Indie Comics Showcase #310: Alpha & Omega, The Night Slayers, & Bronze Star 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: Erik, for those just hearing about Alpha and Omega: From Eternity Past to The Last Adam, can you give us your quick elevator pitch for your comic? What’s the big picture behind it?

Erik Edwards: Alpha and Omega: From Eternity Past to The Last Adam is a 160-page, full-color graphic novel merging ancient history, mythology, and modern phenomena into one cinematic narrative. Hidden truths buried in scripture, science, and secrecy collide, revealing humanity’s origin, fall, and ultimate destiny. An epic fusion of history, theology, and conspiracy with threads of cosmology, cryptozoology, and ufology, crafted to captivate seekers of truth and fans of mystery, mythology, and the unexplained.

CB: That’s a fascinating mix of influences. How did the concept first come together, and what led you to publish it independently?

EE: The idea for Alpha and Omega came from years of connecting dots between ancient scripture, hidden history, archaeology, and modern phenomena like UAPs. I saw a bigger story hidden across myth, science, and faith, and knew it had to be told visually. I chose to self-publish to keep that vision pure and uncensored.

CB: Who do you think this book will resonate with most? What kind of readers do you imagine picking it up?

EE: Alpha and Omega is suited for readers who love epic storytelling that challenges what they think they know about history, science, and faith. It’s aimed at fans of mystery, mythology, and conspiracy. Whether you’re a truth seeker, skeptic, or casual reader, it’s designed to intrigue, entertain, and spark deeper thought about the world around us.

CB: Let’s talk about craft for a moment. Tell us a bit about your creative style and how you approach your writing and research process.

EE: I let the scriptures and history do the talking and provided well researched commentary along the way.

CB: Who helped bring this project to life visually? Tell us about your creative team.

EE: I provided the writing, lettering and editing. Jeff Slemons provided the illustrations (pencil & ink). Joel Chua provided the coloring.

CB: What was the production process like for such a detailed project? Is everything finished and ready to go?

EE: The book is fully complete; 160 pages of finished, full-color art and lettering. Every page was carefully researched, scripted, illustrated, and edited to professional print standards, ready for publication and distribution.

CB: As someone who’s managed this whole endeavor from the ground up, what have you learned through crowdfunding and self-publishing?

EE: I’ve learned it’s a massive amount of work, but worth it to maintain full creative control and deliver something genuine.

CB: Is this story meant to stand alone, or are there already plans for more installments down the road?

EE: Yes, there’s much more to tell. The original story was twice this length, but this felt like the right place to pause. Whether the next volume happens will depend on the audience and how this first installment resonates.

CB: Every great Kickstarter or indie launch has something extra for fans—are there any special elements or rewards tied to this one?

EE: Yes! This campaign features the “Easter Egg Challenge,” a hidden puzzle woven through the story. The first to solve it wins 10% of total campaign funds and the authentic 500-year-old silver coin that inspired the historic replicas offered as rewards in the campaign. It’s more than a graphic novel, it’s an immersive experience!

CB: Finally, what message or takeaway do you hope readers have when they finish Alpha and Omega?

EE: Alpha and Omega was created to spark curiosity and bridge the gap between faith and mystery. Whether you read it for the story, the art, or the hidden challenge within, it’s meant to leave you seeing the world through new eyes.

CB: After checking out your early ashcan preview copy, I can say that I found this book very engaging and the artwork was outstanding. Good luck on the campaign, Erik!

Check out the campaign here!

Check out the campaign here!

Chris Braly: Matthew, for readers just discovering your work, give us the quick elevator pitch for The Night Slayers. What kind of story are you telling here?

Matthew Kreke: The Night Slayers is a monster of the week supernatural mystery inspired by Supernatural and Grimm. In our pilot issue, based loosely on Rumpelstiltskin, two paranormal investigators forge an uneasy alliance with a skeptical police officer to find a missing child before midnight. Twenty pages, color.

CB: That sounds like a creepy, fun ride. What originally sparked the idea for The Night Slayers, and what made you decide to take the self-publishing route?

MK: I love shows like Supernatural, Grimm, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and The X-Files. I didn’t want to have to wait for a publisher just to get it printed.

CB: Who would you say this book is best suited for? What kind of readers do you imagine picking it up?

MK: Young adults and teenagers who follow Supernatural or Grimm faithfully.

CB: Let’s talk about your writing approach. How would you describe your creative process and storytelling style?

