ITC 26. Less, better
Book covers, sketches, and recommendations
ITC 26 inaugurating 2026. Very fitting! Happy New Year and welcome back to In the Cave. I’ve decided, at least temporarily, to return to a hybrid model, where each newsletter includes a section focused on personal and/or professional projects, and another on recommendations, keeping them as concise as possible. Let’s get started!
→ Reflections
A short one to start the year:
I enjoyed reading Andy Allen’s latest newsletter (from Not Boring Software, a company I talked about some time ago), in which he reflects on how he finds himself at a point in his life where he prefers to do less, but better, especially in a global environment that seems obsessed with doing much more, much faster. I share his point of view. Operating in the opposite direction doesn’t lead me, personally, to anything more valuable or rewarding. Quite the opposite.
I have no interest in becoming a headless chicken. More than half of my life is behind me, time is limited, and the relevant projects that fit into a year end up being few. It’s healthier (for me) to choose them with extreme care and give them all the love and attention possible. We don’t need more, we need better.
Sketches!
New sketches to kick off the year! The book compiling them all continues to progress little by little, at its own pace. For now, here are some of the most recent ones. Any favourite? ☺️
Dos Placeres
A few months ago, I told you about the redesign of María Latorre’s short story collection, Placeres. And here’s the cover of volume 2: Dos Placeres.
The idea was to maintain formal and conceptual consistency with the first volume, with a virtually identical layout and complementary illustration.
Given the title of the book, I thought it would be a good idea to feature two figures this time. But after discussing some approaches, we decided to use a single character that in a way, embraces herself, entering a mirror, which is consistent with the concept of self-knowledge and exploration that we started in volume one:
With this volume, this first cycle of pleasures comes to a close. Will there be more to come? Both books will be available soon on Amazon, with the option to purchase a physical copy.
Follow María on Substack for more news! (in Spanish)
Reedsy bits!
Some recent headers for Reedsy articles, following the style we have defined during these last five years. This time, I also participated in writing three articles about book cover design, with the indispensable work and guide of the company’s content team (special mention to Loretta and Savannah).
You can read this short guide here.
🔖 This month’s recommendations
1 → A product: Sleevenote
Apparently, devices for listening to music (and ONLY that) are experiencing a revival. Whether it’s due to a need for control, to avoid algorithms, to not have to rely on an internet connection, to discover and support new artists, or simply for mental focus, many people are dusting off their old iPods and similar devices. Some of them can be found secondhand at high prices.
However, there are also new products that have identified this small gap in the market and are offering similar devices adapted to modern needs. One of them is Sleevenote. Essentially, it’s a device with a 4-inch square screen, 256GB of storage, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth, and USB-C. $349.
Although the price seems a bit high at the moment, I imagine it’s just the initial phase of their first model. If it’s successful, they might find a way to optimize costs. For now, as an alternative to Spotify and similar services, it seems ideal for escaping the current frenzy. Available in March 2026.
2 → A film: Deathstalker (2025)
The original Deathstalker (1983) might objectively be one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. It had that aura of a film that doesn’t try to be terrible, but is. However, it has a cult following that I consider well-deserved. (Here’s a reflection on cult films from a few months ago, by the way)
The news of a more modern and darker adaptation, starring actor and martial artist Daniel Bernhardt, was quite unexpected. But now, I think Deathstalker has turned out to be exactly what it was meant to be: an intentionally playful film, brimming with B-movie fantasy tropes. In this adventure, the scavenger Deathstalker must break a curse tied to an ancient artifact recovered from a battlefield, only to discover that its significance is, of course, far greater than he anticipated.
If you enjoy stories with antiheroes, over-the-top sorcerers, witches living in cabins in the middle of fetid swamps, scrolls hidden in ancient crypts, enemies who turn into a steaming puddle upon death, heavy metal, creatures that can only be appeased with music and brotherly hugs, production design worthy of the Power Rangers, and moments of nostalgic beauty, this is your film. One of my favourites of 2025.
P.S.: Could this be the role that finally propels the indomitable Bernhardt to ultimate stardom at age sixty, after a career playing supporting action roles in the best films and sagas of the last 30 years? I hope so.
3 → An artist: Karolis Strautniekas
Karolis’s work is undeniably elegant. Despite its formal simplicity, the finish of his illustrations is sophisticated and evocative, and it works in virtually any context, something I particularly admire. His use of light and composition is remarkable. It’s so hard to pick a favourite illustration from his portfolio...
4 → A book: Mundo Mendo, Book One
Luis Mendo’s first volume of Mundo Mendo, his most personal project. Mundo Mendo is a “subscription service” offering Luis’ most intimate and personal creations, in an attempt to break the harmful dynamics created over years by social media and algorithms regarding the public-art relationship.
This first volume is beautiful, as expected, with a superb format and edition, and full of little stories, anecdotes, and illustrations that will delight Luis’ fans (like me). 272 pages, Japanese pocket size bunkobon. Get your copy now!
5 → A song: Open Up (1995) by Leftfield
Legendary collaboration between Leftfield and John Lydon (Sex Pistols, Public Image Ltd). Part of Leftism (1995), their amazing second album. A song that never goes out of style and sounds just as powerful as it did thirty (thirty!) years ago.
Thank you for reading In the Cave. Currently, I’m using social media just to promote this newsletter, share other people’s work or send memes to friends. Nothing else. So if you like this newsletter, please share it and recommend it. You can also find me on my website.
Happy New Year and see you soon!
Read a previous story:
Nada puede ir mal en 2026 si la señorita de la ballesta nos desea felicidad. ¡Feliz año nuevo y por muchas incursiones más en la cueva, R! Tus ilustraciones, reflexiones y recomendaciones nos pueden salvar el día.
Really love the "less, better" apporach here, especially how the Dos Placeres cover maintains visual continuity while adding that mirror concept for self-exploration. The dual figure that becomes one is way smarter than just putting two people on the cover. I've been working on some branding projects lately and keep falling into the trap of overcomplicating things, but seeing how much impact comes from that restrained formal simplicity and consistent layout between volumes is a good reminder.