It’s one of the most coveted – and most important jobs in comics – and it just got a new hire: Sam Kusek has been announced Kickstarter’s Senior Outreach Lead, Comics. In the position he’ll help creators with their crowdfunding goals and show how Kickstarter’s tools can help them be successful.
It’s a key position for both comics and Kickstarter, as comics are one of the biggest categories at the crowdfunder.
“I feel like there has never been a better time to be a Comics creator on Kickstarter,” Kusek told The Beat. “In 2023, we saw an 11% year-over-year increase in the number of projects and a 12% rise in the number of successful projects, while the dollars pledged to Comics projects grew by 31% from the previous year. I’m excited to be stepping into a community that is growing and thriving with consistent support from backers. I hope to use that momentum to have key conversations about what is working and more importantly, what we can change & develop to keep that going.”
Kusek is no stranger to crowdfunding or comics – he has over 17 years of experience in the comics industry. Most recently he was at Boom! Studios as Special Projects Manager where he helped with their extensive Kickstarter program (more than 14 Kickstarter campaigns), including The Expanse Dragon Tooth, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Return, and Farscape 25th Anniversary Comic Book Celebration.
Previously, Kusek was a Manga Reviewer at Pop Culture Shock’s Manga Recon, an Assistant Editor on the Thrilling Adventure Hour graphic novel from Archaia, the events coordinator for the Eisner Award-winning retailer Comicazi, and an Operations Manager for James Tynion IV’s Tiny Onion Studios. Outside comics, he’s worked as a project manager for over 10 years. Suffice to say he seems to have been built in a lab to take over this position, which opened up when Bryce Gold left to Join DSTLRY a few months ago.
Kusek will report to Liz Mowe, Kickstarters Senior Manager of Outreach.
“I’ve had the great fortune to work and live in a lot of different parts of the comics industry and am excited that my next adventure will take place at Kickstarter,” Kusek said in a statement. “Having used Kickstarter myself as a creator and having worked with other creators to run successful campaigns, I’ve witnessed firsthand the tools & exposure the platform can offer. I’m excited to join and to be able to bring my experiences to the table, so I can help guide creators, shape many more successful campaigns and see interesting, expressive work get the life that it deserves.”
“Sam’s wealth of experience and passion for the comics industry make him an invaluable addition to our team,” Mowe added
