This month we found another ten-pack of crowdfunded campaigns available to support on Kickstarter. This is a pretty interesting group of projects. They range from new comic material, to art books, to collections, to figurines? Yep. A lot of cool things.
Kickstarter is a platform available at Kickstarter.com where creative individuals have the ability to design and run a crowdfunding campaign. The concept is that individuals pledge to support the project, and if the project reaches the planned goal of pledge money in the time that campaign is running, then the project will get made. There are usually many various tiers of backer pledges, and different pledge levels come with different backer reward items. It is a fantastic way for creators to fund the projects that they love and want to create while getting new interesting things into the world.
The campaigns we highlighted for this month are in various states of funding. Some are fully funded and into the state of trying to hit stretch goals that come with even more cool stuff for backers and some are still in need of backers to hit their goal and get their project made.
The projects are listed below in chronological order of the end of the campaign. So, the ones that end soonest come first. Make sure you click on the Campaign Links for each campaign to get all the detailed info about the rewards and creators. We feel there is something for everyone on this list. Enjoy!
PLASTIC FARM: The 4th (and FINAL) Collection
Concluding Rafer Roberts’ epic underground fever-dream of a comic! Includes an exhaustive bonus section AND limited edition bookplate!
Ending: Thursday June 23, 2022 7:00PM EDT
PCS Thoughts: This campaign is a true testament to the power of Kickstarter. This project fills a life long goal of a very talented creator, and that is a great thing. The backer rewards for this campaign are fantastic. Tons of indie, underground-style comic content by a master.
From the Campaign:
Written and (mostly) drawn by Rafer Roberts, PLASTIC FARM follows the life of a man named Chester, his slow descent into complete insanity, and how that madness reshapes the world around him. Chester had a rough childhood, has a magic cowboy that rides a dinosaur living inside his head, and is now, late in life, sitting in a nameless airport bar telling his life story to a group of people who really couldn’t care less.
I began drawing PLASTIC FARM in 1999 shortly after graduating college and with no real sense of what it would eventually balloon into. Over the following 15 years, I self-published 25 issues and one original graphic novel, which only represented HALF of what I had planned. Staring down another 15 years of work to finish the book, coupled with the fact that I was starting to get actual paying gigs meant that in 2016, PLASTIC FARM was put on indefinite hold.
In 2021, mid-pandemic, I decided to simply skip a thousand pages, go right to the end, and finish the damn thing.
And it turned into the best thing I’ve ever drawn.
Tart: Submerged Hardcover Collection
Collecting the Submerged arc of Tart in an elegant hardcover fit for your home library.
Ending: Friday June 24, 2022 11:50 PM EDT
PCS Thoughts: This campaign page is well designed and definitely worth checking out. The product is a beautiful looking book that is a continuation of a previously funded story. The content concept of time-traveling underwater demon hunter seems pretty cool and the team know what they are trying to do. This totally seems to be a project worth backing.
From the Campaign:
It was just supposed to be a simple training mission. Time traveling demon hunters in the world’s most haunted waterway. What could possibly go wrong? A lot, I guess.
During World War II there was a naval battle between US and Japanese forces in an area called Truk Lagoon (sometimes spelled Chuuk Lagoon). The battle was intense and many sailors and pilots from both sides lost their lives over the course of those few days.
The sea is littered with the remnants of that battle. And if you believe the stories, something else. Supernatural occurrences that cannot be explained. Until now.
Magic begets magic, and the introduction of three Toxics in the area awakens something more sinister. A trio of merpeople lie in wait for Tart Acid with murderous intent. Can Tart survive when she is outnumbered and playing in their terrain? And oh yeah… there are sharks. So. Many. Sharks.
Well, we’re not giving everything away. Answers to these questions lie in the Submerged Hardcover Collection we are raising funds to print in this Kickstarter Campaign.
The Golem of Venice Beach—A Graphic Novel by Chanan Beizer
Art by Vanessa Cardinali, Bill Sienkiewicz, Jae Lee, Paul Pope, Nick Pitarra, Stephen R. Bissette & Michael Allred
Ending: Friday July 1, 2022 2:59 AM EDT
PCS Thoughts: We are excited to get our hands on this excellent looking new original graphic novel. It has an all-star lineup of art contributors and the story looks excellent. It is a no-brainer to get behind this campaign.
From the Campaign:
Eisner-award winning artists Michael Allred, Stephen R. Bissette, Jae Lee, Paul Pope, and Bill Sienkiewicz, artist Nick Pitarra (co-creator of The Manhattan Projects), artist Vanessa Cardinali (Image Comics’ Slumber), letterer Clem Robins (Hellboy) and debut comic book writer Chanan Beizer have teamed up to create an all-new graphic novel, The Golem of Venice Beach.
