Category: Crowdfunding

AHOY Comics launches Eric Palicki + Giulia Lalli’s ‘Dragonproof’ on Kickstarter

The 80-page urban fantasy graphic novel follows a young woman who discovers a hidden population of dragons being hunted by a government agency, and we’ve got your exclusive look at a variant cover for it by Daniel Govar.

AHOY Comics has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Dragonproof, a new graphic novel written by Eric Palicki, illustrated by Giulia Lalli with colors by Gab Contreras. The 80-page, standalone story blends urban fantasy, action and humor as a woman finds herself caught up in a fight to save an endangered population of dragons.

“Like so much of my other work, Dragonproof is, at its heart, about outsiders finding their people and their purpose,” Palicki said. “I tend to wear my influences on my sleeve, and this book is also a love letter to some of the stories that made me the writer I am today. Having partners in Giulia and Gab who were on the same wavelength was pure magic.”

And today, Smash Pages can exclusively reveal a kick-ass, campaign-only cover by artist Daniel Govar for the project.

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‘Sir Reginald & the Clockwork Heart’ brings pulp adventure to Kickstarter

Goats Flying Press’ 96-page hardcover anthology features five interconnected stories by Joe Atalla, Juni Ba, Jesse Lonergan, Dimitrios Pantazis and Armand Bodnar, plus an exclusive art print by Pantazis for early backers.

Goats Flying Press is bringing together an all-star lineup of independent comics creators for Sir Reginald & the Clockwork Heart, a new pulp adventure anthology that’s now live on Kickstarter.

Written by Joe Atalla, the 96-page, full-color hardcover follows Sir Reginald, an eccentric gentleman adventurer who also happens to be a skeleton, and his loyal ghostly butler, Mr. Spittle. Across five interconnected stories, the pair travel from ancient temples and desert pyramids to ocean depths and English graveyards, collecting mysterious artifacts while pursuing a larger, undisclosed goal.

The book features artwork by Juni Ba, Jesse Lonergan, Dimitrios Pantazis and Armand Bodnar, alongside Atalla’s own art. Brad Simpson provides colors, with lettering and design by Jeff Powell.

We can also exclusively reveal the pinup art print by Pantazis that will be offered as part of the Kickstarter campaign. The 5-by-7-inch, full-color print will be free to print-edition backers during the campaign’s first 48 hours as part of the “Early Goat Special.” It will also be included with all higher reward tiers, regardless of when backers pledge. Take a look:

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Abbott and Costello return to comics to face the monsters once again

The legendary comedy duo will face the Night Stalker, the Morlocks and Cthulhu in a new comic book series from Monstrous, with T-shirts featuring art by Russ Braun and Zac Atkinson.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are returning to comics for the first time in more than 50 years, and they’re bringing some monstrous company with them.

Monstrous Books is launching a Kickstarter campaign for Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters, a new series that pairs the legendary comedy duo with horror icons and supernatural threats they never encountered in their classic films.

The campaign will feature three full-length comics written by James Aquilone, along with variant covers by an array of artists and exclusive merchandise. Smash Pages can exclusively reveal the T-shirt designs that will be available through the campaign, featuring artwork by Russ Braun and Zac Atkinson.

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Oni Press takes Adventure Time comics to Kickstarter with six-volume deluxe library

The campaign collects more than 100 issues across six oversized hardcovers, with Kickstarter-exclusive slipcases, a Jake the Dog metal bookmark and sticker set.

Oni Press is bringing 15 years of Adventure Time comics together in a six-volume deluxe hardcover collection that’ll be available through a Kickstarter campaign.

The Adventure Time Deluxe Comics Library campaign, launching today, will collect more than 100 issues of the comics series in six oversized hardcover volumes, including material from the original 2012 run published by BOOM! Studios and Oni Press’ 2025 continuation.

Each volume will come with a Kickstarter-exclusive slipcase, with the books also available individually, as a six-volume bundle or through two limited-edition box sets themed around the Land of Ooo and Land of BMO.

“The Adventure Time Deluxe Comics Library slipcase editions are entirely Kickstarter exclusive and will never be made available in mass quantities anywhere else,” Oni Press Director of Business Development Sam Kusek said. “This campaign is a celebration of the comic adventures of Finn, Jake, Princess Bubblegum, Marceline … the list goes on and on.”

