Discover the Dark and Gritty Worlds of Frankie Crossroads, Vampire Killers, and Venus Rises: Your Next Indie Comic Obsessions!

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Greetings once more as we delve into another edition of our weekly feature, Indie Comics Spotlight. This is the place where we amplify a handful of authentic indie comics that are either actively crowdfunding their ventures, sourcing funds through various means, or bravely self-publishing on their own. Every bit of support counts here, whether it’s a small pledge of a dollar or the more comprehensive twenty-five dollar package, and of course, the higher tiers often provide some exciting extras! Even if you can’t fund a campaign or purchase a comic, sharing or tweeting about these projects with your network can make a big difference.

On our platform, Indie Comics Showcase, we chat with the talented minds behind independent comics, share some stunning artwork, and guide you on how to explore the product further. This week, we’ve gathered some exceptional crowdfunding projects that are worth your attention. Dive in, appreciate them, and consider lending your support by backing one or more of these campaigns! Thanks for joining us here at Indie Comics Showcase. Let’s get started!

VK (Verion Keller’s Vampire Killers)
by Brian H Blackson Jr.

Check out the campaign here!

Hey there, Chris Braly! I’m delighted to be here at the Indie Comics Showcase. Let me share with you the pitch for the opening chapter of my comic, “Verion Keller’s Vampire Killers”!

In this thrilling tale, we embark on a chilling adventure alongside Verion Keller, an enigmatic and skilled vampire hunter. Our story opens in the dark and mysterious city of Ebonhaven, where a series of grisly murders have left the townsfolk in a state of fear.

Verion, armed with ancient weapons and a deep-rooted determination to rid the world of the undead, is summoned by the local authorities to investigate the killings. As he delves deeper into the case, Verion uncovers a web of secrets that will challenge everything he thought he knew about vampires…

Join us on this gripping journey as we follow Verion and his team, the Vampire Killers, in their relentless pursuit of justice against the forces of darkness. The fate of Ebonhaven hangs in the balance, and only one thing is certain: the night will never be the same again!

Brian Blackson’s Statement: In Neodelphia, an unexpected vampire attack exposes their dangerous presence, setting the stage for VK Chapter 1. This begins the gripping tale of Young Wrath, a determined vampire hunter, as he engages in a life-or-death struggle that may decide the city’s future. This isn’t just the beginning of an exciting saga; it lays the groundwork for the Venus Orion Comics Universe, a world I’ve been shaping over the past five years. VK Chapter 1 initiates a series of ten chapters in the ‘Shadows of Ascension’ storyline, a hard-hitting narrative unfolding in a dystopian metropolis where vampires and corruption reign in the underbelly. As trust is challenged and secrets are revealed, Young Wrath and the Retributes confront both monstrous and human adversaries in their quest to unearth the truth.

CB: Tell me the genesis of this project.

AL: The concept of BB originated from my father and me back in 2006. We initially intended it as a live-action YouTube series, but due to my college commitments at the time, it never materialized. During the 2020 pandemic, I approached an artist on Fiverr to illustrate Verion and the Draybon Brothers in anime art style, initially just for enjoyment. However, when I shared it with my father and brothers, things took an unexpected turn. My father was enthusiastic about the idea, suggesting that maybe this could evolve into an anime or something similar. Since animation is costly, our next best plan was to transform it into a comic series first and expand from there.

CB: Who is this project aimed at?

AL: If you’re a fan of comic styles inspired by anime and manga, then you should definitely check out the VK series. It has a mature, intense tone that appeals to both teenagers and adults.

CB: What’s your experience in this genre?

User: For approximately five years, I’ve been developing a universe and its lore, starting with a character concept. This evolved into a story centered around the character, which eventually intertwines with other elements and concepts within this continually expanding universe. While working on VK, additional ideas emerged as I expanded its world-building. Soon, I found myself creating characters not directly linked to VK, but they inhabit the same cosmos. That’s when I decided to establish a shared independent comic universe, with VK marking the beginning of Phase 1, “The Foundation,” followed by other series. Over the past five years, I have invested my own funds into developing this shared Universe.

CB: Talk about your creative team that contributed to this project

In my setup, Chabibit serves as both our 2D and 3D artist, while my brother Kevin Blackson assists with merchandising and photography. We also have another brother, Darius Blackson, who takes care of concept art for us. My father, Brian H Blackson Sr., acts as our promoter, leaving me responsible for writing and video editing tasks. Interestingly, my brothers run a T-Shirt company, so they design all merchandise for our campaigns. It’s all an in-house operation.

