The comics of Kickstarter
Where indie comics are launched
Editor’s Note: It’s Wednesday so that means it’s time for the fourth issue of Amazing Journey, the new comics section of ARC Worlds.
Every Wednesday, I will touch on a comics-related topic, such as writing the first issue of a series, what it’s like to run a comic book store, working with artists, and how writing comics is different from writing prose.
I’ll also highlight the week’s new releases, indie comics, and backlist titles I’m reading.
Amazing Journey back issues
True believers unite (#1) | My comics origin story (#2) | Comic event series (#3)
As the Kickstarter campaign for Guild of Magic is now live, I thought I would highlight some of my favorite indie comics I have backed on Kickstarter!
Beastlands by Curtis Clow & Jo Mi-Gyeong
Curtis went from a $168 campaign for a mini-comic to launching 1000-backer plus campaigns and now the first volume of his and Jo’s series Beastlands is being released in trade paperback by Dark Horse Comics! I always point to Curtis as an example of the power using the Kickstarter platform to build your audience over successive launches (he’s got three other ongoing series). You can pick up a copy of the Beastlands trade next month at your local comic book shop!
Ennead: The Rule of Nine by J.L. Johnson Jr.
J.L. has launched an impressive five campaigns in little over a year for his epic fantasy series Ennead: The Rule of Nine, and is now expanding the world of Amashik on his Substack newsletter, with bonus content, short stories, and world-building. Read about the eponymous Rule of Nine here:
Glarien of White Ash by Charlie Stickney & Romina Moranelli
Charlie is another great example of a Kickstarter homegrown series, with his White Ash series doing gangbusters and being published by Scout Comics, and his spin-off series Glarien following in White Ash’s footsteps. The latest Glarien campaign is currently live on Kickstarter for another two weeks.
Lampblack by Camille Longley
Lampblack is a story of friendship, family, and war, set in a fantastical world depicted in stunning detail. If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Sabrina, or Pokémon, you will love exploring the world of Lampblack--a place filled with incredible creatures and fascinating magic. It’s also currently live on Kickstarter.
The O.Z. by David Pepose & Ruben Rojas
The O.Z. asks what if The Hurt Locker took place in The Wizard of Oz? The name of Dorothy Gale lives on in her granddaughter, an Iraq war veteran grappling with disillusionment and PTSD — until a tornado strands her in the war-torn battlefield known only as The O.Z. Forced to navigate warring factions led by the Tin Soldier, the Scarecrow, and the Courageous Lion, Dorothy must face her past and embark on a dangerous quest for the all-powerful Silver Slippers if she ever hopes to bring peace to the Occupied Zone. David recently got tapped for his first ongoing series at Marvel, Savage Avengers, and will be writing two issues of Fantastic Four this fall. Sign up for his newsletter here.
A. Guardian by Eastin DeVerna & Kay Baird
This epic fantasy series recently funded its second volume earlier this month on Kickstarter and it was just announced at San Diego Comic Con that the series has been picked up by Source Point Press and will soon be coming to comic shops! Check out Eastin’s other series Lost Souls, featuring Shawn Daley’s amazing art.
What I’m reading
Yes, that’s right, two Batman comics! “Wait, I thought you said you didn’t touch DC with a 10-foot pole!” you might be saying to yourself. That’s mostly true, but I do make exceptions!
A.X.E. Judgment Day #1: The Marvel summer event is here and it’s a doozy! Kieron Gillen is writing 95% of this event, with cohesive tie-ins to the rest of the X-Men line and only a few extra books, so unlike some other past unwieldy events, I’m confident this one is going to go down as one to remember. Share your favorite event series in our open thread here.
Batman: The Knight #7: This Chip Zdarsky/Carmine Di Giandomenico 10-issue maxi-series explores the period of time from when Bruce Wayne left Gotham as a teenager to his return. Basically if someone made a comic series about the first third of Batman Begins. This globe-trotting adventure keeps getting better each issue.
Detective Comics #1062: Ram V! Rafael Albuquerque! In a gothic opera where real demons are roaming the streets of Gotham. ‘Nuff said. (I’ve always wanted to write that!)
From the Backlist
Somehow I didn’t realize that Brian K. Vaughan’s Paper Girls was getting adapted into a TV show and that the series was drawn by Cliff Chiang, who is doing quadruple duty on the current DC Black Label book Catwoman: Lonely City. I immediately went down to my local library and checked out all six volumes of the series and it is a banger so far.
What’s your favorite Kickstarter comics series? And will you be watching Paper Girls?
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Until next week, Guild members!
I really appreciate being included here! Great company. 🙏🏾
Thanks for the update! Nice summary of some new projects.