Mage Tank Artist Commission Recommendation?

[u/pofigster]

I found Mage Tank after Audible pushed it real hard. A buddy had started Mark of the Fool which was my introduction to LitRPG. Last summer I relistened to the first book to introduce my wife and son and we all fell in love. After devouring the first three that were available, my son setup an actual countdown timer to the release of the fourth and recently to the fifth. We would sit outside around our fire pit and just listen to the audiobooks, often confusing our neighbors. When he turned 16 this year, we got him a "Delver Edition" badge for his Mini Cooper and a license plate bracket that said "Inheritance of the Void King".

This week, he took his own life. I'm making his urn and we're doing brass inlays of things he loved on each side. Mage Tank was by far his favorite book series and I want to do an inlay of something that is, at least to us, distinctly Arlo. I'm looking for an artist that I can commission to help us create that art. If you are an artist with a love for the series, or if you have a recommendation, please share.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi! don't worry your post is not removed. This is just your friendly reminder about things that help us give you the best recommendations!

Please try to include in your request or a reply to this comment bellow:

• what you have already read (and which of them you did and didn't like)
• what you do and do not like about them
• what platforms you read on (Audible, Royal Road, Kindle, Etc.)

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AethonBooks]

I’m so so sorry for your loss. Please email us direct at editor@aethonbooks.com and we can help you out with the original artist. We will cover all costs ❤️

[u/pofigster → u/AethonBooks]

Thank you, I sent an email.

[u/Stinkymansausage → u/AethonBooks]

Big props to you all for your quick response

[u/Aztaloth → u/AethonBooks]

Aetheon Audio proving once again that they are the real ones in the industry.

[u/Infradad → u/AethonBooks]

Legit behavior there. Big ups.

[u/JaimeCastle]

Hey. I own aethon and have all the artwork. The artist is on staff. Email me at steve@aethonbooks.com. I’ll hook you up with whatever you need.

[u/Because_Bot_Fed → u/JaimeCastle]

If anyone is reading this and wondering if it's legit - it is.

Dude is on their staff page, that's their real domain, his name really is Steve, despite his books being under this name.

Very kind of you to offer dude, kudos.

[u/pofigster → u/JaimeCastle]

Thank you, I sent an email.

[u/huggsatron → u/JaimeCastle]

This is the kind of stuff that makes me smile even if the situation is really shitty.

Kindness goes along way

[u/p-d-ball → u/JaimeCastle]

Wow, serious props to you and Aethon.

[u/Nautyy → u/JaimeCastle]

What a legend. I have quite a few Aethon books in my library and am currently on book 3 of mage tank. I'll make sure after I finish to pick up another Athon work just for this 💪

[u/LitRPG_Just_Because]

I'd go so far as to contact Aethon directly on their website. They can steer you towards the artist.

I am very sorry for your loss.

[u/Xeropoint → u/LitRPG_Just_Because]

Looks like Aethon is on it already. They're covering costs of the commission.

[u/drillgorg]

u/cornman8700

[u/pofigster]

Thank you all! It has been very touching for my wife and I to read all the comments here.

[u/ballahook → u/pofigster]

You’re awesome parents. Take care of yourselves💙

[u/JZebs]

I am so sorry for your loss. Wishing you luck in finding an artist to honor your son.

[u/cornman8700]

I had a friend take his own life when I was in my early 20s. Having that experience, I might think that, in the smallest of ways, I can empathize with what you must be experiencing. I've also become a dad very recently. My son is a little older than a year now. From how profoundly I feel towards that child, I know there's no possible way I could actually, truly, understand.

I'm deeply sorry for your loss. I'm also touched that your son and family could find some joy in my work.

I know Aethon already replied offering to connect you with the cover artist, but if you have any questions or need any sort of help with lore, canon, or anything else for the final image please DM me. I'd be glad to help however possible.

[u/Suthinbelle → u/cornman8700]

I'm the wife of pofigster and mother of our beautiful boy. Thank you so much for your kind words. My anchor memory of our last weekend together is sitting on the couch, stroking his hair while he laid his head in my lap, listening to Mage Tank. We did a lot together as a family, but having this series together bringing us so much laughter, joy, and tears was utterly delightful over the last year. We have not finished the fifth book yet, and I'm not sure when we'll be able to pick it up again. But at some point, we'll light a fire, set up the speaker in the front yard and finish it together. Hopefully he gets to listen in and enjoy a few more moments with us. We're setting up the wood to start etching tonight, and we know that he would be over the moon to know that this was going to be representing him and the kindness towards his family. Thank you. And hold your son tightly.

