SubscriptionsSubscriptionsIf you like what you see here...thank you. If you want to be sure you can always have more for less...we have a deal for you. (If you've already made up your mind and don't need to be encouraged any further, click here to drop down to the subscriber instructions.)
The current plans for this site are:
1) Completing the Cartel stories (up through Range Patrol and Shrike Team #12) -- what we call the Origins Cycle and the Claw of Vengeance Cycle. These stories will remain free for viewing to all who stop by....for at least a short time.
2) Once the above is complete, there will be a mini-series entitled Crucible of Time. If you've read the stories by now, and/or picked up some hints, you know that a couple of our heroes will be doing some time-travelling. Well, here's a teaser or two: The Cartel meta-narrative won't have all its loose ends and mysteries tied up until Crucible of Time is finished. And this mini-series will feature, among other things, the origins of Eidolon and the emergence of the K'rek'skran into Hearthstone.
3) After that -- there's a broad plan for at least five more meta-narratives....
I've also started an idea for "mini-stories" which will always be subscriber-only. Some ideas:
As of now, the plan is that starting with Crucible of Time, everything posted here will be available to subscribers only. Then I may start blocking off some parts of the Origins and Claw of Venegeance cycles. And now I'll cut to the chase: How much is this gonna cost me, JP, you old skinflint?!?
How's five dollars a year sound?
I'm not greedy. And I love doing this stuff. But there is a catch. The five dollar amount is only good until I start posting the Crucible of Time mini-series. After that it will go up -- to no more than ten dollars a year, and probably less. But if you get in on the ground floor now, that five dollar figure will be yours FOREVER. No strings attached. And when will that offer expire? If I keep up my pace, probably around the early part of 2008.
And access to these awesome tales isn't all you'll get as a subscriber. You'll also get:
1) If you sign up before the Crucible of Time series -- your choice of one piece of original art from this site. (That's assuming what you want hasn't been taken already. You can pick something else if your first choice[s] aren't available.)
2) All subscribers (even those who pop in after Crucible of Time is up) can ask me to do up to three custom forum avatars for them each calendar year, or up to three custom wallpapers a year. I will also make some each year that you can have without asking.
3) If I get enough subscribers -- I can spend more time on this, and we'll have all sorts of neat features, such as:
Now isn't that something else, for a mere Abe Lincoln portrait every year? Once we get to the right point, we'll work out a password access system for certain files. Everyone who subscribes will get a password, and ideally, it'll be changed every year. I'll have to see how the mechanics work on such things before I say any more.
If you take this choice, you can subscribe for as many years as you like at once. In other words, for $10 you have two years. For $20, four years. And so on. If you are crazy enough about this stuff to send $55, you can subscribe forever! Muaahhhha Ha!
Need some feedback before you drop that fiver? Here's what our readers have said about The Annals of Hearthstone:
What makes it different: First of all, there are no humans. But neither are there furries, although the races might be called that; they are based off of our animals, but aren't. Second of all, the author/artist is a professional apologist (look it up on Google if you don't know what it means), so not only is the world and religion in his comics well-thought-out, it has nothing against my beliefs.
Rating: PG for a knowledge of the darker side of life; but treating it tastefully and not revelling in it.
My opinion: One of the best webcomics I've had the fortune to read. There's something for everybody in it, and there's plenty to read.
Recommendation: If you're old enough to read this entry and understand the words at least, check it out. It's great.
General info: Tektoonics is the name of the website; the name of the comics.... Well. It's set in the world of Hearthstone, hence the name. There are actually two different comics, set on different continents but with a great number of interconnections: the Range Patrol, and the Shrike Team.
- http://boleniana.livejournal.com/4032.html
The Annals of Hearthstone is a brilliant and novel work in the production of modern comics. The artist has crafted a fantastic universe called Hearthstone with intriguing characters, a marvelous and fascinating plot, and deep insight into the inner workings of what may for many be an unfamiliar cultural conceptual structure. His attentiveness to detail ensures that you'll find more plot holes in your autobiography than in his work, and you'll never fail to find the characters full of emotional and intellectual vitality. To apply a rating system to this series, I'd need as many stars as there were rooms in Hilbert's Hotel. I can't recommend it enough. Read it. You'll see why.
- J. B.
‘The Annals of Hearthstone’ is a series of web comics by apologist J.P. Holding. There are two different storylines, both involving two different teams composed of various beings (the Range Patrol and the Shrike Team). These two teams come closer and closer to each other as their world progresses to an apocalyptic event, which the prophet Eidolon (who plays a large role, mainly behind the scenes) seeks to steer in the right direction.There are a number of races of Hearthstone -- the technical Tilkrig, the big and peaceful Sanslorian, the powerful Prycenes, the evil Sk’lan, and others. Background information about the history and sociology of the world is provided, and it is truly amazing!
In his comics, J.P. Holding tells a highly enjoyable story, and between the lines, he tries to show us what the world should be like -- no racism, no sexism, and tolerance which is not thinly disguised indifference. He comes over as a conservative, without naïve ideas about building a perfect world, but instead a world where all have to band together to keep evil from taking over. With humour, fun, faith, loyalty and love.
There are a number of things for which I would recommend the Annals to not-too-young readers. For instance, the skill of the drawings; the lack of offensive images; the variety of interesting and lovely races (for the most part); the mystery; the humour; the teamwork. But if someone would ask me what I loved most about the Annals, I would say that it is the way in which J.P. Holding succeeds in capturing real, constant love -- in the whole story, but especially in some images where two people show each other that they care about each other.
- E. S.
Hearthstone comics are delightfully unique in their setting and depth of detail. JP Holding has crafted a surprisingly realistic world with believable characters and complex interweaving plots that leave the reader eager for the next installment. Holding's charming, colorful illustrations bring Hearthstone to life; by the time the reader has finished the first couple of comics, it is almost believable that there could be a world with talking rabbits and technology-enhanced Tilkrigs.
- L. C.
A cool epic webcomic with anthropomorphic animals in world with allegorical christian elements. One of the better on the net, and is regularly updated with a couple of pages every week.
Definitly a recommended read if you enjoy books by C.S Lewis or rang wielding anthro bunnies.
-- http://sentzeu.stumbleupon.com/tag/eidolon/
Action. Adventure. Comedy. Angst. The ravages of power. Twists of plot and concepts to provoke the mind. Two bands of misfit heroes struggle to save a civilization on the edge of collapse. It’s an epic saga that sweeps thousands of years. All this and more await you in The Annals of Hearthstone, written and illustrated by wordsmith-par-excellence James Patrick Holding. The characters may look like cartoony funny animals, but they address far more serious issues and concerns on a mature level -- "PG" but family-friendly, aimed at intelligent readers. And what a pleasure it is to root for heroes who stay true to themselves, abide by a strong moral code, and enjoy genuine bonds of camaraderie and selflessness. Hours of reading pleasure await!
-- by a professional in the field of cartoon art
The Forces of Nature cycle will feature two new races who will pose a threat to Hearthstone's well-being. The Mangravarian:
...and the Molari....
The series will open when Nullabor experiences a "freak" snowfall...below, the Ketterlings encourage the others to come out and enjoy it...oblvious to the irony of the danger ahead....
