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Once Upon a Time, Collectibles
Discover how the $600 billion collectibles market is evolving through blockchain technology. From eBay's beginnings to Whaleden's blockchain vision, the future is here. Ah… Collectibles, love them, or dismiss them, one thing is clear: the collectibles market is estimated to be worth over $600 billion in 2024. Behind the numbers lies something deeply personal: the stories and emotions each of us ties to collectibles.For some, collectibles are echoes of passions and memories. A comic book might transport someone back to childhood afternoons, flipping through colorful pages, captivated by the adventures of their favorite heroes. By preserving emotions, collectibles hold the power to take us back in time, reminding us who we were and what shaped us. For others, collectibles symbolize passion and dedication. Whether it is the satisfaction of finding a rare variant cover or completing a series, every addition to a collection represents patience and perseverance. There's an unmatched excitement in owning unique or rare items; limited collectibles inspire pride and exclusivity, connecting collectors to communities that share their passion. Ultimately, collecting goes beyond the objects themselves. It connects us to our passions and communities of people who share our values and interests. The Evolution and Boom of the Collectibles Market Collecting is, in fact, a hobby enjoyed by all generations from the 1970s to the 2000s, but the real boom came with the advent of technology and online marketplaces. It all started with eBay. Suddenly, long-forgotten items could be offered for sale to a global audience, allowing individuals to uncover the hidden value of their possessions and transform neglected items into desirable treasures. Yet, with growth came challenges. The booming collectibles market inevitably attracted counterfeiters, creating the need for trusted verification. Businesses like PSA and Goldin Auctions stepped in to meet this demand, specializing in grading and authenticating items. By 2021, Goldin Auctions had surpassed $1.4 billion in sales. Naturally, this success caught the attention of eBay, which acquired the company in April 2024. This acquisition, alongside the Netflix series King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch, highlights the mainstream appeal and profitability of the collectibles industry. However, despite its impressive growth, the collectibles market remains far from perfect. Many platforms operate regionally, limiting access for global collectors. Additionally, logistical constraints such as shipping, insurance, and customs fees add to the complexity, making international transactions costly and uncertain. Moreover, the dominance of a few platforms creates a near-monopoly environment, limiting innovation and fair competition. Borderless, Unfalsifiable, Decentralized: The Collectibles Renaissance Just as eBay revolutionized the collectibles market in the early 2000s, technology is once again about to transform the industry. Blockchain fuels this new era by introducing transparency, security, and decentralization. For the first time, collectors and investors can trust a system designed to prioritize fairness and accessibility globally. Whaleden is introducing technologies like the WHALE collectible to make buying and selling collectibles safe and borderless. And this is just the beginning! Be sure to follow us on social media, as in the articles ahead, we’ll explore what this transformation means for collectors, investors, and creators alike.
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Dracula 2168: A Legend Reborn in Blood and Steam
The immortal predator is back, but this time, the year is 2168. AI watches, machines rule, and Dracula’s hunger still burns. A steampunk-horror epic begins! 2168 Has No Idea What’s Coming Vlad Dracula Tepes, the Impaler, the immortal predator who bathed history in blood (yet somehow still a nobleman), is lost in time. He wakes up in 2168. There are no castles, no torches, and Dracula finds himself in a dystopian American city where artificial intelligence tracks every breath and neon lights clash with steampunk gears. Disoriented, his memories fractured, he walks a world that has long forgotten his name. This is Dracula 2168: Shadow On The Future, a comic that sinks its teeth into the past and drags it into a nightmare future. Conceived by Marco Turini (the guy who thought resurrecting Vlad was a good idea) and scripted by Italian comics legend Claudio Chiaverotti, it’s a tale so wild that it drove its creators a little mad. Lucky for us, they brought along a roster of top-tier artists to share the insanity: Giuseppe Cafaro, Marco Santucci, Mirka Andolfo, and Matteo Lolli to