The romance comics anthology Fresh Romance returned to Kickstarter this week, courtesy of the book’s new publisher Emet Comics.
Maytal Gilboa, CEO of Emet Comics, emailed backers of the first volume (of which I am one) on International Women’s Day to announce the new volume. “Fresh Romance was a romance anthology founded by Janelle Assellin in 2015 as a way to promote female and LGBT creators, and to showcase diverse stories about love,” she said. “Fresh Romance Volume 1 was a huge success, being published by Oni Press, and selling over 3,000 copies to devoted readers. When Janelle retired last year, she gave us her blessing to continue the series, and we’re doing everything in our power to make good on the promises that were made to everyone who rooted for this series to succeed.”
The new volume will feature stories by Sally Jane Thompson, Cecil Castellucci, Sarah Winifred Searles, Irene Koh, Suzana Harcum and Owen White, and Julia Hutchinson. Like the first volume, it will debut as digital single issues, released monthly from April to September, followed quickly by a print collection in October.
In addition, the Kickstarter is also raising funds for the first “Fresh Romance Presents” original graphic novel — Verona by writer Emily Dell, with art by Mollie Helms, Bryndon Everett,Kennedy Cooke Garza and Eddie Jensen. The Shakespearan romance features a cover by Renae de Liz and Ray Dillon, and is described as:
Set in modern-day Verona, the Montoyas and Capulets are warring assassin clans, serving contracts for Henrys, Hamlets and MacBeths. When Jo Capulet and Roman Montoya are thrown together after a mission gone wrong, they see in each other a chance for a new life, even if it means destroying everyone in their path.
The reward levels allow you to choose either or both books in digital or print form. Check out the Kickstarter or the Emet Comics website for more information.
