The Creation of Hugo & Nox

The Long Journey of Hugo & Nox: From Sketchbook Doodles to Watercolor Comics

Years ago, Hugo & Nox were nothing more than doodles in the margins of my sketchbook—two odd little robot friends, wandering around a world without humans. I didn’t know then that those early sketches would grow into a 12-issue sci-fi adventure. But here we are—four issues in, with so much more story ahead.

I’m Robert N. Riedel, the artist, writer, and creator of Hugo & Nox. Each issue of this series takes several months to complete. From scripting and thumbnailing to painting each panel, every part of the process is done by hand, with as much care as I can give. It’s slow. It’s deeply personal. And it’s absolutely worth it.

What Hugo & Nox Is About

At its heart, Hugo & Nox is a story about friendship and purpose. These two robots travel a quiet, broken world in search of the humans who created them—and vanished. What they discover along the way challenges everything they thought they knew.

Each issue deepens the mystery and expands the world:

Issue #1 introduces Hugo and Nox with a quiet, intimate tone. Hand-painted in watercolor and printed in digest size (5x7), it lays the emotional foundation for everything that follows.

Issue #2 takes them back to Robot City, a vibrant and dangerous metropolis full of secrets. This issue marks the shift to standard comic book size (6.625" x 10.25")—giving the art and story room to breathe.

Issue #3 sets the duo on a new path, as they begin uncovering eerie clues about the fate of the humans. A new character, Shama Tia, begins her own trek from the south—toward a meeting that will change everything.

Issue #4, The Chase Begins, raises the stakes. Hugo and Nox are hunted by the NETWORK and its mechanical enforcers. They flee north with only hope to guide them, as Shama Tia follows stories of the “metal men.” The world is opening up, and so is the danger.

Through it all, I stay rooted in traditional techniques— Each issue is a result of months of slow, focused work. It’s not just a comic. It’s a handmade artifact of the story I’ve carried with me for years.

Why I Make This

There’s something powerful about a story told slowly. In an age of digital speed, I wanted to create something tactile—where you can see the texture of the brushstrokes and feel the care behind every panel.

Hugo & Nox isn’t just about robots or adventure. It’s about memory, identity, and the search for meaning in a world that’s changed. These stories have become a reflection of how I’ve grown as both an artist and a person over time.

 

Where It’s Going

The series will span 12 issues in total. Every arc builds toward a deeper truth—not just about the humans, but about Hugo and Nox themselves. The latest chapter, Issue #4, is now available, and each new installment is one step closer to completing this world I’ve built.

This store exists so that I can keep creating. Every copy you buy goes directly toward helping me fund the next issue—covering printing costs, production time, and materials.

Whether you’re a longtime reader or just discovering Hugo & Nox now—thank you. It means the world to share this story with you.

— Robert