CB: A real family affair! What’s your production workflow like?

AA: All ten scripts for this story arc are now finished, and work on Chapter 2 will start this year. The first chapter, VK Chapter 1, spans 32 pages (28 pages of narrative), establishing the foundation for an exciting voyage filled with action, deceit, and enigma. Chabibit, also known as Jessica, resides in the Philippines, and our interactions take place through voice/video calls on Discord. As Venus Orion Comics grow, I intend to recruit additional artists.

In simpler terms, I’m not considering this initiative as a typical crowdfunding event, but rather as a pre-order campaign. I’m shouldering the initial costs myself by funding the book production ahead of time. The launch date for the campaign will be announced only after the book is finished. The funds raised during the campaign will primarily be used for printing the books and covering shipping expenses. Any remaining funds will be channeled back into Venus Orion Comics for future development. This first campaign carries significant importance as it lays the foundation for the growth of this company. My aim is to make Venus Orion Comics self-sustaining, so that it can finance its own comic book production rather than relying on personal funds. The delay in starting this universe was due to the need to get the comic made while ensuring the company’s financial stability.

CB: What have you been learning through this process?

BB: It turns out that running a business requires a great deal of effort, such as calculating shipping costs, bargaining prices for services, and so on. This isn’t an endeavor for the faint-hearted; effective communication about what you want and how it will be accomplished is crucial.

CB: Are there more stories you want to tell?

AA: Absolutely, there are additional tales to be shared from my cosmic lore. These narratives are organized into distinct stages. The initial phase is titled “The Foundation,” which encompasses 8 comic series. The sequence starts with ‘VK,’ then moves on to ‘Alter Squad X,’ ‘The Dai-Star Champion Siona,’ ‘Neo Suit Johnny,’ ‘Viper & Cobra,’ ‘The Great Samaritan,’ ‘Omin Protocol,’ and concludes with ‘Adrenaline.’

CB: Any special features in this campaign interested supporters should look for?

AA: Absolutely, there are different levels to it, along with four alternative cover versions. The campaign offers merchandise, including hoodies, sweatpants, leggings, mugs, tumblers, mouse pads, wallets, posters, and various other items.

CB: Thanks for sharing this with our readers. What final words do you have for our readers?

AL: If you’d enjoy seeing my comics turned into animated shorts, share the word with others who might be interested in Venus Orion Comics. Let’s show our support together!

CB: Good luck, Brian!

Check out the campaign here!

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Frankie Crossroads
by Mark Richard Luther

Check out the book here!

Chris Braly: Welcome to Indie Comics Showcase, Mark. Introduce us to Frankie Crossroads.

As a Movie Reviewer: “Stepping into the shoes of Frankie Crossroads, a blues-singing amphibian hailing from the soggy backwoods of Upstate New York’s Route 28, I found myself embarking on an exhilarating voyage. This captivating tale, spanning a brisk 106 pages, is tailored to engage young adults, offering a unique blend of adventure and the blues in a striking black-and-white format.

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

ALTERNATE VERSION: I strolled down Route 28, heading towards Middleville. As I walked, I heard the croaking of a frog from a nearby swamp and also enjoyed some blues music. These two experiences inspired me. The following year, I self-published my first graphic novel titled “Frankie Crossroads-The Journey.” A year later, I released the sequel, “Frankie Crossroads-The Journey Continues,” to maintain control over my work.

CB: Tell Me about your creative style, and how you developed it.

AL: The illustrations and storytelling feel quite animated and spontaneous, similar to how Mozart composed music. As I create each character, they seem to grow organically in my mind.

CB: Is this a one man band, or do you have a creative team working with you?

I’m single-handedly handling the creative process, much like Charles Schulz did for the Peanuts comic strip. Every day, without fail, you’ll find me at my drawing board, as it feels completely natural to me.

CB: What have you been learning from self-publishing?

For me, self-publishing turned out to be an effortless journey. I didn’t invest much in marketing, only participating in some local comic book conventions and crafts fairs, and I opted for Ingram Spark for printing my books.

CB: What’s next for Frankie Crossroads?

In the world of Frankie Crossroads, there’s plenty more stories to be shared and exciting journeys yet to come! Currently, I’m developing the third chapter titled “Frankie Crossroads-No Trespassing”, and I’ve just reached the 32-page mark.

CB: Thanks for sharing it with us, Mark!

Check out the book here!

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Venus Rises: Crossroads
by Jason G. Birdsall

Check out the campaign here!

Chris Braly: Welcome to Indie Comics Showcase, Jason. What’s the elevator pitch for Venus Rises?

