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Welcome back to another edition of Indie Comics Showcase! In this weekly blog, we highlight independent comics that are currently crowdfunding, crowdsourcing, or self-publishing. We believe that every bit of support for these creators is important, whether it’s a small pledge or a larger contribution. Even if you can’t financially support these projects, you can still help by sharing and spreading the word to your friends and followers. On Indie Comics Showcase, we feature interviews with creators, showcase artwork, and provide information on how you can check out these comics for yourself. Below are some exciting crowdfunding campaigns for you to learn about, enjoy, and hopefully support! Thank you for being a part of Indie Comics Showcase. Let’s dive in!
Check out the campaign page here!
Chris Braly: Welcome back to Indie Comics Showcase, Jeffrey! Can you give our readers a brief elevator pitch for your latest comic, Al Capone, Vampire?
Jeffrey Vaughan: Al Capone is a vampire who is trying to take over Chicago once again. This issue features three stories: Detective Sippel, a cop who has a personal connection to Capone from the days of Prohibition, an exclusive preview of the crossover comic Captain Action vs. Al Capone, Vampire, and the first meeting between Dean, the vampire hunter from Vampire, PA, and Jocelyn, the vampire queen.
CB: Where did the idea for this comic come from?
JV: The idea for this comic came from the characters themselves. When we create well-developed characters, they start telling you things about themselves. Capone and his supporting players had a lot to say. As for Captain Action, I’m a fan of the character and the history behind it. The Vampire, PA story is an adaptation of a prose short story that introduced many of the characters in that series. This is the first time we’re bringing it to comic book form.
CB: Who is the target audience for this series?
JV: This series is aimed at people who enjoy horror and crime stories with a touch of humor. It can be violent at times, but the humor comes from the characters and doesn’t detract from the story. We try to make it accessible to new readers as well.
CB: Can you tell our readers about your background in the comics industry?
JV: I’ve been fortunate enough to work in the industry for about 30 years. I’ve spent almost 29 of those years at Gemstone Publishing, the home of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. I love my job and it has allowed me to write about comics history, work with amazing cover artists, and meet so many people who share a love for the medium. My creative process varies with each project, depending on collaborators and my own continuous learning.
CB: Who is your creative team for this comic?
JV: Brendon and Brian Fraim are the artists for this comic, as well as many other projects I’ve worked on. Mindy Lopkin is our letterer, and Jason “Old Cap” ODOM is our editor. House Imagi handles the coloring. We have some incredible cover artists, including John K. Snyder III, Hi-Fi’s Brian Miller, Mort Todd, and Gene Gonzales.
CB: How far along is the book?
JV: The art is nearly complete, lettering is over halfway done, and it’s in the process of being colored. We have a good track record of delivering more than promised on time or even early, so we’re confident in our progress.
CB: What have you learned from crowdfunding and the creative process?
JV: The most important thing I’ve learned is to always be open to learning. There’s always something new to discover and problems to solve that can turn into opportunities. Crowdfunding has taught me to never say we’re ahead of schedule. Customer service is also crucial during a campaign, and I’ve made an effort to keep our backers engaged, such as sending them custom Christmas cards.
CB: What are your plans beyond this book?
JV: While Vampire, PA is a finite series, Al Capone, Vampire has more stories to tell. We also plan to release a collected edition of our science fiction graphic novel, The Flight, this year. I have many other projects in the works, but next up is the two-part crossover, Captain Action vs. Al Capone, Vampire. It’s going to be amazing!
CB: Are there any special perks or tiers on this campaign you’d like to mention?
JV: If we reach our funding goal, every physical backer will receive an exclusive 48-page cover gallery featuring all of our covers to date. We also have exciting stretch goals planned.
CB: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers before we wrap up?
JV: Our backers are a vital part of the process. Their support allows us to create these books faster than we could on our own. We take our campaigns seriously and only start them when the book is close to completion. Thank you for your support!
Check out the campaign page here!
Grab your copy here!
Chris Braly: Welcome to Indie Comics Showcase, Ran’deesha! Can you give me a pitch for your comic, Literally?
Ran’deesha Diaz: Literally is about a nerdy young girl who has to balance her school work with piloting a mech and fighting monsters on an alien planet. Each chapter represents a different era in her life and is about 25 pages long, mostly in color.
CB: Where did the idea for this comic come from?
RD: Originally, the idea started as a satire of “diverse” characters, but it evolved into a story about a girl growing up in a strange life filled with adventures and danger. It took on a life of its own.
CB: Who is the target audience for this comic?
RD: Literally is aimed at young adults and older readers. Fans of Calvin and Hobbes have particularly enjoyed the first chapter, as the comic wears its influence from the series on its sleeve.
CB: Can you tell me about your creative process?
RD: I have been writing for years, mostly for practice. My creative process involves drawing from my experiences and influences from American comics and manga, such as Calvin and Hobbes and Berserk. I have about 30 scripts ready for creation and publishing, as soon as I find artists to work with.
CB: What have you learned from the crowdfunding and creative process?
RD: The crowdfunding process has taught me to always be open to learning. There is always something new to discover and problems to solve that can turn into opportunities. It has also made me more focused on customer service and engaging with our backers.
CB: What are your plans beyond this comic?
RD: I have many other projects waiting to be brought to life. I’m currently looking for artists to work on these projects. I’m excited to continue creating and sharing stories with readers.
CB: Are there any special perks or tiers on this campaign you’d like to mention?
RD: We have various reward tiers available, including digital and physical copies of the comic, as well as original sketches and artwork.
CB: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
RD: Thank you for your support! Our readers are the reason we’re able to create and bring these stories to life. We appreciate your encouragement and hope you enjoy Literally!
And that wraps up this edition of Indie Comics Showcase. Thank you for joining us and supporting independent comics!
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