This 152-page epic about the adventures of a 400-year-old Golem spans from 16th century Europe to the horrors of World War II to modern day Venice Beach, where the Golem becomes entangled in a war between a gang and the police. The Golem of Venice Beach is both a riveting narrative and a celebration of Southern California.
Producing the End of the World Issue 1 (72 Epic Pages)
A post-apocalyptic comic book anthology for fans of Love Death and Robots, Heavy Metal and Death
Ending: Tuesday July 5, 2022 9:39 AM EDT
PCS Thoughts: This is a very interesting anthology that showcases new talent, which is a perfect type of project for Kickstarter. The campaign page has plenty of preview material for the stories included in the book, and it looks pretty good.
From the Campaign:
Producing the End of the World is a 72-page, full colour anthology, collecting stories from a diverse group of up-and-coming comics talent. Each story explores a different post-apocalyptic scenario, with focus ranging from the most intimate and human moments to the most epic and awe-inspiring cataclysmic destruction. With so many tales from so many unique voices, we guarantee there is a story for everyone in this world-ending collection.
Curiouser: We’re All Mad Here #1 – Back to Wonderland Comic
Alice’s son, Alec is pulled into Wonderland in the midst of a brewing civil war, but who is the mastermind behind this new regime?
Ending: Tuesday July 5, 2022 11:00 PM EDT
PCS Thoughts: This is an interesting comic story concept. There are some beautiful cover options for backer rewards but also a pretty easy price point for digital backers who are just looking to read the story. This is a campaign that seems like it has something for everyone.
From the Campaign:
We invite you to our newest adventure! Curiouser is our take on Alice in Wonderland! Join us for some magic, mystery, and maybe help us celebrate an unbirthday or two?
Our unique take on Wonderland has some fun reversals from the original. Our main character is Alec, Alice’s son, and some of the characters who you are used to seeing as men are now women. It opens up some really fun storylines that we can’t wait to share with you.
The obvious fan of Curiouser is someone that has a love for the stories of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol. This series is firmly set in that world, but we’ve thrown in a few new fun elements that we hope you will enjoy.
We believe fans of fantasy or fairy tale series, in general, will also love this book. If you like Shadow and Bone, Once Upon a Time, and perhaps even Harry Potter you should check this one out.
Curiouser is a sequel of sorts set some time in the future starring Alice’s adult son, Alec as he gets pulled into a plot to save Wonderland from a hostile takeover by a mysterious new threat! Join, Alec, The Knave, The Mad Hatter, and more as they fight to restore Wonderland to the peace and balance that Alice managed to leave this wondrous place in when she left so many years ago.
FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE: the Completed Omnibus Hardcover
The special hardcover edition of the supernatural adventure, FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE, with a brand new epilogue!
Ending: Thursday July 7, 2022 10:00AM EDT
PCS Thoughts: This is project that you don’t want to miss. A complete comic story that is full of heart and great art. There are only a few backer rewards tiers. This campaign is about getting this book published and into the hands of the people who want to read it, and believe me, you will want to read it.
From the Campaign:
From the creator of the hit comic series, PLUME, and the new supernatural adventure THE HOUSE OF LOWTHER, now comes the hardcover omnibus of K. Lynn Smith‘s completed series FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE.
Thatcher has spent the last six months becoming more demonic, all because some twat ninny had to go and curse him. Now, a hippie in a renovated school bus insists he go on a road trip of good deeds and—more annoyingly—self discovery. Well, it can’t get any worse than this.
This Kickstarter will help bring the hardcover to print. This title is entirely self-published, so only with the help of Kickstarter and its backers can I make this baby come to life. The book will contain over 300 pages of story, with a never-before-seen epilogue.
Bernie Wrightson: The FPG Years
Finally, a large art book that collects the incredible paintings that Bernie Wrightson spent two years creating!
Ending: Thursday July 7, 2022 9:00 PM EDT
PCS Thoughts: What a concept for an art book?! If you are a fan of Wrightson or horror in general, you need to check this out. The project is to produce a keepsake from one of the greatest artists ever. This one is hard to pass up.
From the Campaign:
It’s been almost 30 years since Bernie Wrightson let his imagination run wild on his two trading card series. For this once-in-a-lifetime creative endeavor, Bernie was given free rein to explore whatever ideas he wanted. Over a two-year period, he created 150 fantastic NEW paintings. Vivid images of swamp creatures, vampires, werewolves, and beasties of all types congregate throughout these works. It’s a spellbinding collection of all the things for which Bernie is best known.
These paintings have never been assembled in book form. They have never been seen at close to the actual size at which they were produced. All of the paintings have been lovingly photographed on museum-quality transparencies that were made when Bernie first completed the artwork in 1993 and 1994, so they will appear as fresh as they were the day that he sent them into the FPG offices.
