I'm running another Kickstarter Round Table tonight
over 4 years ago – Fri, Jul 30, 2021 at 11:15:25 PM

Two weeks back, I was joined by some friends, acquaintances and complete strangers to talk about the campaigns we were all running.

It was a lot of fun, mostly because we were joined live by readers and friends who prompted us with questions about our campaigns and making comics in general. It was so much fun, I'm doing it again this evening, Friday July 30th at 11 PM EST (8PM PST). I would love for you to join either at my youtube page

youtube.com/user/beanokj 

or the Official Tart Facebook page 

Facebook.com/TartOfficial

Part of me enjoys the process enough that I sort of hope I can keep this going even when I don't have a campaign running. Just get 3 to 6 creators together and talk shop for an hour or so.  If you're around, we'd love to have you join us in the chat. If you're not, I hope you have a wonderful evening.

Two of the projects that may be discussed tonight are Happy Hill and Bug Hunt.  So I figure I should share them now so you can get ahead of the game. 

HAPPY HILL

I was lucky enough to get to read the first issue of this series this week and it is definitely a very solid start.  My favorite part about it is that though the stakes of the series are clearly laid out in issue 1, I can see the series shooting off into any number of different directions. Each of which would be satisfying to the reader.

Happy Hill the name of an in Universe Resort that promises to find your happiness. But the area surrounding Hill House is infamous for an Urban Legend Boogieman called The Wudsman.   Since he's on the cover, I can reveal without feeling spoilery, that he is in fact real (or at least presented as real to us readers. Like I said, I can see many ways this could go).

The gore in issue 1 is not over the top, but I believe there is enough to say it is not for kids. Check it out now:

 Happy Hill 

BUG HUNT

I can go through a lot of descriptions ,but come on. This is Arachnophobia in Space!

There is more to it of course, but I'll let Geoff describe it from his page, as I have not yet had the pleasure to read it. But I did very much enjoy Geoff's last series The Scientists, so I know we're in good hands.

--Bug Hunt is a sci-fi action adventure story about Blake Campbell, a blue collar space exterminator, who mistakenly ends up on a space station being attacked by an army of robotic spiders. It turns out that Blake's skill set might just help to save the day.--

 Bug Hunt 

As I said, we have tentative plans to have creators from both of these projects on the round table tonight. So please check them out, and if you can join us, come with as many, and as specific questions as you'd like answered.

Kevin

PS - If you can join live, the replay will be available on the same Youtube Channel. We will, however, be VERY unresponsive to any questions asked of us.

9 Days, just past $9,000.
over 4 years ago – Thu, Jul 29, 2021 at 10:46:57 AM

And 352 backers! 

We're in the part of the campaign where things slow down a bit before the rush at the end. 

I want to take a moment to thank you for backing us so I can spend this time doing productive things like setting up the Backerkit surveys,  writing out the thank you notes for people who backed in the first 24 hours,  not-quite-enough, but a little bit of exercise, and doing outreach to find more new readers to introduce Tart to. 

If we weren't funded I would be doing destructive things like having Heart attacks, consuming mass amounts of sugar and alcohol because I have no responsible coping skills, zero exercise (somehow, maybe even figuring out how to do negative exercise),  while of couse trying to do outreach to find more readers to introduce Tart to.

In most of my life I'm pretty laid back, but if I had to white-knuckle one of these campaigns I do not know how well I'd do.

Because of you, we don't have to find out : )

As for the project, I was able to give DC Hopkins a thumbs up on his final pages, and he has sent them to Ludo. Ludo has completed his portion of the DVD Commentary script that will come with every pledge of $5 or above. Because we have past $8,000 dollars those PDFs will be the entire 32 page story. Ludo is taking a well-deserved week off, but will have all the files and pdfs ready for August 20th when funding should arrive, and at that point, we'll get in the printing queue and receive the books in about 3-5 weeks.

That's the long run schedule. The short run schedule is we continue trying to find new readers to take a dip in our narrative pond. Mostly because more readers is always our goal. But a nice by product of new readers is they will help us work toward $12,000 raised. That will be enough for us to afford to add the 8 page epilogue to the physical issue we're printing without affecting the funds we need to use toward art for Tart 14. 

The great thing about that, is when we get there, we will have already eclipsed $10,000, a line where Ludo and I want to use some of our funds to give a bonus to our team. We couldn't do this without them, so when we can do well enough, we want to make sure they know that we know that.

When we reach $12,000, I'll announce our last stretch goal of this campaign which, if we achieve it, will be incredibly unique and exciting. Here's a hint: think about how The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe was first created.

So if you know, you know. And if you don't, google should be able to push you in the right direction.