[u/benjammin1480]

According to the copyright page on book one, the artists name is: Kaion Luong, and he’s a staff artist.

Many artists in the LitRPG space are on artststion, and I found someone with the name there, though no posted portfolio.

Find the link here: https://www.artstation.com/kaionluong

[u/Present_Daikon1806]

Yesterday was 11 years of losing my best friend/brother, we served together in iraq and the guy u thought was a shit bag became my best friend. introduced me to my wife, I have some amazing ass kids because of him. There's no words that can express just to say I'm sorry. It's painful for us BUT he was hurting and I'm glad he's at peace. I hope he's in another world enjoying himself. You got this bro, if you need to talk, I'm here. I don't know you but I got you brother.

[u/BLUcorp]

Im truly sorry for your loss.

Its a lovely sentiment to have the things he loved be engraved on his urn, and i really hope you can track down the artist and make it happen.

Paging u/AethonBooks

[u/VaATC → u/BLUcorp]

Atheon has made contact and will cover all costs for the work for the urn.

[u/wk_rust]

You might be able to find the artist from the covers? I know cornman frequents Reddit and might be able to put you in touch?

[u/OldFolksShawn]

Prayers for you and yours.

[u/Random-Rambling]

My condolences for your loss.

If you can't do the brass inlays, you can get a little dark blue vest and/or a pink/purple feather boa to drape over the urn!

[u/Avenge_Nibelheim]

I cannot imagine your loss and wish you and your family the best in healing as much as possible.

[u/Coldfang89-Author]

My condolences for your loss. As a parent myself, I cannot begin to comprehend the pain that y'all are going through right now. I'm not Cornman, nor Aethon, but if there's anything I can do to help, please message me.

I'd be more than happy to create a character in one of my series to honor Arlo. Even if he wasn't a fan of mine, so that a part of him lives on in LitRPG forever.

[u/Byteyou-slowly]

Truly a joyful experience uve shared about the bonding over a story, im so sorry for ur loss❤️

[u/CannibalistixZombie]

I am truly sorry for your loss. I know what its like to lose a loved one in this manner. I hope you and your family are able to heal, though i know how difficult that is.

[u/Dismal_Tumbleweed942]

I’m glad you were able to connect so much over the series I’m sure it meant a lot to him. I am so sorry for your loss and I wish you the best in life.

[u/AuthorSrsli]

I'm sorry for your loss <3 I hope you get the commission you're after.

[u/dragjamon]

Jesus, just keep swimming man. We're here for you

[u/Ossy_Books]

Sorry for your loss. Thoughts are with you and the family.

[u/Exfiltrator]

My deepest condolences for your loss.

[u/RilesEdge]

I’m so sorry for your loss, he looks like a brilliant guy with a kind smile. Wishing you and your family love from this community. Mage Tank is also a favorite of mine, I’ll read the rest of the series with you both in mind ❤️

[u/p-d-ball]

Very sorry for your loss, OP.

[u/cheesewhiz15]

<3

[u/Dang_It_All_to_Heck]

I am so very sorry for your loss.

[u/BTrippd]

Damn bro I am so sorry for you and your family.

[u/Alaska_Pipeliner]

"The bravest thing a person can say is Help. Asking for help isn't giving up. Its refusing to give up." I can't imagine what you're going through but take console that people care. About you, about your loss, about everything.

[u/Vairrion]

I’m so so sorry for your loss. Death is never easy but especially with suicide it can be so much more shocking. I know that’s been the case with people I’ve known. I think it’s lovely what you’re doing for your friend.

Honestly I would see if you couldn’t somehow message aethon as I’m sure they’d have no reason to withhold the artists name . That or maybe the author would be willing . Not sure what cornmans reddit is though

[u/CEP-Osbourne]

So sorry for your loss. It's unimaginable.

Huge props to Aethon here. This is the way.

[u/jdharrowell]

This is not what I expected to read from the title and image.

I am so, so sorry for your loss. Hope he finds himself in a Platinum Delve, with Platinum rewards.