As an exclusive first look for Smash Pages, the campaign’s Land of Ooo box set will include a metal Jake the Dog bookmark and an Adventure Time sticker set:

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Exclusive | Clover Press reveals Cal McDonald shirt + hat ahead of Kickstarter

The new merchandise features art by ‘October Faction’ co-creator Damien Worm and the logo for Steve Niles’ Bloody Pulp Books.

Clover Press has given us an early look at two pieces of merchandise planned for its upcoming Kickstarter campaign for Cal McDonald: Plague of Evil and Other Stories, a new collection featuring Steve Niles’ longtime occult detective.

The merch includes a T-shirt featuring new artwork by Damien Worm, co-creator of October Faction, and a hat featuring the logo for Niles’ Bloody Pulp Books.

The merchandise will be offered as part of the crowdfunding campaign for Cal McDonald: Plague of Evil and Other Stories, which will launch through Clover Press’ new The Fourth Leaf imprint. The 216-page hardcover will collect 10 new Cal McDonald short stories, each accompanied by an illustration from a different artist.

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Clover Press reveals Marvel Masterworks plans, including four new volumes and a Jim Lee puzzle

The publisher will launch its new era of Marvel’s iconic archival series with restored editions of X-Men, Thor, Super-Villain Team-Up and Tomb of Dracula, and we have an exclusive look at one of the Kickstarter rewards.

The return of Marvel Masterworks under Clover Press was one of the more well-received announcements to emerge from San Diego Comic-Con this summer, especially from fans of the line. Now, the publisher is revealing exactly what that new era will look like as they prepare to launch the first Kickstarter for it.

Clover Press has announced the first four volumes of its ambitious plan to continue Marvel’s long-running archival hardcover series, with new editions devoted to The Uncanny X-Men, Super-Villain Team-Up, The Mighty Thor and The Tomb of Dracula. The books will feature extensive new restoration work, including hundreds of pages sourced directly from original art, as well as three distinct cover treatments, including a new trade dress designed by Clover Press co-founder and art director Robbie Robbins.

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First Look: Planetoid Raiders get their own retro-style hats

Wandering Planet Toys’ upcoming Kickstarter campaign will include exclusive baseball hats celebrating the Planetoid Raiders and mysterious Arcade Raiders.

The Planetoid Raiders are getting ready to invade Kickstarter, and they’re bringing some headwear with them.

I mentioned these new action figures a few days ago with the news about the Cthuluchador and Ultimoth Warrior figures that Wandering Planet is doing, but now we have an exclusive first look at two new hats that will be available as part of Wandering Planet Toys’ upcoming Planetoid Raiders Kickstarter campaign. The retro-inspired hats celebrate the company’s new line of collectible space adventurers, as well as the mysterious Arcade Raiders.

If you think they look like knock-offs of the original Star Wars action figures Kenner released back in the day, well, that’s what they’re going for. I also feel a little Yo Gabba Gabba being channeled here, but that might just be me:

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Doug Wagner + Daniel Hillyard reunite for ‘I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits!’ at Clover Press

The ‘Plastic,’ ‘Plush’ and ‘Narco’ creators return with a supernatural horror comedy about zombies, psychics, Heaven and Hell, and homicidal chickens. Check out our exclusive preview.

The Fourth Leaf, the new creator-owned imprint from Clover Press, is officially getting underway with a graphic novel that seems tailor-made for the imprint’s promise of “bold, bloody and pulpy stories”: I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits! by Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard.

The longtime collaborators behind Plastic, Plush, Vinyl and Narco are back together for a supernatural horror comedy that features a pacifist, a psychic kid, a really big serial killer, the forces of Heaven and Hell, and, of course, a squad of murderous chickens.

Courtesy of Clover Press, we’re pleased to offer an exclusive preview of the new graphic novel, which launched today on Kickstarter.

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Exclusive | First look at the ‘Loba Loca’ Slipcase Edition as Magnetic Press returns to the MFKZ universe

The world of the cult animated film expands with a road trip graphic novel about a teenager who uncovers dangerous family secrets.

Magnetic Press are preparing to crowdfund Loba Loca, a new graphic novel set in the MFKZ Universe from creators Guillaume “Run” Renard and Guillaume Singelin. The Kickstarter campaign will launch soon, and we’re happy to give an exclusive first look at the limited edition slipcase that’ll be available as a reward.