Before I run, I've got two Kickstarter campaigns I'd like to show you. Luckily they don't just work out with timing, as each closes in about 7 days, but also on two different themes.  Both play in the world of HP Lovecraft, either inspired by, or a direct adaptation. And both are created by two of the most prolific, and trustworthy creators on Kickstarter. 

Now here's an admission I have to make. I am almost completely and totally ignorant of HP Lovecraft. I just know he is an inspiration to many, many creators. So I'm only gong to talk about the creators below, and use their own words to describe the comics they are Kickstarting.

THE SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH

Simon Birks has crated 35 Kickstarter campaigns in total. I've probably backed about 10 of them. And each has been on time, and EXCELLENT. Gone, Robyn Hexes and more. Each book I've read of his, and his team, has been inventive, sharp and compelling. I have no doubt this one will not be either. Smon describes the book as:

-- Robert Ormstead is on his way from Newburyport to Arkham the cheapest way possible. Unfortunately, for him, this means taking the bus through shadowed Innsmouth. Armed with his notebook, he intends to make a day of it studying the local architecture and getting to know more about this mysterious place that neighbouring towns shun. Why are the inhabitants so unwilling to speak to him, and what curse afflicts them which causes their faces to change and their eyes to stare, unblinking. ==

 The Shadow Over Innsmouth  

LADY LOVECRAFT

Mike Shea has run and delivered 14 Kickstarter campaigns. Many of which have been part of his excellent horror high school series Miskatonic High.

Mike is the only other creator I've seen who is brave (or more likely crazy) enough to serialize their comic on Kickstarter. I'm proud to have him as a blood brother of sorts, because he puts the time and effort in to create wonderful comics, run great campaigns, and most importantly deliver on his promises to his audience. He (and I absolutely say the same thing about Simon, but it fit better here, so sue me) makes KIckstarter a better place for readers and creators alike. 

Here is how Mike describes the comic:

--Lady Lovecraft is a 42-page horror story set in the Miskatonic High universe in the 1780s.

Lilith Hawthorne is a young woman trapped in an old house in a seaside village by her tyrannical grandmother. As a dank fog settles over the house, Lil starts hearing voices... talking about her. Soon the voices start calling her into the basement. Is she going insane or is there something beyond comprehension down there? What she finds is not what she...or you...will be expecting.--

 Lady Lovecraft 

As I said in an earlier update, we do start to update a little less during this middle part of the campaign. Rest assured we are still passionately working away and here to answer any questions you have (messages of support are always welcome, too).  So hit us up if you have anything you want explained or to discuss.

Kevin

300 backers and Stretch Goal #1 EVISCERATED!!!
over 4 years ago – Fri, Jul 23, 2021 at 08:31:13 AM

I always like to sneak eviscerated into conversation it doesn't belong in, so thank you.

And I get to share this gif because of our 300 backers (it happened just now while I was editing!!!)

I should not admit how happy it makes me when we hit 300 backers and I get to release the "This is Sparta" and all other 300 Gifs in my quiver. But I do admit it. It makes me very, very happy indeed. 

Ludo and I are extraordinarily pleased with everything happening in this campaign. Passing $8,000 in funding has allowed us to finish the 8 page epilogue and deliver it to you as part of the digital pdf everyone will receive (yes, this epilogue will be part of every tier that receives a pdf).

This Epilogue is isn't about adventure or action. But we are so happy to be able to share it as it delves into one of our character's back story and changes relationships moving forward.

Announcing the next two Stretch Goals

The next stretch goal is actually a step toward a bigger stretch goal. 

Whenever we are fortunate enough to break $10,000 dollars, Ludo and I feel our team members who helped create the book deserve a bonus on top of their work. So when this campaign breaks five figures our Letterer and Editors will get a bonus for their amazing work. 

This is a team book, and Ludo and I like to share with the team when we do extra well. 

Since that stretch goal is more about our team, I'm also announcing the third Stretch Goal alongside it. If we are able to break $12,000, we will have funds on hand to physically add the epilogue to the comic we are Kickstarting. Adding 8 pages to a comic increases the cost of the entire print run, but at $12,000 we will be able to add those pages without it driving the campaign into negative territory.

Kickstarters to pay attention to

MOTHER TRUCKER: THE CUT OFF 

Wrestling and comics have each played parts in my life. I returned to comics as an adult, but between 10 and 12 years old, there might not be anything more important to me than wrestling. You may have heard me tell the story, but when I was 11 we went to a WWF performance live, and Macho Man Randy Savage punched my friend Shawn in the gut. Was it one of the top 10 moments of my life  (and I have confirmed Shawn's too)?