share the madness. A Predator Out of Time He awakens… memory shattered, in a city of towering skyscrapers and foggy pipes. One thing’s clear: this is not Transylvania. Beneath his fractured humanity, the beast claws for blood. Dracula remains magnificent, cruel, and hungry as hell. Will he bend this strange new world to his will, or will the shadows of his past swallow him whole? Spoiler: redemption’s not on the menu. A Stylized Steampunk Nightmare Picture a Victorian city in 2168: Gothic towers wrapped in steam, gears grinding under neon glow. It’s a living dystopian city: simultaneously mechanical, artificial, and human. Dracula’s morality balances between bloodlust and a hint of nobility while conspiracy and corruption ravage the streets. Oh, and then there’s that cat called Dirac… Behind the Madness Who’d dare unleash the Lord of Darkness into a steampunk future? Marco Turini, the mastermind who saw Dracula’s silhouette in neon lights, teamed up with Claudio Chiaverotti, a writer whose scripts are so epic they can only be in Latin. Together, they created a gothic epic with a futuristic bite. But what’s it like to build this chaos? We met Claudio for a sneak peek behind the scenes. **Q: Tell us something about yourself.**Claudio: I’m a fairly unremarkable character: as a child, I was launched in a sidereal cradle from the planet Krypton — just before it exploded — and ended up on Earth, where I met Marco Turini, who can dematerialize and take on different forms. Together, we discovered a shared passion for comics, and that’s how the “Dracula 2168” project was born. In the meantime, I worked for a major Italian comic book publisher, Sergio Bonelli Editore, for which I wrote about twenty-five thousand pages of scripts. These included their flagship character, Dylan Dog, as well as two characters I created myself: Brendon and Morgan Lost. I also wrote and directed a short film, “Do Vampires Dream of Winter Fairies?”, which won the prestigious FantaFestival in Rome. Q: Speaking of Dracula 2168, how important was the steampunk visual element for the storytelling? Do you have a favorite detail in the design of this world? Claudio: The visual element in a dystopian story is fundamental; it’s practically another character. I’ve always loved steampunk settings, and the ones Marco created for Dracula seemed extraordinary to me! I don’t have a favorite detail; I love it all, across the board! Q: What were some of the challenges in blending historical and futuristic elements in the story? Claudio: The main challenge — one present in all storytelling — is to make the fantastic and visionary elements believable. I’m a big fan of the visionary cinema of masters like Coppola, Baz Luhrmann, and David Lynch, as well as the personal takes on various genres — from horror to western — of John Carpenter and Quentin Tarantino. Q: Looking back on this journey, is there anything you wish you had done differently during the creation of Dracula 2168? Claudio: Yes, there’s actually one thing: while Marco and I were working on the story, we used to spar playfully in the Whaleden building to unwind. When he dematerialized, I threw a punch that ended up destroying an entire wall. If I could go back, I’d be more careful! The Minds Bringing It to Life The art team is a who’s-who of comic talent, and possibly in need of a group therapy session. Giuseppe Cafaro, a night owl who swears ‘midnight’s when the magic happens’, infuses his talent into the illustrations (Django Unchained, The Shadow). Francesca Carotenuto’s colors echo her work on Mercy and Unnatural: Blue Blood. Then there’s the legendary trio: Marco Santucci (Green Lantern), who got rid of all his mirrors after working on this project; Mirka Andolfo (Wonder Woman, Sweet Paprika), and Matteo Lolli (Justice League, The Flash). Together, they were responsible for unleashing Dracula into the future… Now, they might need their heads examined. They’re not worried, though. Should you be? Probably not… maybe. Will You Join Us in the Shadow? OK, the project has taken on a life of its own, and honestly, it’s a little scary, even for us. Dracula 2168 launches as a Kickstarter project, with the sale kicking off on February 20th, 2025! With your support,** we can bring Dracula to life the right way through art, passion, and just a touch of madness.** The night’s calling, so be sure to bring garlic! ➡️ Check out Dracula 2168 on Kickstarter! Artist Credits: Marco Turini: InstagramClaudio Chiaverotti: FacebookGiuseppe Cafaro: InstagramFrancesca Carotenuto: InstagramMarco Santucci: InstagramMirka Andolfo: InstagramMatteo Lolli: Instagram Dracula 2168: Shadow On The Future and its characters are the intellectual property of Whaleden
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Whaleden Art Giveaway - Results Are In!
