Metallic Souls FAQ

Everything about the LIVING METAL storefront, the Metallic Souls series, our cyberpunk artwork, and how ordering works. Cannot find your question? Email psycous2@gmail.com.

The Metallic Souls Series

What is the Metallic Souls book series about?

Metallic Souls is a dystopian cyberpunk saga set on a colonized Mars. It follows Anna Matrix, a Martian detective who can control metal and who has no memory of her own past, as she works cases inside a city ruled by corporate power and the Red Skull Society. The series is ongoing, with Part 1, Part Two: Nakita's Wrath, and Part 3: Mars Will Burn available now.

What is the story behind the Metallic Souls universe?

The universe is built on a simple question: what happens to identity when a body can be rebuilt but a past cannot be recovered. Mars was settled, industrialized, and then abandoned to the corporations that funded it. What grew there is a society where flesh, metal, and memory are all commodities, and where the people at the bottom improvise their own justice.

What themes are explored in Metallic Souls Part 1?

Part 1 centers on memory and identity, corporate control over human bodies, and the cost of vigilante justice. Anna's missing past drives the plot, but the book is equally about a city that has learned to survive without institutions worth trusting.

Are there any upcoming releases in the Metallic Souls universe?

Yes. The series continues past Part 3, and new artwork drops regularly on the storefront. The fastest way to hear first is the LIVING METAL blog and our TikTok, where new products and story news are posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Is the Metallic Souls series available as audiobooks?

Not yet. The series is currently available as e-books through this store and on Amazon Kindle. Audio editions are being explored, and any release will be announced on the blog first.

Are there any special editions of the Metallic Souls books?

There are no special print editions at this time. Metallic Souls Part 1 is offered at 99 cents as an entry point to the series, and Parts Two and Three are 4 dollars each as digital downloads.

Cyberpunk Art

What is cyberpunk art?

Cyberpunk art is a visual style built around high technology set inside social decay. Its signature look combines neon light against deep shadow, dense vertical cityscapes, rain slicked streets, corporate signage, and human bodies modified by machinery. The genre grew out of 1980s science fiction and remains defined by one core tension: enormous technological power held by systems that have failed the people living under them.

What are the differences between cyberpunk and steampunk?

Cyberpunk is set in the near future and runs on computing, neon, cybernetics, and corporate power. Steampunk is set in an alternate Victorian past and runs on steam, brass, clockwork, and industrial invention. The deeper split is tonal: cyberpunk is pessimistic and asks what technology costs us, while steampunk is optimistic and romanticizes the age of invention. Cyberpunk palettes lean cyan, magenta, and black. Steampunk palettes lean copper, amber, and cream.

How is cyberpunk art used in Metallic Souls products?

Every poster, phone case, tee, and tote in the store carries original artwork drawn from the Metallic Souls universe rather than stock designs. Characters, masks, and Mars cityscapes from the books are rendered in the same neon on black palette used across the covers, so the merchandise and the fiction read as one world.

What is the inspiration behind the Metallic Souls art?

The artwork draws on classic cyberpunk cinema, Japanese animation, and samurai mask iconography, filtered through the specific look of the Mars colony in the books. The recurring mask motif across the apparel line ties directly to characters and factions in the series.

Ordering and Discounts

What is the process for ordering Metallic Souls products online?

Choose your product, select your size, color, or phone model, and add it to your cart. At checkout you enter your shipping address and payment details, and you will receive an order confirmation by email immediately. Physical items then go into production, since everything is made to order.

How can I get a discount on Metallic Souls products?

Active discount codes are announced on the LIVING METAL blog and on our TikTok. Seasonal promotions run through the year, and bundle savings appear on multi item collections. Email us if you are ordering for a group or an event.

How do I apply a discount code on Metallic Souls?

Enter your code in the discount field on the checkout page, directly above the order summary, then press Apply. The savings appear in the total before you pay. Only one code can be used per order.

How can I gift Metallic Souls products?

Enter the recipient's address as the shipping address at checkout and your own as the billing address. Orders ship without a price on the packing slip. E-books make a fast digital gift, since the download link arrives by email within minutes.

How do I customize my Metallic Souls apparel order?

Customization happens through the options on each product page: size, color, garment style, and in some cases the blank itself, such as heavyweight, triblend, or organic cotton. Custom artwork requests are handled case by case, so email us if you have something specific in mind.

Shipping and Tracking

What are the shipping options for Metallic Souls products?

Standard shipping is available worldwide and is calculated at checkout based on your destination and cart contents. E-books are delivered instantly by email and carry no shipping charge.

What is the typical shipping time for Metallic Souls products?

Most orders are printed and shipped within 3 to 5 business days. Standard shipping within the United States takes an additional 5 to 10 business days. International orders may take 2 to 4 weeks depending on your location.

How do I track my Metallic Souls order?

Once your order ships you receive a tracking number by email. Use that number on the carrier's site to follow the package. If you have not received tracking within 7 business days of ordering, email us with your order number.

Are Metallic Souls products available internationally?

Yes. We ship worldwide through a global network of print partners, which means your order is usually produced at a facility near you. International shipping rates and delivery estimates are calculated at checkout.

Choosing the Right Product

What is the difference between flexi and tough phone cases?

A flexi case is a single layer of flexible plastic that hugs the phone. It is thin, light, easy to put on and take off, and priced from 15.18 dollars. A tough case is a two layer build with a hard outer shell over a shock absorbing inner liner, giving significantly better drop protection at a slightly bulkier profile, priced from 20.80 dollars. Choose flexi for everyday style and slimness. Choose tough if you drop your phone.