The book follows Guadalupe “Guada” Mayflower, a rebellious 17-year-old whose house arrest leads her to discover a diary that upends everything she thought she knew about her family, including the identity of her infamous father, a luchadore who once, maybe, saved the world. The revelation sends her on a dangerous road trip through a criminal underworld populated by other masked luchadores, underworld figures and (gasp!) reality show stars.

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Exclusive | Bit Bot reveals ‘Thief: Pulse of Promise’ apparel ahead of crowdfunding campaign

Bit Bot unveils officially licensed shirts, hats and hoodies inspired by the classic video game franchise ahead of the BackerKit campaign for its new graphic novel.

One of gaming’s most influential stealth franchises is returning as a graphic novel, and we’ve got a first look at some of the merchandise that will accompany it. You can sign up to find out when the campaign will launch on its BackerKit page.

We’re happy to exclusively reveal the first apparel from Bit Bot’s upcoming Thief: Pulse of Promise crowdfunding campaign, including officially licensed T-shirts, hoodies and hats celebrating Garrett and the world of Thief. The collectibles will accompany the publisher’s upcoming BackerKit campaign for the new graphic novel, which bridges the events of Thief: The Dark Project and Thief II: The Metal Age.

Written by Joshua Viola and Sean Eads, with artwork by Emanuele Ercolani and Gianluca Papi, Thief: Pulse of Promise follows master thief Garrett after what appears to be a routine burglary spirals into a mystery involving forgotten Keeper secrets, hidden powers beneath the city and a young boy whose fate could shape the future. The story is set between the original Thief and Thief II: The Metal Age and includes appearances by fan-favorite characters Artemus and Father Karras.

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Smash Pages Q&A | Jordan Mechner on ‘Liberty’

The creator of ‘Prince of Persia’ discusses his new graphic novel on the Revolutionary War, which is currently being crowdfunded on Kickstarter.

Jordan Mechner has built a career around storytelling. Best known as the creator of Prince of Persia and The Last Express, Mechner has turned his attention to graphic novels in recent years, bringing the same cinematic sensibilities to projects ranging from Monte Cristo and Templar to his award-winning memoir Replay.

His latest graphic novel, Liberty, is currently being crowdfunded on Kickstarter by Magnetic Press. It tells the true story of a clandestine French operation that helped supply the American Revolution with desperately needed weapons, following playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais and American diplomat Silas Deane as they risk everything to support the fledgling United States from across the Atlantic. Illustrated by Étienne Le Roux, Loïc Chevallier and Elvire De Cock, Liberty shines a light on people whose contributions to history have largely been forgotten.

I spoke with Mechner about discovering the story behind Liberty, why he prefers history’s unsung heroes to its famous names, the challenge of balancing historical accuracy with compelling drama and more.

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Smash Pages Q&A | Phillip Sevy + Christie Porter on ‘She Comes With Magic’

The creators discuss launching their adults-only fantasy series on Kickstarter, balancing epic adventure with explicit storytelling and bringing Maeve’s magical quest to life.

Known for his work on comics like Tomb Raider, X-Men Infinity Comics and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, among other titles, artist and writer Phillip Sevy is taking a decidedly different path with She Comes With Magic, a creator-owned fantasy series that launches on Kickstarter today.

Co-created with journalist/comics writer Christie Porter, the comic features Maeve, a powerful wizard who channels her magic through sex. She embarks on an epic quest to stop the Starving King in an adults-only fantasy that blends action, humor, romance and explicit sexuality, in the vein of comics like Sunstone, White Tree, Sex Criminals and Money Shot.

While the book’s high-concept premise is sure to grab attention, Sevy and Porter are committed to making She Comes With Magic work as a fantasy story first. Building a world with real stakes, memorable characters and emotional weight was just as important as embracing the book’s titilating premise, resulting in a series that aims to balance comedy, epic adventure and sex without sacrificing any one element.

I spoke with Sevy and Porter about bringing the first issue to Kickstarter, collaborating on the story, Porter’s transition from journalism to comics, finding the right tone for an erotic fantasy and more. While the book is definitely aimed at adults and is NSFW, this interview includes SFW artwork from the comic by Porter, Sevy and colorist Gibran Ferdian, along with a variant cover by Stjepan Šejić.

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