What wrestling and comics share (and I really see in comics about wrestling) is the goal of bringing FUN to the audience. And Mother Trucker seems built around that exact thing. Fun.

I haven't yet read it, so I'm stealing this synpsis from their campaign page:

MOTHER TRUCKER is Running Man and Over the Top meets Barbarella and Wonder

Woman. The world she inhabits is 80’s WWF Wrestling, Monster Trucks, and far-out Americana. Essentially a Heavy Metal Magazine version of American Kinnikuman. 

Check it out here:

 Mother Trucker 

ENDLESS MOON 1 & 2

So a sci fi story about a red-haired bounty hunter running from her past. You know why I immediately jumped aboard.  Like Mother Trucker, I haven't read it yet so I'm stealing from their Kickstarter page:

The world takes inspiration from The Legend of Zelda & Star Wars, blending your favorite space opera with reinterpretations of old mythologies and magic.

An easy way to describe the story would be "Anastasia in Space" with The Legend of Zelda-esque magic system.

Much like Star Wars and Firefly, the comic has a western kind of feel to its science fiction.

If that works for you like it did me. The link to check out their page is here:

 Endless Moons 

New Art Tier Opened - Color Commissions
over 4 years ago – Mon, Jul 19, 2021 at 10:56:02 AM

Our original art tiers are always some of our most popular items. And why shouldn’t they be. They are original art. 

By Ludovic Sallé

I had 10 Black and White sketches on hand like the above (though that specific one is in one previous backer's collection). We have always had amazing luck with the postal service delivering our artwork in good condition (and to the correct address), but I still held three spots back as safeties in case there was an issue, we could rectify it.

That tier sold out very quickly.  Ludo and I talked about how we could make some more art available to our backers and he offered to do some color commissions. Which would mean some backers might move from black and white tier where you have no control over what arrives (though, again, it's Ludo. You'll be thrilled), to one you can request things like the Toxic Fruit character who is illustrated and the place or time or genre of story they might find themselves in.

These illustrations are larger than the B&W sketches, full color (Ludo will decide whether he uses color markers or watercolor based upon which he feels would look best based upon your request). There will, however, be no backgrounds 

Here's a tease of a previous full color commission that was requested as "Samurai Tart."

The tier will be $325 and limited to 5 commissions to start, but depending on demand we could open up tiers with later delivery dates throughout the campaign.  It is also possible, we will open up a new B&W sketch tier with commissions, but we think it's possible some backers in that tier might move up, creating a spot for other backers to get in. We'll all see what's happening and adapt as needed (sending me messages about what you prefer goes a long way. We are here for you).

One quick note. Ludo’s artwork is often quite sensual, but we usually do not provide straight up nudity, or images of our characters engaging in sexual acts. However, we will work with you to provide an image you like, be that on the cuter side, the more warlike side, or the sexier side. If you want something on the sexier side think Cheesecake more than T&A or erotica for what we will provide.  

We’re not prudes, or judgie, or kink shamers. We want everyone of legal age to enjoy whatever consensual activities work for them. We just feel that we are introducing this comic to the world, and we need to have rules for ourselves as we do, so people do not get the wrong as to what we are all about.

There are still a few interior pages up for grabs in the $450 tier, and one spot to be drawn in Tart 14 for $650 (which comes with an interior page. I personally prefer to invest in interior pages for my art collection, but we want to provide as many different options (and price points) as we can since we know everybody has different interests. 

KICKSTARTER MADNESS

I was joined by 5 other creators who were running campaigns Friday night to shoot the shit about our books, our campaigns, making comics and whatever happened to come up. It was two hours of fun for me. If you'd like to watch, please follow the link.

I'm thinking of doing it again, and have tentative plans to do so Friday night July 30th with some other creators. We'll probably try to hold it at four voices to keep it a little shorter for your listening pleasure, but we'll figure that out as we go. The link is here:

 Explain Yourself - Kickstarter Madness
I honestly had so much fun I'm thinking of doing it whether I have a campaign running or not, so if you enjoy it, please let me know. 

KICKSTARTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE

I had the pleasure of meeting writer/artist Mick Beyers during the above during the chat I just shared a link to.  I really enjoyed his take on making comics and Kickstarting, especially when I realized we are extended comic-cousins through Source Point Press. I did a book with them called Morte and Mick did a book through them called Hollow (which I just added on to my pledge to Mick's campaign). 

The book he is currently Kickstarting now is called "He May Yet Conquer" and it is an adventure on Mars inspired by the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs. I have to admit Burroughs work, aside from the od Tarzan I've seen 20 minutes of, has basically excaped me. But too many creators I respect love it for me to think it must not be great.

