With the Kickstarter news about moving to CryptoCurrency, it's hard focusing on the good things Kickstarter has done for various communities, especially the comic community. However, I had the privilege of backing some AMAZING Kickstarters this year and receiving amazing rewards from them- even receiving rewards from Kickstarters I technically backed last year! Kickstarter has been a huge platform for comic creators and I hope it can find a way to continue to do so that isn't only Crypto, but until we know more about that situation, let's focus on all the amazing comic books I got to back this year!
Did YOU back any of these campaigns? What did you think of the rewards and the creators who made them? What other campaigns did you back? Let me know on Twitter @FriendlyNBHDBi!
5. Joystick Angels
TJ Sterling | Writer
Jonathan L. Ledesma | Artist
Loris Ravina | Artist
Deron Bennett | Letterer
J Spencer Sterling | Music Producer
RAE Comics
Original Campaign Link Here
Joystick Angels is one of the COOLEST campaigns I've ever seen! I'm a huge fan of 80's/90's shoot 'em up games, so this was right up my alley! Not only did this issue deliver on that, but it delivered on its rad soundtrack I got: ON-DISK! That's right, I got it on CD, not just digital! How crazy is that? On top of that, the actual issue itself is GORGEOUS. Beautifully drawn, colored, lettered- did I mention the colors? COLORS!!
Overall, this is a beautiful comic that packs the perfect punch! I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this book. This campaign was run beautifully from start to finish as well and I received all my rewards timely! woooo hooo! Be sure to check out RAE Comics and support them so we can get MORE of this universe!
4. Spider-Squirrel #1 - A Buddy-Hero Multiversal Adventure!
Charlie McElvy | Lead Writer and Creator
Vito Delsante | Writer
Scott Fogg | Writer
Ian Sharman | Writer
D.C. Stuelpner | Artist
Ariel Medel | Artist
Oliver Castañeda | Artist
Juan Castro | Artist
David Wynne | Artist
John Rauch | Colorist
HdE | Letterer
Short Fuse Media, LLC.
Original Campaign Link Here
When I first read the name "Spider-Squirrel", I said to myself- Spider Squirrel? huh? The good news is this: this story is as silly as it sounds. The even better news is this: THIS ISN'T THE LAST WE SEE OF SPIDER SQUIRREL! WOO HOO!
I stumbled upon this Kickstarter and backed it in hopes that it would be as fun as it sounds- while still being well written, drawn, lettered, etc. Spider-Squirrel didn't let me down! Created by Charlie McElvy, Spider-Squirrel is more than just one hero. It's a universe filled with other heroes, such as Trash Panda! Who DOESN'T want to read about this world?
It's the superhero comic you didn't know you were missing! The campaign was run well and rewards shipped out smoothly- and the campaign for issue 2 just got funded! WHATT? Absolutely wild how quickly and efficiently these creators work! I've been pleased with my leap backing this campaign and had no hesitations when I backed issue 2!
Interested but missed the campaign? don't worry, they've got you covered! You can preorder issue 2 here!
Check out my interview with the creator himself, Charlie McElvy, here!
3. Good Boy #1: Old Dog 1
Garrett Gunn | Writer
Dr. Christina Blanch | Writer
Kit Wallis | Artist
Dave Lentz | Letterer
Source Point Press
Original Campaign Link Here
Let me tell you- this was one of the most rewarding campaigns of the year. Not only did I, and many others, receive the issue 1 we paid for, but due to unlocked stretch goals, we received 3 ISSUES TOTAL! ALL 3 OF THE FIRST ISSUES FOR THE PRICE OF 1! And that doesn't even include all the other goodies we got, depending on the tier paid for. THIS is a Kickstarter well worth your investment!
Good Boy has one of the silliest premises- it's a dog whose owner is killed, causing him to go all JOHN WICK ON THSE HUMANS NON-EXISTENT TAILS! It's silly, wild, and could sound very dumb, but it's anything but that. All the creators manage to pack a lot of heart behind every page of this issue, so even when it feels silly, it's still meaningful. There's still a powerful story behind all the chaos. It's truly one of my favorite reads this year and one of the most well-run campaigns I've backed! Be sure to check it out from Source Point Press and be on the lookout for their next campaign in the future!
2. Discordia #0-#1: A Noir Horror Series
Kristopher Jerome | Writer
Patrick Buermeyer | Artist
Toben Racicot | Letterer
Dark Tidings Press LLC
Original Campaign Link Here
I'm a huge horror fan- but not in the way you think. I typically hate horror films; my anxiety is AWFUL with jump scares. But horror comics??? NOIR horror comics?? right up my alley! Discordia is one of the most exciting and world-building noir horror stories I've EVER read! Yup, you read that right, I said world-building! Discordia is so cool because both the creators, Kristopher and Patrick, decided to make this different from tradition- they started out with collections of short stories! I found this a refreshing alternative to the usual "here's your 1-3 protagonists, let's explain who they are in one connected story" storytelling. And it WORKS! I love that in each story there is something different for everyone, and if you're a fan of gory, insane monster art- you've got it here! You HAVE to check out Discordia!
There is a current Kickstarter going on NOW for issue 2!! PLEASE check it out here and back it! It's still a few thousand away from funding with only days to go!
If you need further convincing, check out my interview with both of these creators here!
1. KILLEROO: Semper Fidelis/Young Rufus Adventures/Old Man Rufus
OLD MAN RUFUS
Darren Close | Writer, Editor & Publisher
Ryan Vella | Artist
Beezzz Studio| Colorist
Mark Sexton | Cover Artist
Alister Lockhart | Cover Artist
Paul McInnes | OMR Logo Design
Original Campaign Link Here
YOUNG RUFUS ADVENTURES
Darren Close | Writer, Editor & Publisher
Matthew Soall | Co-Writer (opening story)
Artists include Jon Sommariva, Andy Isaac, Lauren Marshall, Mike Barry, Michael Sandford, Chris McQuinlan, Matthew Hoddy, Caitlin Major, Dean Rankine, Danika Clark
Original Campain Link Here
KILLEROO: SEMPER FIDELIS
Matthew Soall | Writer
Ignacio Di Meglio | Artist
Darren Close | Editor & Publisher
Holly Soall | Script Editor
Original Campaign Link Here
3 Kickstarters for the same series. 3!!! And they are all bangers!!! Let me tell you: Killeroo is easily my favorite thing I've ever backed on Kickstarter. I'm a huge fan of kangaroos and a Kangaroo that is as badass as Killeroo? YES. The best part about Killeroo is the man who created him: Darren Close, or as he goes by, Dax. He KNOWS how to design his Kickstarter campaigns. He knows WHAT the people want. He knows HOW to give the people what they want. He's got the creator's heart, always putting his fans/backers first. Even though rewards are taking time to ship out due to the pandemic, he sends daily/weekly updates to keep all of his backers posted, and digital rewards have been delivered. Communication is EVERYTHING with things like Kickstarters, where things can fall apart so easily when they aren't well run. When you have creators/Kickstarter runners that know how to take care of the fans and backers, it makes the rewards/actual issue you pay for that much better.
Killeroo has my heart for many reasons: for being one of the best series out there, for having some of the kindest creators out there, and for being a series that'll last a lifetime. I absolutely adore Killeroo and, if you've never heard of it, please check them out on Twitter @Killeroo and check out their store here for anything you've missed!
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