Welcome to this week’s installment of The Beat’s Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up. For this edition, join us for a look into all of comic history, a new mech comic by a crew of veteran creators, a new dark fantasy title and more.
Comics Are Dying: The Comic
Creators: Louis Southard (writer) and more than 100 Artists
Goal: $5,000
End Date: May 3 Goodies: Get the digital PDF for $12, the trade paperback for $21, the variant cover for $23, or invest in their early bird bundles and much more.
For the better part of a century, people have said that comic books are dying. Crisis after crisis, the comic book industry has survived and lives to this day. So, to celebrate its harrowing journey into the 21st century, a satirical OGN about the history of comic books has taken shape. Introducing the ironically named Comics Are Dying: The Comic – a brief history and celebration of the comic book industry!
The task of telling the more than 80-year history of comics has always been a difficult one … luckily, writer Louis Southard did all the hard work for us with his new graphic novel Comics Are Dying: The Comic. Southard’s latest crowdfunded project has taken all that history and made it an easy to read in a beautifully drawn (by more 100 artists), action-packed comic book that no fan should live without.
Become a backer here.
SIGNA
Creators: Andrew Lee Griffith (artist and co-creator), John Barber (writer and co-creator)
Goal: $10,000
End Date: May 3
Goodies: Get the digital PDF for $15, the hardcover campaign exclusive for $35, or the cover of your choice and exclusive bundles.
A hundred years after a war with renegade mining robots transformed the sun into a red giant, dooming the Earth, the grandchildren of that war struggle to survive off the ashes of the past. That is, until a scavenger named Ketna Vora and her crew find SIGNA—an old war mech that thinks it might know how to save the solar system. But the real question is: save it for who? Because after a century…the machines have returned.
What a way to start off a comic — with an already engrossing premise. The hits keep coming when you realize this comic comes from both John Barber and Andrew Lee Griffith, the original team behind IDW’s Transformers comic line. On top of that, the comic features phenomenal art and eye-catching designs (and what appears to be mech destruction from the preview pages). This won’t be a comic you want to miss out on.
Become a backer here.
The Obsidian Sickle
Creators: Vannotes (creator, writer, and illustrator) Alice Woods (coloring assistance) Chan Chau (project consulting)
Goal: $5,000
End Date: April 14
Goodies: Get the digital PDF for $10, $25 for the newspaper comic, or exclusive backer items.
The Obsidian Sickle takes place on The Gravestone, a forsaken city of thieves and scoundrels that was so depraved it sunk into the earth. Across eight giant sized pages, you’ll meet our mysterious assassin protagonist as he confronts the warlocks, vampires, and ancient gods who want him destroyed.
This project is a love letter to fantasy fans with its own unique takes on design. The Obsidian Sickle immediately reminded me of comics like Head Lopper, Birdking, and Barbaric, focusing on a rogue blood elf assassin and his adventures — all printed on a newspaper size authentic Sunday comic. Vannotes art is fun and bright, with a cool story to boot, following interesting and well-designed characters in a gritty, but vibrantly colored, fantasy world. There truly is something for everyone here, and we at The Beat had to let fans know about this comic during its final call.
Become a backer here.
Death of Comics Bookcase, Vol. 1
Creators: Zack Quaintance (writer), Nick Ganetti (artist), P.J. Holden (artist), Luke Horsman (artist) and more
Goal: $6500
End Date: May 2
Goodies: Get the digital PDF for $8, digital deluxe edition for $12, standard comic for $15, or other deluxe versions, as well as previous titles and exclusive merch.
In 2018, a comics blog appeared…Comics Bookcase. And everyone loved it. But what did we truly know about THE Comics Bookcase? Precious little.
Now, Comics Bookcase is being unmasked…moments before its death. As it departs, however, it has stories, comics stories, 48 pages of them, all written by Comics Bookcase’s former editor, Zack Quaintance. So, get ready to watch the beloved comics blog die…publicly…for your entertainment!
Current Beat editor Zack Quaintance’s The Death of Comics Bookcase grabbed our attention immediately due to its incredible lineup of artists. With talent from creators of Pink Lemonade, Judge Dredd, Enemy Earth, and three other phenomenal artists, it’s evident that this project is going to deliver some powerful content. And having already surpassed $7,000 in its campaign, it’s clear that fans are eager to get their hands on this comic.
Become a backer here.
Kickstart the NW Museum of Cartoon Arts’ First Exhibit!
Creators: Northwest Museum of Cartoon Arts
Goal: $75,000
End Date: May 7
Goodies: Get a PDF of Audra McNamee’s Zines for 5$, 1 admission to Pop-Up for $10, 1 of 8 comic book e-scripts, the NWMOCA coloring book, or other exclusive items such as their tote bag, pins, prints and much more.
The Northwest Museum of Cartoon Arts (NWMOCA) is thrilled to announce its first major fundraiser, a $75,000 Kickstarter campaign set to run from April 2nd through May 7th. This campaign aims to finance the inaugural pop-up museum with an exhibit titled “Foundations of Pacific Northwest Cartooning,” curated by the esteemed Andrew Farago of the San Francisco Cartoon Arts Museum
The pop-up exhibit promises to be an extraordinary showcase, featuring iconic Pacific Northwest-based cartooning legends, publishers, and studios. The venue will also house cartooning classes and community events focused on cartooning, comics, and animation. The expected venue will be the Lloyd Center in Portland—a location surrounded by a vibrant arts community, providing an ideal setting for an exceptional and visually stunning experience.
This project has an ambitious stretch goal, but it’s precisely the kind of initiative that every comic fan should support. It marks a significant milestone for the NWMOCA, as it would be its inaugural exhibit showcasing the work of Pacific Northwest cartoon and comic legends. It’s a phenomenal opportunity to highlight the region’s vibrant art community. Moreover, events like these are crucial for promoting the art we all cherish — the stories and artists that drive us to visit comic shops in the first place.
Become a backer here.
Miss any of our previous Comics Crowdfunding Round-Ups? Check out the archive here!
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