I’m glad the holidays are over and everyone is off their ass making back to making some comic books. Something’s in the water or there just are some great project with a lot of heart and soul. We have some bright new faces, an industry favorite and a successful project manager looking for repeated success.
Project: Ultrasylvania, Vol 2: Emperor Frankenstein
Talent/Project Manager: Brian Schirmer
Days to Go: 7
Goal: $10,000
The spiel: That title is such a mouthful, it reminds me of the Castlevania video game series. Brian is back and needs your help to accomplish another successful project.
In the alternate 19th century of Ultrasylvania, Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster rule European kingdoms, struggle to maintain the balance of power, and find their uneasy relationship strained to the breaking point. This time out, they also encounter werewolves, more vampires, and the Bride. Of course, they might not be exactly what you expect….
Brian Schirmer and Jeremy Saliba worked with the Academy of Art University in San Francisco to make this project alive. They had an art class (willlingly) contribute the art to make this book possible.
Over the course of fifteen weeks, students from the Academy’s School of Illustration participated in a one-of-a-kind Comic Collaborative class, wherein they met and worked in the Academy’s state-of-the-art Cintiq studio.
I have read the first volume and I was left wanting more. The best pledge is the any of the $40 selections that includes a signed copy of the volume one and two.
Project: Raised by Raptors : Issue No.1
Talent/Project Manager: Oliver Sykes & Ben Ashton-Bell
Days to Go: 39
Goal: £15,000
So I never heard of these guys but the video tells you everything you need to know. It’s really well done and gives you a very personal look to the new faces in Kickstarter comics.
“Raised by Raptors” is an epic, fantasy-adventure, graphic novel written by Oliver Sykes and Illustrated by Ben Ashton-Bell. The story is set in fictional Mexico, where humans and dinosaurs co-exist during the Golden Age of the Mayan Civilization. The series focuses on the journey of a young Mesoamerican who is forced to flee her city after accusations of treason. Narrowly escaping a religious sacrifice and therefore becoming a fugitive, she finds herself inadvertently saving a pack of Velociraptors, who in return take her under their wing and raise her as their own.
Mayans, religious sacrifice and Velociraptors, oh my! Someone get Mel Gibson on the phone and bus in the crazy comic book nerds and support this project. The real shocker in this project is that this is Skyes and Bell’s first comic book project.
Project: Gumshoes 4 Hire
Talent/Project Manager: Sean “Cheeks” Galloway
Days to Go: 39
Goal: $20,000
Cheeks is one of the industry favorites and has been around for years. His artwork has been featured in major motion pictures and anything your kids have ever watched. This project looks like a perfect example of what an all ages Kickstarter comic project should look like.
Gumshoes 4 Hire is a group of tight knit friends who, at first, investigated small petty crimes, but what they soon realized was that the town of The Cliffs is a haven of the strange and unnatural. Now, with the townsfolk running scared and the authorities in denial, it’s up to the Gumshoes 4 Hire to solve the mysteries and save The Cliffs from the evil that lies within!
Cheek’s and his studio parters Kevin Hopps, Gurihiru and DJ Welch all have come together to make this interesting all ages comic book. It warms my heart to see that creative people like Cheeks are out doing their own thing and capitalizing on this opportunity, Kickstarter (and you) have made it all possible.
KICKWATCHER EXTRA:
Our very own Steve Morris has brought to my attention that Greg Rucka, creator of many things, is going to launch a Kickstarter to print the first volume of Lady Sabre & The Pirates of the Ineffable Aether. Rucka and his crew are looking for input on what YOU like to see offered in Kickstarter projects. Go and let him hear what you have to say or comment below.
Henry Barajas is the co-creator, writer and letterer for El Loco and Captain Unikorn. He has also written and lettered short stories for two successful Kickstarter projects: Unite and Take Over: Stories inspired by The Smiths and Break The Walls: Comic Stories inspired by The Pixies. He is the Newsroom Research Assistant for The Arizona Daily Star and was nominated for the Shel Dorf Blogger of the Year award for his work at The Beat. You can follow him on Twitter @HenryBarajas.