How do I choose the right Metallic Souls T-shirt?

Start with the blank. Gildan Ultra Cotton is a heavier classic fit that holds shape and prints boldly. Port and Company Core Cotton is lighter and softer for everyday wear. Bella and Canvas 3001 is the closest to a fitted modern cut. Then pick your color: dark shirts make the neon artwork pop hardest, while white and light colors show the full detail range.

What sizes are available for the Metallic Souls T-shirts?

Most tees run S through 5XL, with several styles offering XS and one going up to 6XL. Youth and toddler sizes are available in the kids collection. Each product page lists the exact size range and a garment measurement chart for that specific blank.

What is the price range for Metallic Souls posters?

Unframed premium matte posters run from 9.06 dollars for a 5 by 7 inch print up to 37.64 dollars for the largest sizes. Posters with a wood or magnetic hanger run from 31.26 dollars to 83.90 dollars. Wooden framed posters run from 33.84 dollars for small formats to 198.04 dollars for large museum quality framed prints.

How do I choose between different Metallic Souls posters?

Decide on three things. First, format: unframed for the lowest cost and your own framing, hanger mounted for a clean minimal look, framed for a finished piece straight out of the box. Second, size: measure your wall space before ordering, since 24 by 36 inches reads very differently from 11 by 14. Third, finish: matte for a soft glare free surface, semi-glossy for deeper blacks and more saturated neon.

What are the benefits of a framed Metallic Souls poster?

A framed poster arrives ready to hang with no additional cost or trip to a frame shop, and the frame plus backing protects the print from moisture, dust, and edge damage. Framed prints also sit flat against the wall permanently rather than curling at the corners the way an unframed poster can.

What are the advantages of a semi-glossy poster finish?

Semi-glossy paper produces deeper blacks and more saturated color than matte, which suits the high contrast neon artwork in this store particularly well. It resists fingerprints better than full gloss while still giving the artwork more punch than a flat matte surface. Choose matte instead if the print will hang opposite a window or under bright direct lighting.

What is the best selling Metallic Souls product?

The Metallic Souls Merchandise collection is sorted by best selling, so the top of that page always reflects current favorites. Posters and phone cases are consistently the most popular physical items, and Metallic Souls Part 1 at 99 cents is the most common first purchase overall.

What are the most popular items in the Metallic Souls collection?

Premium matte posters, tough phone cases, and the mask series tees draw the most attention. Visit the Metallic Souls Merchandise collection to see the current ranking, which updates automatically based on sales.

Product Care

How do I care for my Metallic Souls posters?

Keep prints out of direct sunlight, which fades ink over time, and away from humid rooms such as bathrooms. Handle by the edges only, since skin oils mark matte paper permanently. Dust with a dry microfiber cloth and never use liquid cleaners on paper.

How can I use a poster hanger without damaging the print?

Lay the poster flat and open both hanger halves fully before inserting the paper, rather than sliding the print in at an angle. Align the top edge square before closing the magnets or screws so pressure lands evenly. Leave roughly a quarter inch of paper above the hanger line and never overtighten a screw type hanger, which creases the sheet.

How do I maintain the quality of my Metallic Souls T-shirt?

Wash inside out in cold water with like colors, and tumble dry low or hang dry. Avoid bleach and fabric softener, both of which break down the print over time. Never iron directly on the artwork. Iron inside out or press around the design.

How do I clean my Metallic Souls phone case?

Remove the case from the phone, then wipe with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a drop of mild dish soap. For stubborn grime on a tough case, use a soft toothbrush on the seams. Dry completely before putting the phone back in. Avoid alcohol, acetone, and abrasive cleaners, which strip the printed artwork.

Returns, Warranty, and Damaged Items

What is the return process for Metallic Souls products?

Email psycous2@gmail.com with your order number and a description of the issue within 14 days of delivery. Include photos if the item arrived damaged or misprinted. We respond within 24 to 48 hours with next steps.

Can I return a Metallic Souls product if I don't like it?

Because every item is produced individually for your order, we cannot accept returns for change of mind or for ordering the wrong size. Please check the size chart on the product page before ordering. If an item is defective, misprinted, or damaged in transit, we will replace it at no cost.

What is the return policy for damaged Metallic Souls items?

Damaged and defective items are replaced free of charge. Email us within 14 days of delivery with your order number and a photo of the damage, and a replacement ships without you needing to return the original.

Is there a warranty on Metallic Souls phone cases?

Phone cases are covered against manufacturing and printing defects for 30 days from delivery, including peeling artwork, cracked shells out of the box, or a misprinted design. Normal wear from drops and daily use is not covered.

E-books and Digital Products

How do I access my e-book after purchase?

A download link arrives by email within minutes of completing your purchase. The file opens on any device that supports PDF or EPUB, including phones, tablets, e-readers, and computers. If the email has not arrived, check your spam folder before contacting us.

Can I get a refund on a digital product?

All e-book sales are final due to the nature of digital downloads. If you cannot access or open your file, contact us and we will resolve it promptly at no cost.

Community and Contact

Is there a Metallic Souls fan community?

Yes. The community gathers around our TikTok at MadMattX0916 and the LIVING METAL blog, where new artwork, character interviews, and story news post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

How do I participate in the Metallic Souls fan community?

Follow along on TikTok, comment on the blog posts, and share photos of your prints and apparel. Reader questions frequently shape what gets covered in the character interview series.

Are there any Metallic Souls events or signings?

No in person events are scheduled at this time. Any convention appearance or signing will be announced on the blog and on TikTok well in advance.

How can I reach you?

Email psycous2@gmail.com anytime. We aim to respond within 24 to 48 hours.