THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THUNDER GUARDIAN, BRONWYN, and three more stories you’ll love!

Welcome to this week’s installment of The Beat’s Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up! The Public Defender, Thunder Guardian, Bronwyn, and a few others top our choices this week. 

THE PUBLIC DEFENDER #1: THE LIFE of a SUPER SLACKER

Creators: Jeff Schiller (Creator/Writer/), Art by Nima Sorat, Ignacio Di Meglio, Jeff Foulsham, David Lujan, Jenny Felmming, and much more!
Goal: $4,400
End Date: February 1
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $5, the physical copy for $10, a digital thank you package for $15, or at higher tiers get the Jeff Shiller digital catch-up package bundle for $30. 

What happens when a stoner is bitten by a radioactive lawyer? Find out in this anthology of 16 stories about THE PUBLIC DEFENDER!

The Public Defender is a superhero anthology satire from the mind of Jeff Schiller. Over 16 different independent artists used their skills to bring this project to life following the hijinks of a stoner made superhero by a radioactive lawyer. Its a nod to comics like The Tick and American Splendor and if you’re looking for a good laugh and an interesting story look no further. Its the kind of self-aware comic you would love to have in your collection. Make sure to check out the page before its too late!

Become a backer here. 

Thunder Guardian

Creators: Reilly Brown and Will Brown (Creator/Writer/Artists)
Goal: $2,000
End Date: January 13, 2025
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $10, the physical copy for $10, the super bundle for $35, or at higher tiers get a commission for $50, and much more!

Join father-son team of Reilly Brown (Deadpool, Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point) and Will Brown (grade schooler) as they tell the story of Thunder Guardian and his friends, and their battle against space pirates, monster boogers, and the forces of the evil Unknown!

This project from ZOOP can be summed up in one word: wholesome. Acclaimed artist Reilly Brown, known for his work on Deadpool and Batman, has teamed up with his son, Will Brown, the twist? He’s a grade schooler. This marks young Will’s first project, and all of it is inspired by his own drawings! Reilly brings his son’s imaginative creations to life, crafting a vibrant superhero universe with phenomenal artwork and colors. Together, they’ve created an exciting new superhero story. Don’t miss this fantastic project—check it out before it’s gone in 13 days!

Become a backer here. 

Bronwyn: Short Story Collection

Creators: Isaac George (Creator/Writer/Artist)
Goal: $341
End Date: January 16
Goodies: The digital copy of the collection for $5, the physical collection for $15, the Bronwyn pdf bundle for $25, or at higher tiers get the all issue collection for $65 and much more!

Both Bronwyn and Vivian Jones adventures continue in a world full of fantasy, myths, and legends!

Bronwyn is meant to be a tale of myths and legends, an adventure story following our protagonists akin to the likes of Xena: Warrior Princess, Wonder woman, and even Red Sonja. The Project has been on Kickstarter for many issues and now it is put together into one collection. These kind of projects are perfect for the indie loving fantasy fan, and for those looking to get into a new adventure its only $15 to own the collection in its entirety. It comes as no surprise that the campaign has doubled its project goal.  Check out the campaign and make the decision for yourself, its worth a look!

Become a backer here. 

Breaking Into Comics + How-To Self Publish Returns

Creators: Josh Baylock (Creator/Writer/Artist)
Goal: $999 
End Date: January 13
Goodies: Get the physical booklet for $7, the digital copy for $7, the digital/Physical combo for $15, the physical combo for $25, or at higher tiers get the zoom workshop group + book for $30 and much more!

Help fund the all new prose guide to breaking into comics in an age of disruption, and bring a classic how-to book back to press

Recognizing a gap in resources for aspiring comic creators, Josh Blaylock introduced How to Self-Publish Comics: Not Just Create Them in 2006. Originally it was a series of booklets, it was then compiled into a prose nonfiction book and updated multiple times, with the latest edition released in 2021. The book gained significant recognition in 2018 when it became required reading at SCAD University, a leading institution for comic book artists. Though its circulation remains modest in the thousands, it has earned a reputation as a “best-kept secret” within the self-publishing world. We at The Beat believe its a gem and with this new project you would be remiss to miss out on it. 

Become a backer here. 

Tri City Con 2025

Creators: Tri-City Con
Goal: $4,000 
End Date: February 7 
Goodies: Get the Saturday ticket for $5, the Sunday ticket for $5, the weekend ticket for $8, or at higher tiers get the TCC art comic for $8 and much more.

The Tri City Con is held in Grand Island featuring Comic Books, Original Art, Toys, and trading Cards.

Clearly, this isn’t the usual addition to our comics round-up, but we’d be wrong not to mention an event for comics, even if it’s on another piece of the country. That being said, the con was founded last year by Wes Tjaden and Gabriel Perez. Tri-City Con brings fans of pop culture, comics, anime, gaming, and more together in Nebraska’s Tri-City area (Grand Island, Kearney, and Hastings). Tjaden, owner of The Comic Cop in Grand Island, and Perez, a renowned Nebraskan artist with a career spanning mural art and published comic book covers, created the convention to celebrate fandom and give back to their community.

Held on March 30, 2024, at the Aurora Cooperative Pavilion in Grand Island, the inaugural event welcomed over 2,000 attendees and raised over $1,300 for the Grace Cancer Foundation. This local charity provides financial and emotional support to cancer patients and their families, offering resources like gas cards, mental health services, and household expense assistance. Both founders are deeply committed to making a difference in their community, combining their love for pop culture with a meaningful cause.

We had to put the spotlight on this event, so if you’re nearby or just want to support a good cause and a local comic event, check the page out!

Become a backer here. 

Miss any of our previous Comics Crowdfunding Round-Ups? Check out the archive here!