Proud purveyors of offbeat, irreverent pulp fiction since 2013.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
300 Backers Strong + New Unlock + Livestream Tonight
about 1 year ago
– Mon, Nov 13, 2023 at 05:51:59 PM
Like the subject line says, we have crossed 300 backers, which means you've unlocked a new bonus book for the indie bundle!
This time we're unlocking SPECTRESS AND SEBANION #1 by the team of creator/writer Kurt Zauer, artist Topper Helmers, colorist Wesley Wong, and letterer Wes Locher:
The pitch for this book is just the kind of high concept I love:
The ghost of Cleopatra's top assassin seeks purpose in the modern world. To achieve her dreams, she must free a demon named Sabanion from his supernatural prison.
As with the others, this will go out to everyone at the $10 digital deluxe tier and up.
And if you'd like to thank Kurt for sharing, he's back on Kickstarter with Ruxy Vampire #1, an action packed & sexy supernatural fantasy:
In this spin-off of SPECTRESS AND SEBANION, a gorgeous vampiress awakens in 1920s Chicago and gets swept up in the mayhem of the Prohibition Era. If that's the kind of book that you'd like to sink your fangs into...
I'll be jumping on a livestream with Kurt, NIGHT WOLF'S Rob Multari, and PUNCHLINE'S Ted Sikora tonight at 9 pm EST (that's like 10 minutes from now!) to chat about our respective campaigns:
Sorry for the late notice, but Kickstarter has been having update trouble all day. If you can make it, or want to check out the replay, click the image above or...
And finally, before I go, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that Charlie Stickney's latest campaign for GLARIEN is inside the final 48 hours:
Charlie is a swell guy, a huge supporter of indie comics, and one hell of a Kickstarter creator. If you're one of the three people who haven't backed his book yet, what are you waiting for?
Glarien follows the early days of White Ash's most dangerous elf as told through the eyes of Rachel, a young woman living in 1970's NYC. GLARIEN is a five issue miniseries for mature readers set in the White Ash Universe.
Written by Charlie, with art by Romina Moranelli, colors by Fin Cramb and letters by Conor Hughes, the 44 Page third issue of Glarien continues the story of the early days of White Ash's most dangerous elf, as told through the eyes of Rachel, a young woman living in 1970's New York City. Think Red Sonja meets Taxi Driver... but with Elves and Demons.
Charlie and company have a provided a hefty 15 page preview, so if you'd like to check it out...
That's all for now from the Blazing World. See you on the livestream?
- Clay
Production update!
about 1 year ago
– Mon, Nov 06, 2023 at 07:36:14 PM
As we creep up on 300 backers and another bonus book unlock (available to everyone at the digital deluxe level and up!), I wanted to give you a quick production update...and a peek at some gorgeous art.
First, though: this issue is easily the most epic in the run so far. As such, the script clocked in at a whopping 32 pages, barely enough to contain so much story.
(Our feeling is, you back books on Kickstarter, you deserve to get a lot of bang for you buck. And I am so stoked to get this story into your hands!)
Mick's about 2/3rds through inking the book, with Julio right behind him, about 1/3rd of the way through colors.
I think they're turning out some truly stellar work. Here's a peek at a page Julio sent me today:
The goal is to have the inks done by the time the funds clear Kickstarter, with the colors and letters finished before the holidays.
FRIENDS OF FRIED
You know who doesn't seem to take holidays? The tireless Mr. Pat Shand, who is back again on Kickstarter to make us all wonder how he does it and make it look so effortless:
Pat's latest is a special, full-color one-shot from the world of SMOKE WEED, SEE THE FUTURE, where a supernatural vision is a puff, puff, pass away. Here's the quick pitch:
"Taylor Hart is a Seer, which means that she can look at a person and see their future. All of her life, this has been both a gift and a curse. She wishes she could control it... but now, she's found a way to use her gift to help others. While attempting to grow a strain of marijuana that could help her control her visions, she ended up creating special weed that helps regular people see what she sees: The Future."
If you've never read SWSTF, this 28-page special is the perfect introduction, featuring two standalone stories with art by Tango and Jenn St-Onge and colors by James Offredi.
There are only 4 days left to light this one up, so if that sounds like something you'd like a hit of before it goes up in smoke...
Back soon with with more FRANKENSTEIN news. If you know someone who'd dig our little book, please spread the word!
Thanks,
Clay
Our next bonus book is...
about 1 year ago
– Fri, Nov 03, 2023 at 08:42:27 AM
Hey there -
If you just joined us: Thank you!
If you've been with us for a while: Thanks again!
We blazed past 250 backers a little while back, which means it's time to unlock another bonus book from our indie bundle, which goes out to everyone at the $10 digital deluxe tier and up.
Magic-wielding criminal Rosette Diamant meets an early death and makes a deal with the devil for a second chance at life. Her task? To corrupt one truly good soul. But can she make good on that bargain? And what will failure mean for the fate of her eternal soul?
It's 24 pages of urban fantasy for grown-ups, and we are thrilled to be able to bring you the first issue of this six-issue series.
In addition to rocking the Mad Cave talent search, Sarah's back on Kickstarter now to fund issue 2, and we'd love it if you said thanks by checking out the new campaign:
In Issue #2, Rosette, not one to take death lying down, makes a deal with the devil for a second chance at life. Her task? To corrupt one truly good soul before the next new moon. So she sets out on a mission to find a genuinely good person she can bring down to save her own life. But that's not all she's dealing with! Her family history comes back to bite her in a big way.
