youtu.be/dK_-9AJy-Kc
@bencranewrites.com
#billmasuku #patricklugo #gretchenbrooks
youtu.be/dK_-9AJy-Kc
KAIJU - Are they Monsters? Panel Discussion hosted by @CeriusBlaq with Guests #kaiju #monsters
YouTube video by Serious Slack with Cerius Blaq
youtu.be
October 15, 2025 at 4:53 PM
This was a really fun and wide ranging chat that brought in such a variety of expertise. Thank you for putting it together, Sean!
One of the players in the #BloodOnTheClocktower #boardgame I hosted last night asked for a piece of paper to take notes. Today, I found those notes.
October 6, 2025 at 6:23 AM
One of the players in the #BloodOnTheClocktower #boardgame I hosted last night asked for a piece of paper to take notes. Today, I found those notes.
Hey #LongBeach! In two weeks, I'll be at @pulpfictionlbc.bsky.social alongside awesome #indiecomics creators @solissequentials.bsky.social and Joe Ellis. Between the three of us, we should have something to interest just about anyone!
Oct 18, 12-4PM
Pulp Fiction Long Beach
3925 E Anaheim St.
Oct 18, 12-4PM
Pulp Fiction Long Beach
3925 E Anaheim St.
October 4, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Hey #LongBeach! In two weeks, I'll be at @pulpfictionlbc.bsky.social alongside awesome #indiecomics creators @solissequentials.bsky.social and Joe Ellis. Between the three of us, we should have something to interest just about anyone!
Oct 18, 12-4PM
Pulp Fiction Long Beach
3925 E Anaheim St.
Oct 18, 12-4PM
Pulp Fiction Long Beach
3925 E Anaheim St.
Reposted by Ben Crane
Still looking for work!
Reposts are appreciated
(Also my website is temporarily down)
Reposts are appreciated
(Also my website is temporarily down)
Hey Comics Bsky! I'm a professional comic colorist and I'm looking for work! (Preferably short term)
I've done work for Boom! Studios, Caliber, Dauntless and more
You can find more of my work at ahgart.com
And you can contact me at ahgcolor@gmail.com
#ComicJobs
I've done work for Boom! Studios, Caliber, Dauntless and more
You can find more of my work at ahgart.com
And you can contact me at ahgcolor@gmail.com
#ComicJobs
October 2, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Still looking for work!
Reposts are appreciated
(Also my website is temporarily down)
Reposts are appreciated
(Also my website is temporarily down)
In today's episode of My Dog Doesn't Understand How to Couch...
September 30, 2025 at 9:56 PM
In today's episode of My Dog Doesn't Understand How to Couch...
Reposted by Ben Crane
Update: WE MADE IT JUST IN TIME! If you missed out during the regular campaign duration, we will have late pledges up for a few days.
September 26, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Update: WE MADE IT JUST IN TIME! If you missed out during the regular campaign duration, we will have late pledges up for a few days.
2.5 hours left in the campaign and $65 away from upgrading every physical copy! Every extra dollar is an extra dollar we can give to the teams who made these 7 sci-fi comics of systemic friction.
We're only $217 away from upgrading every physical copy of SYSTEMIC, with just over 9 hours to get there! If you've been thinking about backing this sci-fi anthology, but haven't yet, this is your last chance! 7 stories of folks fighting the systems that trap us. www.kickstarter.com/projects/art...
SYSTEMIC VOL. 1 : A Sci-fi Anthology
80-pages of systemic friction at the personal level, where social forces, cultures, and economic strata meet and grind together.
www.kickstarter.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:40 AM
2.5 hours left in the campaign and $65 away from upgrading every physical copy! Every extra dollar is an extra dollar we can give to the teams who made these 7 sci-fi comics of systemic friction.
Reposted by Ben Crane
Last call and we’re just a few pledges away from unlocking the stretch goal to upgrade the physical book.
