Indie Comics Spotlight: Cat & Mouse, Arbiter, & FemBat!

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Greetings again as we delve into yet another edition of Indie Comics Spotlight – our weekly platform highlighting a selection of genuinely autonomous comics that are either crowdfunding their ventures, seeking funding through various means, or independently publishing their work. Each bit of support for these artists, whether it’s a one-dollar pledge or a twenty-five-dollar bundle, carries immense significance. Higher tiers often come with exciting extras! Even if you can’t back a campaign or purchase a book, sharing or tweeting about these projects among your network of friends and followers is equally valuable.

On our platform, Indie Comics Showcase, we chat with creators, display some amazing artwork, and guide you on how to explore the product yourself. Here are some impressive crowdfunding campaigns this week that you can discover, appreciate, and possibly support by funding one or more of them! Thank you for taking a look at these, and remember, you’re what makes Indie Comics Showcase special. Let’s dive in!

Cat & Mouse: Vipers #1
by Roland Mann

Check out the campaign here!

Vipers? Go ahead!

Vicious, snake-like kidnappers are causing chaos in New Orleans, abducting children from their homes under the cover of night. As they strive to combat human trafficking within the city, Cat & Mouse unwittingly become entangled in this disturbing situation. This series offers a blend of crime, action, and drama, with a hint of superhero-style adventures! Fans who enjoy classic tales featuring characters like Batman, Daredevil, and Spider-Man will find this show particularly appealing.

CB: Where did the idea for this comic come from?

I found it intriguing to imagine Cat and Mouse dealing with something otherworldly, given our setting in New Orleans. With minimal occurrences of colossal, conversational serpents, I figured introducing one would add an exciting twist.

CB: Tell us about your style and creative process.

You: I’m quite fond of the “Marvel approach” for writing comic books, which is a technique I devised in the late ’80s, inspired by the book “How to Do Comics the Marvel Way“. It served as my guide. Over time, I’ve come to value the expansive visuals this method allows the illustrator to create. To me, it appears that the visual component of the story unfolds more fluidly compared to those who use a detailed script.

CB: Introduce me to your creative team for this project.

Angelo Concepcion, fresh from the Kubert School, will soon catch people’s eyes as the penciller. His work is full of energy and will delight fans of Cat & Mouse. Jose Fuentes, another Kubert School alumnus, handles the inking, adding depth and shadows to Angelo’s work. Together, they make a fantastic team, destined for recognition alongside pairs like Byrne/Austin! Roberta Conroy is the colorist; her work speaks for itself. I’ve known Roberta since our Malibu Comics days when she was a colorist back then. Roberta has an exceptional understanding of color, and I feel fortunate to be collaborating with these exceptional artists!

CB: Is the book ready to go to print?

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that my comic creation has reached its final act! Just a handful of minor tweaks and polishing remain before it’s off to the printers. The grand finale is almost here! 🎥📝🎉>

CB: What have you learned from self-publishing through your work at Silverline?

Self-publishing and crowdfunding involve considerable effort and dedication. Contrary to some beliefs, they’re not just about posting your work and forgetting about it. Instead, you need to invest time daily in promoting and marketing your content. It can be quite a labor-intensive task!

CB: I assume there are more stories coming for this series?

The narrative spans across three parts, and I’ve already started working on not just one, but the following TWO tales!

CB: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers before we wrap up?

AL: If you’re new to Silverline, here’s what sets us apart: We deliver on our promises. Our focus is on campaign #35, and I’m thrilled to share that we have a 100% fulfillment rate. We’ve always come through, and while I can’t guarantee you’ll fall in love with this comic, I truly believe you will appreciate it. Unlike some other campaigns, we may not boast of superstar creators, but we do have dedicated comic makers who take pride in their work and consistently produce what they promise to deliver. Take a chance on us!

CB: Cool. We’re rooting for you, Roland!

Check out the campaign here!

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Arbiter


by Vinny JA

Check out the campaign here!

Chris Braly: Hi Vinny! Let’s dive into the subject of Arbiter. Could you briefly summarize what this comic is all about?

Chris Braly: Hey Vinny! Let’s kick things off with your elevator pitch for Arbiter. In a nutshell, what’s the storyline?

Over the course of history, guardians have ensured to lock up rifts in dimensions, preventing anything from passing through. Yet, Chris remains unaware of his identity as his teacher inexplicably disappears. Chris needs to discover the truth before the very fabric of existence starts falling apart.

CB: What inspired the concept for this comic, and why did you choose to self-publish it?

VJ: For quite some time, an idea has been brewing in my mind. It’s a tale that captivated me, demanding to be brought to life. I opted for self-publishing as it seemed the most fitting route to make it accessible. It caters to readers aged from high school and beyond.

CB: Can you walk me through your creative process and how you’ve honed your storytelling style?

Throughout various genres, I’ve penned around a dozen screenplays. My approach generally stays uniform. I usually pen the final scene initially and then let the characters’ decisions steer the narrative towards the previously set ending.

CB: Tell me about the team behind this project. Who helped bring Arbiter to life?

VJ: I, Vinny, am the one who penned down the story, wrote the script, sketched out the characters, and arranged the panels. Denio then brought it to life by digitally illustrating it with both pencils and inks. Lastly, Nankim Studios took care of all the coloring!

CB: How is production going? Is the book complete, or are there still steps left in the process?

John: I’ve successfully penned down the initial installments. The cover and the initial five pages of issue number 1 have been posted on the campaign, giving everyone a sneak peek! The funds raised will be used to finalize the remaining parts of the book and print it.

CB: What has your experience been like with self-publishing and crowdfunding so far?

