Over on the long running Inkpulp Podcast, comic artists Matteo Scalera, Eric Canete and Shawn Crystal recently discussed the pros and cons of using Kickstarter to fund comic projects – and it proved a lively, instructional debate.
The Inkpulp Podcast is a creative, industry-focused show created by comic book artist and professor Shawn Crystal to discuss the craft, business, and artistry of comic book making. Featuring interviews with artists and creators, it serves as an educational and community-driven space for aspiring professionals, often highlighting hip-hop roots and industry experiences.
The show is hosted with DC, Image and Marvel artist Matteo Scalera, currently running a crowdfunding campaign for The Fourth Father, a brand-new 190 page creator-owned comic book, which has so far raised close to $100,000 in support; and Iron Man artist Eric Canete.
Most people go through Kickstarter because they don’t have that upfront money to be able to produce it. But, if you commit to that route to get your title published, you have to factor in everything, not just the numbers on Kickstarter, but the effort that you’re putting into it because everything that we’re doing now is time based.
Time, of course is the most expensive currency at a creator or creative team’s disposal.
“how much of our time are we spending trying to put it in front of people and how effective is it?” Eric asks.
So… are there alternative ways to publish a comic – for example, preorders solicited through newsletters or websites, where there is no Kickstarter commission eating into funds raised? And, perhaps a bigger question – how many people really use Kickstarter, or are even aware of it and what it does: and what are the barriers they face when deciding to support a creator?
The Inkpulp team consider all this, and more, in a thought provoking and compelling discussion.
Inkpulp Podcast #284 | Is Kickstarter worth it? With Matteo Scalera, Eric Canete, Shawn Crystal | Inkpulp TV
With thanks to Marc Laming for the link – back B7 Comics Dan Dare: Fist Contact here!
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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: Comics, Creating Comics, Crowd Funding Projects, Digital Media, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, Podcasts
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