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Madeline Crane

@spacewhalespress.bsky.social

190 followers 135 following 482 posts

Writer of queer fantasy and weird tales for the weary & wandering, including BEYOND THE FROST-COLD SEA, JOURNEY TO THE WATER, and THE BOOK OF THE NEW MOON DOOR. Tabletop gamer, wearer of hats, mother of cats and one human, she/her. spacewhalespress.com

Posts Replies Media

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Look at this handsome boy. #caturday #orangecat #dreamsiclecat #catpictures

An orange tabby and white cat sits on a gray cat tree in front of a window. He looks contemplatively off to the right.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/10/09/l... Progress is being made, with much less swearing. I'm hoping for a mid-November release.

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn Update: 30 pages!

Things are moving along! I am officially 1/3 of the way through the draft! I’m trying to keep a pace of four pages a day. Some of these pages will slow me down (like if I need to redraw entir…

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Join the fight against government regulations on the books that you and your family are allowed to read in the United States by signing the petition today. action.everylibrary.org/bannedbooks via @everylibrary.bsky.social‬

action.everylibrary.org

PETITION: Don't Ban Books in the United States

Proposed censorship measures in several states could deny your right to read some books in our Nation's libraries and lead to librarians facing criminal charges for the books on the shelves.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/10/05/s... Weekly update, plus a song

spacewhalespress.com

Song of the Week

First Aid Kit, “Winter Is All Over You” Good morning! I am happy to report that I have completed edits on sixteen pages! I’m hoping to be done before the end of the month, and rel…

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Shepard did not appreciate being disturbed for a picture. #caturday #torbiecat #catpictures #sleepycat

A small torbie cat lies curled up on a pile of blankets, one eye partially open and all her paws gathered together in front of her fluffy belly.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Quick update so you don't forget about me while I'm working on getting this graphic novel ready for publishing. This week, I learned about CMYK values! I only swore at my computer like six or seven times! spacewhalespress.com/2026/10/02/l...

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn Update: Printer ink woes

But first, new fonts! Check them out! So, if you’re familiar with printing, you probably know all this already and can laugh at me, but I am not familiar with printing. I can barely get a wir…

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/09/28/s... Weekly update, plus a song

spacewhalespress.com

Song of the Week

Sam Brookes, “Black Feathers” Good morning! I have spent all weekend wrestling with formatting, and it looks like I’m going to have to do it myself instead of relying on IngramSpa…

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

"If I sit on all Dad's work shirts, he can't go to work, right?" - Solaire, probably #caturday #orangecat #dreamsiclecat #catpictures

An orange tabby and white cat sits in the loaf position on top of a stack of bright blue t-shirts. He has a suspicious look, as though he expects someone to try to move him from his place.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/09/25/l... I'm working on edits and formatting! Keep the feedback coming, and I'll have more updates soon. #webcomic #graphicnovel

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn update

Hello! Since I was here last, I have completed two readthroughs of the draft, one for my many, many art errors and one for pacing. The pacing wasn’t bad! I think you and I are going to have a…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Happy Bi Visibility Day!

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/09/21/s... Weekly update, plus a song

spacewhalespress.com

Song of the Week

The Paper Kites, “Willow Tree March” Good morning! In case you missed it, Last Watch Before Dawn, Volume 1 is complete! You can now read it all the way through. Start here or visit the …

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

People sometimes ask if my cats are friends. I tell them no, they're more like roommates, or siblings in the backseat on a long car ride. Case in point: "he's touching me!" #caturday #orangecat #dreamsiclecat #torbiecat

An orange tabby and white cat lies on his side, one paw extended to touch the tail of his sister, a smaller torbie cat.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I DID IT! The last page of Volume 1 is up! spacewhalespress.com/2026/09/18/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-85 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories You can now read the whole thing from start to finish. It's a dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic about found family and demon hunting.

