Ben Crane
bencranewrites.com
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
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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.
Reposted by Ben Crane
Cosmic Cadets: Accused! is out in just over 2 weeks!!!
Inks @andyalvesart.bsky.social
Colors @prips.bsky.social
@idwpublishing.com @topshelfcomix.bsky.social

Mystery! Adventure! Friendship!

An all-ages #scifi #comics #graphicnovel following the kids of the crew of a ship exploring the galaxy.
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The Nameless City books are both a beautiful all-ages rumination on moving past a history of colonialism, AND do that fun thing where the art on the spines carries over, so they look great on a shelf!
November 26, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Ben Crane
My fantasy trilogy The Nameless City got a great shout out in the New York Times this week! Yes, please read pick up my comics if your kid likes Rick Riordan please please 😅
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/b...
November 26, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Cosmic Cadets: Accused! is out in just over 2 weeks!!!
Inks @andyalvesart.bsky.social
Colors @prips.bsky.social
@idwpublishing.com @topshelfcomix.bsky.social

Mystery! Adventure! Friendship!

An all-ages #scifi #comics #graphicnovel following the kids of the crew of a ship exploring the galaxy.
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by Ben Crane
This is Delarax! From Ben and my new comic coming out Dec9, Cosmic Cadets: ACCUSED! I love drawing his dumb face so much. @topshelfcomix.bsky.social #art #comic #cosmiccadets
November 21, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The infinite potential of a new character and a new campaign, before the inevitable cavalcade of nat 1s destroys all hope.
Character portrait by @andyalvesart.bsky.social
#ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #characterart
November 19, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Yes, I did just sign into a website that sends me a security email every time I sign in, and yes, it is 10AM on a Saturday, but MAYBE that email I just got was an editor responding to the manuscript I'm on submission with, so yes, body, I would love a sampling of all your finest adrenalines, please.
November 15, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Go make spooky comics with the punks!
Hey NEW comic creators! @punkrockkris.bsky.social & I are launching a brand new horror comic anthology called CHK Presents: AHA!

We're accepting submissions starting today until 1/1/2026! If you are looking for an anthology to get your story or art out there...(cont below)
November 15, 2025 at 5:47 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
November 11, 2025 at 6:24 PM
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
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
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
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
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
October 30, 2025 at 9:18 PM
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
October 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Ben Crane
QRP with your horned art! 😈
October 29, 2025 at 4:56 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.
October 24, 2025 at 6:48 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.
October 24, 2025 at 6:06 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!
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
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.
October 21, 2025 at 6:20 PM
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
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).
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.
October 15, 2025 at 6:59 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!
October 15, 2025 at 4:53 PM
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
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.
October 4, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Reposted by Ben Crane
Still looking for work!
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 [email protected]

#ComicJobs
October 2, 2025 at 4:31 PM
In today's episode of My Dog Doesn't Understand How to Couch...
September 30, 2025 at 9:56 PM