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!
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Check out the campaign here!
Chris Braly: Welcome to Indie Comics Showcase, Graham. Tell me the pitch for the latest volume of Giant-Size Two-Fisted Manly Tales!
Graham Nolan: It’s a DANGEROUS MILITARY GAMBIT TO BRING DOWN AN EMPIRE! A World War ll “What If” tale brought to you by legendary creators Chuck Dixon and Butch Guice!
CB: Tell me what led to Compass Comics publishing this story?
GN: Chuck Dixon brought the property, “Storming Paradise” to me and it was a perfect fit for my Two-Fisted Manly Tales series. Chuck approached me with the project after the rights had been returned to him from Wildstorm.
CB: Chuck Dixon and the late, great Butch Guice are legendary collaborators, and you shared a seminal run with Chuck on Batman back in the day. What made “Storming Paradise” concept the right fit for your Manly Tales brand?
GN: You don’t get more “toxic masculinity” than the “greatest generation” that fought in WW2. I grew up with many of those men as friends, and teachers. I thought is was a perfect match the imprint.
CB: Our weekly Toxic Masculinity Tuesdays celebrate it as well. Can you tell me what that phrase mean to you in this context, and how do you think readers are responding to that theme?
GN: “Toxic masculinity” is the prejorative phrase used by liberals and feminists to describe men being men. The idea for the first book came about because I was fed up with all the portrayals of men in media and commercials as goofball, effeminant “soy boys”, and getting pushed around by “girl bosses” and even their own kids. I wanted to tell stories of men of action, men of commitment, men as protectors and providers and builders. Men that stood for and defended their ideals no matter what the personal costs. The success of the first book proved there is an audience craving these types of stories.
CB: It looks like you’ve moved your crowdfunding efforts from Indiegogo to Fund My Comic. What made that platform the better home for your projects moving forward
GN: I chose Fund My Comic to launch this project for a couple reasons. 1) They don’t gatekeep. I was concerned because of the Japanese symbols and symbolism, and the basic premise of the story, some knucklehead would complain to Indiegogo or Kickstarter that it’s racist. Nothing could be further from the truth. And Indiegogo was recently sold and revamped their platform making it much harder to create a campaign. I also like to support the little guys.
CB: With the book ready to go to print right after the campaign, what kind of experience can backers expect. Any special editions, behind-the-scenes features, or extras that connect it to Manly Tales #1?
GN: This will be a deluxe hardcover unlike the original trade that Wildstorm released. It will also contain bonus material seen here for the very first time.
CB: Nice! Anything else you would like to share with our readers before we sign off?
GN: This is a 30 day campaign with NO LATE PLEDGES. The files are going to the printer as soon as the campaign ends and we have our order numbers.
CB: Looks great Graham. Here’s to a successful campaign!
Check out the campaign here!
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Chris Braly: Karl, for readers just hearing about Mary Boys: All Stitched Up, what’s the quick elevator pitch? How would you describe this new chapter in your series?
Karl Stephan: This is a new adventure featuring the four Teenage Knights Templar and their mentor, Father Michael Parrish. They are quadruplets born with a rare genetic condition that causes enlarged hands and feet, distorted facial features, and prevents sufferers from growing any body hair. Their condition also affects the way they metabolize alcohol — drinking beer gives them almost superhuman strength and endurance. This is part one of their first full-length adventure!
MARY BOYS : ALL STITCHED UP Part 1 - LAUNCHING SOON on 1st of February 2026
CB: That’s such a unique concept. What originally inspired Mary Boys, and what made you decide to self-publish instead of going through a mainstream publisher?
KS: I wanted to make an antidote to modern comics—something unapologetically English and obnoxious. Self-publishing is the only way to do something like this without it getting watered down by some terrified editor.
CB: For people new to your work, who do you think this series will appeal to the most? What kind of readers do you have in mind?
KS: Any readers with a healthy sense of humour would enjoy these books. If you like comics like Tank Girl, The Goon, and the first decade or so of 2000 AD, then you’ll probably like this.
CB: Let’s dig into your art style and storytelling. How would you describe your creative approach, and what influences shaped it?
KS: I’m a fan of artists like Will Eisner, Jack Davis, Jordi Bernet, Mick McMahon, and Wally Wood. Old school stuff, but with a new sensibility. I’ve been published by a well-known indie publisher before and have published three volumes of Mary Boys comics prior to this — all self-contained stories up to now.
CB: What about your creative team this time around—who’s helping you bring this story to life?
KS: I write and draw the comics whilst my wife helps with marketing and fulfillment.
CB: It sounds like a real family-driven effort! How far along is the book, and what kind of production schedule are you working with?
KS: The comic is completely DONE and we’re ready to go to print as soon as the campaign ends! So rest easy, backers.
CB: As someone who’s been doing this independently for a while, what have you learned from self-publishing and crowdfunding along the way?
KS: I’m DIY all the way and crowdfunding lets me keep control of the process. I love interacting with readers and hearing their feedback.
CB: You’ve built quite a following with Mary Boys. What’s next after All Stitched Up? Can fans expect the story to continue?
KS: Hell yes. I need to finish this series!
CB: Before we wrap up, tell us a bit about the campaign itself. What kind of perks or special items can backers look forward to?
KS: On the campaign I offer commission sketches, original art from the book, prints, and two variant covers. There is also a catch-up tier for those unfamiliar with the Mary Boys.
CB: Awesome Karl. Good luck with the campaign. We’re rooting for you!
Check out the campaign here!
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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) · 