There are a lot of terrific comic crowdfunding projects from UK-based creators out there right now – primarily, as ever, on Kickstarter, although Zoop is proving increasingly popular for its more curated approach to promoting new work.
Here’s just a few that have caught our eye this week…
Coming soon is a Kickstarter for Angel Eyes by Andy Lanning and Ant Williams, to be published by Mad Robot Comics, in which an assassin finds himself pivotal to the war between heaven and hell. Is he there to prevent the end of the world – or to cause it?
If you didn’t get to see the VR motion-comic, you can get a splendid physical copy and check out the awesome art from Ant, and a host of wonderful cover artists. Sign up for notifications here on Kickstarter
Live now – and closing in on its £4000 target within 24 hours of launch – is a fantastic looking horror anthology from Scratch Comics, Peter Hogan’s Black Forests, offering six stories of suspense and the supernatural by the co-creators of Resident Alien, Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, joined by some of the world’s greatest comic artists. With a line up that also includes artists Jimmy Broxton, David Hitchcock, Rian Hughes, Rapha Lobosko and Aly Fell (Variant Cover Artist), along with Matt Soffe and Robin Jones, it was no-brainer for me when it came to hit the pledge button!
We mentioned Gustaffo Vargas Sketchbook Volume 3 in an earlier post, but see no harm in doing so again! It’s a smashing looking new collection of sketches, illustrations, characters, designs and ideas.
The77 Publications recently launched a Kickstarter for LOLZ, a brand new comic for younger readers. If you haven’t backed it, there’s still time to check out and support this latest project from the UK’s award-winning independent comic company. The Kickstarter closes on Sunday and the project has been successfully funded.
The lineup includes “Goldilocks”, by Nigel Parkinson (Beano), “Surfing Hippos” by Mario Lovatt Garcia, “Vicky Frankenstein” by by Dave Heeley (This Comic is Haunted) and Mike Walters (Highborn Low), “Trash Pandas” by S.P: Zero, “Matilda Atkins” by Mike Powell & Sarah Millman, “Trevor and Derrick” by by Matylda McCormack-Sharp, “Derek the Troll” by Lew Stringer, “The Cavyliers” by Steven Ross and Chris Evangelou, and “Lil Penny” by David Thomas and Andrew Richmond (Penny Pentagram) – and more! Don’t miss out…
Dark Legacies is a science fiction universe created by Chris McAuley and Babylon 5 legend Claudia Christian, set after Earth emerges from a brutal totalitarian regime and looks towards the stars with a renewed sense of hope. However, the dark legacies of the past remain and threaten to drag humanity back to darker times. Over on Zoop,
The team’s latest project, currently seeking crowdfunding, is an exclusive deluxe collected edition of the first two chapters of Dark Legacies, an edition solely for supporters on Zoop that will never go on general release and will feature exclusive art and rewards for supporters, including a brand new cover by Si Chinook.
Featuring the artistic talents of Marvel, DC and 2000AD artists Staz Johnson and Glenn Fabry, and the likenesses of almost the whole surviving cast of Babylon 5, including Bruce Boxleitner, Patricia Tallman, Walter Koenig and Peter Jurasik, this ZOOP Exclusive Edition brings over 48 pages of adrenaline-fuelled action to readers – and offers a brand new Zoop exclusive cover. More on this on Sunday here on downthetubes!
Finally, 1000 Libraries – Protectors of the Written Word isn’t a comic but a collection of extraordinary stories from the world’s largest online community of book lovers, about people who have dedicated their lives to spreading the joys of reading. It’s been heavily promoted on social media but be warned this project is Australia-based, which will likely impact final delivery cost. It’s glorious-looking project, though -– a creative non-fiction 420 page book, telling the extraordinary real-life stories of 25 inspiring humans who have dedicated their lives to spreading the joys of reading. Anyone who enjoys reading should give this consideration and an e-edition is being offered… but the printed book is very tempting!
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Books, British Comics, British Comics – Collections, Comics, Creating Comics, Crowd Funding Projects, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds
