Comic Crowdfunding Spotlight: The Silver Squad

By John Freeman on January 2, 2021

Comic creators Chance Phillips and Shaky Kane – the latter perhaps best known for his work on Doom Patrol and Judge Dredd, but who’s also created a plethora of great independent projects – are seeking backing for a new project – The Silver Squad.

Launched on Kickstarter from Turbo Comics Publishing, on offer is a the first issue of a new comic featuring the adventures of a new superhero team plucked right from the Silver Age as they try to save the president from… Martian killers?

In this fun-looking new comic, a team of superheroes, The Silver Squad, is charged with tracking down the money behind the Martian assassin that almost slaughtered the president. As their investigation continues, they think they recognize the people pulling the strings. But it doesn’t make any sense?

This is a new Kickstarter from US-based Turbo Comics Publishing, a Pacific Northwest comic store and independent comic book publisher since 2016. It will fund a 32-page comic book printed on old-fashioned newsprint, with 22 pages of full colour comics drawn by Shaky Kane.

Chance Phillips is the writer of The Silver Squad #1, an experienced author and publisher who’s handled five previous Kickstarters and written several books for tabletop role-playing games.

Shaky Kane, aka Michael Coulthard, first emerged on the UK comic scene in the mid 1980’s, also drawing for such publications as The NME, Escape, 2000AD, Judge Dredd Megazine and Revolver (drawing “Pinhead Nation”).

Recent work includes strips for David Lloyd’s digital comic anthology Aces Weekly, the The Bulletproof Coffin, a collaboration with David Hine published by Image Comics, has found the artist at the top of his game, and finally in full control of his artistic direction. and Cowboys & Insects, also working with David, published by Floating World Comics.

Included in the stretch goals for The Silver Squad is the possibility of a variant cover by the amazing Trevor von Eeden, co-creator of Black Lightning, artist on Batman, Green Arrow, and more.

The samples by Shaky Kane shared the to promote the new project suggest this is another fun title from the popular indie artist and co-conspirators.

• Check out The Silver Squad #1 Kickstarter here

• Follow Chance Phillips on Twitter @ChanceDPhillips

• Follow Shaky Kane on Twitter @shaky_kane

• Follow TURBO COMICS on Twitter @TURBOCOMICSID

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.