Systemic Vol. 1 is now LIVE on @kickstarter. Seven new sci-fi stories over 80 total pages. Back the campaign here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/art... #KickstarterComics
September 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Last call and we’re just a few pledges away from unlocking the stretch goal to upgrade the physical book.
Reposted by Ben Crane
We're only $217 away from upgrading every physical copy of SYSTEMIC, with just over 9 hours to get there! If you've been thinking about backing this sci-fi anthology, but haven't yet, this is your last chance! 7 stories of folks fighting the systems that trap us. www.kickstarter.com/projects/art...
SYSTEMIC VOL. 1 : A Sci-fi Anthology
80-pages of systemic friction at the personal level, where social forces, cultures, and economic strata meet and grind together.
www.kickstarter.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
We're only $217 away from upgrading every physical copy of SYSTEMIC, with just over 9 hours to get there! If you've been thinking about backing this sci-fi anthology, but haven't yet, this is your last chance! 7 stories of folks fighting the systems that trap us. www.kickstarter.com/projects/art...
23 hours left in the SYSTEMIC campaign. As Comicsbeat says: "If you are a fan of deep storytelling and a fantastic take on sci-fi, this is the project for you."
We're so close to our next stretch goal, an upgrade for everyone getting the physical book. Help us make this book better for everyone!
We're so close to our next stretch goal, an upgrade for everyone getting the physical book. Help us make this book better for everyone!
Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up: SYSTEMIC, MACABRE VALLEY, SPACE RELIC HUNTERS, and four more projects you’ll love!
In this week’s installment of The Beat's Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up: deep stories meet sci-fi fun, a violent mystery involving a reporter, a werewolf, and a priest! And five more…
In this week’s installment of The Beat's Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up: deep stories meet sci-fi fun, a violent mystery involving a reporter, a werewolf, and a priest! And five more…
Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up: SYSTEMIC, MACABRE VALLEY, SPACE RELIC HUNTERS, and four more projects you’ll love!
In this week’s installment of The Beat's Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up: deep stories meet sci-fi fun, a violent mystery involving a reporter, a werewolf, and a priest! And five more stories you'll love!
www.comicsbeat.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:42 AM
23 hours left in the SYSTEMIC campaign. As Comicsbeat says: "If you are a fan of deep storytelling and a fantastic take on sci-fi, this is the project for you."
We're so close to our next stretch goal, an upgrade for everyone getting the physical book. Help us make this book better for everyone!
We're so close to our next stretch goal, an upgrade for everyone getting the physical book. Help us make this book better for everyone!
Reposted by Ben Crane
If you're going to #LosAngelesComicCon, don't miss out on the WHAT CAN #DYSTOPIAN SCI-FI SAY ABOUT OUR DYSTOPIAN PRESENT? panel on which I will be appearing!
The panel takes place on Sunday (9/28) at 1PM PST in Room 406A.
#LACC
The panel takes place on Sunday (9/28) at 1PM PST in Room 406A.
#LACC
September 24, 2025 at 2:19 AM
If you're going to #LosAngelesComicCon, don't miss out on the WHAT CAN #DYSTOPIAN SCI-FI SAY ABOUT OUR DYSTOPIAN PRESENT? panel on which I will be appearing!
The panel takes place on Sunday (9/28) at 1PM PST in Room 406A.
#LACC
The panel takes place on Sunday (9/28) at 1PM PST in Room 406A.
#LACC
Reposted by Ben Crane
I backed SYSTEMIC Vol 1!
by @bencranewrites.com + many others!
It's on KS:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/art...
by @bencranewrites.com + many others!
It's on KS:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/art...
SYSTEMIC VOL. 1 : A Sci-fi Anthology
80-pages of systemic friction at the personal level, where social forces, cultures, and economic strata meet and grind together.
www.kickstarter.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
I backed SYSTEMIC Vol 1!
by @bencranewrites.com + many others!
It's on KS:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/art...
by @bencranewrites.com + many others!
It's on KS:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/art...