Advent Comics Facets Tenth Anniversary Cover by Sam Santos
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, US indie publisher Advent Comics has launched a Kickstarter to publish a 100-page anthology, Facets to mark the occasion – and, like many smaller comics companies across the globe, makes no bones about how it sees Kickstarter and crowdfunding as a way to put their comics in front of readers in a way that bypasses traditional distribution dominated in the US by the majors like DC and Marvel.
First conceived back in 2015, the 100-plus page Facets should serve as a great introduction for anyone who have never read any Advent Comics titles – and will entertain long-time fans as well. “Working around the regular slate of titles, this book had to take a backseat to other professional deadlines and became the centrepiece of the tenth anniversary celebration,” says publisher Tony Kittrell, whose writing and publishing credits include over thirty titles such as COSMOS, Titan The Ultra Man, The Regulators, Savior – and has helped other indie creators with the creator-owned, Unbound Realms Line which gives them a chance to bring their books to the world. “But now, the time has come to fully dedicate to giving this project the attention that it deserves and all the stops have been pulled out for this event!
“Kickstarter is the best way to get the book into the hands of the people we want to see it the most – comic book fans and readers,” Tony says. “Even though we have been making comics for a decade, we are not as known as the [US] Big Two (meaning: most people don’t know our comics are here). That’s because we can’t easily get Facets into your local comics store.
“We’re competing against companies that have been established for close to 100 years and with way deeper pockets and resources. But with Kickstarter, we can send the books directly to you through digital download or direct comics shipping.”
Founded in 2009, Advent Comics is based on the belief that fans and reader satisfaction is of the utmost importance, committed to welcoming the chance to win their trust and deliver the best entertainment in the industry. Their titles encompass a range of genres including action adventure, horror, fantasy, SF, crime noir and superheroes, and are sold in over 34 countries around the world.
Tony, who has run a number of successful crowdfunding campaigns, says the book (and most of the exclusive books that are part of the Anniversary celebration are all over 90 pr cent completed and produced. Pledges will go towards the remaining production costs – colouring, lettering, printing and shipping.
“Kickstarter gives me an amazing opportunity to gain new fans with each new project and to invite you to join us on the journey into the next decade,” he enthuses. “We want to find people who like the same kind of stories we like. We want to let them know we exist. Kickstarter is the best way to make a splash.
“We’re proud to present this special anniversary project that celebrates my and Advent Comics’ ten years in the comics industry,” he continues.
“Having books available in comic shops, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, on Comixology, Kindle and more has been great but there has been nothing like bringing new material directly to fans through Kickstarter!!
Facets is a 100-page anthology – which is being offered with a number of variant covers – offering stories that feature: aliens, undersea worlds, origins, military operations, kickass action, badass villains, cosmic adventure, supernatural creatures, dystopian bounty hunters and superheroes.
The strips include work of over 50 creators, including Ace Continuado (Dark Horse’s Shaper, Zenescope’s Robyn Hood), Allan Goldman (Action Comics, Superman, Justice League of America, Wonder Woman, Teen Titans), Andy Smith (Ominous Press Demi-God, Thanos: The Infinity Revelation, Invincible), Bart Sears (Ominous Press, Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, Valiant Comics), Devmalya Pramanik (Image’s Paradiso), Dheeraj Verma (Lady Death, Transformers, Dynamite’s Complete Dracula), Dijjo Lima (Doctor Who, Vampirella, Assassin’s Creed: Origins), Netho Diaz (IDW’s G.I. Joe), Rich Buckler (Fantastic Four, Deathlok, Superman vs. Shazam), Rico Renzi (Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Spider-Gwen), Sam Santos (Dark Matter: Rise of the Lexicons), Steven Grant (Whisper, X-Man, Grifter, X, Wetworks) and many more.
Ace – “Enter…Casino Royale”, written by Tony Kittrell, art by Dheeraj Verma, inked by Cristian Docolomansky, coloured by Memo Regalado. lettered by Ed Dukeshire
Africa Force – “Scream of the Devil”, written by by Tony Kittrell, pencils by Netho Diaz, inks by Thiago Gomes, coloured by Hedwin Zaldivar, lettered by Lucas Gattoni
The Fallen, written by by Tony Kittrell, art by Danny Jimenez, lettered by Cristian Docolomansky
The over-arching premise of the anthology’s stories is that one day is all it takes to change everything… forever – and today just happens to be that day for the Advent Comics characters.
“The premise of Facets surrounds two cosmic beings, the Academian and the mysterious Advent, discussing the fate of this universe which depends upon the events unfolding on Earth,” Tony teases. “The Advent Comics heroes and villains are featured as they unknowingly play their role in a cosmic game of chance that can destroy the cosmos itself. And the one thing that is true is that anything is possible within the Advent Universe!
Facets will offer multiple covers including an Andy Smith Variant Spot UV Hardcover, a Netho Diaz Metal Cover and a Limited Trinity Extended Edition
“We wish to meet the world, and we want the world to meet us. Our readers hail from many different places around the globe, but we all share a love for great stories and great characters,” Tony says of the Facets project. “We hope to help bridge the gap between what has come before and the limitless future. Advent Comics honours the tradition of industry founders, as well as constantly striving by breaking new ground.
“y supporting FACETS, not only will you enjoy a great story and some cool rewards, in the long run you’re helping its chances of becoming something classic!”
• Check out the Facets Kickstarter here
• Advent Comics is online at www.adventcomics.com
STRIPS INCLUDE
Ace – “Enter…Casino Royale”, written by Tony Kittrell, art by Dheeraj Verma, inked by Cristian Docolomansky, coloured by Memo Regalado. lettered by Ed Dukeshire
Titan the Ultraman- “Check Yourself”, written by Tony Kittrell, art by Allan Goldman, inks by William Wolford, colours by Memo Regalado, lettered by Cristian Docolomansky
Crescent – “Penumbra”, written by Steven Grant, art by Catia Fantini, coloured by PH Fuller, lettered by Lucas Gattoni
Homeland: Section 8 – “Stormfront”, written by Tony Kittrell, pencils by Deivid Gedeon inks by Quepler Pirchiner, coloured by Marco Leskco, lettered by LetterSquids
Blackfire – “Hot Summer Night”, written by Tony Kittrell, pencils by Florentino Cuevas, inks by Quepler Pirchiner, coloured by J. Brown, lettered by Lucas Gatton
Baptiste – “Killing Fields”, written by Gabe Fremuth, art by Francesca Fantini, coloured by Arsia Rozegar, lettered by LetterSquids
Genesis – “Revelations”, written by Brian Hawkins, art by Kevin Macdougall, coloured byGuilherme Lindemberg Mendes, lettered by Mindy Lopkin
Savior – “Capital Vices”, written by by Tony Kittrell, art by Devmalya Pramanik , coloured by Eugene Betivu, lettered by LetterSquids
Cosmos – “The Twelve”, written by by Tony Kittrell, art by Marcelo Mueller, coloured by Dijjo Lima, lettered by Cristian Docolomansky
The Fallen, written by by Tony Kittrell, art by Danny Jimenez, lettered by Cristian Docolomansky
War Guard, written by by Tony Kittrell, art by GStudios. lettered by Mindy Lopkin
Africa Force – “Scream of the Devil”, written by by Tony Kittrell, pencils by Netho Diaz, inks by Thiago Gomes, coloured by Hedwin Zaldivar, lettered by Lucas Gattoni
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.
Categories: Crowd Funding Projects, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, US Comics
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