If you're going to live, leave behind a legacy.

“Legacy? What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.”

Legacy is something I think about often. As a young man, I was terrified of death. I grew up watching my parents drink and party without any real plan for the future, and I saw others, both adults and kids, caught in the same cycle. From what I saw on TV, it seemed like the only way out was death. I constantly wondered, "Who will remember me?" I think a lot of people feel that way. My wife, for example, always believed she would die young. I never thought I would die young, but I did fear that I would leave this world without making any kind of impact.

This sense of dread followed me throughout my life. There were moments when I sat crying, unsure whether to call 911 as I watched family members passed out drunk, fearing the worst. I grew up without my grandfather, and I often believed that my family line would end with me because my dad seemed like he wasn’t going to make it. I was told by aunts and uncles that I was trouble and would end up in jail. And to top it off, the people who were supposed to lift me up—my teachers—told me I was nothing and would amount to nothing.

So, since a young age i wanted to make a legacy. I wanted to live each day the best i could. This quote really kind of spoke to me about my views on life.

I felt a deep need to prove as many people wrong as I could. I needed to love better, to know more, and to show everyone that I had value. Everything I absorbed—whether it was Rent, Highlander, Marvel and DC comics, or even wrestling—kept telling me the same thing: legacy matters. Finding a legacy became the most important thing in my life, the key to making my existence meaningful. But how do we find a legacy? How do we create something that lasts?

Before I dive into this subject about how to build a legacy in the world of comics, let me first explain why this idea has been weighing so heavily on my mind.

This week we lost a great.

John Cassaday

This guy had some of the greatest runs in comics—from Astonishing X-Men to Planetary, Star Wars, and even his short but memorable run on Captain America. He really made a name for himself in the industry. I never had the chance to meet him, but he was one of the greats. At just 52, he still had more good years left in him, but sadly, we’ll never see them. Alongside his passing, we lost the legendary James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader, at 93. Jones was truly the voice of a generation—nearly everyone on the planet has quoted "I am your father" in his iconic tone. These are LEGACY MAKERS.

So, how do I create that? Is it wrong to want it? I’ve spent most of my life trying to make an impact, and now I’m breaking it down, trying to figure out how to leave my own legacy.

1. Legacies are often built through the lives we touch. Whether through kindness, mentorship, or relationships, the influence we have on others leaves a lasting mark. I feel I do this well, but I wish I did more with my family. I often feel like I fall short as a husband, brother, friend, or father/stepfather. If you asked them, they’d probably disagree, but that doesn’t change how I feel.

2. Creating Something Enduring: Art has the potential to outlive us, and this drives me. By creating something meaningful, you leave behind a piece of yourself that continues to inspire others. I’ve created a lot, but if I died today, I’d likely be remembered for the Cthulhu Invades series because it made the most money and connected with the right creators. That’s not a bad legacy, but I didn’t create Cthulhu. That character belongs to someone else’s legacy.

That brings us to my original works, like Granite State Punk and Coins of Judas. They both have solid fanbases, but they haven’t broken through the way I want them to. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what comic fans really want. If you look at the top 20 best-sellers, it's always the same core stories with familiar characters, with a few exceptions. Fans want those iconic tales retold. And honestly, I want to write for the Big Two as well. But beyond that, I want to create something that is truly mine—something that could stand alongside Sandman, Watchmen, Sin City, Spawn, or even lesser-known gems like Crimson, Stray Bullets, or God Country.

How do I make a graphic novel that becomes a must-have for someone’s shelf? I don’t have the answer yet, but I’m working on it. The only solution I know is to keep creating, find my audience, and ask for your help. If you like my work, let me know below: What’s your favorite? What do you want more of? And what kinds of stories would you like to see in those universes? Your feedback will help me tell better stories.

So, that’s it for now. Just a thought process on everything. Now, before i go lets do some HOUSE KEEPING

1) DID YOU MISS CTHULHU INVADES FAIRY TALES?? Well if you did its still up for LATE PLEDGE for a couple more weeks. So, go check it out. If you ordered the CTHULHU INVADES FAIRY TALES CONVENTION SPECIAL. I will get that NEXT WEEK and i will send that out ASAP.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/cthulhu-invades-fairy-tales

2) HOLIDAY SPIRITS 3- Is at my house and i have started shipping. We should get everything out by OCT! So, get excited!!

If you are coming to balitmore and want me to hand deliver it let me know)

3) The website has been updated!! We added CTHULHU INVADES OZ!!! SOFTCOVERS AND HARDCOVERS are back in stock!!

https://orangeconeproductions.com/

4) I will be in Baltimore with my wife HEATHER GIBB!! If you are in the area we would love to meet you!! Please, let me know you are attending!!

We are at booth F-17

Thats all for now!! Love you guys!!!

Travis Gibb