The new issue also sees Eze Di Savino on the art chores, and the results look pretty darn great to these eyes.
That's all for now. We're unlocking a new book for every 50 backers we reach, so I'll be back with another unlock once we safely pass 300.
More soon...!
Clay
New add-on added!
about 1 year ago
– Wed, Nov 01, 2023 at 01:38:05 PM
Frankenstein sez: Happy Day of the Dead!
We just added a new add-on for those of you who'd like a little original art, but aren't ready to splash out on the bigger pieces.
Sketch Cards
2.5 inch by 3.5 inch cards, $20 each
For a mere $20, Mick will draw anyone you'd like--doesn't have to be from the book!--on 2.5 inch by 3.5 inch cards. The finals will be branded with the BBoF logo on the front and the FRIED Comics logo on the back.
Headshots only!
If you want to add one of these to your order, head to the top of the our main project page and:
click MANAGE YOUR PLEDGE
click CHANGE YOUR PLEDGE
reconfirm your base pledge by hitting the green PLEDGE button
select SKETCH CARDS from the add-on menu (and any other add-ons you want)
hit CONTINUE and check out as usual
That's it!
But before I go, I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you about...
This year, Mick Beyers and I are again collaborating on a Lovecraft adaptation.
We’re updating THE MUSIC OF ERICH ZANN, expanding it and setting it squarely in the DREAMQUEST universe.
(You don’t have to have read DREAMQUEST to enjoy, but there are Easter Eggs and tie-ins if you have.)
Mick's line art for the title page
AS OUR WAY OF SAYING THANKS…
If you back both NT3D and BBoF#3, leave a comment on the Frankenstein page (this one!) that says “Shelley Poe Stoker” sent me and we’ll put a little extra love in your package.
Early Bird specials are running this week only on the SteveBryant and Jason Millet standard cover as well as the SFW variants by Mexifunk and Ginger Seehafer.
So if that sounds like music to your ears, click the image below, or...
OK, I promised you another bonus book... back soon with the reveal!
- Clay
250 Backers Strong! + Your Burning Questions answered...
about 1 year ago
– Fri, Oct 27, 2023 at 01:36:25 PM
If you just joined us: Thank you!
If you've been with us for a while: Thanks again!
In my last update, I promised a little more information on the book. Which means it's time to dip into the...
Metropolis Mailbag:
Frequent Frier Richard Boom asks:
Will this be a miniseries? Just curious how many issues to count on :)
Great question, Richard!
The original story bible clocked in at 7 episodes. Initially, I wanted to make this something I could pitch to publishers, so I toyed with the idea of shortening it… but the story is just too epic to tell in one mini.
Now that Kickstarter has provided a viable alternative to traditional publishing, I’ve broken it up into two arcs: the first will be four issues. After that, I may release the second arc as two double-sized issues to wrap it all up. (The jury's still out there.)
But if the public demands more? Well, we could tell stories in this universe for a long, long while.
Only time (and sales) will tell!
Artwork!
It's no secret that the Conan stories by Robert E. Howard were a big influence on this series. "Queen of the Black Coast" is one of his best, and you can bet I couldn't wait to put our intrepid heroes on a boat.
And since we're playing with a bunch of public domain characters...
And since Cthulhu lives under the ocean...
It was pretty inevitable that this issue was gonna be Frankenstein vs. Cthulhu.
And while I have no Cthulhu pages to show you (hey, we gotta save some surprises for the book!) here's a quick peek at some sea-faring artwork from Mick, which, I gotta say, looks pretty stunning in B&W:
Speaking of B&W artwork, the original art to our standard cover is still available, as are a few of the large commissions. Snap those up before they're gone!
FRIENDS OF FRIED
Speaking of getting it before it's gone...
Please don't tell him I said this, but Kevin Joseph is one of the nicest guys in comics. And he also happens to make one of my favorite comics on Kickstarter.
If you've backed any of my other campaigns, you've heard me sing the praises of TART before. Please indulge me while I do it again, because Kevin and artist Ludovic Salle are back with the third hardcover collection of this absolutely gorgeous series.
TART is about a group of time traveling demon hunters who use their witchlike powers to stand against the forces of Hell. I like to say this is the perfect book for people who miss Buffy as much as I do and/or people who love great artwork.
What Kevin and Ludo have achieved with this series is truly remarkable, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't admire their ability to make a long-running comic book in this day and age.
(Again, please don't tell him I said that.)
There are two weeks left to make this third hardcover collection a reality. So if you'd like to Kickstart some TART...
Speaking of gorgeous artwork, our pal Sam Noir is back with FRANKENSTEIN VISIONS - Deluxe Art Book. A MONSTER Gallery!
Over 35 creators (including Ken Lashley & Richard Pace) offer distinct and stunning interpretations of Mary Shelley's iconic gothic thriller!
For generations, FRANKENSTEIN has possessed our nightmares and captivated our imagination as a timeless story told and retold across all media. Now the fine folks at Slampress Tomes are UNLEASHING a murderer's row of creators and allowing them to present their unrestrained interpretation of the haunting tale.
A 72 page gallery featuring over 35 top tier artists presenting their unique interpretations of the most famous and celebrated monster in all of literature and popular culture.
(Please note that this is a lavish high quality Art Book, and does NOT contain the full text of the original Frankenstein novel.)
We've snuck a peek at the campaign and the artwork is truly a vision to behold. So if that sounds like a monster of a great book...
