Today, I’m unboxing Riot Press Productions’ Johnny Phantasm 1985 by Evan Pozios and Patrick Thomas Parnell. I backed the most basic tier via Indiegogo in mid-2020, which came packaged with a several extra chotchkies such as a pinup poster, five character cards, a sticker, and three trademark Johnny Phantasm poker chips. You can check out the unboxing video below. I
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Earlier this month, Australian comic book house Core Comics launched a crowdfunding campaign for Artifice Re-Animate, a sci-fi fantasy book written by storytelling team of SMiRKtheALiEN and RaginMantis and featuring illustrations by Vic King and colors by Barbusco, But what is Artifice about? Here’s the official plot synopsis taken from the Indiegogo campaign page: After a chaotic incident at sea,
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Last week, independent comic book creator George Peter Gatsis launched a crowdfunding campaign for Joe King Book 2, a 120-page sci-fi superhero sequel starring “the world’s greatest averagehero” who looks to be a cross between Cookie Monster and Superman. What kind of audience is Joe King created for? According to the book’s Indiegogo campaign page, Joe King is for fans
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Over the weekend, the crowdfunding campaign for sci-fi adventure comic Starlight Cats: Merlion Rising crossed the blessed “six figures, bitc young lady (kids’ book) threshold, raising more than $100k from over 1,300 backers. Now that the campaign has reached the six figures milestone, every backer will receive a bonus “hang in there, kitty” poster by Billy Bacsko. Keen. But what
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Earlier this month, Scattered Comics launched a crowdfunding campaign for Shadow Hunters: Bite Me!, a 40-page book filled with “blood blood, gore, partial nudity and vampire violence” (in other words, for mature readers). Written and co-illustrated by Jason Dube and co-illustrated by Noel Serrato, Shadow Hunters is a self-contained tale set in the same world as Lylith & Mara. Here’s
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On Wednesday, Retro Graphic Books launched a crowdfunding campaign for Dixie Rose, a 52-page one-shot comic that combines film noir with some unapologetically sexy visuals. Written by Matthew Fowler (Seicho 66) and featuring illustrations by Ricardo Jaime (The Prospectres) colors by Marcos Martins (The Prospectres), and lettering by the prolific Eric Weathers (Battle Brick Road), Dixie Rose promises “babes, brawlers,
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Earlier this week, Genuine Comics’ crowdfunding campaign for Perfect 10 issue two was fully funded on Indiegogo, with over two weeks remaining in the initial crowdfunding period. Written and created by Dave Brink (Earthling) and featuring illustrations by Pow Rodrix (Wolverine), colors by Daniel Rodrigues (Earthling: Indie Wars) and lettering by Joel Saavedra (Berserkers), Perfect 10 is a 28-page action
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It is becoming increasingly popular for critics to focus on the topic of “accessibility” in entertainment. I often hear detractors demanding that works of fiction be made more accessible to very specific focus groups while simultaneously disparaging them for failing to appeal to broadly diverse audiences. I find it quite ironic that the modern media, obsessed with reducing whole casts
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Today, I’m unboxing the Indiegogo-exclusive comic book collector case from Alterna Comics, which includes a number of bonuses and extras. I backed the campaign in late 2020, and so far, I’m happy with the overall package. As always, I have a cat coming by to inspect my video work, and yes, I cut my fingernails immediately after recording this. Check
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On Monday, Wolfpack Comics launched a crowdfunding campaign for Justice City Chronicles Volume 1, an 80-page superhero adventure book set in an bleak future. Written by Marcus DiGesu and featuring illustrations by Anthony Figaro, Justice City Chronicles is heavily inspired by action cartoons of the 1980s. Here’s the official plot synopsis taken from the Justice City Chronicles Indiegogo campaign page:
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Today, I’m unboxing Secret Comics’ ASYL by Nasser Rabadi, Vic King and Billy Bacsko. I backed the most basic tier via Indiegogo in late 2020. From what I recall from the campaign, the story can fundamentally be described as “Dracula in an insane asylum.” As always, my cats insist on watching everything I do… This is the third book I’ve
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Earlier this week, Evoluzione Publishing launched a crowdfunding campaign for Speed of Light issue 1, the first of what is planned to be an ongoing, bi-monthly, science fiction anthology series. Each issue of Speed of Light will feature nine 8-page stories (that’s a total of 72 pages for you maths wizards out there), all with black and white art. Each
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Earlier this month, independent comic book creators and Clownfish TV hosts Kneon and Geeky Sparkles (government names Thom Pratt and Kambrea, respectively) launched a crowdfunding campaign for volumes 1 and 2 of Shadowbinders, a fantasy series that began its life in 2010 as a webcomic. Written by Ms. Sparkles and illustrated by Mr. Kneon, Shadowbinders is a lighthearted blend of
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Earlier this month, independent comic book creator Fatal Jay launched a crowdfunding campaign for Ninja Blast, a 32-page comic book with a heavy emphasis on action. Featuring a script and layouts by Fatal Jay and line art by Francis Gabriel Catindig, Ninja Blast blends comic book storytelling with the art style and setting of classic Japanese manga. Here’s the official
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Earlier this week, X53 Studios launched a crowdfunding campaign for Arachna: the Adventure Begins, a 48-page superhero comic that promises to bring “fun, adventure, and sexy back to comics.” Written by Martti Kauppinen and featuring illustrations by Carlos Granda, Arachna is inspired by the classic, action-packed comics of the 60s, 70s and 80s. Here’s the official plot synopsis taken from
