This week, Alterna Comics founder Peter Simeti delivered a very emotional State of Alterna Address in which he addressed a litany of personal attacks made against him, responded to criticism of his company’s consumer-centric social media policies, and adamantly denied that firing a contracted letterer for violating those policies.

The news wasn’t all driven by drama, however. Simeti also announced plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign for “Alternaween” in which backers would receive a bundle of 50 all-ages Alterna Comics to hand out to Halloween trick-or-treaters. Simeti also mentioned a few other bonuses, too, including Halloween treat bags, stickers, and even silly putty. (To copy the ink off of Alterna Comics newsprint paper, of course)

Simeti intends to run the Alternaween crowdfunding campaign for about 20 days, and plans to launch it sometime in the next two weeks. Simeti noted that the funds raised during the Alternaween crowdfunding campaign will be used to expand distribution of Alterna Comics to new outlets, which he predicted would give Alterna the biggest distribution in the comic book industry. What unorthodox retailers does he have in mind? Dollar General? Chuck E. Cheese? Buc-ee’s?

Simeti has long been a proponent of returning comic books to newsstands and other mass-market outlets as a hook to draw new readers into the industry. In May 2017, Alterna introduced comics printed on newsprint “pulp” paper as a way to cut printing costs and pass those savings on to customers. Since then, Alterna has become one of the few success stories to come out of the comic book industry in recent years, built on the back of books that regularly cost between just $1 and $2.

I don’t know about you, but I wish my neighbors gave me comics as a kid instead of Tootsie Rolls. I’d probably be a better person today as I might have become less of a gorging fat-ass. We intend to post more information on the upcoming Alternaween campaign as we receive it. In the meantime, if you haven’t watched the full State of Alterna address, I suggest you do so below.

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