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 (CB): For those just hearing about it, what’s the quick pitch for your new project—what kind of story can readers expect from Butch Killigan?
Sven Stoffels (SS): Butch Killigan is a hard-boiled DEA detective who wakes from a coma to find Ultra-City transformed into a sissified dystopia where all drugs are legal—except one. SPORE, the eldritch substance that put him under and stole his pregnant wife, is the only thing still run by the underworld. Now the last man in a world that doesn’t need them anymore, Butch carves through malformed monstrosities, corporate zealots, and drug-fueled freaks to find his wife and exact his revenge. 120 pages of raw cyberpunk noir, black & white, brutal action, and savage satire.
Butch Killigan 3: Tainted Veins | Launch Trailer
CB: That sounds intense! Where did the idea for this story come from, and what made you decide to self-publish it?
SS: I’ve always been into cyberpunk and satire. Being from the animation industry, I’ve always tried to combine comedy and action. Butch Killigan started as a way to merge many of my favorite influences into something uncompromising and raw. I wanted to tell a story that didn’t pull punches or soften edges for mass appeal. Self-publishing through crowdfunding gives me complete creative control—no editorial committees, no sanitizing the violence or themes. My backers funded Books 1 and 2, I delivered on time both times, and now we’re closing out Arc 1 together.
CB: Who do you think this comic is best suited for? What kind of readers are you hoping to reach?
SS: Fans of cyberpunk (Blade Runner, Akira, Ghost in the Shell), hard-boiled noir (Sin City, Batman: The Animated Series), and gritty action comics that don’t shy away from violence or dystopian bleakness. This is for readers who want unfiltered storytelling without the polish and safety of mainstream comics. If you’re tired of sanitized heroes and want something with teeth, this is it.
CB: Let’s talk about your visual approach. How would you describe your style and creative process on this project?
SS: My style is a mix of Franco-Belgian comics—I grew up on Asterix and Amsterdam adult comics—combined with Bruce Timm’s clean linework from Batman: The Animated Series, and the brutal intensity of manga like Berserk. Paul Verhoeven’s satirical action films—RoboCop, Starship Troopers—shaped how I approach dystopian violence and social commentary. I work solo, writing and drawing everything myself, which keeps the vision uncompromised. The process is straightforward: rough thumbnails, tight layouts, then heavy inking with sharp blacks and high contrast.
CB: Simple and direct! What does your production workflow look like, and how complete is this latest book?
SS: Before launch, I make sure the books are finished. Books 1 and 2 were both 100% completed before starting their campaigns and delivered on time—and so is Book 3.
CB: Nice. I know you’ve been at this for a while. What have you learned from self-publishing and crowdfunding your own work?
SS: Two campaigns, two on-time deliveries, 730 total backers—I’ve learned that consistency and communication matter more than hype. Crowdfunding lets me build an audience that actually wants unfiltered storytelling without editorial committees softening the edges. The biggest lesson: keep production realistic, work with a reliable fulfillment partner, and never overpromise on delivery dates. My backers fund the books, I deliver the books, repeat.
CB: Is this the end for Butch Killigan, or do you already have more stories planned in this world?
SS: Book 3 closes out Arc 1, but Butch Killigan’s story is far from over. Arc 2 will dig deeper into Ultra-City’s conspiracies and the forces that broke the world. There’s a bigger mythology at play—SPORE is just the surface. I’m in this for the long haul.
CB: Finally, for collectors and backers—what kind of perks or special features can they look forward to in this campaign?
SS: This campaign offers an Arc 1 Omnibus Hardcover—all three volumes (376 pages) collected in a premium hardcover format for only $50 USD during the campaign. Post-campaign retail will be $70+ USD, making this a massive value for backers. We also offer signed head sketches (limited to 40–50), exclusive standees, sticker sheets, and trading cards. First 24-hour backers get a free signed limited print.
CB: Looks great, Sven! Good luck on the campaign.
Check out the campaign here!
_________
Check out the campaign here!
Chris Braly (CB): For readers hearing about it for the first time, what’s the quick pitch for The Vicious Vixens of Dakuwanga—what kind of story are we in for?
Ben Lacy (BL): The Mob has gathered eight women, each with a unique skill set, for a special mission, and is holding their youngest member hostage. Now, to save her, they must fight their way into The Lost City of Gold.
CB: That’s a great setup! Where did the idea for this spinoff come from, and what made you decide to self‑publish it?
BL: In my other comic, Shark of War, the main character saves eight women trapped at sea. They only had a brief appearance, but afterward, I began to wonder who they were and why they were out at sea. Soon, I had a whole story thought up for them, which became The Vicious Vixens of Dakuwanga.
CB: Who do you see as the audience for this series? What kind of comic readers will really connect with it?
BL: Anyone who likes strong, beautiful women in kick‑butt action. The book’s action veers toward R‑rated, and there is partial nudity—some butt shots and one NSFW variant cover.
CB: You’re juggling a big cast—eight main characters! Tell us a bit about your storytelling style and creative process for a project like this.
BL: I consider myself a strong plotter, which helps in handling a fairly large cast and making each of them integral to the story. I also write prose short stories in addition to comics, and I think that’s helped me develop as a writer overall.
CB: Let’s talk about your team—who else helped bring The Vicious Vixens of Dakuwanga to life?
BL: Nico Toran has been my artist for all four issues. He does very detailed panels and gives each of the women a unique yet attractive look. Nikki Powers is the letterer and has lettered every one of my books.
CB: How do you typically handle production? And where are things at with this current issue?
BL: Normally, I write a script, then have Nico illustrate the first eight pages and draw a cover before going to Kickstarter. This time, though—except for anything involving backers who paid to appear in the book—the entire book is finished, including the lettering.
