I love novels. I love comics. But when I started shaping Shadowstrike, I realised early on that I didn't want it to be just one full‑length novel. I wanted something serialised. The idea of building my own heroverse – my own small‑screen MCU, if you will – drove that decision from the beginning.
There was also a practical reason: I am not a talented comic book artist. I’ve tried. I’ve also tried to embrace my own style, but I’m too much of a perfectionist to feel confident about a drawing. Could I learn it? Sure. But that’s time and energy I also need for the writing itself. And honestly, I’ve always loved the idea of creating a story and breathing life into it across multiple formats – including film. When I got into screenwriting a year or two ago, something clicked. I finally saw the blend of comic, prose, and cinema becoming one.
Fast‑paced, like an episode
Shadowstrike is meant to be fast‑paced. It’s supposed to feel like watching an episode of a TV show, or like sitting through a Marvel movie and immediately wanting to see more of that universe. A short‑form project also allows me to write and release in a better rhythm than a 400‑page novel ever would.
But here’s the thing: while each part might read quickly, the story itself can still unfold at its own pace. A romance can bloom slowly over several issues. A villain can be built up over time. I’m not strict about page count – I’m strict about chapters. For Issue #1, seven chapters felt right. Planning Issue #2 in that same structure got me into a flow of choosing only the most important beats and scenes. We’ll see if that evolves, but for now, it works.
No illustrations (for now)
I already mentioned my lack of drawing skills. I’ve tried, honestly. I’m also on a tight budget, so hiring an artist right now felt like an investment placed too early. But I do intend to gather a team in the future. An illustrated edition would be wonderful. Let’s see who I meet on this journey and who might be interested in expanding this world across formats.
Cinematic prose – what that means
This is something I took from screenwriting. I now determine beginning, middle, and end with at least two major plot points. Prose gives me more flexibility – I can write out full‑fledged scenes without worrying about strict formatting rules. I often think in scenes, seeing them as if they were on a screen in my mind, and I write down those that matter and drive the plot forward.
The beauty of waiting
I took the idea of regular releases from my fanfiction phase as a teenager. People sometimes roll their eyes at fanfiction, but in truth, there’s a lot to learn from it. Young people on Wattpad, Tumblr, and elsewhere love waiting week by week for that new chapter. It’s something that gets lost nowadays when shows are dropped in one go. There was beauty in waiting for Friday night, then talking about the new episode with friends.
That’s where the idea came from. That, and my love for Marvel. The vision is to add protagonists with their own adventures, to have them gather for common threats, or even to fight each other because of different mindsets.
Who is this for?
I hope I can reach as many people as possible. What I often hear is: “I love to read, but I don’t have time.” Picking up a long novel can feel like a commitment. Shadowstrike is meant to be easier to pick up when there’s little time. It’s not a huge commitment. You can read it in a couple of hours. It’s not heavy; it can join you on the subway or the bus.
And certainly, there are readers who miss something new outside of Marvel or DC. Some may not be open to comics but would rather read a prose version. That’s who I’m writing for.
What comes next
Future episodes will drive the plot forward. Arcs will finish, and new ones will begin. There’s a thin thread running through all episodes and arcs that’s going to build up, while single heroes will follow their own journeys. I’ve found a structure that feels comfortable, so I’m confident I can set up a real schedule. No more year‑long waits.
Lumina City is waiting. The shadows are waking up. And this is only the first episode.
— Lucy Addams