MK: I don’t actually outline, I write by the skin of my teeth. I have also written a YA superhero novella.

CB: Tell us about the team helping you bring this story to life. Who’s working with you on this project?

MK: My friend Charles D. Moisant is the editor and letterer. He also helped me find my art team. I have never met Aljoša Tomić, the colorist, or Marco Perugini, my line artist.

CB: How is production coming along? What stage is The Night Slayers at right now?

MK: We have a completed script and ten pages drawn and lettered by the art team. I have just authorized the team to start drawing the second half.

CB: Any special perks or rewards you’d like to mention for supporters of your campaign on Kickstarter?

MK: We offer trading cards as an add-on that I am proud of.

CB: What’s been the biggest learning curve for you in going through crowdfunding and self-publishing your work?

MK: It is difficult. I found that my local printer is cheaper than all other print-on-demand services I can find, which is good because I also don’t pay for shipping now.

CB: Sounds like you’re already thinking ahead. Any plans beyond this issue? Will the story continue?

MK: I have a script written for a sequel based on The Little Mermaid.

Check out the campaign here!

Check out the campaign here!

Chris Braly: Mike, can you kick things off with a quick elevator pitch for Bronze Star 2? What’s this sequel about?

Mike Baron: Bronze Star 2 continues the weird western horror saga from the first volume. It follows Harley Brogden, a battle-hardened Civil War vet who finds refuge in a remote mining town after killing a powerful landowner’s son caught cheating at poker. This time, Brogden faces even darker supernatural threats, including a some of the eeriest forces from native American folklore. The story blends Lovecraftian horror with gritty western atmosphere for a pulse-pounding narrative that will grab readers by the throat.

CB: The first Bronze Star was critically acclaimed by readers, podcasters, and even fellow comic creators. Is that what inspired you and Pat to keep telling this story with a second volume?

MB: The response to Bronze Star really fired us up. We wanted to dive deeper into the world we create, mix the brutal reality of the frontier with more supernatural menaces and complex characters. Pat’s art brings such life and authenticity to the story; it’s a perfect match for this sort of genre-bending tale.

CB: Who do you see as the ideal reader for Bronze Star 2? What kind of fans will connect with it most?

MB: It’s for readers who love westerns with a dark twist, fans of horror, Lovecraftian mythos, and weird western and western legends. If you like suspense, drama, and supernatural thrills combined with classic western grit, you will find a lot to enjoy in this graphic novel.

CB: Could you share a bit about the creative team and workflow behind this volume?

MB: I’m writing again, with Pat Broderick on pencils and inks. Pat’s detailed, expressive art really anchors the storytelling and it’s the best work of his career. Robb Epps handles colors again and Carlos M. Mangual returns to handle the lettering. This is a veteran team and I think we’ve maintained a high standard to ensure the book is top quality for our backers.

CB: Where are you in the production process right now? Is Bronze Star 2 ready?

MB: The campaign launched recently and we’ve been building on momentum. The book is well underway with pages completed and colors and lettering already in progress. We’re aiming for multiple editions, including deluxe black-and-white artist versions and signed hardcovers for collectors limited to only a small number of prints for those. Collectors will find a lot to like on the campaign, but we’re aiming for the average comicbook reader.

CB: What have you learned from self-publishing and crowdfunding this kind of project?

MB: Crowdfunding is intense but very rewarding. It lets us keep creative control and connect directly with fans. Plus, the support from the community fuels the work and drives us to deliver the best possible story and artwork.

CB: After Bronze Star 2, do you have plans for continuing the saga?

MB: Definitely. There’s many more stories to tell in this world, but I want them to be epic. I’m planning to keep exploring Brogden’s journey and the dark supernatural forces he faces in Cobb’s Gap. Take a look at the following interview with me and Pat for more insights on how it all came together.

CB: Are there any special perks or features for backers in this campaign?

MB: Yes, we’re offering various editions including both a second volume deluxe black-and-white artist’s hardcover as well as a very limited double sized version that collects the artist edition from the previous volume as well as this volume. We’re also providing signed copies, a really unique original art reward, and of course a catch-up bundle for new readers to get the first volume. 

CB: Anything else you’d like to share with fans before we wrap up?

MB: Bronze Star 2 is a love letter to fans of weird westerns and horror alike. We’re thrilled to continue this story and can’t wait for readers to dive into the next chapter of Harley Brogden’s haunting journey. It’s really a passion project for both Pat and myself. I know readers will enjoy it.

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!