At Whaleden, we're building around openness, creativity, and community. With our Art Giveaway, we wanted to send a message to artists building careers, to fans who believe in something better... From the beginning, Whaleden has been guided by one principle: openness. We're building a decentralized platform that welcomes artists, creative fans, and talented community members. Over the past few months, that commitment has come to life in tangible ways: Open to Artists: Our inaugural Whaleden Art Contest #1 drew 77 submissions from around the globe. Several of those artists are now in talks for publishing opportunities with Whaleden. Open to Comic Fans: Our debut comic, Dracula 2168 - Issue #1, launched successfully on Kickstarter. The campaign exceeded its funding goal by over 200%, earning the coveted "Project We Love" badge. Open to Community: Whaleden wouldn't exist without the community. Your feedback, engagement, and support are what keep this project alive. To thank you, we hosted our first art giveaway. The Whaleden Art Giveaway - Powered by Gleam We launched the Whaleden Art Contest Giveaway on Gleam to give back, offering participants a chance to win $3,000 worth of original artwork. The top prize? A handmade Darth Maul piece in A4 format, valued at $1,500. Our vision was clear: to celebrate art in all its forms, from comics to gaming. Gaming has become a cultural force, and we were excited to bring tangible art to its passionate community. Here's the full prize lineup: 1st Prize: Star Wars Tribute #1 (A4) - Estimated Value: $1,500 2nd Prize: Marvel Tribute (20x20 cm) - Estimated Value: $400 3rd Prize: Mass Effect Tribute (20x20 cm) - Estimated Value: $400 4th Prize: Star Wars Tribute #2 (20x20 cm) - Estimated Value: $400 5th Prize: Nintendo Tribute (20x20 cm) - Estimated Value: $400 Beautiful, right? Absolutely! To ensure top-tier quality, we partnered with legendary artist Marco Turini, known for his work with Marvel and DC, who created each piece by hand. A crucial point for us was to design rules to be as simple and inclusive as possible. Participants could enter by following our social media and entering a secret code revealed daily. The more consistent the engagement, the higher the chances of winning. And the Winners Are… On March 24, 2025, the winners were drawn and announced! We've contacted them via email, and their prizes will soon be on their way. See the list of winners available at the contest page, or can be found below: The community response was incredible: 1,018 participants. 8,739 actions completed. 19,205 total impressions. Final Words To everyone who participated, thank you. You helped us reach another milestone, bringing unique, original artwork from a master artist into the hands of art lovers everywhere!Thank you!
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Inside Whaleden at Comic-Con 2025
Discover how Whaleden let Comic Con 2025 fans choose the next comic, launched Dracula 2168 #1, and shared fresh art from Luca Maresca and Stewart Kenneth Moore. In an increasingly digital world where technology is pushing the limits every day, we share memes, meet friends, battle in virtual worlds, and trade digital art… virtually. But there is a place where you can live all these passions in person: Comic-Con. It is the one place where you can finally pick up the issue you have searched for, add that missing Funko Pop to your shelf, and, if luck smiles on you, snap a selfie with Batman himself, and possibly the artists who draw him. Whaleden, a recently launched publishing house that wants to open comics to the community, set up its first convention booth this year. Co-founders Jitka and John welcomed visitors and introduced them to something that could be the next major innovation in the industry: Comic Pitch. Alongside the Comic Pitch reveal, Whaleden joined forces with two acclaimed creators: Luca Maresca, familiar to many for his runs on Spider-Man, brought limited prints and the first public preview of Dracula 2168 #1. Between friendly chats, signed books, and sketched custom artworks, keeping a steady queue at his table. Stewart Kenneth Moore, praised for his work on Judge Dredd, signed copies of Thrawn Janet, his dark adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson tale, published by Whaleden. Each book left his table with a signature and a doodle when time allowed. Although we connected with fans, it became evident that Comic-Con has shifted beyond its original emphasis on comics and their creators. The event now celebrates a broader spectrum of pop culture, with cosplay, iconic heroes, and the enthusiasm of everyday attendees exploring new ideas taking center stage. The Comic Con Experiment With Comic Pitch, Whaleden wanted to live test a simple idea: let fans decide the next comic to publish. Five pitches were presented, some by emerging artists, some AI-assisted concepts, and one by well-known creators. Each included a cover, three pages, and a story outline. Comic-Con visitors could read the pitches, scan a QR code, and vote for their favorite. But there was a trick; no one knew which pitch was made by whom. By the time voting closed, hundreds of votes were in. Emerging artist Gaia Cafiso took first place with 49 % of the vote for Neon Requiem, a cyberpunk fantasy. Second and third place went to the AI-assisted comic pitches, receiving approx. 22 % and 20 %, while the remaining two pitches split the rest. Thanks to its clear lead, Neon Requiem moves into full production; the finished issue will launch later this year. The outcome of this experiment matters in two ways. On one hand, established and anonymous creators alike could showcase their concepts. On the other hand, fans saw that their votes really counted! Blood on the Pages Comic-Con also saw the official release of Whaleden’s first in-house title, Dracula 2168 #1. The story takes place in a future where blood replaces money, and the powerful Sanguine Technologies cartel rules the economy. Issue #1 was presented with three variant covers by masters Mirka Andolfo, Marco Santucci, and Matteo Lolli. Luca Maresca, who joins the series as lead artist with issue #2, had a busy weekend with dozens of sketches leaving his table. Yet every event, as good as it is, must end. Saying goodbye was bittersweet, but we didn’t leave empty-handed. We’ve explored ideas with fellow creators, publishers, and media groups, among them Pevnost.cz and HeroComics! Comic Con’s doors have closed, but its energy follows us home. Dracula 2168 saga continues, Neon Requiem moves into full production, and Comic Pitches are just getting started.
