Frustrated With Hollywood, Creators of ‘Daughter’s Revenge’ Graphic Novel Aim to Inspire

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Tired of predictable Hollywood stories, a new graphic novel called Daughter’s Revenge offers a unique adventure with original characters. It’s a pirate tale focusing on Jonathan Reed, a man of integrity forced to face a difficult challenge.

Reed is facing a difficult choice. The values he once lived by no longer seem to matter, and he must decide whether to stay true to himself or compromise his principles and act like the criminals he used to fight.

Writers Jay David and Russ Morgan (online as Drunk3PO and X-Wing) focused on creating something inspiring, rather than just a good story. They teamed up with artist Erik Hodson, who brought their ambitious vision to life with authentic and impactful imagery.

Jay explained he wanted to create a story about a deeply religious man facing a difficult situation that pushed him to act in ways he wouldn’t normally consider. It’s a story about how a person’s faith is challenged.

A Journey of Hope Born out of Frustration

Jay was so disappointed and frustrated with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny that he felt compelled to take action.

I reached out to X-Wing right away and suggested we create our own story – a pirate adventure in the style of Indiana Jones, focused on a search for lost artifacts. That brief conversation unexpectedly sparked the idea for what could become a whole trilogy, as Jay explained.

I recently learned that when Jay and Russ first started working on Daughter’s Revenger, they didn’t have a clear plan for how it would all come together. Apparently, Russ said their main goal was just to nail down a good story. It started as a longer short story, then grew into a novella, and eventually they decided the best way to tell it was as a graphic novel script!

Russ, a lifelong writing enthusiast, stepped up to lead the project even though he hadn’t published anything before. He explained that a phone call from Jay inspired him to take action, saying, “I immediately knew I wanted to be involved. I believed we could create something truly remarkable, and I think we succeeded.”

The entire project was a team effort. Jay, a seasoned graphic novel writer, handled the layout and brought in Hodson, an artist he’d collaborated with before, to create the artwork. According to Jay, Hodson’s input on the story was essential. “He really helped elevate the final product,” Jay explained.

Their shared vision ultimately set the course as Daughter’s Revenger took shape.

Pushing Through Pain

I was really struck by how Hodson brought history to life in Daughter’s Revenge. It doesn’t feel digital at all – it feels raw and handmade. Hodson actually told me they wanted it to look like it was created with traditional brush and ink, and that’s clear. Even the sound effects aren’t just standard fonts; they’re all individually drawn, which is incredible!

I’ve always been struck by Hodson’s resilience. While he was studying art, he was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and it tragically impacted his hands – the very hands he needed to create his incredible work. It severely limited his ability to move them, which must have been incredibly challenging.

Hodson pleaded with God not to take his ability to use his hands, explaining they were everything he had. He’d always dreamed of being a comic book artist, and feared losing that part of himself. Surprisingly, even after an injury crippled his hands, he believes God transformed him into an even better artist. He attributes all the credit for this positive change to a higher power.

Finishing the comic was really tough. It was a difficult year personally – my dad passed away in July, and our colorist lost his mom too. Honestly, we all were dealing with a lot of pain while trying to get the book done. But everyone involved really believed in the story, and that passion kept us going. It felt like something bigger than us was bringing us together to finish it.

I recently got a look at Daughter’s Revenge, and let me tell you, it’s coming out in two versions! There’s a full-color edition for a vibrant experience, and a striking black-and-white artist edition. The creator, Hodson, actually recommends getting both – and I agree! You’ll notice different details and appreciate the artwork in a whole new way depending on which version you choose. It’s like getting two distinct experiences with the same story.

The Rippasend campaign features a variety of collectible items, including different cover versions, foil editions, flags, and clothing. There’s also an alternate cover illustrated by Irene Strychalski, who previously worked at Marvel. Ultimately, the creators want readers to have fun and feel inspired by the story, leaving them eager for the next installment.

A Call to Adventure

Jay hopes readers will have fun getting lost in his adventure story and finish it with a smile, eager to read more.

Russ explained they aimed to create a story that would leave audiences feeling as inspired as they might after seeing Star Wars or a classic film from the eighties or nineties. He described the feeling of being completely immersed – like waking up after two hours and realizing where you’ve been. The goal was to evoke a nostalgic fondness for the story, even shortly after it ends, and leave people wanting to revisit that world.

Online, many people are urging others to stop supporting companies that don’t share their beliefs. The comic Daughter’s Revenge offers readers who feel ignored by major studios a chance to discover a story that resonates with their values and offers a fresh perspective.

Hodson hopes the book will do more than just entertain; he wants it to encourage readers to find adventure in their own lives and to remember that hope is always possible, even during difficult times.

You can now pre-order Daughter’s Revenge for a limited time through Rippasend. Pre-orders will ship in the second quarter of 2026.

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2026-01-12 23:57