One very interesting aspect of the comic is Mick will be releasing a Safe for Work version, and a Not Safe for Work version. So if you can have naughty bits or covered naught bits depending on your interests. I was feeling naughty when I backed so it's NSFW for me. 

 He May Yet Conquer 

STARLIGHT TAVERN

Going with the theme of Source Point Press Comic Cousindry, "Jasper's Starlight Tavern" is written by SPP stalwart Bob Salley. His books Salvagers and Ogre -- and Ogres when you think about it -- are really cool books and convention staples for Source Point.

Starlight Tavern is a comedy offshoot of Salvagers, set in what Bob calls "The sketchiest watering hole in the galaxy." This parody comic is 80 pages and can come hardcover or softcover depending on your preference.

 Starlight Tavern 

I'll be back with an update when we break the $8,000 stretch goal or 300 backers (Why not both?).

Kevin

Kickstarter Creators chatting tonight 11 PM EST
over 4 years ago – Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 04:24:05 PM

I’m setting up a chat tonight with some friends and acquaintances who are currently running Kickstarter campaigns.

We’ll be chatting starting at 11pm EST/8PM PST.

I understand not everybody is home on a Friday night, but I always am. And these little zoom get-togethers make me feel like I'm out on the town even when that part of my life is solidly in the rear view mirror. If you have plans tonight, or go to sleep earlier than that,  I'll share the replay in a future update. But if you can, and do, join in live you can ask questions about the specific campaigns or making comics in general (Or spoiler-free opinions on anything you want to hear about).

I personally feel these are more satisfying when readers steer the conversation. Because left to our own devices we’ll just be chit chatting. Not the worst, but we are there to answer your questions, so don't hesitate to comment on the pages and we'll try to answer them. 

If that sounds fun we’d love to have you watching and commenting.

It is funny that I am the one setting it up, because I am so technically inept, but what I lack in talent, I make up for in "Screw it, I'll figure it out." So take the following information as an educated guess of where you can watch live and comment:

My regular Facebook account (which I use rarely, and for comics even rarer still) facebook.com/bnokj, The Tart Facebook Page Facebook.com/TartOfficial, and my Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFfgOCBCi7CuGu9Cz2ojk-A

As for the campaign proper. Everything is going amazingly. Thank you again for backing us. And thank you to anyone who has shared or even liked or commented on a Facebook post. Those things help a lot! More than you probably know.

We still have interior pages available in the original art tiers, but with the Black and White Sketches selling out, Ludo and I are communicating about a new tier for color commissions. I have to make sure of one or two things, so that will likely be opened Sunday or Monday (and I’ll have an update explaining everything when I do).

KICKSTARTERS RUNNING

I have two friends running campaigns right now that are likely to be part of tonight’s chat. Will Allred definitely will be because he is a night owl, but James Powell could fall asleep on us even though he’s out on the West Coast and has literally zero excise.

I recommend both of their books highly, some similar and very different reasons. I apolgize about not adding images. Kickstarter Update isn't working for images right now. But you can click each link to see the cool art they are releasing with their books.

HOUSE OF FEAR

James Powell has created a "Tales from the Crypt" style Horror Anthology for kids. Each chapter has its own cast of characters and spooky adventures, but every tale is introduced by the creepy Boyle.

The first few (I believe five) House of Fear installments caught the eye of Dark Horse Comics and were collected into a Trade Paperback. I say this because getting published by anyone is a challenge. But a top five publisher like Dark Horse shows you the quality work James is putting out to introduce kids to horror AND comics.

 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/642151601/house-of-fear-monster-size-halloween-special
 

CROSSOVER DIVISION

Will Allred and his team have created a charming buddy adventure comic starring two guys who protect our reality from fictional storyverses Crossing Over into our reality. An event tripped by someone loving the book they are reading so much that they invite it in.

The first issue had two adventures where “The War of the Worlds” and “The Wizard of Oz” crossed over. This one might get a little darker, as the entities crossing over are the Brides of Dracula.

Full transparency, Will and I have written the first draft of a Crossover Division/Tart story. Which means, in a round about way, the better he does on his campaigns, the better for me.

But Will is such a good dude, and the story is compelling enough I’d be sharing it anyway.
 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wallred/crossover-division-2-the-brides-of-dracula-attack

I was going to share the Crossover Print Image Will and I commissioned last campaign that inspired us to write the actual story that happened around the image. But again, Kicktarter Update hiccup. All I'll say is the Line art by Kyle Roberts and Colors by Ryan Kroboth were incredible and I hope I get to share it again.

Hope to see you tonight!

Kevin