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Joel van der Knaap

@joelvdk.bsky.social

150 followers 110 following 98 posts

Roam Comics. Making comics and zines. https://fortresscomic.com

fortresscomic.com

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · Apr 19

Some news: from August, Fortress will be available in comic shops everywhere—orders are now live through Lunar Distribution.
Shipping monthly, I’ll be going back to print with issues 1—3, with 4—6 following straight after.

Caleb, a character from Fortress runs forward in a slightly crouched pose. A spinning energy source is behind Caleb. The image is coloured in a limited palette of dark green and light pink. Above Caleb are the words “MONTHLY FROM AUGUST. FORTRESS”

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Reposted by Joel van der Knaap

Losty @aaronlosty.bsky.social · 19h

Hey I'm Losty

writer/artist/cartoonist

Latest Works:

The Hanging: Dystopian Sci fi set in Ireland.
bit.ly/48ZVT0X

Daystar: A comic horror grants a hamlet of animals sentience. bit.ly/46TLkv2

Nullhunter #8: Simon and a band of street orphans plan to rescue Clay.
bit.ly/4oelvM0

#portfolioday

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Reposted by Joel van der Knaap

BRUZZESE✸ @bruzzeseonline.bsky.social · 19h

Guess what, #portfolioday? I'm open to doing some cover art. Email bruzzeseonline [at] proton [dot] me.

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 1d

Some issue 4 scenes…
Only now do I feel like I might be starting to get a handle on drawing comics. The process is immensely challenging and rewarding… and I love it. Thanks for sticking with me. Can’t wait for you all to see issues 4–6 and beyond!

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 1d

Fortress 3 is out in the wild this week. Go get it from your LCS!

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 5d

Fortress 4 is coming in December. Here’s a peek at a page…

Reposted by Joel van der Knaap

Perplexing Ruins @perplexingruins.bsky.social · 6d

New Short Shelf is up!
features:
@mrgearfox.bsky.social
@snaxwell.bsky.social y.social

@oozejar.com

@aaronlosty.bsky.social

@joelvdk.bsky.social

youtu.be/hc-SM6iItLc

Short Shelf of Picks 7

YouTube video by Perplexing Ruins

youtu.be

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 6d

Thank you for sharing the work!
Loved seeing Fortress Zine in the context of some non-comics books. Super proud of my little artefact.

Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 7d

Fortress 3 is out in a week. I’m super happy with this double page. Felt like I captured what I was going for.
Thanks to everyone that’s wandered out into the wastelands with me so far. While we’re out here, let’s make a party of it. Tell your friends, your mum, your high school crush 💥💥💥

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 8d

WIP.

Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 15d

Had a great chat with Johnny and Joe on their How’d We Get Here!? show talking comics and Fortress!
@johnnyalpha81.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/live/wrwv93n...

How'd We Get Here!?: Joel Van Der Knaap(Fortress)

YouTube video by Graphic Vandalism

www.youtube.com

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 15d

Fortress WIP

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 20d

Some nice, quiet scenes from Fortress 2.

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Reposted by Joel van der Knaap

Richie & Luna @richieandluna.bsky.social · 24d

Highlights from this week's #newcomics pickups (&more!) - @ignitionpress.bsky.social bundle of goods, @joelvdk.bsky.social's Fortress #2 from @strangers.bsky.social & Roam comics, Zdarsky Comic News, and the Best Of John Prine! Betcha never seen John & Manga Kirby in the same picture! #comicsky

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 27d

Knocked it out the park man!

Reposted by Joel van der Knaap

(mmmm)Mike McGhee(eee) @plasticsouls.bsky.social · 27d

Fortress #2 dropped today! Really stoked to be involved with this book in any capacity; @joelvdk.bsky.social 's work is a breath of fresh air. Thanks to him and @strangers.bsky.social for having me, and stoked to be riding alongside @dtronaustin.bsky.social

Pin-up spread from Fortress issue 2 featuring myself and Don D-Tron Austin

Cover shot of Fortress issue 2 at the local shop, Phoenix comics and games in Seattle

An interior spread from Fortress issue 2, showcasing some of Joel's great more panel heavy art. Zoom in!

The last page and next issue teaser from Fortress issue 2. Take a close look at that gorgeous work on the last page!

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 27d

@dtronaustin.bsky.social the best company! Love the styles and the interpretations of my characters!

Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 27d

Pinups in Fortress 2 from @dtronaustin.bsky.social and @plasticsouls.bsky.social
Absolute 🔥🔥🔥

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · 27d

Fortress issue 2 is out!
Pick it up from your LCS.

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · Sep 11

“Their distorted, elongated frame wields supercharged arms, the electricity cutting through the dry air”.
Order Fortress 3 for more verbose captions like this!

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · Sep 10

Let’s keep this thing rolling… tell your LCS you gotta have Fortress 3! FOC date is 15 September.
Brought to you by black coffee, red licorice, Roam Comics and @strangers.bsky.social

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · Sep 2

US friends, these will be in my store eventually, but shipping from AUS to US is tricky right now!

Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · Sep 2

#Papercuts2025 Market Day is close—I’ll be tabling so come say hi! Along with comics, zines & prints, I’ll have new copies of the relaunched Fortress 1–3 with limited edition covers. The print run on these will be low, so scoop them up while you can.

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Reposted by Joel van der Knaap

Strangers Publishing @ SPX Table A1 @strangers.bsky.social · Aug 25

This morning I received a fully signed contract for our second manga license!

I've been holding on announcing until I've got final covers to share.

@joelvdk.bsky.social is designing a great cover for the first and the mangaka for the second title is making a new cover for our release! More soon :)

Strangers Publishing @ SPX Table A1 @strangers.bsky.social · Jun 26

[Contract pending] In an exciting turn of events, it looks like I'll be releasing two manga titles in 2026!

The first is a kaiju/mech collection from a creator I really admire and the second is from a current contributor to AX magazine, the alternative manga magazine that was a successor to Garo.

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Reposted by Joel van der Knaap

BRUZZESE✸ @bruzzeseonline.bsky.social · Aug 15

new Nim Nyx

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Joel van der Knaap @joelvdk.bsky.social · Aug 16

Escape to the countryside in Fortress 2. Tour bus departs September thanks to your friendly tour guides Roam Comics and @strangers.bsky.social
Come see the wasteland sights!

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