Did You Miss These 3 Controversial Indie Comics?

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Come join us once more for the latest edition of Indie Comics Spotlight, our weekly feature highlighting several genuinely independent comics that are either crowdfunding their ventures, seeking funding through various means, or publishing on their own without any external support. Every bit of backing these creators receive, whether it’s a one-dollar pledge or a larger twenty-five dollar package, is greatly appreciated. Plus, the higher tiers often offer fun extras! Even if you can’t contribute to a campaign or purchase a comic, sharing or tweeting about these projects with your network can still make a difference.

At Indie Comics Showcase, we chat with creators, share some stunning artwork, and guide you on how to explore these amazing products yourself. Here’s a peek at some exceptional crowdfunding projects this week that you can discover, appreciate, and potentially help by pledging your support! Thanks for taking a look, and remember, you’re what makes Indie Comics Showcase special. Let’s dive in!

Gig Line: A Comic Book Autobiography
by Bruce Olav Solheim, PhD

Check out the book here!

Could you briefly explain the essence of your comic to those who aren’t familiar yet? After all, what does Gig Line: A Comic Book Autobiography revolve around?

Bruce Olav Solheim: My life story, titled “Gig Line: A Comic Book Autobiography“, consists of 37 two-page comic narratives sequentially arranged by various artists worldwide. This book is an account of a man’s journey to find harmony and equilibrium amidst a complex existence.

Bruce Olav Solheim: The phrase “gig line” originated from its military context. By aligning your trouser fly, belt buckle, and shirt buttons, you create a straight gig line. In the military, if you make a mistake (especially during an inspection), you receive a reprimand known as being “gigged.” If your uniform lacks the correct gig line, it appears disorganized and out of sync. My time in the military instilled discipline, pride in my work, and a focus on the mission. I also considered using “plumb line” as a title. Growing up, my father was a carpenter, so maintaining balance and using a plumb line were things I learned early on. Just as no one wants a crooked house, we all strive for equilibrium and alignment, which is the central theme of these stories.

Chris Braly: What influenced this comic, and what led you to self-publish it?

Bruce Olav Solheim: Harvey Pekar’s work on American Splendor sparked my creativity. As a disabled U.S. Army veteran, I felt compelled to share my experiences. Additionally, the freedom to fully control my own creative process appeals to me.

Chris Braly: Who is the intended audience for Gig Line? What kind of readers will connect with it?

As a captivated reader, I find Bruce Olav Solheim’s autobiographical tales truly extraordinary. He skillfully weaves together elements of comedy, historical accounts, dramatic narratives, social insights, and science fiction, creating a rich tapestry that resonates with people of all ages.

Question 1: Could you please share the unique style and methodology behind your creations, as well as the evolution of your approach for this specific task?

Question 2: What’s the story behind your creative process in general, and how did it adapt to tackle this particular project?

Bruce Olav Solheim: My autobiographical stories are brief, compelling me to be succinct in my narration while focusing on vivid imagery to effectively express life lessons I’ve gleaned. As a history teacher with over three decades of experience, this is my primary profession. However, comics have been my passion ever since they helped me learn to read as a child. In essence, I am both a historian and a comic creator, having begun my comics journey as a kid.

Chris Braly: Who is on creative team that helped bring Gig Line to life?

Bruce Olav Solheim: Indeed, it’s me we’re talking about. Daily, I dedicate at least two hours to writing and creating. My executive editor is George Verongos, while Julia Kazanowska served as the art editor. Artists from all over the world were involved, and I carefully chose each one for their ability to depict the atmosphere of specific stories. Their unique styles mirrored my diverse moods, attitudes, and life phases beautifully. After all, in real life, everyone perceives us differently, don’t they?

Chris Braly: What have you learned from the process of self-publishing and crowdfunding this book?

As a cinephile myself, I take charge of the content creation. The big publishing houses aren’t exactly setting the world on fire with their promotional efforts, so self-promotion is just another day at the movies for me!

Chris Braly: What are your plans after this book? Do you have more stories to share?

Bruce Olav Solheim: Working on Dr. Jekyll Alien Hunter #2 and Snarc #3.

Chris Braly: It’s great that you took the time to pass this along, and I want to express my gratitude for your service too.

Bruce Olav Solheim: Everything’s being handled with a collaborative and peaceful mindset, I hope you share my sentiments and appreciate the outcomes. Thanks!

Check out the book here!

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The Maniak
by John Borelli

Check out the campaign here!

Chris Braly: Give us your elevator pitch—what is THE MANIAK about?

As a die-hard film fan, I can’t help but express my excitement over two captivating tales from the world of comics:

First up is “THE MANIAK #1,” where the titular character, The Maniak, is on a mission to disrupt a high-profile gathering, drawing assassins into his trap. This adrenaline-pumping story spans across 25 gripping pages.

Next, we have “THE MANIAK VS HARRY LIGGINS.” In this installment, The Maniak sets his sights on a certain individual (who, let’s just say, bears no resemblance to anyone I know) for sabotaging his comic book campaign. This enthralling 12-page story unfolds in the same gripping fashion.

Both tales are rendered in stark, evocative black and white, promising a raw, unfiltered experience for readers.

Chris Braly: Where did the idea for THE MANIAK come from, and what made you decide to self-publish?

John Borelli’s Idea: For years, I’ve harbored the concept of a humorous superhero comic titled “THE MANIAK.” In the beginning, THE MANIAK resembled a biker and sported an ‘M’ on his chest. He was unique among heroes as he targeted Super Pimp, disregarding concerns about perceived racism. It wasn’t until I witnessed heated debates online about Batman being portrayed as evil or a socialist, and suggestions that he should be more like Bernie Sanders, that I decided to further develop THE MANIAK’s character. He would embody selfishness, thrill-seeking behavior, and cruelty, yet remain the hero. Given my concern about it being considered tasteless, I have chosen to self-publish this work.

