After four months of work, I’m happy to report that draft one of Action Figures – Issue Four: Cruel Summer is done!

The first draft stand at approximately 93,600 words, which brings the length in slightly under the word court for Action Figures – Issue One: Secret Origins, the longest book in the series.

This was a tough story to get through at points because it’s emotionally much weightier than any of the first three books. Draft two will be about tightening up the text, fixing errors, and shoring up the weak spots, as usual, but it’ll also involve trying to find the right tone. I don’t want to sacrifice the series’ sense of fun, so I need to find opportunities to lighten to mood without undermining the story I’m trying to tell.

I know: writer stuff, blah blah blah…

So, what is Cruel Summer about? Here’s the official blurb…

His name is uttered in terrified whispers. He’s the bad guy the good guys fear.

He is the King of Pain, and he’s come to Kingsport to put another hero in the ground.

The Hero Squad faces their deadliest foe yet, a mysterious killer that hunts within the superhuman community, leaving dead bodies and broken minds in his wake. The Squad is next on his hit list, and the King of Pain will push the young heroes to their absolute limit — and one of them might not survive the experience.

Get ready for the darkest chapter in the Action Figures saga as the Hero Squad prepares for the greatest fight of their lives — a fight in which there are no winners…only survivors.

I’ll be tackling draft two soon enough — this Sunday, in fact, as soon as I get through my appearance at the OtherWhere Market in Lowell, MA this Saturday (hint hint).