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On the latest installment of Sit DOWN Sunday (hosted on Patrick Thomas Parnell’s YouTube channel Riot Press Productions), The Splintering founder Blake Worrell got another chance to discuss recent comic book news with Parnell and The Splintering’s own George Travlos. This week, we discussed the latest Red Sonja variants by Dynamite Comics, updates on Patrick’s Johnny Phantasm plans, how to
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Earlier this month, Zaid Comics launched an Indiegogo campaign for Magic Cop 2: White Lines, the sequel to the original Magic Cop book that was similarly crowdfunded in 2019. Created by the Diaz brothers, Brandon and Phillip, Magic Cop 2 is a fantasy crime story featuring werewolves, witches, monsters and magic (duh), all set against a Miami Vice-esque backdrop. Here’s
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On Wednesday, independent comic book creator Nathan M. Rosario launched a crowdfunding campaign for the second issue of Stump, which is expected to be a 48-page follow-up to the first issue that shipped in late 2020. (You can read our review of book 1 here) Written and illustrated by Rosario, Stump is a science fiction tale slightly akin to the
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Last week, independent comic book creator Jon Del Arroz launched a crowdfunding campaign for Deus Vult, a 66-page fantasy graphic novel inspired by Conan the Barbarian and The Mighty Thor. Written by Del Arroz and featuring illustrations by Jesse White and colors by Matt Crotts, Deus Vult has a striking throwback art style reminiscent of classic comics from the 1970s.
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Late last week, independent comic book creator Kevin Philpott launched a crowdfunding campaign for Glyn in Monster Land, an all-new, 48-page graphic novel intended for readers of all ages. Written by Philpott and illustrated by Luisa Russo, Glyn in Monster Land is a fantasy tale featuring vibrant artwork that showcases a number of colorful characters. In addition, the work on
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Over the weekend, independent comic book creator Dusty “Tonicmole” launched a crowdfunding campaign for the latest issue of Saving the World, the fourth in an ongoing series. Written and illustrated by Tonicmole, Saving the World is a superhero book that blends the aesthetics of 90s alternative comics with superheroic action (It also features excellent cover art by Illustrator Monk). Here’s
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On the latest installment of Sit DOWN Sunday (hosted on Patrick Thomas Parnell’s YouTube channel Riot Press Productions), The Splintering founder Blake Worrell got another chance to discuss recent comic book news with Parnell and College of the Dead creator Adam Post. This week, we discussed the latest fallout from Disney’s firing of Gina Carano from The Mandelorian, updates on
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Independent comic book creators Aaron Neff and Garrett Gabbey are both hard at work preparing a crowdfunding campaign for Mavrics: Origns Volume 1, an all-new 60-page graphic novel. Set in an alternate future, Mavrics promises to deliver “Such Robots! Many Action! Wow!” Here’s the official pitch taken from the Mavrics pre-launch page, followed by the creators’ recent appearance on Michael
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On Tuesday, independent comic book creator Joe Catapano launched a crowdfunding campaign for Star Circuit, a 32-page cyberpunk sci-fi book intended as the first installment of a larger miniseries. Written and illustrated by Catapano and featuring lettering by the ever-prolific Eric Weathers, Star Circuit is inspired by Akira, F-Zero and Bladerunner. Here’s the brief plot synopsis taken from the Star
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Over the weekend, ALL CAPS Comics launched a crowdfunding campaign for CREED: Re-IMAGINARY, a revival of the 90s fantasy comic series by Trent Kaniuga. Written and illustrated by Kaniuga, Re–IMAGINARY reintroduces the characters and world of CREED in an all-new, two-issue story. Here’s the official pitch taken from the CREED Indiegogo campaign page: Mark Farley is a 17 year old
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Combining the talents of dozens of actresses and other creators, Heroineburgh started as a web series featuring the exploits of a large cast of super-powered characters. The project has expanded to a bi-weekly comic strip and now a full comic book series, too, bringing the live-action world to the illustrated page. In any case, here’s the overall gist of the
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Welcome to the premiere of “Friday Night Drives,” where I do a video recap of this week’s news from The Splintering. I’m hoping to make this a weekly trend, so please let me know what you like (or hate). In the meantime, give it a watch and thanks for reading! The Splintering’s Teespring store has items starting at just $4.99!
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On Wednesday, Alterna Comics founder Peter Simeti announced that Bryan Baugh’s Wulf and Batsy series will indeed be published by Alterna. Intended for mature audiences, Wulf and Batsy has been available digitally for quite some time, with print-on-demand editions available through IndyPlanet. The move to Alterna will almost certainly mean more exposure for the books, which so far have been
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Earlier this week, independent comic book creator Dave Swartz launched a crowdfunding campaign for Confederate Monster, a three-part miniseries that injects a bit of sci-fi horror into American history. Written and illustrated by Swartz (Feast or Famine), Confederate Monster is a retelling of Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein tale set during the US Civil War. Here’s the official plot synopsis taken
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A crowfunding review of the art book 101 Drawings by P. Craig Russell
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