Indie Comics Showcase #297: ‘The Unity’ and ‘The Atlantean’

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Return once more for another edition of the Indie Comics Spotlight, our weekly feature dedicated to shining a light on a selection of genuinely independent comics that are either crowdfunding, seeking funding in various ways, or publishing themselves completely. Each bit of support for these artists makes a difference, whether it’s a one-dollar pledge, a twenty-five-dollar bundle, or the more elaborate tiers which often offer unique experiences. And if you can’t financially back a project or purchase a comic, sharing or tweeting about these endeavors to your network is equally valuable!

On our Indie Comics Showcase platform, we’ll be introducing the brilliant minds behind independent comics, displaying some stunning artwork, and providing insights on how to get your hands on these unique products directly. Below, we’ve highlighted some remarkable crowdfunding campaigns this week that you can explore, appreciate, and potentially support by contributing to one or more of them! A big thank you for taking a look, and remember, you are the heart of Indie Comics Showcase. Let’s dive in together!

The Atlantean 2
by Russ Leach & Randy Zimmerman

Check out the campaign here!

Chris Braly: Hello again, Indie Comics Showcase fans! It’s been a while since we talked last, back in October. But don’t worry if you’re not familiar with it yet – let me quickly summarize the latest issue of The Atlantean for you:

In essence, imagine a thrilling underwater adventure filled with mystery, drama, and action. The Atlantean is our hero, a powerful warrior from the lost city of Atlantis, who’s on a quest to uncover ancient secrets that could change the fate of his people forever. This new issue promises more intrigue, more battles, and more revelations about the underwater world than ever before!

Robert E Howard penned “The Shadow Kingdom,” which introduced Kull and his faithful companion Brule, setting the stage for the Sword and Sorcery genre. In the original public-domain narrative (which we also reimagined), at its conclusion, they swore to pursue the covert Serpent Menace that they had unearthed. ‘The Atlantean’ is an innovative serialization of this thrilling chase, staying true to Howard’s style and evoking memories of the 1970s Savage Sword of Conan comics.

John Doe: Exciting sword-and-sorcery journeys, a follow-up to Robert E. Howard’s timeless public domain story “The Shadow Kingdom.” The narrative focuses on King Kull and Brule the Spearslayer as they hunt for the remaining shape-shifting lizard demons that once posed a threat to Valusia and their realm.

AL: This certainly reminds me of the classic black-and-white Savage Sword of Conan magazine, a favorite of mine. Could you tell us more about how this project originated?

In the process of creating “The Shadow Kingdom” as a labor of love, we found ourselves immersed in the story so deeply that we yearned for more. Since the world, events, and characters of “The Shadow Kingdom” are part of the public domain, we embarked on a journey with Kull and Brule, guiding them through sword & sorcery escapades. Our goal was to have a blast with these characters and spin some thrilling tales! We felt that there was a dearth of adventure narratives in today’s market. With our previous success in crowdfunding various projects, we knew this would be an excellent launchpad for financing production. Furthermore, we teamed up with Critical Blast to not only produce the books and manage fulfillment but also distribute them online through retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, once backers receive their copies.

CB: What kind of comic fan is this aimed at?

Our Target Audience: Individuals who are passionate about comic books. Our primary goal is to provide entertainment, not to utilize the project as a means to further personal ambitions. It’s essentially a heartfelt tribute to the black-and-white 70s Sword & Sorcery and adventure comics and magazines from that era.

As a passionate film enthusiast with a soft spot for comic books, especially those blending humor with sword and magic, I heartily recommend this to fellow admirers of Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian, devoted readers of Heavy Metal magazine, and anyone who appreciates action-packed, thrilling comic adventures!

CB: Let’s get into the creative and production side a little. Who’s on the creative team here?

In this project, Randy takes the lead role in writing, while Aaron Sparrow edits. Notably, we’ve welcomed acclaimed writer Charles Santino from Marvel and Conan to contribute to this particular issue. As for the artwork and final files, that’s where I come in.

In the course of our work, each installment has presented its unique challenges. The world of Shadow Kingdom translates beautifully into comic book format. Russ made some specific requests regarding Atlantean Issue 1, which I seamlessly incorporated into a narrative while adhering closely to Howard’s original work and learning an immense amount in the process. For Issue 3, Russ had additional ideas for visual depictions, and we also received a plot from Charles Santino (former Conan writer and current editor) featuring a younger Kull, which I utilized as a foundation for the overall storyline of the issue. I’m incredibly pleased with the improvement in the storyline development and pacing between Issues 1 and 2, and I believe I’m starting to grasp the concept quite well. I’m currently wrapping up the script for Volume 3, which will solely reflect my plotting and pacing, leveraging everything I’ve learned from the previous volumes.

CB: What’s the workflow like?

In my creative process, I jot down plot ideas in a spiral notebook first, then sketch out a rough storyline by hand. Afterward, I refine the storyline and pacing, detailing it page-by-page on the computer. I subsequently break down each page into panels, followed by writing the complete script. Russ primarily worked off the page breakdowns for the first volume, and later added dialogues. However, I found that approach quite challenging. Currently, I have volume four plotted out, and I have a pretty good idea of where volume five is headed.

AP: Essentially, that’s all there is to it. You do have the necessary components like the typography and final print designs, but it’s quite straightforward. We generally wrap everything up in a 3-4 month sequential process, which we call a rolling process.

CB: What are some of the challenges in crowdfunding comics these days?

