FROM MY SKETCHBOOK: THE RUSTOV

The Rustov (pronounced Roost-ov) are the main villains in the JACK BLANK trilogy. These alien invaders are cybernetic parasites who latch ontoย organic creatures and steal their lifeforce to survive. The longer a Rustov parasite is attached to its host, the more mechanical decay the host exhibits. Skin becomes wrinkled, stretched, and thin. Bones become rusted iron, veins become cables, blood becomes oil, etc… these guys are bad dudes.

 

49 thoughts on “FROM MY SKETCHBOOK: THE RUSTOV

  1. abby says:

    The Rustov were the best villains in the worst possible way, and i loved how they had their own language and accent! I have to wonder though, did the Magus ever hold gladiator style fights between prisoners? it seems like something he would do, to have an arena and have prisoners fight each other or even the Rustov para-soldiers?

    Also on a different note, skerren and ronan are very similar in personality, if they ever were to meet how would that turn out?

    1. abby says:

      speaking of rustov, in the end of infinity Jack had a ‘dream’ where he talked to khalix and khalix looked like jack only with rustov decay. Have you ever drawn that before? Or even any other version of khalix would be cool to see. After all he is the snarkiest of villains.

    2. matt says:

      It does seem like something the Magus would do. Even though organic bodies are resources to the Rustov, and they need them to survive, they are so wasteful they would totally spend them in worthless gladiator battles. And, when they were running low, they would just go invade more planets.

      As for Ronan and Skerren… typically when good guys meet in cross-over stories, they butt heads, fight each other, and then become friends after some initial confusion is cleared up and they realize they are on the same side. It happens way too often, so maybe I’d have to do something different w/ them. Maybe these two tough guys just hit it off from the beginning. Skerren has an “attack-first” mentality, and Ronan is certainly not afraid of a fight, so they probably just look at each other and think, “this guy gets it.”

  2. Isaiah says:

    I really like your boooooooks and i want mor so keep making them! ):)

    1. matt says:

      Thanks!! Look for MAJESTIC in Summer 2019 ;]

  3. David Dixon says:

    I really love the jack blank series. I’m not a heavy reader but this series really kept me interested. I was flipping pages always wondering what’s next. I’m just waiting on that 4th book.

    1. matt says:

      Thanks you! I never say never… I keep telling people I have some good ideas for more JB stories. But, for now, they will have to wait. My next series ORDER OF THE MAJESTIC kicks off next summer. Very excited to share that story w/ the world! THANKS FOR READING!

  4. Evren says:

    Hi I am in 4th grade, I love the Hero series. I wrote a book report about it too! Will you please write a 4th book in the series? Thank you for writing these books!

    1. matt says:

      I honestly have (what I think is) a great 4th book planned out, but I need to get a better handle on a 5th and 6th if I ever do it. Would want to make sure I could deliver the goods for real if I ever extended the series. BUT THANK YOU FOR READING!!! Check out Order of the Majestic this May!

  5. Abby says:

    Do they celebrate christmas in the imagine nation? I am very curious how jack would explain those types of holidays to allegra since she isn’t from earth.

    1. matt says:

      Interesting question! I think since the Imagine Nation is made up of people from so many different parts of the world (and other worlds) there are countless holidays being celebrated there, Christmas included. There are probably Valorian, Radian, and Draconian holidays that Jack knows nothing about and would need explained as well. For that matter, there are probably traditions and holidays from Varagog that have been lost to history, but Varagog keeps alive. Remember, thanks to the “time bubble” around that borough, Varagog is actually IN the past. I think the key is that in the Imagine Nation, the culture would be one that appreciates the value of their unique and diverse community and celebrates it. (Maybe not for people like Smart, but for the majority).

  6. Carter, age 9 says:

    I love the Jack Blank books! Your my favorite author.
    ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

    1. matt says:

      Thank you!!

  7. Carter, age 9 says:

    How was Hovarthโ€™s childhood? Iโ€™m just CURIOUS…

    1. matt says:

      It was tough. Like him. He’d say these days have it too easy ;]

  8. Carter Vuylsteke, age 9 says:

    Mr. Myklusch, there are actually four Jack Blank books. There is one called Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation.

    1. matt says:

      I know it is confusing, but that book is actually the same as THE ACCIDENTAL HERO. Jack Blank 1 was originally published as JACK BLANK AND THE IMAGINE NATION. The name and cover was changed for the paperback edition, and the new creative direction was what we used for the rest of the series. Who knows, maybe JB and the IN will be a collector’s item one day?

  9. Alejandro says:

    Mr. Myklusch, I love your books SO MUCH, and I am still waiting on the 4th book, but if you are in the process of making it, take your time, because I really like your quality writing! Here is proof I read the books: 1. The Accidental Hero: Jack faints whenever he sees Blue walking up out of the boat. 2.The Secret War:In the beginning, Jack locks all the doors. 3.The End Of Infinity: Solomon Roka is the father of Jack. Thank you !

