Airboy returns, crowdfunding continues to expand revival from Chuck Dixon and It’s Alive!

By John Freeman on April 27, 2019

Thanks to a hugely successful crowdfunder by publisher It’s Alive!, Chuck Dixon is returning to write Airboy #51, joined by artists Brent McKee (on pencils and inks) and Jok (colour and letters), with a story that picks right up where AIRBOY #50 left off – over 30 years ago!

Airboy is a fictional aviation hero from an American comic book series initially published by Hillman Periodicals during a time best known to fans as the Golden Age of comic books, created writers Charles Biro and Dick Wood and artist Al Camy.

Golden Age Airboy Covers

The character disappeared from publications until a 1980’s revival under Chuck Dixon (with the occasional editorial assistance of Tim Truman) that lasted for several years.That new incarnation, published by Eclipse Comics, updated Airboy to the modern era, starring the son of the original character.

The 50-issue run, reintroduced many of the supporting characters from the i940’s series, such as Valkyrie and a Japanese fighter pilot named Hirota, and guest-starred many of the characters who had appeared as backups in the original comics.

Dixon now returns to continue the story he began 50 years ago, and to celebrate the new issue of Airboy, after gaining over $15,000 (£12,000) in backing, US indie publisher It’s Alive! have also commissioned variant covers by Dalibor Talajic, Don Perlin, Emma Kubert, Graham Nolan, Matt Kindt, Paul Gulacy and Stipe Kalajžić.

The new issue of Airboy, entitled “Generations”, will introduce David Nelson III, grandson of the original Golden Age Airboy, and son of the more recent 1980’s incarnation of Airboy created by Chuck Dixon.

“In an effort not to spoil the story, I won’t give you too many details,” says publisher Drew Ford,”but I promise that Dixon has returned to this world and these characters with one hell of a story that is sure to blow your mind!

“Brent McKee will be handling the pencils and inks, with Jok adding the colours and letters. Once you see the final product, we think you will agree that these three creators make an incredible team!”

But although the Airboy campaign has officially ended, unofficially it continues through the InDemand program on Indiegogo.

So far, since the end of the campaign, It’s Alive have raised another $900, getting to over $16,000 which brings the team ever closer to a third stretch goal of $17,500, which will mean Chuck Dixon will be writing a brand new back up story.

“It could be Valkyrie, The Heap, or maybe Skywolf,” enthuses Drew. “Chuck won’t announce which character until we hit that goal… so let’s make it happen as soon as possible!”

New backers also have a chance to buy Airboy sketches and cover art, and you can still grab an original page of art from the book itself.

“Please help us make this new Airboy comic book a reality!” Drew asks. “Thank you!”

It’s Alive! is the brainchild of Eisner-nominee Drew Ford, publishing out of print comics, English translations of foreign material, original projects, and other unique collectibles. Initially operating through IDW, Drew reached an amicable and mutual agreement to separate operations to become an independent publishing operation last year.

All books published by the It’s Alive! imprint are funded by crowdfunding campaigns, producing a Kickstarter edition for its donors, which is then followed by a trade edition of the book, distributed to bookstores and comics shops.

The line debuted in 2016 with two long out-of-print works, Red Range: A Wild Western Adventure, a 1999 graphic novel by celebrated genre novelist and comics writer Joe Lansdale and artist Sam Glanzman; and Dope, a 1980s graphic adaptation of Sax Rohmer’s 1919 novel about a marijuana scandal, created by comics artist and historian Trina Robbins. Several projects have followed, including Voyage to the Deep by Sam Glanzman, with a new cover by Rufus Dayglo,

The company is currently running a campaign on Kickstarter to publish a new edition of Pearl Harbor by Sam Glansman, with a new cover by Dave Dorman.

Last month, Drew announced So What? Press is now an imprint of It’S Alive!, working with Dave Kelly and company to bring Tales of the Night Watchman to a wider audience.

“They have a two issue mini-series coming out to kick this off followed by their first crossover…with none other than comic book rock star Dean Haspiel and his LINE WEBTOON / Image Comics series, The Red Hook!”

• You can support the Airboy project on Indiegogo here

• It’s Alive is online at www.itsalivepress.com | Store | Facebook | Follow Drew Ford on Twitter @DrewFordWrites | Follow Chuck Dixon on Twitter @Dixonverse

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John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.