Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up: THE BOOK OF JUSKO, SHIN ZERO, THERION, and four more projects you’ll love!

Welcome to this week’s installment of The Beat‘s Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up! Let’s look at what happens when deep stories meet sci-fi fun!

The Book of Jusko

Creators: Joe Pruett (Editor/Project Runner), Joe Jusko (Artist/Owner)
Goal: $10,000
End Date: September 18, 2025
Goodies: Get the trading card set for $30, the Jusko Deluxe Edtion tier for $75, the deluxe slipcase for $125, or at higher tiers get the masterpiece tier for $200 and more!

Joe Jusko created fantasy masterpieces that have withstood the test of time, since 1992 Jusko’s legendary career has brought out more pieces that have redefined how the world not only saw pop culture, but superhero’s altogether. Now in 2025 you have the chance to own not only a piece of pop culture history, but pieces of art that any lover of the arts would want to own. Make sure to check this project out, there’s a little something for everyone. 

Become a backer here.

SHIN ZERO

Creators: label 619
Goal: $7,500
End Date: September 11, 2025
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $12, the phuysical copy for $25, the hardcover for $39, or at higher tiers get the Kaiju Protocol tier for $69 and much more!

Sentai never die— but they might not always get 5-star ratings. Enter the world of SHIN ZERO, and the age of uber-heroes.

Honestly, every now and then a project will arrive on Kickstarter that I can’t stop thinking about. In this case, I am so glad I laid my eyes on SHIN ZERO. What happens when superhero’s aren’t needed anymore? This story takes that premise and runs with it, digging into what these tokusatsu heroes get up too after the final kaiju is finished. Whether it’s performing at parties, becoming security, or even odd jobs just to pay rent, you get to follow our team of protagonists as they rediscover purpose in a world that no longer needs them. Or, so they believe. I couldn’t get enough of it and with this stunning artwork I want to have so much more. The best part all of these heroes have so much to pull from, and getting to use this art to create a phenomenal hardcover with must have freebies, it was no surprise that i instantly backed this project. If super sentai is up your alley, make sure to check this project out you will not regret it!

Become a backer here. 

Therion

Creators: Daniel Boneham (Co-Creator, and Art Director), Samuel Boneham (Co-Creator/Producer), Tahlia Pearce (Principal Pearce)
Goal: $4,554
End Date: August 29, 2025 
Goodies: Get the physical copy for $27, the sticker pack for $40, the true explorer tier for $66, or at higher tiers get the white curse tier for $163!

What would you do if you were forced to be the very thing you sought to overcome? I connect that thought to Therion, and it’s hard not to. The story follows a healer who must learn to hunt down this massive beasts in the hopes of curing themself of a curse put on them by one of them. It’s insane to get something this good out of a Kickstarter campaign, even better when you look at the amount of work put into the campaign and the phenomenal art put out by Tahlia Pearce. I want to shout how amazing this campaign is from the rooftops. If you love high fantasy, D&D, or other fantasy adventures, check this diverse story out; you will become enamored with it. 

Become a backer here.

 WÜNDERGARTEN

Creators: CHIMERA INK
Goal: $10,000
End Date: August 28, 2025
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $15, the physical copy for $40, the collectors set for $75, or, at higher tiers, get the collectors cache for $100, and much more!

What happens when you get Alice, Dorothy, Milena, and Belle and you through them into a dark fantasy with an art style close to Berserk and just the right amount of dark fantasy, well, you get  WÜNDERGARTEN. The project is phenomenal, I couldn’t stop looking through the page, the story was enough to keep me interested, but this artwork is something to behold and to have that level of quality through a Kickstarter campaign goes to show how loved this project is by CHIMERA INK. To some, kickstarters might be the level of “quality” the masses are used to from their local comic shops; however, I recommend this campaign more and more to others. This is a unique idea and a fantasy adventure worth perceiving through the looking glass. 

Become a backer here.

LEAPERS Issue #1 – Mutants, Music, & Mayhem

Creators: Hidden Pharaoh Comics
Goal: $7,800
End Date:  September 4, 2025
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $7, the physical copy for $15, the variant for $17, or, at higher tiers, get the block party variant for $19, and more!

What would the music district look like in a walled-off cyberpunk city where chaos reigns and power is determined by your birthday?

LEAPERS is a wild mix of mutants, music, and mayhem set in the neon-soaked streets of Grimhaven. Born on Leap Day? You’ve got reality-bending powers and a target on your back. With 52 pages of action, style, and attitude, Issue #1 throws you headfirst into Jax and his BANG, the Nightmares, as they fight to reclaim their city. The cyberpunk, manga-inspired art is honestly stunning and you can feel the care poured into every panel, it genuinely brightens my day seeing it. If you love X-Men, Edgerunners, Scott Pilgrim, or Jet Set Radio, this is for you.

Become a backer here.

RUNNERS Volume 3 Graphic Novel

Creators: Sean Wang (Writer/Artist)
Goal: $8,000
End Date:  September 10, 2025
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $10, the physical copy for $25, the hardcover for $30, or, at higher tiers, get the volumes 1-3 paperback bundle for $65, and much more!

The National Cartoonists Society-nominated sci-fi adventure returns with a super-sized 224-page third volume!

RUNNERS is exactly the kind of comic I want to read: fun, fast, and full of personality. Think Star Wars, Firefly, and Guardians of the Galaxy rolled into one, with smugglers, aliens, pirates, and enough twists to keep you hooked. What really gets me is how much heart and humor there is alongside the action; the crew feels alive, the banter lands, and the cartoony yet detailed art just pops off the page. Volume 3 ramps things up with 200 pages of chaos, charm, and intergalactic trouble, and honestly, it looks like an absolute blast.

Become a backer here.

 Fantasy Art by Max Dunbar

Creators: Max Dunbar (Artist)
Goal:  $5,000
End Date:  September 10, 2025
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $30, the hardcover for $50, a signed copy for $65, or at higher tiers, get the art print bundle for $68 and much more!

An Artbook collecting illustrations and sketches of fantasy characters and creatures from comic book and concept artist Max Dunbar.

Max Dunbar has been shaping the way we see fantasy for over a decade, from the iconic Dungeons & Dragons comics to concept art for games like HeroQuest, Talisman, and HeroScape. His style is absolutely beautiful. It’s intricate, bold, and bursting with imagination. This new hardcover collects his sketches, concepts, and illustrations in one stunning volume, and as a D&D fan, it honestly feels like a requirement to own. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next campaign or just love immersing yourself in gorgeous fantasy worlds, this book is the kind of art you’ll want to keep revisiting.

Become a backer here.

For more from The Beat’s Crowdfunding Round-Up, check out our archived posts here!