AL: Prioritize your audience! Make sure you’re easily found, approachable, and consistently courteous. Strive to fulfill orders quickly and cultivate an email subscriber base. We value quality and reliability, and we hope that this focus will drive growth in readership.

AL: Each project serves as a valuable learning opportunity, just like every campaign. We continuously improve with each step. With a few more projects under our belt, we’ll have a better understanding of our abilities. I believe it will only get more polished and streamlined as time goes on.

CB: What is the main purpose for telling this story?

RZ: I believe Russ will support my viewpoint. I strongly believe that stories about brave heroes taking on daring tasks are essential today. Howard’s works have endured for a reason, and I aspire that our work falls into the same category of timeless pulp high octane adventures. We aim to pay tribute to the iconic black-and-white comic magazines from the 70’s -90’s while still providing engaging stories just like those classic tales. I have been involved in alternative comics since the mid-80’s, and I am passionate about this art form because it can entertain regardless of its form. To me, being read and enjoyed is what truly matters.

Assistant: Absolutely! The primary goal is to provide an entertaining reading experience. We’re huge fans of Robert E. Howard’s work and the Sword & Sorcery genre, so this project is deeply rooted in our personal enthusiasm. Each story stands on its own, allowing you to read a single issue at your leisure, much like old comic books. As of now, we’ve published two issues, with the third script nearly complete. We’re currently working on issues 4 and 5, and due to its seasonal nature, there will be another two issues released this year.

As an ardent admirer, I’ve been wondering if there’s been any resistance from the Robert E. Howard estate or rights holders regarding my Kull project. If they haven’t objected, here’s a glimpse of what I’d love to share:

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to breathe new life into such a captivating and timeless character as Kull. His tales have been a source of inspiration for me for years, and I can’t wait to delve deeper into his world, exploring uncharted territories and unearthing hidden stories that will resonate with fans old and new.

As an ardent fan, I’m deeply inspired by the iconic “The Shadow Kingdom,” a masterpiece that has shaped the sword and sorcery genre profoundly. In our creative process, we strive diligently to preserve and honor its distinct elements, such as the emblematic squared-off crown or the long, striking facial scar, while ensuring we don’t encroach on anyone’s intellectual property rights. Our work is a tribute, not only to the original piece but also to the visionaries who paved the way before us. So far, we haven’t received any communication from other rights holders, but we’ve meticulously prepared contingency plans should that be necessary. I’m confident that our goal—to create a work that even Howard scholars would be proud to read and appreciate—will remain attainable.

AL: So far, no one has contacted us. The version of Kull we’re using is directly from “The Shadow Kingdom,” making both the character and book part of the public domain. If they want to collaborate with us, we’d be thrilled! Our priority is staying true to Robert E. Howard’s vision for these characters and their world while reaching as many readers as possible.

AL: I’ve been reading these books with great pleasure, and it’s fantastic that even newcomers can get the initial issue of the campaign! Best of luck to you, we’re all cheering you on!

RL: Thank you for backing and thanks for the chance to chat.

I’m really appreciative, and I believe you’ll be thrilled to catch up on our advancements with the second installment. It’s an engaging tale, and Russell’s artwork continues to improve significantly.

CB: Thanks guys. Looking forward to it.

Check out the campaign here!

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The Unity
by Max Steele & Sam Drinko

Check out the campaign here!

Chris Braly: Welcome to Indie Comics Showcase, Max. What’s the elevator pitch for The Unity?

In this fictional universe, superheroes are ordinary people blending into society rather than being celebrated icons or celebrities. Those aware of their existence call them the “Enhanced” – extraordinary individuals with special abilities who live among us, concealed in plain sight. The comic series titled “The Unity: Part I” explores some of Capital City’s most powerful Enhanced citizens, set against a semi-cyberpunk backdrop. Through the eyes of Agent Foxtrot, a seasoned special-ops veteran, we follow his pursuit and surveillance of these individuals as he serves his enigmatic government superiors, all while an impending crisis looms over the city. This comic series combines elements of superheroes and espionage, making it an engaging read for teenagers aged 13 and above.

CB: Where did the idea for this comic come from, and made you decide to self-publish it?

As a fervent admirer of Amazon Prime shows like Invincible and The Boys amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, I was inspired to craft a more exceptional and unique superhero team, one that would surpass the greatness of teams such as The Seven and The Guards of Globe. Drawing upon my adoration for classic superheroes, I sought to reimagine certain characteristic traits they all shared. My remarkable team is comprised of my most reliable confidants – my two closest friends and I collaborated on the creation and production of the comic, while we scoured social media to find an exceptional artist.

CB: What have you been learning from self-publishing and creating through this process?

Through the use of TikTok, our Cerberus Comics account has amassed more than 5000 dedicated followers within about 8 months, demonstrating that social media is indeed a potent marketing instrument.

CB: What are your plans beyond this book?

MS: Wow, you’ve got no idea! The release of “Unity: Part I” marked the beginning of the Cerberus Comics Universe. So far, we’ve penned a total of thirteen comic books, all set for production. However, financial constraints are delaying their release. We’re eagerly waiting to share more of the Cerberus Comics Universe with you!

CB: Good luck, Max!

Check out the campaign here!

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For this session, that’s all folks! If you’re an artist or creator with a crowdfunding comic project and are keen to gain more visibility, click here for a chance to be showcased in our weekly column. Keep independent comics thriving! See you next time!

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2025-03-12 23:16