Kickstarter Goldmine

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Returning with this week’s edition of Indie Comics Highlight, our regular blog post featuring a selection of genuinely indie comics that are either crowdfunding their ventures, seeking funding through various platforms, or independently publishing their works. Every bit of support for these artists is important – whether it’s a small pledge or a more substantial one, and naturally, the higher tiers often offer exciting perks! If you can’t contribute financially, sharing or posting about these projects on social media to your network can make a huge difference as well.

On our Indie Comics Showcase, we chat with creators, display some amazing artwork, and guide you on how to explore the product further. Here are some impressive crowdfunding campaigns this week that you might want to discover, appreciate, and possibly support by funding one or more of them! Thanks for taking a look and being an essential part of Indie Comics Showcase. Let’s dive in!

Rakehell – Quint’s Curse III
by Doran Corkum

Check out the campaign here!

Hello Doran, it’s a pleasure to have you at the Indie Comics Showcase! Could you briefly summarize the essence of your comic, “Rakehell – Quint’s Curse,” in a way that captures its spirit within a brief conversation in an elevator?

For instance: “Imagine a world where demons roam freely among humans. Our protagonist, Quint, is a fallen angel tasked with banishing these demons back to their realm. ‘Rakehell – Quint’s Curse’ follows his struggle against the growing demonic threat while grappling with his own past and the curse that binds him.”

Does that help?

Rakehell – Quint’s Curse”: A chilling supernatural comic saga unfolds in the haunted village of Rakehell, where an enigmatic Templar order faces sinister entities. The narrative centers around a character named “Keeper,” who traverses unsettling realms and encounters characters that challenge the limits of horror fiction. As this issue advances, the story surpasses the 80-page milestone, with the comic itself extending over 32 pages. Suitable for mature readers (young adults+) and enthusiasts of horror and dark fantasy, this vividly colored comic features several versions, including a limited “Collector’s Edition” that I can personally autograph.

CB: What’t the “origin story” for making your own comics?

For more than three decades, I’ve been developing and designing my own comic universes. Now, I aim to illuminate my narratives and characters. As a young adult, I embarked on this creative journey, merging my artwork and storytelling, eventually choosing the comic format. When opportunities expanded in the early 2000s, I began searching worldwide for an artist to collaborate with, leading to the establishment of WhiteFire Comics.

CB: What can you tell me about your style and creative approach?

In my work, I follow a highly collaborative approach. I share the storyline and rough sketches of pages with artists, explaining that these thumbnails serve as guides only. Upon viewing their artwork, I might modify the story to suit the art if they’ve added an unexpected element that catches my eye or request revisions to ensure consistency. My passion for creativity has driven my life and career, leading me to become a graphic designer, web designer, and artist. However, it’s not just me who’s creative; I hail from a family where creativity is deeply ingrained.

CB: Who are the creatives on this particular issue?

For this project, I collaborated with an incredibly imaginative group of individuals. The heart of our team is Ajhay Creezo, who has contributed to every issue. He’s a comic enthusiast from the Philippines and a talented tattoo artist responsible for the pencils and inks on this issue, as well as two covers. CF Lum from Malaysia handled the coloring duties, and their work has been incredibly popular. Erwin J. Arroza created one of the covers, while Andrey Lunatik did the pencils, Quepler Pirchiner handled the inks, and David Ocampo, whom I affectionately refer to as a ‘god’, took care of the colors. This is because he’s worked with major companies and indies alike, and has rescued me from difficult situations on more than one occasion.

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

AL: This can be quite challenging. It requires constant vigilance, adaptability as things may change unexpectedly, and a great deal of strategic thinking. If you’re doing it part-time, you should be ready for some improvisation as you work with different collaborators.

CB: What’s your production workflow like?

Besides my unique abilities to address artistic glitches and layout flaws in collaboration with the creative crew, the comic is progressing smoothly. The cover designs and inkwork are completed, while more than half of the coloring process is underway. By the conclusion of the Kickstarter campaign, we should be left with just a few minor tasks to complete.

