Ben Crane
LightNews LightNews
bencranewrites.com
Ben Crane
@bencranewrites.com
850 followers 370 following 510 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
bencranewrites.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
bencranewrites.com
Any #AffinityPublisher experts know what's going on here? PDF export with otherwise identical settings, turning JPEG compression OFF cuts the size of the file in half? Am I somehow losing quality when I turn off compression? Help me understand!
Two screenshots of a pdf export page in Affinity Publisher V2. On the left, "Allow JPEG compression" is checked, with an estimated file size of 9.91MB. On the right, "Allow JPEG compression" has been turned off, and the estimated file size is only 5.88MB.
January 1, 2026 at 7:10 PM
bencranewrites.com
QRP to reintroduce yourself.

I'm a writer and editor of prose and comics. I tell stories of finding hope and empathy in darkness, because the alternative is unacceptable.

Wrote: COSMIC CADETS, A MAN OF LIES
Edited: SYSTEMIC

I also do freelance dev editing, and play too many board games.
December 29, 2025 at 7:03 PM
bencranewrites.com
TOMORROW! Come out to @collectorsparadise.bsky.social in #Pasadena to meet me and @andyalvesart.bsky.social and grab signed copies of Cosmic Cadets: Accused and Contact, an out-of-this-world gift for your favorite middle-grade reader! #scifi #kidscomics @idwpublishing.com @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 5:53 PM
bencranewrites.com
Cosmic Cadets: Accused is out TODAY! This is a book full of adventure, humor, love, and kindness and I could not be more proud of the work me, @andyalvesart.bsky.social and @prips.bsky.social did! Available NOW wherever books and comics are sold!
@topshelfcomix.bsky.social @idwpublishing.com
The cover for Cosmic Cadets: Accused! Five children (four human, one alien) huddle in the foreground, hiding behind a sea-green column as an angry axolotl-inspired alien yells from a balcony in the background. A version of the arrows tropes meme for Cosmic Cadets: Accused! Tropes listed are: Kids solving mysteries, new alien friends, ridiculous disguises, false accusations, stand-alone sequel, gravity hijinx, and friendship and family. A picture of a blurb. "Brimming with hijinx, 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 Mighty Marvel Team-Up) A picture of a blurb. "If you're looking for a fun adventure with wonderful characters, packed action, and explosive colors, Cosmic Cadets is the book you want to pick up! It's a comic full of fun and charm." -Jose Pimienta (author of Twin Cities)
December 9, 2025 at 6:18 PM
bencranewrites.com
Getting ready to drop 2008's hottest new stomp-clap-hey album.
Two dogs sit in fallen leaves against a sun-washed fence, both looking off-camera in the same direction.
December 9, 2025 at 12:49 AM
bencranewrites.com
Jose Pimienta makes incredible comics you should go read right now. Once you're done with that, consider listening to them, and pick up a copy of Cosmic Cadets: Accused! which releases TOMROROW!

Thank you @jopi.bsky.social!
#comics #kidlit #scifi
@idwpublishing.com @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
An image of the cover of Cosmic Cadets: Accused! next to a box of text reading "If you're looking for a fun adventure with wonderful characters, packed action, and explosive colors, Cosmic Cadets is the book you want to pick up! It's a comic full of fun and charm" -Jose Pimienta, Author of Twin Cities.
December 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
bencranewrites.com
Gotta nominate my own Cosmic Cadets: Accused! for kids books, coming in just under the wire, releasing THIS WEEK!

Sci-fi adventure, adorable aliens, and kids solving mysteries in a story about learning how to admit you're wrong with grace and humility. HMU if any of the Yetis want a review copy.
December 8, 2025 at 1:08 AM
bencranewrites.com
Then Saturday 12/20, we're thrilled to be hanging out with the lovely folks at Atlantis Fantasyworld in Santa Cruz. 1020 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. We'll be there all afternoon, from 12-5PM!
December 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
bencranewrites.com
On Sunday 12/14 we're joining the North Hollywood Night Market with a bunch of other awesome local creators! 5223 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601 from 5-10PM.
December 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
bencranewrites.com
On Saturday 12/13 we're doing our official launch event at @collectorsparadise.bsky.social in Pasadena, CA from 1-3PM (we might stay later if they'll let us, but can't promise anything). 319 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91105.
December 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
bencranewrites.com
@andyalvesart.bsky.social and I are taking Cosmic Cadets on tour to Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, and Oakland.
Come say hi and get signed copies of our all-ages sci-fi adventure comic just in time for Christmas! Andy might draw something if you ask nicely!
@idwpublishing.com @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
December 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
bencranewrites.com
Creator copies of Cosmic Cadets: Accused! arrived, and this book is gorgeous! I cannot wait for y'all to get your hands on it in just a few days! A great gift for a middle-grade reader!
Get it here or at your favorite local comic or book store: ow.ly/26Wf50XBtCz
#comics #unboxing #scifi #kidscomics
December 6, 2025 at 7:08 PM
bencranewrites.com
Delerax is a young envoy of the station the Khonsu is visiting. Arrogant but well meaning, Rax believes his leaders are perfect, until he's targeted by the same false accusations as his friends!

