Posted in: Comics, Digital | Tagged: Comics, kickstarter, oz

Kickstart From The Heart: Stitch, Woe Is Oz and Leaving Megalopolis

Published Sat, 01 Sep 2012 12:00:49 -0500

Bleeding Cool's Kickstarter Correspondent, Shawn Demumbrum has lead three Kickstarter campaigns to launch comic books, two successfully funded and one that wasn't. Each week he will point out some of the unique Kickstarter projects that wouldn't normally be published by the big comic book companies, but deserve your attention. Shawn's current project Break the Walls: Stories Inspired by the Songs of the Pixies is also being funded through Kickstarter Interested in learning how to run a Kickstarter campaign? Read his new series Kickstart Your Comic.

Project: Stitch

Creator: Jason Wolf and Nathanael Lark

Concept: "Stitch is a noir, action thriller that revolves around a hired "leg breaker" named Kyle Knox. He wants out of the business, while his ex-partner, David Grimmison looks to become the next crime lord of Central City. When there paths conflict, the two kill each other in a double cross. Through the power of modern science, they are brought back to life and given a second chance. However when they do return, something is different… Both men return to the world plagued by visions and possessing supernatural abilities bestowed upon them from the afterlife. One man seeks revenge; the other, redemption. And both seek answers for who they've now become and their true purpose in life."

Fundraising for: "Funds to pay for printing the books, advertise and convert Stitch into an E-Book"

Sweet spot: Pledge $25 or more. "Soft cover of our first official print edition of Stitch (225 pages) + A signed mini poster by the author and illustrator."

Cool Zone: Pledge $65 or more. "Hard cover edition of Stitch, signed by the author and illustrator + We'll add your name to the credits in the back of the book + Copies of pre-production art + an original Stitch T-Shirt"

Tipping point: I'm a sucker for a redemption story especially for one self funded someone who just needs the funds to print the book.

So far: $206 of $7000 with 9 days to go

Project: Woe is OZ

Creator: Ethan Tarshish and Kelly Brown

Concept: "Woe Is Oz follows the continuing adventures of your favorite characters in the world of Oz. Taking place years after Dorothy defeated the Wicked Witch of the West, Oz now basks in its victory and is going through a time of self-discovery. But all is not as it seems, and a new threat awaits… THE STORY thrusts character favorites like Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion, Tik-Tok, General Jinjur, and many more, into a brand new ongoing adventure where sorcery, fantasy, and danger lurk around every corner. Old friends and new await you on their journey. Check out the first issue for yourself here!"

Fundraising for: "The manufacturing and shipping costs for an endeavor like this will be roughly $15,750, and that's where we'll need your help."

Sweet spot: Pledge $40 or more. "The Casual Reader: You'll receive a signed graphic novel collecting the first volume of Woe Is Oz plus a limited edition Woe Is Oz T-Shirt. "

Cool Zone: Pledge $500 or more. "If the Silver Slipper fits: You'll receive a signed graphic novel collecting the first volume of Woe Is Oz, a page out of Kelly Brown's sketchbook, an exclusive mini-poster, an exclusive sheet of Woe Is Oz stickers, an original page from one of the first six issues, plus 3 randomly selected exclusive character bookmarks, and a signed, random Kickstarter-exclusive limited edition character postcard."

Tipping point: Not your typical OZ story with great stylistic art.

So far: $4,666 of $15,750 with 14 days to go

Project: Leaving Megalopolis

Creator: Gail Simone and Jim Calafiore

Concept: "LEAVING MEGALOPOLIS is a thrilling, original 80 page graphic novel of suspense and terror in a superhero universe gone horribly wrong, where a small band of survivors face the horror of both their formerly beloved protectors, and the dark secrets within themselves. Featuring the creative talents of writer Gail Simone and artist Jim Calafiore this is a story of violence, fear, hope and –if they're lucky– survival."

Fundraising for: "The manufacturing and shipping costs for an endeavor like this will be roughly $15,750, and that's where we'll need your help."

Sweet spot: Pledge $15 or more. "Get the 80 pg graphic novel by mail (CONTINENTAL US ONLY); and the PDF and the wallpaper "

Cool Zone: Pledge $1000 or more. "Get your original character designed by Jim Calafiore. Are you a creator without an artist? Jim will design from scratch your original character. You will receive one round of preliminary sketches, with one round of changes; next you will get tight pencils of a turnaround (front-side-back views), with one round of tweaks; lastly you will receive a final black & white turnaround, along with a B&W single figure pose of your character. If you would like Jim to do the color design, add $500. This will include a hi-res full-color PDF version of the single figure pose that can be printed out. (There will also be a contract granting you sole exclusive rights to the design. It's all yours to use as you want.) And get the PDF and the wallpaper."

Tipping point: Two of the best mainstream creators working on their own independent graphic novel.

So far: $88,100 of $34,000 with 14 days to go

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