Ben Crane
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Ben Crane
@bencranewrites.com
840 followers 370 following 460 posts
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
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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.
Reposted by Ben Crane
bencranewrites.com
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.
A trope arrows graphic for Cosmic Cadets: Accused! - Kids solving mysteries! - New alien friends! - Ridiculous disguises! - False accusations! - Friendship and family! - Gravity hijinx! - Stand-alone sequel!
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
bencranewrites.com
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!
A picture of books on a shelf. The books of The Nameless City Trilogy are in the center, with a drawing of a bird on a shattering circle carrying over across the three of them.
November 26, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Ben Crane
faitherinhicks.bsky.social
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
bencranewrites.com
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.
A trope arrows graphic for Cosmic Cadets: Accused! - Kids solving mysteries! - New alien friends! - Ridiculous disguises! - False accusations! - Friendship and family! - Gravity hijinx! - Stand-alone sequel!
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by Ben Crane
andyalvesart.bsky.social
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
bencranewrites.com
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
An illustration of a moon themed elven wizard/druid. They have a staff with a glass bauble, a buckler on one arm, and the emblem of the Pathfinder deity Tsukiyo around their neck. Their robes are green and blue with a flower motif, and their hair is silvery and reminiscent of a full moon.
November 19, 2025 at 12:24 AM
bencranewrites.com
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
bencranewrites.com
Go make spooky comics with the punks!
longboxpunk.substack.com Chris the Long Box Punk @longboxpunk.substack.com · 11d
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
bencranewrites.com
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
A graphic showing the cover of Cosmic Cadets: Accused! with a blurb reading: "Brimming with hijinks, mystery, and a ton of heart, Accused flies further and funnier past its predecessor. Cosmic Cadets is everything I want in a 'kids off on their own' sci-fi adventure story." -Mike Maihack, Cleopatra in Space, Spiderman: A Might Marvel Team-Up
November 11, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by Ben Crane
jessethorn.bsky.social
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
bencranewrites.com
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
andyalvesart.bsky.social Andy Alves @andyalvesart.bsky.social · 24d
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
bencranewrites.com
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
topshelfcomix.bsky.social Top Shelf Productions @topshelfcomix.bsky.social · 27d
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
topshelfcomix.bsky.social
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
prips.bsky.social
QRP with your horned art! 😈
October 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM
bencranewrites.com
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!
bencranewrites.com Ben Crane @bencranewrites.com · Oct 24
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.
The cover for Cosmic Cadets: Accused! Five kids (four human and one alien) crouch behind a column, hiding from an angry looking alien yelling in the background. The cover for Cosmic Cadets: Contact! Five kids (four human and one alien) make camp in a strange forest. One is building a fire, two are looking to the stars where a space ship flies overhead, and one is nervously leaning against a tree that the last is climbing.
October 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
bencranewrites.com
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.
The cover for Cosmic Cadets: Accused! Five kids (four human and one alien) crouch behind a column, hiding from an angry looking alien yelling in the background. The cover for Cosmic Cadets: Contact! Five kids (four human and one alien) make camp in a strange forest. One is building a fire, two are looking to the stars where a space ship flies overhead, and one is nervously leaning against a tree that the last is climbing.
October 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
bencranewrites.com
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!
artebuen.bsky.social Arthur N. Ebuen @artebuen.bsky.social · Oct 23
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
bencranewrites.com
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
solissequentials.bsky.social
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
Pulp Fiction Long Beach Comic Book Signing Oct 18th 2025. 3925 E Anaheim St Long Beach, Ca 90815. Joe Ellis, Ben Cranes and Chris Solis.
October 17, 2025 at 5:06 AM
bencranewrites.com
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).
bencranewrites.com Ben Crane @bencranewrites.com · Oct 4
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.
A banner for an indie comic book signing event at Pulp Fiction, 3925 E Anaheim St on Oct 18, 2025, featuring Joe Ellis (Trifecta), Ben Crane (Cosmic Cadets), and Chris Solis (Order of the Nun-Ya).
October 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
bencranewrites.com
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
bencranewrites.com
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.
A legal pad of paper with the word CONFUSED written in large block text across it.
October 6, 2025 at 6:23 AM
bencranewrites.com
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.
A banner for an indie comic book signing event at Pulp Fiction, 3925 E Anaheim St on Oct 18, 2025, featuring Joe Ellis (Trifecta), Ben Crane (Cosmic Cadets), and Chris Solis (Order of the Nun-Ya).
October 4, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Reposted by Ben Crane
ahgcolor.bsky.social
Still looking for work!
Reposts are appreciated
(Also my website is temporarily down)
ahgcolor.bsky.social A.H.G. @ahgcolor.bsky.social · May 27
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
bencranewrites.com
In today's episode of My Dog Doesn't Understand How to Couch...
A close up on the face of a dog who does not understand how to lie on a couch. A dog lying in a different nonsensical pose on a couch, with her head pressed deeply into the crevasse formed by the couch cushions. Another angle of a dog lying twisted on a couch. Her back legs are straight up, her front legs are pressed into the couch's back, and her head is hanging off the front of the seat. A dog lying on a couch with her spine twisted 90° on two different axes.
September 30, 2025 at 9:56 PM