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 85

This is it! The last page! I have so much more work to do to get it ready for publication, starting with giving the library an unreasonable amount of money to print the whole thing out so I can tak…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

My baby sleeps through the night now, so I have time?? to read?? Since I last reported in, I've read: THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD by Daniel J Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson SONG OF KALI by Dan Simmons THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH (graphic novel) by James Tynion IV RING SHOUT by P Djèli Clark (1)

Ebook cover of The Whole-Brain CHILD, by Daniel J. Siegel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD

Ebook cover of Song of Kali, by Dan Simmons

Ebook cover of The Department of Truth, Volume 1

Digital audiobook cover of Ring Shout, by P. Djèli Clark

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is a dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic about found family and demon hunting. Now's a good time to catch up, and I welcome any feedback. Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/09/15/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-84 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 84

Here it is, the penultimate page! It’s a dense one. Stop by tomorrow for the conclusion of this volume. There’s some violence implied, but not shown. Full page below:

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/09/14/s... Weekly update, plus a song

spacewhalespress.com

Song of the Week

Kamelot, “Beneath the Moon (Tunglið)” Good morning! This is the last week of Last Watch Before Dawn! The last two pages will be up Tuesday and Friday. If you’ve been following alo…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Shepard does a BIG yawn. #caturday #torbiecat #catpictures

A small torbie cat in a gray cat tree yawns, showing her fangs and pink tongue.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

A mysterious stranger approaches in the latest update to LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN! Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/09/11/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-83 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories Volume 1 concludes next week! Catch up on this dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic!

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 83

All four of our protagonists are in one panel! And, as you’ll see, we’ve just about come full circle from the beginning. Two pages remain! Find the full page below:

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

New comic page, featuring the end of the teahouse fight and a cat! Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/09/08/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-82 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is a dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic about found family and demon hunting.

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 82

There’s some cool action on this page, but I think you mostly want to see the cat. I have a keyboard with a number pad, but the alt-codes for special characters don’t seem to work. I ha…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/09/07/s... Weekly update, plus a song

spacewhalespress.com

Song of the Week

Paris Paloma, “Pyrrhus (you go where I cannot)” Good morning! I hope you get some rest from your labors, if not today, then soon. We have two more weeks of Last Watch Before Dawn! To th…

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

What will Solaire see during today's birdwatching? Woodpeckers? Finches? Neighbor cats he wants to fight? #caturday #orangecat #dreamsiclecat #catpictures

An orange tabby and white cat lies on a small cat tree by a window, looking out with a contemplative expression.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I have walked several blocks to bring you a new page of LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN. Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/09/04/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-81 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories You can read all of this dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic for free!

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 81

I’m writing to you from the local library, because the internet is out at my house, and Spectrum estimates they’ll get back to me sometime on Sunday about when it will be up. Thanks, Sp…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

The teahouse fight continues! Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/09/01/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-80 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is a dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic about found family and demon hunting and vicious uppercuts to the face.

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 80

Action poses are so much fun but so difficult. Five pages remain! They might get posted late in the day, but they will be posted on schedule! As you might expect, there is some blood and violence o…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/31/s... Weekly update, plus a song; also the newsletter

spacewhalespress.com

Song of the Week

Florence + the Machine, “The Old Religion” Good morning! The newsletter will be going out later today, probably later than the usual noon, as I haven’t written it yet. I was trave…

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Are you ready for the last climactic battle of this volume? Because it's starting now. Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/28/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-79 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is a dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic and it's free to read!

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 79

It’s been tens of pages (and therefore many weeks) since we’ve had a proper fight scene, so I hope you’re ready for the last, climactic battle of this volume. Six pages remain! As…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

There is a teahouse fight about to pop off in LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN~ Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/25/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-78 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories Please enjoy this free-to-read, dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic!

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 78

A new kind of magic? We’ll explore it more in later volumes, but for now, know that it is a thing. Seven pages remain! Full page below:

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/24/s... Weekly update, plus a song

spacewhalespress.com

Song of the Week

Dolly Parton, “Jolene” (33 rpm) I guess it’s good afternoon, now. Here’s something fun. Brooke is going to be at the Milwaukee Mature Indie Literature Festival (MKE MILFest)…

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

It looks like a truce has been reached about the cat tree. The higher spot is, of course, very choice, but the second-highest spot is closest to the window. #caturday #orangecat #dreamsiclecat #catpictures #torbiecat

On a gray cat tower against a green wall, an orange tabby and white cat sleeps on the highest perch, his cheek fluff resting on the edge, and a smaller torbie sleeps on a lower nest, also with her cheek fluff sticking out.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

We're gearing up for the last big fight scene. Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/21/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-77 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is a free dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic about found family and demon hunting.

