Ernest & the Dream Stone

🎉 Happy One-Year Anniversary, Vern!
5 months ago – Mon, Oct 20, 2025 at 09:50:40 AM

That’s right, Vern! One year ago, we were buzzing as that little Kickstarter counter kept climbing higher and higher. Backers from all around the world came together to do something special -- bring Ernest back for the first time in over 25 years! 

What. A. Thrill.

I remember I woke up around 3:45 a.m. in Nashville, and Mo Edwards rolled out of bed around 1:45 a.m. in Seattle, so we could launch the campaign.

And boy, was I nervous. My brain was running laps:

I launched it. Scrolled through the page one last time. Then scrolled back up --and BAM! Someone had already pledged within minutes! I just sat there staring, thinking, "No way..."

Then another pledge.
Then another.
Then another.

Not long after, Justin Lloyd (Jim Varney’s nephew), Josh Cherry (Ernest IP owner, actor, and writer), and I were on the morning news in Nashville talking about the project while Mo was fielding updates and comments. 

See the news clip here:

After the segment aired, we checked the page and said,

“Holy crap... we’re going to fund this bad boy on the first day!”

And sure enough, thanks to YOU, Ernest & The Dream Stone landed in the top 1–2% all time in comic/graphic novel Kickstarters! And we did it without a publisher. So if anyone asks me about you, Vern, I'm goan tell 'em straight up, "They're a great bunch of guys and gals, KnoWhutImean?!"

As we just wrapped Episode 25 of the Kickstarter Podcast, I found myself reflecting on how proud I am of this entire team. A lot of comic adaptations from famous movie IPs just slap something together -- but that’s not what we did. From scriptwriting to artist selection to Kickstarter planning, we put in the time, heart, and elbow grease. When you open this, it won’t just feel like a story about Ernest—it is Ernest. Back. Bold. Spooky. And full of heart.

We’re now sitting around page 84 --a little slower than we originally expected, sure -- but honestly, we’re so proud of how it’s coming together.

Here’s page 74, penciled by our incredible artist, Arief Russanto:

To each and every one of you (except the semi-naïve mad-scientist, Dr. Otto Von Shnick-Ick-Ick-Ick) -- THANK YOU!

With an abundance of gratitude and a dash of Eggserroneous,

Corey from Ernest Goes to Comics

Your September Update
7 months ago – Mon, Sep 01, 2025 at 06:08:23 PM

Happy Labor Day! Speaking of labor...

With the aid of the most modern Dr. Otto-fighting technology known to man -- pencils and inks full of squid lips, colors full of rainbows, and letters full of typos... Uh, M-I-something-K -- the graphic novel from your favorite lovable lunkhead is currently on page 70-ish. 

Last month, we showed you the pencils and the inks of this panel of Ernest falling into a Dream vortex. 

...Midk? 

Now, feast your eyes on Mariam's beautiful colors:

...That's it!

Until next month, keep yer Miak frothy... After all, it is hard to find this time of year.

Corey from Ernest Goes to Comics

Your August Update
8 months ago – Sun, Aug 10, 2025 at 06:16:00 PM

Hey Verns!

Quick August check-in: we’re now at page 66. 

We’re still moving along slowly and steadily, but it's looking incredible. Here’s a peek at one of the latest panels of Ernest falling into a dream vortex:

PENCILS:

INKS (this is what it looks like before color is put on top):

Thanks for all the support! Yer a great bunch of Verns... KnoWhutImean? 

Corey from Ernest Goes to Comics

Your July 2025 Update!
9 months ago – Mon, Jul 07, 2025 at 06:56:37 PM

Hiya Verns-who-love-Ernest-even-though-the-"real"-Vern-did-NOT-like-Ernest,

We're on page 57... ish. 

That means about 1/3 of the book is complete! And guys, all of us are SO excited with how authentically Ernest-y it's looking. 

It's shaping up to be something special!

Here's a peek at the illustration process from a couple panels on page 47...

Based on the current pace, we’re predicting books will be ready sometime in Summer 2026.  

I feel so proud of the the entire team. Everyone -- the Illustrator, Colorist, Letterer, Editor, and even yours truly -- is putting in A LOT of work to make sure it's as awesome as possible.

Thanks for being part of this adventure with us! 

Until Next Month,

Corey from Ernest Goes to Comics

Your June Update!
10 months ago – Thu, Jun 05, 2025 at 10:00:46 PM

Hey Vern! Guess what?

Chicken Butt! Guess when?
...Uhh, Vern, chickens don’t have fins, do they?

Anyways, I’m pumped. I’m stoked. I’m over the moon for the month of June! And you know what happens in June, right?!

ERNEST DAY.

A glorious festival where thousands of... obviously highly intelligent folks gather at Kamp Kikakee to watch Ernest Goes to Camp. That’s right, Vernon -- that’s where they actually filmed it in Middle Tennessee!

A bunch of the original actors, IP Owner Josh Cherry, Jim Varney's biographer Justin Lloyd, Graphic Novel writer Corey Perkins, Marketing Manager Mo Edwards, and even the Sexy Alligator Geoff Yearwood will be there!

But did you know Goes to Camp wasn't my first movie?

Wicked Willie the Robot vs. Crocadile Ernee, which I directed, was my first. Everybody gushered over it! Even Auntie Nelda raved, "You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll kiss five bucks goodbye." 

Yep, I am a thesbian extraordinaire, possessing an un-granny ability to butter and jam any acting roll that comes my way.  

You can watch it in this Hey, Vern! It's Ernest episode here:

Graphic novel-wise, we have 50 pages completed. It's lookin' GREAT!

...What's that? 

I told ya, that's top-secret, KnoWhutImean? 

We're stayin' tight lipped on all the classic characters that have amazing roles and cameos. You won't get a peep outta me!

(Leans in, Whispering) 
But uhh, Vern, just between you and me...

Until next time,

Ernest Goes to Comics