CB: Any special features in this crowdfunding campaign you’d like to mention?

I offer early bird perks along with a variety of extras such as t-shirts, additional comics from WhiteFire Comics, and more. Additionally, the Rakehell series contains secret runes that can be deciphered using the Templar decoder card.

CB: Anything else you would like to share with our readers before we sign off?

A comic comes alive only with a reader’s participation! We invite you to take a look. Your support means a lot to us as we have many fascinating stories waiting to be shared. To learn more about Rakehell, The Forsaken Future, Untold Tales, and catch a glimpse of other exciting concepts, visit whitefirecomics.com.

CB: Thanks for the interview, Doran!

Check out the campaign here!

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1000 Years of War
by Hannah Rose Williams

Check out the campaign here!

Hi Hannah! It’s a pleasure to have you at Indie Comics Showcase. Could you share with us the concept behind your upcoming comic titled “1000 Years of War”?

Hannah Rose Williams describes her story as a reimagining of Joan of Arc’s tale in a world reminiscent of Mad Max. Instead of battling the English, she pits her character against mutants, zombies, and adherents of Theosophy! Critics have likened this narrative to being “more Fallout than the Fallout TV series.

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

AL: I can’t opt for traditional publishing since big publishers are seeking a revised, modernized version of Joan of Arc that aligns with non-binary or trans feminist ideals. My intention in creating this graphic novel is to reclaim Joan of Arc from those who profess admiration but lack understanding. She was not just an exceptional military leader; she was also compassionate and deeply religious.

CB: What kind of comic readers is this suited for and who is it aimed at?

For a more accessible rephrasing: This graphic novel tackles themes such as the sexual revolution and child abuse, making it suitable primarily for mature audiences. Therefore, I’m targeting my promotion efforts towards adult readers.

CB: What can you tell me about the development of your creative style?

I devoted several months to crafting this story in what felt like an autistic trance. As the characters evolved, I revisited the start and made some adjustments before breaking it down into scenes and frames. When it comes to artistic endeavors, I’m someone who prefers diving in and figuring things out along the way. For this project, I didn’t have access to traditional art tools. All I had was an old version of Corel Painter and a $20 digital tablet.>

CB: From where did you draw your inspirations for this comic?

In this project, I sought advice from numerous friends and family members, but it was Mark Twain who proved to be the most instrumental. Remarkably, his novel portraying Joan of Arc displays a remarkable degree of historical accuracy, as he dedicated extensive time to research, even reading her trial transcripts in their original French. One of my characters, Lewis, is modeled after Mark Twain’s self-referential narrator, Louis.

CB: What have you been learning from crowdfunding and creating through this process?

My Advice: When it comes to picking between FundMyComic and Kickstarter, I’d strongly recommend FundMyComic. The reason is that the team behind FundMyComic genuinely supports the success of your project. In contrast, Kickstarter tends to take a larger portion of your funds and poses more politically-oriented questions.

CB: Are there more stories you hope to tell?

At present, I’m developing a narrative that shares the same fictional world. This particular tale centers around creatures of the night – vampires.

CB: Anything else you would like to share with our readers before we sign off?

It’s wonderful how everyone has shown such support! It’s heartening to see that they shared my enthusiasm for the project, and I can’t help but feel grateful.

CB: We wish you great success!

Check out the campaign here!

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The Vicious Vixens of Dakuwanga 1-3
by Ben Lacy

Check out the campaign here!

Chris Braly greets Ben once more as they delve into the Indie Comics Showcase. To provide a brief overview for our readers, let’s talk about “The Vicious Vixens of Dakuwanga.” This comic book tale revolves around a group of fierce female warriors who defend their jungle kingdom from various threats and perils.

In a new issue of “The Vicious Vixens of Dakuwanga,” we uncover the mystery: Why is the mob pursuing eight resourceful women, who’ve found themselves stranded at sea?