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 77

Eight pages remain! For now, have a little glimpse into the political nonsense of the setting, and get ready for the next big fight. Full page below:

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

We are counting down to the end of this volume! Nine pages remain. Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/18/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-76 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is a free dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic about found family and demon hunting.

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 76

I wouldn’t blame you if you thought that I forgot about the demons, but don’t worry, they’re still relevant. Politically, in particular. We are counting down! Nine pages remain af…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/17/s... Weekly update, plus a song

spacewhalespress.com

Song of the Week

Nikki Day, “the architect’s daughter” Good morning! I expected the Book Gymboree to be a bit chaotic, with so many authors there, but it ended up being lovely. I was at a table ne…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Doors are open! Come say hi! RecPlex fieldhouse, 9900 Terwell Terrace, Pleasant Prairie, WI. We're here until 4! #bookfair #localauthor #indieauthor

The writer, a medium-sized white woman, holds an adorable baby behind a table stacked with books. The sign reads: Space Whales Press, Queer Fantasy & Weird Tales for the Weary & Wandering. Madeline Crane, author

Meet the authors, including 40+ headshots

Book Fair with authors, 40+ local authors & growing
Info:
THE BOOK GYMBOREE
Located at the RecPlex
Pleasant Prairie, WI
August 15th, 2026
10:00 am-4:00pm

info@bloodmane.com

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

It's late (at least for me), but I did manage to get this page done and uploaded! LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is about found family and demon hunting, and is free to read! Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/14/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-75 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 75

It’s late, I know, but I managed to get this page done. First of all: the Book Gymboree is tomorrow! 10-4 at the RecPlex fieldhouse, 9900 Terwell Terrace, Pleasant Prairie, WI. I’m very…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

The Book Gymboree is tomorrow! 10-4 at the RecPlex fieldhouse, 9900 Terwell Terrace, Pleasant Prairie, WI. Hope to see you there!

The Book Gymboree 2026
RecPlex
Author Book Fair
Indoors
Pleasant Prairie, WI
Free Admission
Sat Aug 15th

Calling all readers
Looking for your next book? Come spend the day with dozens of talented local authors at The Book Gymboree at the RecPlex! Check out local authors and shop books!

Saturday | August 14th
10:00 AM | 4:00 PM
Contact us: info@bloodmane.com

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is updated! The stage is set for our final scene. Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/11/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-74 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories Please enjoy this free-to-read, dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic! Updates are Tuesdays and Fridays

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 74

In the full version of this panel, which you will find below, there are EIGHTEEN people. That is why this page is being posted so late. We have arrived at the teahouse! The stage is set for our las…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/10/s... Weekly update, plus a song. The Book Gymboree is this Saturday!

spacewhalespress.com

Song of the Week

The Decemberists, “Down By the Water” Good morning! The Book Gymboree is this Saturday! I’ll be one of MANY local authors, so I’m sure you’ll find your next favorite b…

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Solaire enjoys some sun and a bath. #caturday #orangecat

An orange tabby and white cat licks one paw while lying on a cat tree. The sun comes in from the window behind him.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is updated! Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/07/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-73 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories This #webcomic is free to read, updates twice a week, and is about found family and demon hunting. I hope you enjoy!

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 73

Another page, another thing I forgot to draw (hint: how are Ichiro’s bow and quiver attached to his back on the outside of the blanket?). I have my editing work cut out for me. I’m tryi…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Just finished AGENTS OF DREAMLAND (multilayered but far too short weird fiction) and HIS BLACK TONGUE, which included "The Bone Fields" and "Knights of the Non-Euclidean Table" (all medieval horror). #currentlyreading THE TRAITOR BARU CORMORANT, and I will finish it before it's due this time!

