Comics writer Jon Lock recently launched a Kickstarter campaign that looks to be on course to see the publication of a deluxe collection of his amazing AFTERLIFE INC., the tale of con-artist Jack Fortune, who, following his untimely demise, discovers an afterlife in chaos and decides to take over and run it like a business.
The crowd funding appeal has already raised over £2800 of Jon’s £3550 goal and just needs a few more backers to secure a go ahead over the next month. (Jon is one of Kickstarter’s comic success stories, deservedly securing backing for AFTERLIFE INC. Volume 3: Lifeblood using the platform back in November 2012).
“Over the last three years I’ve been publishing the on-going adventures of Jack and company,” he tells us, “as they attempt to modernise the Great Beyond. Now, for the first time, I’m collecting volumes One to Three of AFTERLIFE INC. in one luxury hardback edition, the Book of Life.”
At 376 full-colour pages, the Book of Life charts the entire AFTERLIFE INC. story to date along with 70 pages of special features, including pin-ups, character profiles, behind-the-scenes material, a guide to the afterlife and even an exclusive never-before-seen AFTERLIFE INC. tale.
AFTERLIFE INC. has featured art by a huge number of great artists, including Ash Jackson (Beautiful Creatures – Red 5 Comics) and Nathan Ashworth (VS Comics); Jerry Gaylord (Fanboys vs. Zombies – Boom! Studios); Roy Huteson Stewart (Aleister Crowley: Wandering the Waste – Markosia); Jack Tempest (The Locker); Will Tempest (Zero – Image Comics); Del Borovic (DELVE); Jade Sarson (Café Suada); Mark Pearce (Ronin Dogs); Warwick Fraser-Coombe (Revenger); Grant Perkins (Dwayne Hickenbottom); Jack Davies (Alex the Abominable); Sean McSorley (Damn and Blast, Gentleman Detectives).
A snapshot of some of the exclusive Book of Life special features: new stories, behind-the-scenes material, pin-ups, sketches and everything you could possibly need to know about the afterlife!
“With the completion of this first trilogy of books, AFTERLIFE INC.. has reached a major landmark,” he adds, “one I could scarcely have imagined when I started down this road. This is the end of an era for the comic, and the start of exciting new possibilities.“
• The Book of Life is available to pre-order through Kickstarter now. While the Book will eventually retail at £40, backers can take advantage of a Kickstarter-only price of £35.
• For more info about the world of AFTERLIFE INC., and even some free stories, check out Jon’s website. AFTERLIFE INC. is also one of the top 100 indie comics on Comixology. For all the Book of Life news as it happens, be sure to join the official mailing list
• AFTERLIFE INC. on Comixology https://www.comixology.com/Afterlife-Inc/comics-series/10572
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: British Comics, British Comics - Books, British Comics - Graphic Novels, Crowd Funding Projects, downthetubes Comics News, Featured News