This is a comprehensive 200-page hardcover collection that measures 9” x 11” and is a real trip through Bernie’s hair-raising body of work for FPG. Included is the original, insightful text that he wrote for each painting, as well as original documentation of the making of the two trading card series.
Minis from The Middle Age
The first set of tabletop/RPG miniatures featuring characters from the fantasy webcomic The Middle Age.
Ending: Wednesday July 13, 2022 10:00 PM EDT
PCS Thoughts: We are fans of The Middle Age, and cartoonist, creator Steve Conley has created a rich world in that comic strip. This is a very interesting campaign to get physical rewards into the hands of fans of the work. The craftsmanship on the mini-figurines looks amazing. There are easily attainable stretch goals that will make this backer reward package a bonanza of cool stuff.
From the Campaign:
This Kickstarter is to create a set of high-quality, tabletop/gaming miniatures based on the characters from The Middle Age. I sculpted each of these minis myself (using the Nomad Sculpt app on an iPad Pro). These first four figures include:
- Sir Quimp: Our hero. A middle-aged knight who is stuck with cursed, talking sword.
- Melvwyn the Magnificent: An Intoximancy Wizard and the less-famous half-brother of Merlin.
- Baby dragon Jarn: A recently-hatched whelp who has just learned how to belch fire.
- Bob: A mysterious multi-armed messenger who speaks only via text. If you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, you’ll find Bob waiting.
95% of the work is done! I like to make sure my Kickstarter projects are mostly complete before my campaigns launch.
I’m working with Trenchworx (who I know from their great work casting minis for Matt Colville and MCDM). I’ve already commissioned the creation of master prints and have received and approved the figures for production. I’m stunned by the clarity of the miniatures’ details (you can see them below)!
The only step left is to run this Kickstarter campaign to discover how many minis to make! 🙂
WORLDS AWAY #1 | Radiant Black meets God of War
A soldier, equipped with her hi-tech armor, must find a way off a dangerous, mystical planet with her estranged, young daughter.
Ending: Thursday July 14, 2022 10:58 AM EDT
PCS Thoughts: This is the type of kickstarter campaign that we love getting behind. It is a talented team of comic creators trying to get their story into the world. The story looks interesting with really good art. The backer reward tiers offer something for every type of supporter. We happily back this project.
From the Campaign:
What are you willing to do to ensure a loved one’s safety? For Serenity, a futuristic soldier equipped with high-tech armor, the answer is “Anything and everything.” This includes stealing a cure from an alien-race to save Mackenzie, her estranged, 13-year-old daughter’s life from a life-threatening illness.
Even before getting sick, Mackenzie and Serenity’s relationship only hung on by a thread. But when the two are forced to crash-land on a new, alien planet with magic-wielding beings and dangerous creatures, Serenity is faced with new circumstances that could change that. Serenity is forced to take on deadly, magical foes and make brutal decisions that could either save her and her daughter’s lives or their relationship…
Worlds Away is Radiant Black meets God of War. Set in a futuristic universe, Worlds Away #1 separates itself from the pack by blending high-octane, sci-fi action in a fantastical, archaic setting – all glued together by a story of a mother who will stop at nothing to protect her daughter. It’s a spellbinding, 22-page issue (more if we reach our Stretch Goals) filled with thrilling action sequences grounded by intense and sometimes brutal character moments and decisions. At the end of Worlds Away #1, readers will be on the edge of their seats, itching to know what dangers await our characters.
WORLDS AWAY #1 has already been drawn and inked and is currently being colored! When completed, it’ll be sent to Reed Hinckley-Barnes for lettering. The funds from this Kickstarter will be used to help pay for WORLDS AWAY #2 and printing!
Pool Boys: A Gay Demon Boy Romance
A soft and steamy vacation romance between a demon and a pool boy, by Josh Trujillo and Josh Cornillon, with Lucas Gattoni.
Ending: Monday August 1, 2022 2:29 AM EDT
PCS Thoughts: Last but certainly not least on this list is the perfect Kickstarter campaign for Pride Month. There are some really fun backer options to this project. It looks like a fun read and we are looking forward to seeing it get made.
From the Campaign:
POOL BOYS tells the story of PAUL, a pool boy, and MICAH, a demon. Set at the inter-dimensional Solitaire resort, POOL BOYS is a vacation romance unlike any other. We touch on the excitement of a new connection, the complications of a fleeting love, and the fun we have along the way.
POOL BOYS is sexy, funny, and sweet. It’s the perfect poolside read. In this campaign we are hoping to fund a 36-page, full-color comic, as well as a black and white sketchbook.
Just in time for Pride Month, POOL BOYS is saucy and flirty, (but NOT erotic) FOR READERS 15 AND OLDER!
