Arachna 4 Stretch Goal Prose Stories Are Now Available
8 days ago
– Sun, May 31, 2026 at 09:10:00 AM
Hi Everyone,
Your stretch goal delivery is here.
The digital file for Arachna: Life Is Short Stories is now available through BackerKit — free to all Arachna 4 backers.
This collection features 11 short prose stories written by Martti Kauppinen, set between Arachna 3 and Arachna 4. More character moments, more danger, more humor, and a few hints of what's coming next. Big shout out to Martti for going above and beyond. This is some of his best work yet.
Here's what's included:
Arachna vs. Kumo — Arachna and Kumo face off in a tense sparring match under Master Ji-ho's watchful eye.
Diabolical Destiny — Doc Diabolique tries to atone for his past, but the monsters he created have plans of their own.
Isla Tayanna — Tayanna fights to survive on an island where prehistoric horrors and old scars refuse to stay buried.
Sliding Into Her DMs — Goshawk tries to keep things professional when he reaches out to Arachna. Arachna does not make that easy.
Post Imperfect — Master Ji-ho takes Meiko outside the dojo, forcing both teacher and student to confront painful memories.
Tallyman — A hungry monster waits in confinement, dreaming of freedom, revenge, and his next meal.
The Click — Roscoe and Winslow return in a hard-boiled truck stop story about courage, bad odds, and one unforgettable Polaroid.
A Date with Arachna — Jennie, Tamara, Meiko, and Arachna collide in a story of jealousy, costumes, and very complicated feelings.
Daughter of Darkness — Kumo faces brutal training, police trouble, and the question of what kind of woman she wants to become.
Group Think — Doctor Morpheus enters the picture, and things take a darker psychological turn.
Battle of Wills — Jennie and Arachna wrestle for control as Lucien Morpheus gets dangerously close to the truth.
To access your file if you didn't receive the download link, go to your BackerKit survey page and look for the Get Your Digital Rewards button.
If you've lost your survey link, head to arachna-4.backerkit.com and use the Lost your survey? option. Enter the email you used to pledge and BackerKit will send it right to you.
Once you've read the stories, we want to know which one you connected with the most. Vote for your favorite below.
More stories are coming. We'll be launching an X53 Patreon soon, where Martti will be writing new prose stories set across the X53 universe. Carlos Granda, Val, and Daniel will also be contributing original short comics with Martti and new writer A. Khan.
Details coming soon.
Thank you for backing Arachna 4 and for supporting X53 Studios.
How to get your updated Arachna 4 digital file
15 days ago
– Sun, May 24, 2026 at 04:36:50 PM
Hi Everyone, Some backers have let us know they have not received the updated Arachna 4 digital file yet.
If you have not received it, please go to your BackerKit survey page and look for the Get Your Digital Rewards button.
If you do not know how to access your survey page, go here:
https://arachna-4.backerkit.com/
Use the Lost your survey? option and enter the email address you used to pledge for this campaign. BackerKit will send you your personal survey link.
Once you open your survey page, look for the Get Your Digital Rewards button.
If you still have trouble, message us and we’ll help you get access.
Thank you again for backing Arachna 4 and supporting X53 Studios.
Arachna 4 Digital Edition Update
16 days ago
– Sat, May 23, 2026 at 10:12:04 AM
Hi Everyone,
We wanted to let everyone know that there was an error in the original Arachna 4 Digital Edition file, with one page accidentally repeated.
That issue has now been fixed.
An updated version of the digital file was deployed through BackerKit today around 1 PM EST (Saturday). Please use the new link from BackerKit to download the corrected edition.
Thank you for your patience, and thank you to everyone who reached out to let us know. We appreciate you helping us catch it.
X53 Studios
Arachna 4 Digital Edition Has Been Released
22 days ago
– Sun, May 17, 2026 at 12:25:05 PM
You've been patient. Here's what was worth the wait.
The Arachna 4 Digital Edition is officially out, and along with all digital editions including Swimsuit Issue Volume 2: Peril Edition. Your download links are provided through BackerKit, so check your email if you haven't already.
Arachna 4 is a major chapter in her story. What you're seeing now, the fractured identity, the trauma underneath, has been the plan since Volume 1. We've been building toward this from the beginning, and this issue is where it fully surfaces. The result isn't pleasant or easy or clean. It's not supposed to be. It's the most personal story we've told in this universe, and it pushes Arachna into territory we've been quietly setting up all along.
This issue also marks a creative shift: A. Khan joins Martti Kauppinen as co-writer, bringing a tighter focus on character psychology and the darker edges of the X53 universe. You'll feel the difference. Carlos brings that vision to life on art, with Javi Laparra's colors setting the tone on every page. The issue also includes Laundry Day, a short story written and drawn by Carlos Granda with colors by Javi, and it's not one to skip.
If you loved Laundry Day, there's more coming. We'll be publishing short stories like it on our Patreon, giving our writes and artists room to explore the X53 universe between issues. Subscribe to our emails to stay in the loop as more details drop soon.
Swimsuit Issue Volume 2: Peril Edition is a completely different beast. Carlos Granda, Val Jr., and Daniel Pascual all brought their A-game, with Javi coloring throughout, and that energy is all over it. Let's just say Corporate Comics wouldn't touch this. Their loss.
Now we want to hear from you. Email us directly or drop feedback in the comments. What did you think of Arachna 4? What landed? What hit hard? The team reads everything, so don't be shy.
Thanks for your support!
X53 Studios
Arachna 4 Update: Print, Digital, and Final Order Counts
about 1 month ago
– Sun, Apr 26, 2026 at 01:04:04 PM
Hi Everyone,
Arachna 4 is going to the printer, and final print counts are below.
Arachna 4 Deluxe Hardcover: 150
Arachna 4 Softcover: 400
Exposed Cover Set: 50
Arachna Peril Print: 30
X53 Swimsuit Issue: 250
A couple of important notes: the Exposed Cover Set and Arachna Peril Print are both limited, one-and-done items that will not be reprinted. The Peril Print is capped at 30 copies total. This includes overprinting by about 10% in case anyone wants to add to their order, but once that overage is gone, that’s it.
The digital files will be released next week.
If you haven’t filled out your survey yet, please do it now. We need it to lock in your shipping address and reward selections. You can complete it here:
https://arachna4.backerkit.com
Be sure to use the same email address connected to your pledge.
Meanwhile check out the preview of the X53 Swimsuit Issue Wraparound Cover by Carlos Granda.
X53 Studios