Will he be able to see past his haughty assumptions to find the truth of what's happening on his home?
A drawing of a blue frog alien in a purple outfit with poofy sleeves, a cravat, and a foppish cap. He is midway through his amphibious transformation, so he still has his tadpole's tail. He is marching toward the viewer with a self-serious, arrogant expression.
December 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
bencranewrites.com
Bobby uses their empathic powers to help their friends navigate challenges and see problems from a variety of perspectives.

But will their calming presence be enough to keep a whole station from descending into chaos in the aftermath of the brazen theft at the heart of Cosmic Cadets: Accused?
A drawing of an orange and teal alien whose design is inspired by nudibranchs. They have a slug-like body with a wavy skirt, noodly arms, and big, broad ears somewhere between rabbit ears and large leaves.
December 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
bencranewrites.com
These drawings are SO GOOD! You should work in comics!

We got Anya from an LA shelter 9 years ago, and she'd been there for almost 1/3 of her life because people don't adopt black pits.

She's a grumbly curmudgeon and a ball of cuddles who loves belly rubs and rolling on her back.
A picture of a donation receipt to Real Good Rescue A black and white Amstaff Terrier rolls on her back in the middle of a street while her person looks on with resigned dismay. She just had a bath and is wearing her favorite hoodie which was just laundered. She will now smell of asphalt.
November 29, 2025 at 9:55 PM
bencranewrites.com
Nishika only sees the best in everyone, so it hurts all the more when the world starts thinking the worst of her.

Can she clear her name and ensure justice finds the true culprit with her optimism intact?

Find out in Cosmic Cadets: Accused!
A drawing of a mixed-race Latina and Indian girl with multi-colored bracelets and a purple sweatshirt tied around her waist. She grins as she balances on the twisting branch of a tree, one leg in the air and her arms thrown out to her sides.
November 29, 2025 at 8:36 PM
bencranewrites.com
Felix's parents died protecting their crewmates, and he is now terrified of losing his friends. He does his best not to let his fear stand in their way, though.

How will his gentle demeanor fair against the criminal threatening his friends?

Find out, in Cosmic Cadets: Accused!
A sketch of a young man with purple hair, a blue shirt, and a gray jacket, his arms wrapped around himself in fear, as shadows press in around him.
November 27, 2025 at 8:54 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
bencranewrites.com
Jimmil is the captain's son, but all he wants is to be a scientist. The mystery at the heart of Accused! will test the very limits of his investigation and problem solving skills.

Can he crack the case before the Khonsu's critical mission is ruined?

Find out in Cosmic Cadets: Accused!
A boy in a yellow jacket and blue mockneck crouches down to study a green bug with pink frills crawling on an alien plant.
November 26, 2025 at 12:50 AM
bencranewrites.com
Teiran is a fierce believer in diplomacy and the leader of our little group.

So what'll she do when doing the right thing and following the mission come into conflict? When doing what she knows is right means giving up everything she's ever wanted?

Find out in Cosmic Cadets: Accused!
A drawing of the character Teiran Schaffer from Cosmic Cadets. She stands heroically with one foot up on a rock, a hand on her hip, and the other clenched dramatically in the air in front of her. She grins triumphantly as her ponytail swooshes behind her. A star flares in the background.
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 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
bencranewrites.com
Teiran is a fierce believer in the mission of diplomacy and the leader of our little group.

So what'll she do when doing the right thing and following the mission come into conflict? When living up to her ideals means giving up what she's always dreamed of?

Find out in Cosmic Cadets: Accused!
A drawing of the character Teiran Schaffer from Cosmic Cadets. She poses heroically, one hand on her hip, the other clenched in victory as she stands with one foot on a rock. She grins with determination, her ponytail sweeping dramatically behind her. A star flares in the sky overhead.
November 24, 2025 at 9:24 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
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
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