Indie Comics Showcase #309: Legends of Indie Comics / Words Only Vol. 2

Welcome back to another installment of Indie Comics Showcase, the weekly blog where we signal boost a few truly independent comics that are currently crowdfunding their projects, crowdsourcing their funding in some way, or just completely self-publishing on their own. Every little bit of support for these creators matters, from a single dollar pledge to the twenty-five dollar bundle, and of course the higher tiers are usually fun too! Even if you can’t back a campaign or buy a book, you can share or tweet about these projects to your friends and followers. 

On Indie Comics Showcase, we interview the creators, show off some art, and tell you how you can check out the product for yourself. Below we have some outstanding crowdfunding campaigns this week for you to learn about, enjoy, and hopefully support by backing one or more of them! Thanks for checking these out and for being the best part of Indie Comics Showcase. Let’s jump in!

Check out the campaign here!

Chris Braly: Your successful campaign for Legends of Indie Comics: Words Only, Volume 2 wraps up today! Tell our readers what the book about?

Robert Jeschonek: This book features all-new prose stories of classic indie comics characters, written by their original creators. It includes characters like NEXUS by Mike Baron and STAR SLAMMERS by Walter Simonson. The esteemed Garth Ennis and Howard Chaykin are also contributing stories, along with Colleen Doran, Joe Staton, and Mark Wheatley. We also have lost tales and artwork by underground superstar Vaughn Bodē. Plus, there’s a stretch goal for a special jam story that will bring many of these creators and their characters together in one incredible team-up.

Chris Braly: Where did the idea for this project come from, and why did you decide to self-publish?

Robert Jeschonek: I envisioned this project years ago and always believed it was a fantastic idea, although it took a while to bring it to fruition. We crowdfunded Volume 1 last year, which featured stories by Mike Grell, Paul Chadwick, John Ostrander, and others. That campaign performed so well that I knew a follow-up was necessary. I chose to assemble and publish it myself because I strongly believe in indie publishing and the advantages it provides. After all, a book named Legends of Indie Comics should be indie-published.

Chris Braly: Who is this book best suited for? What kind of readers should pick it up?

Robert Jeschonek: This book is aimed primarily at adult readers, especially those who love indie, alternative, and underground comics. Some stories contain strong language and mature themes, so it might not be suitable for younger readers.

Chris Braly: Could you share about your style and creative process? How did you develop them?

Robert Jeschonek: I’m a USA TODAY bestselling fiction author, so I’m familiar with the publishing world. I’ve written hundreds of stories, dozens of books, and numerous comic scripts, including for DC and AHOY. I also contribute to BACK ISSUE magazine. On the editing side, I’ve assembled several themed anthologies which have done quite well.

Chris Braly: Tell us about the creative team behind this volume.

Robert Jeschonek: John K. Snyder III provided the cover illustration, and Edd Vick of Mu Press wrote the introduction. The full roster of authors includes:

• Mike Baron (Nexus)
• Donna Barr (The Desert Peach)
• Bill Black (Femforce)
• Mark and Vaughn Bodē (Cheech Wizard and Junkwaffel)
• Gary Carlson (Megaton)
• Howard Chaykin (“Shabbos Goy”)
• Colleen Doran (A Distant Soil)
• Garth Ennis (Jamie McKenzie)
• Steven Grant (Twilight Man)
• Roberta Gregory (Bitchy Bitch)
• James Artimus Owen (Starchild)
• David Quinn (Faust)
• Walter Simonson (Star Slammers)
• John K. Snyder III (Fashion in Action)
• Joe Staton (E-Man and Nova Kane)
• Jan Strnad (Dalgoda)
• Ty Templeton (Stig’s Inferno)
• Mark Verheiden (The American)
• Henry Vogel (Extraterrestrial Time-Traveling Thieves, aka X-Thieves)
• Mark Wheatley (Frankenstein Mobster)
• Bill Willingham (Pantheon)

Chris Braly: What is your production workflow like? How far along is the book?

Robert Jeschonek: Many authors have already submitted their stories, while others are still completing theirs. I plan to assemble the book after the Kickstarter campaign concludes, because the stretch goals we reach will determine if the book includes black-and-white illustrations and a special jam story that teams up multiple characters.

Chris Braly: What have you learned from the self-publishing and crowdfunding process?

Robert Jeschonek: Pre-launch preparation is even more crucial than I realized. Building a following before the campaign starts can make the difference between success and failure. Creating compelling stretch goals is also vital to spark backer interest. Creatively, it’s reinforced how thrilling it is to work with such an incredibly talented team of creators who are true legends.

Chris Braly: What are your plans after this volume? Are more stories coming?

Robert Jeschonek: I’m already planning Legends of Indie Comics: Words Only, Volume 3. I’ve recruited outstanding creators for what will be an even bigger and cooler volume than the first two. Volume 1 focused on indie comics from the 1980s, Volume 2 expanded to cover the 1960s through the 1990s, and Volume 3 will bring us into the 21st century, which has been a boom time for indie creators.

Chris Braly: Any special features or perks included with this book or the crowdfunding campaign?

Robert Jeschonek: We’ve already hit our first stretch goal, which adds a new story by Garth Ennis. The next two stretch goals will ensure at least one black-and-white illustration accompanies every story – except one, for specific reasons. The subsequent stretch goal will unlock a highly anticipated jam story starring many characters from the book, written by their creators. That’s the one I’m most excited about because it’s going to be amazing.

Chris Braly: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Robert Jeschonek: Your support made Legends of Indie Comics Volume 1 a reality, and it’s what will ensure Volume 2 succeeds as well. Please help spread the word to anyone and everyone who’ll listen—this project will only get better with their help.

Chris Braly: Great! I encourage everyone to check out the campaign at the link below.

Check out the campaign here!

That’s it for this installment. If you’re a creator ramping up your own campaign or have a comic available for purchase online and you want to be featured in our weekly column, click here so we can hopefully help you get more eyes on YOUR crowdfunding comic project. Until next time, support indie comics!