    1. matt says:

      Thank you!!! And, I believe you ;] No solid plans for a 4th Jack Blank book yet, but Order of the Majestic comes out in May 2019! More on that soon…

      1. Alejandro says:

        Thanks for the info! Always loving your books! ๐Ÿ“•๐Ÿ“—๐Ÿ“˜

      2. Alejandro says:

        Thanks!! <3

  10. Alina says:

    I’m an avid, avid reader, and the Jack Blank books are my most favorite books of all time. thank you so much! I’m still waiting for that 4th book ๐Ÿ˜›

    1. matt says:

      Thank you so much! Keep reading, and I’ll see what I can do about JB4… ;]

  11. BibblyBob says:

    I love your books, keep that in mind

  12. Alejandro says:

    My school is doing a business letter and I just wanted to let you know that. Still loving your books! Alejandro O_o

  13. Mia says:

    Mr. Myklusch, I was just wondering, what colour are Jack Blanks eyes? Roka said they were like his mothers, but what colour is that? Love your books!

    1. matt says:

      That’s a very good question . . . would it terrible for me to say I have to reread the books and find out for sure? I’m thinking blue. If I didn’t say otherwise in the books, it’s blue. ๐Ÿ˜œ

  14. Will says:

    Who was Jackยดs mother

    1. matt says:

      Hmmm… good question. There is some info on this in the books, but I’m not sure how much further I’ll explore that in future JB stories (assuming there are future JB stories at some point). I can tell you this: I will either A.) explain everything or B.) take these secrets to my grave. One or the other. Does that help?

      1. You should keep it a secret. Either just like the noodle incident from Calvin and Hobbes or make it so that Jack doesn’t want to find out all the details for whatever reason. I’m an adult now, but I have been recommending these books to just about everyone I know, and will surely pass them down to my kids!

        1. matt says:

          Thank you!

  15. Will says:

    Who is Jacks mother

  16. Alejandro says:

    I was wondering… is Rustov spelled A) Rustov, or B)Rรผstov ? Because in the book it says it’s the B) way, but I’m not sure… Just wanted to clarify! Thanks! I love your books!

  17. matt says:

    It’s Rรผstov. Just because I like the way it looks with the umlaut on top ;]

  18. Mark says:

    Hello would just like to say hello and that I love your books even my friend who doesn’t read unless he’s forced to enjoys them. Also I love the characters especially Jazen. Oh and will Jack and Allegra start dating?

    1. matt says:

      Hi, thanks for saying that–and for bringing your friend on board! As for Jack and Allegra (Jallegra?) it’s a definitely possibility. These 2 crazy kids might have a future ;]

      1. Mark says:

        Hello Matt. Sorry I hadn’t seen your reply sooner . Also for some reason when you typed Jallegra it made me laugh. also your welcome. and i am looking forward to the Majestic series. Keep making awesome books

  19. Dawson Callaway says:

    Hello Matt the other day you talked to my friend mark and he dragged me into your books and let me say im glad he did because i used to hate reading until mark told me to read your book Im in the middle of The End of Infinity and let me say you keep working to make people like me read your books also what would Revil look like

    1. matt says:

      I will post a picture of Revile soon. I thought I already did, but it doesn’t look like it. I’ll have to change that ;]

  20. Dawson Callaway says:

    Hello matt I am the friend that mark was talking about and let me say im happy he told me to read your series because I used to hate reading until I read your books Im in the middle of reading The end of infinity so far the book is great keep on making books that will make people like me happy

    1. matt says:

      Thank you! That is high praise. I’m glad you liked the books and are getting into reading! There are so many great stories out there. If you like Jack Blank, definitely pick up ORDER OF THE MAJESTIC–it comes out next week!

      1. Dawson Callaway says:

        thank you for that i might order it

        1. Dawson Callaway says:

          if jack and allegra were to have a child what would it look like

          1. matt says:

            Ha! I’m not thinking that far ahead.

  21. Dawson Callaway says:

    Not yet at least

  22. Lyly says:

    Hi Mr. Myklusch! I just want to say that I absolutely love your books! The time you take really shows through the detail that you put. I’ve openly told my friends again and again that your books are worth reading. (and I mean it.) I hope it’s possible for you to make more books in the JB series! (Also, just saying you scared me to death when Jazen died in the first book. I cried my heart out while reading it ๐Ÿ˜…)

    1. matt says:

      Thank you so much! I actually just finished writing Book 3 in the ORDER OF THE MAJESTIC series, which is a crossover with the JACK BLANK books. I am really excited for everyone to read it. Make sure to check out that series and get ready for the return of Jack, Skerren, and Allegra. After this one comes out, who knows? I do have lots more ideas for the residents of the Imagine Nation… ;]

      Thanks again for reading!!

  23. cash says:

    pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese make a jack blank 4

    1. matt says:

      All in due time… ๐Ÿ™‚

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