I’m sure, in your internet wanderings, that you’ve checked out Kickstarter and IndieGoGo, or at least heard about them by now. You’ve probably backed at least one campaign. Every week thousands of new projects are launched through these websites, and many creators have found that this is a great way to bypass the regular publication/distribution model, to get their projects directly into the hands of their fans.
It really is a bold new era, where creators come to you directly with their wares, and properties sink or swim based on the whims of the fans instead of editorial edicts and profit margins.
But seriously, crowd funding has been a game changer in its few years as a viable publication model, allowing many projects that wouldn’t necessarily have seen the light of day come to life because of fans like you. In a lot of ways it has become THE new distribution system, getting unique product directly into the hands of the consumer. Now, there are so many different campaigns being launched on a weekly basis, with a little something for everybody. But where do you start?
Let us be your guide to the thrilling world of crowd funded comics, art books, film, and associated geek and sundry. Each week we’ll scour the aforementioned websites, and profile those projects that we feel are worthy of your Paypal fees. Those projects that are offering something different than what you get at your local comic shop. Projects that defy classification, ones with interesting backer rewards, books that you might love, but would otherwise probably not happen without your support. Plus, you get cool stuff!
I’ve been pretty comic heavy lately, so today’s journey starts on IndieGoGo, with the Power Mitt Oven Glove.
So, this column is supposed to be all things geeky, not just comics, and what’s geekier than an oven mitt that looks like the classic NES Power Glove?
“My name’s Pete Hottelet. I’ve made a number of things from television and movies you’ve probably heard about. The soap from Fight Club, Sex Panther Cologne from Anchorman, Stay Puft Marshmallows from Ghostbusters, and the Eau My fragrance with George Takei, to name a few.
This project is an oven mitt. I originally made a few of these for myself (back in ye olde 2012), but everyone seems to want one. So here’s your chance to get one.”
This campaign is already funded, so it is basically a 39 dollar pre-order of the heat-resistant silicone rubber one-size-fits-most oven mitt at this point. Come on, this is the best oven mitt ever, and is sure to make you the envy of your geek friend circle. Move over Ove Glove, the Power Mitt is here!
There aren’t really pledge rewards, the different tiers are for different shipping rates, BUT, for $10,000 you can have a one-of-a-kind Power Mitt plated in 100% gold!
Next up we’ll be sticking around IndieGoGo for a minute to bring you Lùmina.
Lùmina is a fantastic looking 80 page sci-fi/fantasy graphic novel by Emanuele Tenderini and Linda Cavallini.
“The plot unveils around the story of two children, Kite and Miriam, brother and sister, who find themselves thrown in a parallel world called Lùmina.
This will be one of the first comic books in the world to be coloured with the hyperflat technique (link) and printed using hexachrome, a six-color printing process (link).”
This printing process is going to make the book simply gorgeous. Check out this free preview to get an inkling of what the final product will look like. I have never seen a better looking, more vibrant palette used in a comic before. Taking inspiration from the films of Miyazaki, this graphic novel almost has an animated filmic quality to it. Full of whimsy, cool creatures, and wonderful landscapes, Lùmina looks like a game changer.
“We decided to bring this project to life through the crowdfunding community, as we believe that the straight connection between the authors and the readers is the strongest factor during the publishing process.
Plus, we are sure that the only way the comics world can be brought to a higher level is through the support of its ultimate investors – the readers.”
Pledge rewards include signed or unsigned digital or print copies of the graphic novel in Italian, English, and French, a USB pen full of bonus material, original art commissions, high quality A3 prints, original page art, a live online digital coloring course, a 3 day personalized painting course, and an invite to the release party in Italy.
Now we leave IndieGoGo’s shores for the familiar territory of Kickstarter for the Dragon Slayer dice game.
“The fast playing, press your luck, challenge your friends, roll till you drop dice game. With custom dice and a wonderful little twist.”
An interactive dice game where you roll the dice and kill dragons, but if you go too far you might lose everything. The cool thing about this game is that the other players can challenge you, and if you lose, they win. Made for 2 – 5 players, the box has everything you need to play. You get 12 custom dice, six challenge tokens, and beautifully illustrated rules pamphlet, all for seven bucks!
“Game designer David Mortimer really made this game shine – creating a new PYL game is a deceptively difficult challenge, and he did this one right. The rules can be found here. Like all great PYL games, the rules are simple, format of repeating the Dragon Hunt until you decide to stop. The very interesting twist is the player challenges. The ability to challenge, and rewards for passing or failing when challenged, add a dimension to everything that you do on your turn. What order do you go after dragons? When do you stop? When do you challenge? Who do you challenge? How do you get others not to challenge you?”
The funds will go directly to producing the games, and there are pledge rewards, as you are just paying for your copy.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s travails into Crowdfundland, and seen a few things you liked. Be sure to come back next week as we visit new and exotic campaigns that can only happen with your pledges!
Previous columns:
21st Century Tank Girl, House Party, Ribbons, The Last Cavalier
Utopiates Audio Drama, The Pitiful Human-Lizard, The Rattler
Protege, Misfortune High Book 2, P. Craig Russell’s Guide To Graphic Storytelling Volume 5
Dream Life, Intergalactic Travel Bureau, Hi-Fi Color For Comics, Tortured Life
After Reset: The Fall Of Gyes, 99 Ways To Die Coloring Book, and Varney The Vampire
Tangled Weeds, Red Hot Rebellion II, The Cape Creator, WW3 Illustrated
Exclusive Merrick: The Sensational Elephant Man Creator Interview
She Makes Comics, Deitch Miscellany, Menton 3′s Katabasis, Through the Dust of Empyrean
Fist Of Justice, The Tethermen & The Neolithics, Pinoy Komiks, Comic Book People