Jason Birdsall: The Venus Rises comic series is an epic space adventure that combines elements of space opera, political drama, and human determination. It explores a growing conflict between the ruling class on Mars and the laborers on Venus. In Venus Rises: Crossroads, readers are taken on a heart-pounding exploration into uncharted territory. As hints of alien life are found on one of Jupiter’s moons, Captain Dasan Locklear embarks on a daring mission that could redefine humanity’s destiny. However, with relations teetering on the brink, Joshua Harper – a disgraced operative from the Mars Defense Directorate tormented by his past – is compelled to collaborate with Erani Sharma, an unorthodox codebreaker and musician. They will confront peril, deceit, and their own personal demons as they decipher the enigmas concealed beyond Jupiter. A story of endurance, self-sacrifice, and the pursuit of truth in a shattered solar system!

CB: Where did the idea for this comic come from, and what led to your decision to self-publish?

JB’s Explanation: My tale was sparked by my deep affection for character-rich sci-fi shows such as Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, and Star Trek. I sought to delve into themes like resilience, loyalty, and moral dilemmas within a fragmented human race. To maintain complete creative freedom and preserve the authenticity of my concept, I opted for self-publishing. Additionally, crowdfunding platforms provided me with a unique chance to interact closely with fans and create this project according to my preferences.

CB: What kind of comic reader is this suited for?

The content of this comic is designed for individuals who enjoy science fiction that offers detailed world-building, political plotlines, and thoughtful social critique. Those drawn to stories set in dystopian worlds or dealing with class conflict will find it especially captivating.

CB: How would you describe your style?

User: I combine raw realism with captivating sci-fi aesthetics to build a vibrant, unusual world in my work. Collaboration with artists plays a significant role in this process, as we strive for each scene to carry emotional resonance and engaging motion. From the drafting of scripts to layout designs, I prioritize maintaining a consistent tone that aligns with the narrative, whether it’s an action-packed chase sequence or a contemplative character moment. My team contributes to establishing the overall mood and ambiance, resulting in a visually stunning and captivating final product.

CB: Who are some of the people on your creative team?

Xavier LeRouge did a fantastic job breathing life into the world portrayed in Venus Rises: Crossroads with his detailed art style. He excels at conveying the emotional nuances of the narrative, as well as creating thrilling action scenes that make the book visually enthralling. Elif Kut not only provided her stunning artwork for the Prologue, but also managed the lettering and design aspects of the comic. Her contributions have been crucial in establishing the comic’s overall atmosphere and rhythm, ensuring a harmonious blend of words and images throughout.

CB: What’s your production workflow like?

I: I’m truly impressed by the streamlined and cooperative nature of our creative process. It all begins with the script and design concept, followed by storyboarding and preliminary layouts. Then, Xavier takes over to bring the pages to life through illustrations, while Elif focuses on the lettering. At various stages, I check in to make sure everything aligns perfectly with our vision. As we stand on the brink of completion, Crossroads is almost ready, just a few final details remain.

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

As a Film Enthusiast Speaking: This rollercoaster ride has been an incredible schooling in tenacity and flexibility. Navigating marketing strategies to coordinating production timelines, I’ve come to appreciate the significance of engaging fans and keeping my promises. The crowdfunding experience has underscored the might of our shared community and the pricelessness of earning trust from supporters.

CB: What are your plans beyond this book?

JB: The saga of Venus Rises: Crossroads is just a piece of a broader cosmic tale yet to be fully told. There are numerous character journeys left unexplored, and the grand narrative will unravel further mysteries, delving into the intricate web of Mars and Venus factions’ political machinations and interpersonal relationships. I’m already gearing up for the next installment, brimming with exciting new adventures, and I look forward to exploring more of this universe in upcoming issues.

CB: I know the campaign hasn’t launched yet, are you offering any special perks for early birds?

JB: Yes, we’re offering exclusive day-one discounts and a limited print for early-bird backers!

Everything seems great. Is there any additional information or insights you’d like to provide for our audience before wrapping up?

You: In our upcoming Kickstarter campaign, we’ll be offering a special addition – our debut graphic novel, “Venus Rises: Parallels,” which spans 164 pages!

CB: Good luck!

Check out the campaign page here!

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Wrapping up for today! If you’re an artist launching your own campaign or have a comic up for sale online, click here to get featured in our weekly column. Don’t forget to follow Indie Comics Showcase on Twitter at @Indie_Comics and connect with them to boost visibility for YOUR crowdfunded comic project. Stay tuned as we continue to champion indie comics!

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2025-01-15 21:48