CB: Is this related to your Shark of War comics series?

AL: Indeed, this new comic is derived from the initial installment of another series I’ve worked on called “Shark of War“. As a reward for all backers, you’ll receive a complimentary digital copy of that title. In this tale, the Shark of War saves a group of women from human traffickers. However, being a shark, his actions are limited to killing their oppressors and abandoning them in the ocean to survive on their own. This act sparked my curiosity about the fate of those women, leading to the development of this storyline.

CB: Who is this comic aimed at?

This story is suitable for audiences aged 13 and above due to its action-packed nature, moderate levels of violence and bloodshed, a touch of science fiction backdrop, and an artistic portrayal of attractive female characters known as the Vicious Vixens.

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

Nico Toran serves as the artist for this project. He initially pursued engineering in school but later dedicated himself to art following graduation. His martial arts training often influences his work when depicting action sequences. Nikki Powers is our letterer, responsible for all the text in our books, and she also works on various indie comics. David Baf Gallart, a seasoned illustrator with 16 years of experience, has contributed to advertising, video games, and comic books as the cover artist for Shark. Natpaphat (Pookie) H., a Thai model, portrays Fiji in our cosplay covers, while Massiel V., a Venezuelan model, represents Knives.

CB: What’s your production workflow like?

AL: I take great care to plan out my stories, making sure they appear logical and believable despite their fantastical elements. I believe this approach stems from my engineering background, as I aim to root my narratives in a sense of practicality. After writing the script, I pass it on to Nico who creates initial sketches, to which I offer suggestions for improvements. He then moves forward with more detailed artwork and I make any necessary adjustments. Once the pencil work is complete, he proceeds with inking and coloring. Lastly, Nikki designs the lettering and organizes the comic book into its final form.

AL: Could you tell us some insights about what you’ve discovered through self-publishing and crowdfunding that our audience might find helpful?

Initially, I assumed this comic book would merely provide amusement, but it’s turned out to be more about self-promotion, visibility, and cultivating an audience. Amidst the cacophony of competing attractions, even an exceptional book requires active promotion to reach people’s notice. Gradually, as you spread the word, they may appreciate the value of your narrative enough to invest their time and money in it.

CB: Are there more stories to tell with these characters?

AL: Indeed, the tale within this book isn’t concluding, for there’s plenty more narrative ahead. The female characters are on the brink of embarking on a perilous journey, and I eagerly anticipate that readers will be thrilled to follow along. Moreover, “Shark of War” is also carrying forward in the same cosmos, and you can acquire both books through this Kickstarter campaign.

CB: Any special features about this project you want to spotlight?

In this article, I’ll be showcasing the continuation of our series where cover models transform into various Vixens characters. Last time, we had models portraying Blondie and Big Sis. This time around, we have Massiel V., a model from Venezuela, dressed as Knives, and Natpaphat (Pookie) H., a Thai model, cosplaying as Fiji. Both of these stunning ladies have also shared videos of their cosplay endeavors, so I highly recommend checking out the promotional video for a closer look! As a token of appreciation for our backers, everyone will receive at least one physical or digital bonus print. Additionally, I’m offering digital copies of all my books as a reward tier for less than $2 per book, which is quite a steal compared to Marvel’s prices. Higher reward tiers come with digital copies of all my books as a free bonus!

CB: Anything else you would like to share with our readers before we sign off?

AL: Certainly, you’ll find a direct access to the first installment of “The Vicious Vixens of Dakuwanga” on the Kickstarter campaign page. It’s completely free for anyone to read with no signups required. All you need to do is click the link and the book will open up for your reading pleasure.

CB: That’s great. Good luck, Ben!

Check out the campaign here!

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This concludes today’s segment. If you’re an independent comic creator promoting your campaign or have a comic up for sale online and would like to be showcased in our weekly feature, please click here. We hope to assist you in drawing more attention to YOUR crowdfunded comic project. See you next time – let’s keep indie comics thriving!

chrs

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2025-02-12 22:33