Chris Braly: Who is this comic best suited for? Who do you see as your audience?

John Borelli: If you like mean humor or great art this is for you.

Question 1: Could you please elaborate on your unique artistic style and the method behind it when creating comics? What steps led you to the way you currently produce these visual stories?

Question 2: How did you cultivate your approach in producing this particular comic strip? Can you share some insights into your creative process and evolution over time?

John Borelli: I come up with exciting visuals, brainstorm funny ideas, and put them all together sequentially. However, I only sketch a few panels; most of the detailed artwork is handled by Corgan in the art department.

Chris Braly: Who else helped bring this project to life?

Corgan serves as the principal musician, while RayRayIsHappy was responsible for creating the cover art for issue number 1, along with a few promotional images.

Chris Braly: What does your production workflow look like?

John Borelli: A few pages get done a month. From script to drawn pages. Issue 2 is already written.

Chris Braly: What have you learned from the process of self-publishing and crowdfunding so far?

John Borelli: Writing is the easiest the part lol.

Chris Braly: Any plans beyond this book? Are there more stories to come?

John Borelli: Initially, the first storyline will span across six issues, and there are also shorter MANIAK tales in my plans.

Chris Braly: Good luck, John!

Check out the campaign here!

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Kerguelen
by Edgar Anderson

Check out the campaign here!

Chris Braly: Start us off with your elevator pitch—what’s Kerguelen about?

Edgar Anderson: Issue 1 of Kerguelen is a 30-page long publication in black and white. A wealthy merchant named Mr. Clay recruits a band of mercenaries to chase down a group of thieves who have been looting his caravans. Some of the thieves are apprehended, and they possess peculiar artifacts discovered near some ruins. The captives claim that these ruins are haunted and should be left alone, but Mr. Clay insists on using them as guides to lead him and his mercenaries to the ruins, hoping to loot it instead.

Chris Braly: What inspired the concept for Kerguelen, and why did you choose to self-publish?

User: Edgar Anderson expresses his fascination with geography, specifically an underwater plateau named the Kerguelen Plateau situated near Antarctica. Originally, this plateau was a microcontinent, but it’s now mostly submerged except for some tiny islands. In his creative endeavor, Edgar envisioned what the Kerguelen Plateau would look like if it resurfaced from the ocean. The southern region is frigid and resembles the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica; the central part shares a tundra landscape similar to the Kerguelen Islands, while the north mirrors Tierra del Fuego’s forest.

For his comic book, Edgar has crafted a post-apocalyptic world influenced by popular franchises such as ‘Fallout’ and ‘Mad Max’. In this setting, survivors inhabit small, isolated communities battling to thrive in the unforgiving environment. To maintain complete creative control over his work, Edgar opted for self-publication.

Chris Braly: Who is the target audience for Kerguelen?

Kerguelen is an exhilarating, post-apocalyptic comic tailored for readers who thrive on action and adventure.

Chris Braly: Can you describe your creative style and process? How did you develop this project?

As a passionate cinephile dabbling in the realm of comics for the very first time: My creative journey began when I found inspiration for my comic’s setting and narrative through vivid daydreams. Over time, these fleeting thoughts morphed into carefully penned notes that eventually evolved into a comprehensive blueprint encompassing the world, characters, and plotline. Sketching a map of the Kerguelen Plateau was merely the first step, followed by crafting scripts for the debut issue.

Chris Braly: Who’s on your creative team, and how did they contribute?

Edgar Anderson: I’ve got a pair on my team: an illustrator named Manuel Benigno, hailing from Italy and fresh out of art school, and a creative editor called William D. Hastings who assists me in drafting dialogues and plotting scripts for issue 1 as well as several unpublished issues, all procured via Upwork.

Chris Braly: Walk us through your production workflow. How far along are you with the series?

As a passionate movie enthusiast, let me share the behind-the-scenes of my comic book creation process: For the first issue, I crafted each script page, collaborated with my editor for revisions, and then passed it on to our illustrator for an initial sketch. Once approved, the illustrator brought that sketch to life, completing the page. Issue 1 is now ready and available for viewing on my website, kerguelencomic.com. The script for issue 2 has been finalized, but as of yet, it hasn’t been illustrated. I eagerly await your support in preordering issue 2 here to help fund its production.

Chris Braly: What lessons have you learned from self-publishing and crowdfunding?

Edgar Anderson: Through collaborating with my illustrator, editor, and beta readers, I mastered the art of accurately depicting scenes in a manner that matches my vision. This process has significantly enhanced both my storytelling abilities and overall writing skillset.

Chris Braly: What’s next for Kerguelen? Are there more stories planned?

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but imagine “Kerguelen” unfolding as an epic television series. So far, I’ve penned down scripts for nine episodes, and I have a comprehensive outline that stretches across no less than 50 episodes.

Chris Braly: Are there any special features or perks for readers?

Edgar Anderson: Absolutely! Our crowdfunding campaign for issue 2 has three exciting rewards: two extra tales delving into the pasts of significant characters, and exclusive insights into the making of our comic book. To get a sneak peek at the first nine pages of issue 1, head over to kerguelencomic.com!

Chris Braly: Cool! Good luck, Edgar.

Check out the campaign here!

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Wrapping up for today! If you’re an artist embarking on your own campaign or have a comic for sale online that you’d like us to showcase in our weekly feature, click here and let’s see if we can help boost visibility for YOUR crowdfunded comic project. Stay tuned for more indie comics support!

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2025-04-23 23:16