VJ: I’m embarking on this for the very first time, and it’s been enlightening so far. There’s still a lot to discover and grasp along the way!

CB: Do you have plans for more stories beyond this one? What does the future hold for Arbiter?

Writer J: There’s no shortage of captivating tales to spin using the character Arbiter. Each narrative promises to be more thrilling than its predecessor. I aim to construct a series of three issues, with each installment contributing to a dramatic and climactic finale.

CB: Any special features or perks tied to this campaign?

Absolutely! This campaign offers unique content such as a sneak peek at the cover and initial chapters, which enthusiasts can have a look at immediately.

CB: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers before we finish?

VJ: I’d be grateful if you consider reading Arbiter. It’s a project close to my heart, and I firmly believe it’s a tale that deserves to be shared. Thank you for your backing!

CB: Good luck, Vinny!

Check out the campaign here!

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FemBat
by Brett Cantrell

Check out the campaign here!

Chris Braly: Can you summarize FemBat for our readers/

The story unfolds in a Seattle dance club from 1968, where Olivia Del Ray is bitten by a vampire during her work shift. With her newfound vampire abilities come troublesome side effects. Over the past half-century, Olivia has been on a worldwide quest for her attacker. She eventually crosses paths with Professor Nigel Emery, a brilliant inventor who creates the FemBat combat suit. This armor allows Olivia to battle monsters, demons, vampires, and other nighttime terrors. Prepare yourself for 56 pages of thrilling black-and-white superhero/horror action starring a strong, seductive protagonist with invulnerable chest tattoos.

CB: What inspired you to create FemBat, and why did you choose self-publishing as your route?

Growing up, I was captivated by Universal Monsters and Hammer Films. As time passed, my imagination yearned for a fearsome female vampire protagonist battling evil monsters in a bat-inspired costume—a scene reminiscent of Hammer’s productions. For me, comics were the most affordable medium to bring these ideas to life. Initially, I conceived FemBat as a weekly full-page comic strip, only to put it aside for two decades before stumbling upon it in my digital art archive. It took three years to produce, draw, ink, and letter 56 pages filled with action, wit, and tension. The target audience is teenagers and adults who appreciate both superheroes and horror.

CB: How would you describe your creative style?

In my creative journey, several renowned artists such as Neal Adams, John Byrne, John Buscema, Gil Kane, Dave Cockrum, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Bernie Wrightson have significantly impacted my unique art style. Already at the tender age of six, I was captivated by comic strips from daily papers like ‘Li’l Abner’, ‘Steve Roper’, and ‘Flash Gordon’. By the time I turned eleven, my passion led me to explore the world of comic books. Although I frequently draw from my memories, I also rely on photographs and artistic references to ensure visual precision in my work.

CB: Did anyone else contribute to bringing FemBat to life?

AL: Not only do I handle every aspect of comic creation – writing, drawing, inking, and lettering – but I also enlisted Dan Lawlis, an accomplished fantasy, commercial illustrator, and comic book artist, to design the variant cover. Meanwhile, Omer Garcia III created the promotional graphics for my FundMyComic campaign. We’ve all become familiar with each other through YouTube.

CB: Is it complete or still in progress?

The entire 56-page comic titled FemBat is finished except for a new draft of page one that will be inked by Peter Palmiotti, an experienced professional with 35 years in the industry. Meanwhile, my mini-comic Enforcer Inc. vs Devastator lacks four more pages which require penciling, inkwork, and lettering. Furthermore, there are twelve pages yet to be colored.

CB: What is your experience in the self-publishing field?

AP: I’ve been independently publishing my books since 1996, starting with the unique flip book titled “The Executor & Femme Fatale“. At that time in the late ’90s and early 2000s, there was no concept of crowdfunding. I often join various live streams to help market my book, and I encourage other creators to join me on panels to showcase their work as well. I’m always amazed by the potential earnings from each campaign, but the effort required to prepare and promote is significant. Despite the hard work, I truly enjoy it!

CB: What’s next after this book?

To wrap up, I’m working on completing the third chapters of my “Executor/Femme Fatale” comic books compilation. Once done, I will assemble these chapters into one trade paperback (TPB). Simultaneously, I’m writing and illustrating a standalone 24-page comic called “The CREEP: 100 Feet of Pink Perversion“, which is a blend of comedy and horror. “FemBat Volume 2” is expected to release around 2029. Moreover, I’m developing the sequel “FemBat Meets Devil Flyer“, as well as planning for a quarterly comic titled “Enforcer Inc.“.

CB: Are there any special perks on this campaign you think are worth mentioning?

The most value for your investment lies with the FemBat Fiesta Tier priced at $125.00. This package includes four covers of FemBat Volume 1, an Apex Comix poster (size 11 x 17 inches), a black-and-white sketch bookmark, an original color artwork piece (5 x 7 inches), two prints, a mystery ashcan bonus, and the full-color mini-comic Enforcer Inc. vs Devastator. Additionally, domestic shipping is free if you select the Dan Lawlis variant cover.

CB: Anything you’d like to share with our readers before we wrap up?

New Version: Why not check out Apex Comix on YouTube (@apexcomix3200)? I post engaging content there almost weekly, such as short videos, unboxings, art demos, book reviews, and shout-outs to other independent creators.

CB: Thanks for chatting with me today! Best of luck with FemBat!

Check out the campaign here!

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This concludes today’s edition. If you’re an artist embarking on your own campaign or have a comic up for sale online that you’d like to see showcased in our weekly feature, click here and let us help boost visibility for YOUR crowdfunded comic project. Until then, keep the indie comics scene thriving!

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2025-04-09 23:16