Audiobook cover of Agents of Dreamland, by Caitlín R Kiernan. Under a starry sky, a ranch house emits bright light and pale dust from all its windows.

Audiobook cover of His Black Tongue by Mitchell Luthi. A painting of a man in white monks robes has its face distorted and smeared, giving it the appearance of red horns or some kind of fungus growing across his face.

Ebook cover of The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson. The pale face of a young woman, hollow like a mask and broken into pieces like ceramic, looks up from a gray surface toward a starry sky.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

We're starting our last chapter! Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/04/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-72 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is a dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic about found family and demon hunting, and it updates Tuesdays and Fridays.

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 72

Chapter five is starting! Nobody panic! I tried to use the Clone Stamp to make the crowd of people, and it didn’t really work, but I did not have time to go back and draw them all individuall…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Cereal companies need to stop putting pictures of the cereal with strawberries on their boxes. I have had to explain to my baby multiple times today that the box has NO STRAWBERRIES in it, but she keeps pointing to the picture and signing "more." (No, she doesn't want the cereal. I've tried.)

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/08/03/s... Weekly update, plus a song

spacewhalespress.com

Song of the Week

Renee Christine, “The Body and the Blood” Good morning! Chapter Five of Last Watch Before Dawn begins tomorrow! I am busy drawing a town and hating every minute of it. Buildings are bot…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Behold: the Belly Tuft #caturday #torbiecat

A torbie cat lies on a bed with blue sheets, her head raised but her eyes closed, and her front paws curled under. The lower part of her belly is fluffy and orange, and looks very soft.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

We've finished a chapter, so that means bonus art on Patreon! www.patreon.com/cranewrites/... It's only $3 a month to support this independent human creator! Regular comic pages will resume on Tuesday. #webcomic #art

Bonus Art 5 | Space Whales Press

Some early concept sketches of our four protagonists, two of whom you have met and two of whom you will meet in Chapter 5. Regular pages wil

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Just finished ILLUMINAE, an epistolary novel about corporate warfare, a rogue AI, and danger in space, and THE CHILDREN OF RED PEAK, a thriller about the survivors of a doomsday cult. #currentlyreading DOPAMINE KIDS and THE FALL OF HYPERION.

A collage of book covers, including Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, The Children of Red Peak by Craig DiLouie, Dopamine Kids by Michaeleen Doucleff, and The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Chapter four is concluded! Bonus art on Friday, and then we're on to the last chapter of this volume. Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/07/28/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-71 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is a free dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic.

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 71

Last page of Chapter Four! In which Ichiro isn’t cured of his depression because someone was nice to him for a while (though it certainly doesn’t hurt). We’re working on it. Bonus…

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

spacewhalespress.com/2026/07/27/s... Weekly update, plus a song

spacewhalespress.com

Song of the Week

Billy Vicente, “Above the Ground” Good morning! We’ve arrived at the end of the month again, so if you’re signed up for the newsletter, it will be going out noon my time (US…

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Five more minutes. #caturday #orangecat #dreamsiclecat #catpictures

An orange tabby and white cat lies on top of a small cat tree. Behind him is a window with striped curtains. He covers his face with one paw and extends his back feet toward the viewer.

Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

New update! Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/07/24/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-70 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories Also, consider signing up for my Patreon for some bonus art next week: patreon.com/cranewrites LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is a free dark fantasy/sci-fi webcomic!

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 70

There’s another trope at work here, in addition to the Only One Bed, but I’m not sure what it’s called. Awkward Domesticity? Also, I love edge lighting. Next page will conclude th…

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Madeline Crane @spacewhalespress.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Please join me in saying "nice" to commemorate our 69th page Latest page: spacewhalespress.com/2026/07/21/last-watch-before-dawn-volume-1-page-69 All the pages: spacewhalespress.com/stories LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is a dark fantasy/sci-fi #webcomic about found family and demon hunting.

spacewhalespress.com

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 69

Two more pages in this chapter. I have enjoyed the comparatively lesser amount of work that four-panel pages represent as compared to eight-panel ones. Also, someday I will get the sword on the sho…