Welcome back to The Beat‘s weekly crowdfunding comics round-up! Each week we’ll spotlight comics projects we think would be a great investment, whether it’s a one-shot story like this week’s The Technomancer or a sprawling anthology. This week’s round-up includes tattoo magic, rad teens with attitude (and a cattitude problem), and a graphic novel to help you through teamwork issues in the workplace.
Let’s get going!
1. The Technomancer
Goal: Approx $1015 USD
Ends: Thu, October 24 2019 1:01 PM EST
Creators: Izzi Ward
Best Value Tier: Approx $15 USD plus shipping for two comics
Following up from The Ink Witch, my 2017 fantasy romance comic about tattoo magic and romantic stumbling blocks, The Technomancer is also about Nix and Bryn and their relationship. This time, the comic focuses on Bryn and her work as a magical tech support wix – and the date with Nix she really, really wants to be going on.
The Technomancer looks like a perfect single issue — a delightful romantic urban urban fantasy tale with gorgeous art. There’s something homey about Izzi Ward’s warm colors; her style invites you in, and Bryn and Nix have incredible chemistry just in the preview art for a sticker stretch goal. If you’ve already got The Ink Witch, approximately $4 USD will let you a digital copy of just The Technomancer, while $15 USD plus shipping will net you both issues.
You can back the campaign here.
2. After Hours — The Graphic Novel
Goal: Approx $3,988 USD
Ends: Tue, October 15 2019 2:00 PM EST
Creators: Robin Hoelzemann
Best Value Tier: Approx $4 USD for a digital copy
After abandoning her engagement party in the middle of the night, Olivia Cartwright discovers a fantastical shop that sells the impossible – wishes.
After Hours is Robin’s third independent graphic novel, and it’s definitely the one she’s proudest of. An exploration of family, love, grief, and moving forward, After Hours is a must-read for fans of magical realism.
Robin Hoelzemann is an exceptional artist with an eye for layouts and small details. You’ll be instantly drawn into the world of After Hours by the preview pages — the wistfulness of Olivia’s expression, the pink of her hair against the moody blues and greens of the strange shop she finds. At $4 USD for a digital copy of the 56-page graphic novel, this is a can’t miss. If you’re itching for more already, $8 USD will get you the graphic novel and one of Hoelzemann’s previous works, The Witching Hour.
You can back the campaign here.
3. Assassin Roommate Season 1
Goal: $6,000 USD
Ends: Wed, October 9 2019 4:03 PM EST
Creators: Monica Gallagher, published by Rocketship
Best Value Tier: $24 USD plus shipping for a print edition
For those of you who may not (yet!) be familiar with the comic, Assassin Roommate is about two polar opposite people who are thrust together as roommates after college. One is a nerdy, introverted gal who’s all about inside time, and the other is an extroverted, former frat guy whose home away from home is the bar down the street. Which starts off great for two people who want nothing to do with one another! But soon time and circumstances, … and dinosaur shows and shirtless moments and kitchen dances and suspicious reflexes … start to change things between them. For better? Or worse? For romance? Or for DANGER?? You’ll have to read to find out!
Assassin Roommate is exactly the kind of fun odd couple romance (maybe?) you want to curl up with in a comfy chair with binge in one sitting. Monica Gallagher’s on-going webcomic is super fun, with vibrant, lively art and a delightful sense of humor. You can check the comic out yourself on LINE Webtoon before backing, and $24 will get you digital goodies and collected print edition, reformatted for print.
You can back the campaign here.
4. Why Always Wins — A Graphic Resource about Leading Teams
Goal: $5,000 USD
Ends: Thu, October 24 2019 11:30 AM EST
Creators: Stephen Gay (Writer), Der-shing Helmer (Artist)
Best Value Tier: $15 USD for a digital copy
Why Always Wins is a versatile resource for individual professionals or organizational leaders at all stages of their careers. Early career professionals and recent grads will have an invaluable book on accelerating your career with practical, proven methods. Managers, mentors, and team leaders will find a fun, compelling tool to share and discuss best practices in groups or 1:1. Educators and organizational leaders will have a unique resource for fostering a culture of impactful collaboration and respect.
I never thought I’d recommend a graphic novel about team-building, but I’m also a little surprised I haven’t heard of one yet, particularly given the collaborative nature of the comics industry. Written by Stephen Gay, an award-winning designer with 20 years of leadership experience at massive global companies, with art by the fantastic Der-shing Helmer, Why Always Wins will help you develop skills to navigate all kinds of difficult team situations. As someone who didn’t get comfortable with teams til … well, way later in life than I should have, I wish I’d had something like this to help me get my feet under me a little sooner.
You can back the campaign here.
5. Task Force Rad Squad: The Collected Edition
Goal: $25,000 USD
Ends: Sat, October 19 2019 2:59 AM EST
Creators: Caleb Goellner (Writer/Co-Creator), Buster Moody (Artist/Co-Creator), Ryan Hill (Colors) with Ludwig Olimba (Flats)
Best Value Tier: $10 USD for a digital copy
Task Force Rad Squad is a comic book series by Caleb Goellner and Buster Moody for fans of tokusatsu, sentai, kaiju, cats, sleeping, yelling, push-ups, talking birthday cakes, and space potion.
Task Force Rad Squad is so aggressively early ‘90s I can feel the impact of my body against the seat of the DeLorean as it flings me back in time. I’m obsessed with Buster Moody’s heavy, detailed lines and the eye-popping fluorescent colors and a group of rad bad teens fighting a giant monster cat. If you love Power Rangers or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles then this one’s for you. The Task Force Rad Squad collected edition includes all 8 issues of the series, mini comics, and concept art by Buster Moody, available in a $10 digital edition or $30 digital/print combo.
You can back the campaign here.
The following campaigns from previous round-ups are still running:
- Life Finds A Way (Ends 9/28)
- SHIP WRECKED: Volume 4 (Ends 9/28)
- klub zin #4 (Ends 9/29)
- Don’t Go Without Me (Ends 10/2)
- The Lost Falcon (Ends 10/2)
- The Michaels Girls (Ends 10/2)
- Smut Peddler Presents: Silver (Ends 10/2)
- Electricity Is Her Element (Ends 10/3)
- Ukelele Spells: Coda (Ends 10/4)
- SOME STRANGE DISTURBANCES: The Lunchroom Under the Arch (Ends 10/4)
- Living The Crowdfunded Life—A Diskette Press Zine (Ends 10/6)
- 20 FISTS (Ends 10/6)
- Koreangry (Ends 10/7)
- The Legend of La Mariposa: The Demon Gauntlet (Ends 10/14)
