Hello and welcome once again to the fifth installment of Son of Thunder!

Here's wishing you and yours the best in the upcoming new year!

I went to my parents' house for Christmas, and had a splendid time as usual. Shannon (my youngest sister) and her kids were all sick so we actually ended up going to two different Masses so we could swap out babysitting duties. Christmas Day we didn't even open our gifts until four in the afternoon, we were so busy greeting relatives. Fun times.

I'm still going strong with Maggie, the girl I met on E-harmony. You may recall, she lives less than a mile from my house, so we are seeing each other quite often (actually, almost five nights a week lately). I haven't introduced her to my family yet, but I've been over at her sisters' and parents' and to a Christening, so I guess it's about time I do so.

Maybe when they come out for the Christening of Sean's baby.

My brother's wife gave birth to her fifth child, and mother and son are doing well. His name is Colin Kevin Ryan, and he's just two days old as I write this. That's fourteen grandchildren for my parents and fourteen nieces and nephews for me.

Just got word that Barry Winston died, perhaps of heart failure, at New Year's. I didn't really know Barry except though his artwork, but it seems like he was one of those nice guys who just couldn't catch a good break. In his years on this Earth his talent certainly shined through, and we're all the poorer for his passing.

My brother's wife gave birth to her fifth child, and mother and son are doing well. His name is Colin Kevin Ryan, and he's just two days old as I write this. That's fourteen grandchildren for my parents and fourteen nieces and nephews for me.

Well, here's the updates for this time...

Yes, I have a few more drawings in Americana's Gallery starting with Gallery 7 and going right through Galleries 8 and 9. Included in this batch are some of my favorite pieces ever, by Tyler and Robert Hack! So, take a look.

And although I have released drawings for some stories which I have yet to complete, I'm still holding onto about twenty-odd drawings for the future, so there will be probably be a Gallery 10 at some point. Just not this time.

Okay, so, I had a little free time - and finished up several Americana stories. Well, seven, to be exact. Don't expect anywhere near this amount on a regular basis, but enjoy these tales today!

First up, it's the arrival of a certain Venezuelan, and Americana soon feels the power of "The Thundering River!"

Then, it's been nearly a year since Americana got her powers - and she's determined to show just how much she has learned in that time when she tries to rescue fourteen men trapped underground - "Buried Alive".

Americana questions her place in the world - and gets answers from a most unlikely source, in "Springs Eternal".

An old foe - long forgotten - returns! But is she truly an enemy, or has she changed for the better? Americana finds out in "Ice Cold!"

Can Astrea and her sister just enjoy a nice dinner, or will they have to contend with the "Screwball in the Corner Pocket"

Then, Americana is caught up in a shadowy tale of murder, and when she faces off with the killer she'll have to examine her own heart, in "The Razor's Edge".

And finally, Americana catches up with her training regimen - and finds a whole new definition of trouble "On the Wings of the Night".

Stay safe and stay happy!

K.C.