CB: You’ve done a few of these campaigns now. What have you learned about self‑publishing and crowdfunding through this process?
BL: You constantly have to be improving and building your audience. Unlike writing a “name” character, there are no safety nets in indie comics. You’ve got to bring your best stuff and do it again and again. I hope I’m doing that.
CB: Will the Vixens’ adventures continue after this? Do you have more stories planned?
BL: Yes, definitely. These women have a lot more cool adventures left to tell.
CB: What kind of perks or special features can backers expect from this campaign?
BL: I’ve got popular cover artist YUM! doing both a nice and a naughty cover. There’s also a cosplay cover by Nigerian model Muritala Mercy, plus four other cosplay covers by different models for the earlier issues.
CB: Before we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to share with our readers?
BL: Yes—there’s a link at the top of the Kickstarter page that lets you read Issue #1 for free. No signups, no email required—just click and read. I think anyone who checks it out will want to see more.
CB: Thanks for bringing this project to our attention, Ben. Good luck!
Check out the campaign here!
_________
Check out the campaign here!
Chris Braly (CB): For those new to the series, what’s the quick pitch for SuccuBUSTED! #4: Love Lust and Lesbians? What’s this latest chapter all about?
Isaac Fox (IF): A callipygian succubus, a sexy witch, a bit of pet play, and one big climax. It’ll take more than ballgags and bourbon to save the day this time! Can agents Liam J. White and Rita the succubus stop Romina the witch’s sinister plot to conquer Jacksonville, or will they be pounded into submission?
CB: That’s quite the teaser! Where did the original idea for SuccuBUSTED! come from, and what made you decide to self‑publish it?
IF: SuccuBUSTED! was born from a desire to expand beyond the darker and more serious tones of my usual work. I’d been wanting to write a story about a succubus, but instead of the usual trope of making them simple eye candy, I wanted to give the concept depth and purpose. Ecchi is fun, but ecchi with purpose is fantastic. I self‑publish to avoid the often unpopular demands of producers or middlemen and instead focus on what my audience wants. That direct connection helps me deliver exactly what they’re looking for.
CB: It’s a pretty bold and mature premise. Who is this comic best suited for?
IF: SuccuBUSTED! is absolutely for adults—ages 18 and up only. If you’re a person of culture and enjoy anime like High School DXD or Seikon No Qwaser, or comics like Sunstone, you’re in the right place. If you like sexy succubi mixed with raunchy comedy, this book is for you.
CB: What’s your creative process like? How do you approach building something with that balance of humor, action, and, well… heat?
IF: When a comic goes into production, I start by outlining a list of “must‑have” moments—scenes or events that define that issue. I create detailed character sheets covering even the smallest traits so I understand each character completely, something I learned from Hirohiko Araki. From there, I write the script, edit it myself, then pass it through my editors before it moves to the art team. Every step is meant to keep quality and consistency high.
CB: Speaking of your art team, tell us about the folks who helped you bring SuccuBUSTED! #4 to life.
IF: The comic was drawn by Mitsublinger, who has since retired from comics. Our coloring was handled by our chief colorist—now chief artist—Krius. Much of our fictional tech, in‑world items, and even custom fonts were designed by J. Quick. I also work with two editors who go through scripts separately, each focusing on different types of issues and improvements.
CB: What’s your production workflow like, and how far along is this issue?
IF: I tend to work in long bursts—10 to 15 hours straight when I’m really in the zone—until a script or idea is ready. A script usually takes one to two weeks to finish, including the editing and polishing stages. Once it’s ready, it goes to the art team. The artists deliver pages a few at a time for review, and we use an organized document system to manage revisions for both the artist and colorist. Like all Astral Ticket Comics titles, SuccuBUSTED! #4 is completely finished well before it ever hits Kickstarter.
CB: You’ve clearly been around the self‑publishing block. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from crowdfunding and creating independently?
IF: There will always be unforeseen troubles. It could be a postal strike, a supplier delay, or even personal illness slowing things down. The trick is to take a page from Batman—always be prepared for the unexpected. Something will happen to make your campaign or production harder, so plan for it. Schedule more time than you think you need—that extra window can save your life.
CB: So is this really the end of the story for Rita and Liam, or do you plan to keep it going past issue four?
IF: Issue #4 was originally meant to wrap up the series, answering all the major questions and resolving the main arcs. Does Rita confess her feelings for Liam? Do they finally get together? And what’s going on between Kimiko and Queen Basphyra—how kinky does it get? When issue #3 dropped, I kept hearing one consistent complaint: fans didn’t want the story to end. By popular demand, we’re continuing with a whole new arc—SuccuBUSTED! 2: Dirty Angels #1—which sends our heroes on a brand‑new assignment.
CB: That’s great news for fans! What can backers expect from the current campaign—any extras or special editions?
IF: Most of our variant covers never get reprinted, so grab them while you can. Since this is the end‑of‑arc special, we’re also offering posters featuring some of our most popular covers, including art by Leirix and CuteSexyRobutts. Collector’s editions will come in numbered and gold‑foiled variants. By popular demand, our succubus booty mousepads are back! We’re also introducing exclusive trading cards as part of an upcoming adult‑only card game featuring characters from across the Astral Ticket Comics universe.
CB: Before we let you go, any final thoughts you’d like to share with your readers?
IF: Issue #4… wow. This story about a purple‑haired succubus with a small chest and a huge booty honestly changed my life. And you, the readers, changed my life too. I can’t thank you enough for supporting my work and our small team at Astral Ticket Comics. We feel an obligation to make our readers happy—whether it’s giving you a character you relate to or just delivering a fun, sexy escape. We owe you everything for helping us get this far. Thank you.
CB: It’s my pleasure, Isaac. Keep on creating!
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!
English (US) · 