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Contest #1
1. Organizer of the Contest The contest is organized by Whaleden, by MJTD, LLC, headquartered at 1111B S Governors Avenue, STE 21470, Dover, DE 19904 US, EIN 30-1418496. 2. Eligibility The contest is open to all over 14 years old, excluding employees of Whaleden and its direct partners. 3. Contest Period The contest begins on 21 October 2024 and ends on 21 November 2024. Entries received after this date will not be considered. 4. Contest Theme Participants are invited to create an illustration that includes: The character Luna (concept provided by Whaleden) A whale immersed in water The rest of the setting and graphic elements are at the artist's discretion 5. How to Participate To enter the contest, participants must: Follow Whaleden's official social media accounts: https://x.com/whaledencom https://www.facebook.com/whaledencom/ https://www.instagram.com/whaledencom/ Create an illustration according to the proposed theme. Share their artwork on their own social media profiles using the hashtag #WhaledenArtContest and tagging Whaleden's official accounts. Submit a digital copy of the illustration via Email at: marco@whaleden.com 6. Participation Requirements Each participant may submit up to 3 illustrations. Works must be original and unpublished. AI-generated works, those created with artificial intelligence, automatic generators, or similar tools are not allowed. Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG, PDF in high resolution. Works must be submitted by the contest deadline. 7. Selection and Judging Criteria Entries will be evaluated by a jury composed of: Marco Turini - Whaleden Creative Director, main organizer of this event Claudio Castellini - Comic Book Creator Jean Marc Laurin - VFX Jitka Lochmanová - Whaleden Art Director Stewart Kenneth Moore - Comic Book Artist Marco Santucci - DC Comic Artist Gaetano Spagnuolo - Media expert Alessio d'Uva - Director of Scuola Internazionale di Comics in Florence and Letterer. Evaluation criteria include: Originality and creativity Adherence to the proposed theme Technical quality of the illustration Visual impact Winners will be announced on Whaleden's social media channels. 8. Prizes Prizes include: First Prize: 600 USD Second Prize: 250 USD Third Prize: 150 USD Additionally, the top four finalists will receive a contract to sell their illustration as a poster in our shop. This contract includes a 10% commission on the sale price of each poster sold. 9. Copyright By participating in the contest, participants grant Whaleden the right to use their works for promotional and commercial purposes without additional compensation. Whaleden commits to crediting the author in any use of the work. 10. Liability Whaleden is not responsible for any technical issues, data loss, or other inconveniences that may hinder participation in the contest. 11. Privacy Policy Personal data provided by participants will be processed in compliance with current data protection regulations (GDPR). For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. 12. Acceptance of Rules Participation in the contest implies full acceptance of these official rules. 13. Changes to the Rules Whaleden reserves the right to modify the rules for organizational needs. In such cases, participants will be informed through official channels. 14. Contact Information For more information, please contact Whaleden at connect@whaleden.com or through our social media channels. CONCEPT REFERENCE Luna is a girl with magical powers thanks to her whale-shaped amulet, which she always wears around her neck. She fights with her gun against the enemies of truth, and her stories tell how, with determination (and her gun), she manages to uncover the truth against those who try to cover it up. The whale symbol 🐋, in classical symbolism, represents the importance of conversation and communication. Extra note: thanks to her amulet, Luna can live in both water and on land with equal ease. We can find her swimming underwater effortlessly, as well as running on land with the same natural grace. See images below for visual reference.
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