Indie and self-published comics are in a bit of a renaissance right now as the major comics powerhouses are on the decline and tools for independent creators are becoming much more plentiful and accessible. As a result, comic readers can find whatever niche comic they want to read just by going to Kickstarter or Zoop and pitching in a few bucks to whatever suits their fancy.
But, with thousands* of projects across multiple platforms, how does the average reader decide where to put their hard-earned money? Hopefully, this article will help narrow things down, starting with...
Writer: Gary Proudley
Artists: Various
Campaign Ends: August 31st
Status: 30% funded
PITCH:
In a world of swords and sorcery, Talgard is a barbarian whose brain is a greater weapon than his brawn, with wit as sharp as his blade. But a blade alone isn’t enough when you’re facing off against wizards, barbarians, monstrous creatures, and even gods. If he’s to survive, Talgard will need every ounce of his cunning and guile too.
TALGARD: TOME TWO is an 80-page collection of four-page stories, with different Australian comic artists illustrating each story, all written by Gary Proudley (Proud Heart: The Love of Achilles), colored by Justin Randall (Changing Ways, 30 Days of Night) and edited/lettered by Wolfgang Bylsma (The Deep, Neverlanders). Set in a brutal fantasy realm, the true nature of Talgard and the world he inhabits is explored through character vignettes, political machinations, and barbarian battles.
WHY SHOULD I BACK IT?
The unique storytelling possibilities of an anthology based around a single character's exploits are too good to pass up. It harkens back to an almost mythological method of expressing ideas, exploits, and heroics. It's just something you don't see too often and, when you do, it's rarely presented with this much polish. The art in this book looks fantastic and diverse even as it depicts the same subject. It's definitely something a lover of anthologies should take a lot of interest in!
Writer: Justin Richards
Artist: Various
Campaign Ends: August 31st
Status: 40% Funded
PITCH:
Have you ever felt like you look at the world and nothing is the way you were told is was supposed to be? That's what this project is all about. From acclaimed comic book writer Justin Richards (Finger Guns by Vault Comics, A Silent Night) this 20 page comic book collects a series of shorts that express the rage we all feel when we wake up every day to find that the world's on fire. All drawn by today's TOP talent in comic art!
I always tell stories about emotion, but I wanted to highlight one that I feel is left aside or even looked down upon by many people: RAGE! I feel like this emotion is more important today than it ever has been. Despite living in a world as chaotic as the one we do, there's not a lot of room to express the natural emotions it brings on within us.
Inspired by everything from some of my favorite music, to life-altering changes, to just hanging out with friends, this book is full of stories that give me the space to process some of that rage that I'm normally forced to keep bottled up inside.
WHY SHOULD I BACK IT?
If you heard that Justin Richards was working on a series of stories dealing with the depths of emotion with a series of talented artists including Val Halverson, the only way you'd be disappointed is if you were expecting a sequel to Finger Guns (which is understandable, Finger Guns slaps!). This is the next best thing though and, if Justin's previous work is any indication, supporters of this short anthology are sure to be enthralled, entertained, and emotionally devastated in the best way possible.
Writer: Matthew Blair
Artist: Frankie B. Washington
Campaign Ends: August 17th
Status: 75% funded
PITCH:
In 2021 we launched a crowdfunding campaign for a one shot comic starring the Hunter on his quest to protect his fellow robots and kill as many kaiju monsters as he could. It was so successful that we got to turn it into a 12 issue mini series, so we decided to launch another crowdfunding campaign to give you, the fans and lovers of comic books, a chance to get in on the ground floor and be among the first to get the read this book and pick up some cool exclusive stuff at the same time.
This book is a love letter to kaiju stories and westerns, written and drawn by two fans who love both and want to create the greatest book possible. It hasn’t been easy, but with your help and support, we can make this the most pulse pounding, heart gripping, awe inspiring thrill ride possible. You’re going to love it!
WHY SHOULD I BACK IT?
There's always at least one per list, but it's hard to even explain why you should be interested in this title beyond just saying the name over and over again. Kaijus and Cowboys has the look of a Saturday Morning cartoon and it sends me right back to the best parts of my childhood as a result! If you're nostalgic for that sort of thing, I can highly recommend giving this story about robot Cowboys and world ending Kaijus a look.
Writer: Camille Longley
Artist: Pablo Peppino
Campaign Ends: August 11th
Status: Fully Funded!
PITCH:
Lampblack is a story of friendship, family, and war, set in a fantastical world depicted in stunning detail. If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Sabrina, or Pokémon, you will love exploring the world of Lampblack--a place filled with incredible creatures and fascinating magic.
WHY SHOULD I BACK IT?
This book is so pretty! This comic, printed in an unconventional landscape format, has all the high fidelity detail and charm of Spirited Away with the expressiveness and imagination of Seconds (and also Spirited Away). If you like going on fantastical adventures with animal friends, running away from black goo monsters, and growing as a person with your best friend, you'll love Lampblack!
Writer: Jarred Lujan
Artist: Julio Suarez
Campaign Ends: August 26th
Status: 90% Funded
PITCH:
Throughout the history of Mexico, the Twin Blades have been present. Passing hands from wielders to wielders, sometimes in the open and sometimes in whispers passing in darkened rooms. However, there are few wielders with the aura surrounding them quite like Catalina and Joaquina Pérez. This is their legendary tale, one built on blood and obsidian.
WHY SHOULD I BACK IT?
Can I let you in on a secret? If Jarred Lujan is running a Kickstarter, you need to support it. Full stop, no explanation needed; but this is my list, so I'll give one anyway. Jarred proves himself as a talented, important voice in the indie comic scene every time he releases a comic, whether it's published like the excellent Dry Foot or a labor of self-published love like All the Devils are Here. In The Twin Blades, Lujan cuts loose and gives us the aggressively Mexican over the top action none of us knew we needed. Strap in, Blood and Obsidian is gonna go hard!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
ROBO #1-5 by Jesse Keppler
THE DANCER #1-3 by Kat Calamia
HAUNTING VOL. 1 by Phil Falco
*DISCLAIMER: Comics are selected from a very large pool of projects, some sent to us for review, some come across on the websites themselves. We tend to favor first issue comics by indie creators that haven't already hit their campaign goals 5 times over, so keep that in mind. While we feel this list is representative of projects most worth the time and money of a comic reader, it is by no means exhaustive and there are many, MANY more projects that you can and should explore on Crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Zoop.
-Wells Thompson, Reviews Editor