Retrofit comics will print 17 issues of small, cheap, alternative floppy comics by the best established and emerging comic artists.
Retrofit Comics aims to publish 17 32-page floppy-style comics by 17 of the best comic artists in the business. Why 17 artists? Originally it was going to be one year's worth of comics, but too many amazing artists wanted in. Far be it from me to deny these artists their right to work!
Right okay, but why?
I am all too envious of fans of superhero-style comics. Every week they get to go into a comic shop and for a couple of bucks get some new comics to read. Alternative comic fans don't have that luxury anymore. Graphic novels have taken over the alt-comics industry as a natural progression. It's worked out well for fans and publishers, but the floppy comic has fallen by the wayside. Drawn and Quarterly, Top Shelf, and Fantagraphics used to publish lots of floppy comics but now, for a variety of reasons, they do not. Retrofit aims to highlight the importance of the floppy comic to retailers, fans, and the industry.
Wait, the "importance?” Get off your high horse!
Let me explain: The floppy comic allows artists to experiment and work on comics while building an audience. Without the floppy comic (or mini-comic), the artist is forced to work on a largescale graphic novel mostly in private and then sell it. What if it doesn't sell? What if the audience isn't there? What if there are kinks that could have been worked out somehow? The artist basically has to go back to the drawing board. If there is an avenue and audience to work with, the artist can produce better and more refined work.
For retailers, the cheap and frequent publication of floppy comics creates an incentive for people to visit the shop on a regular basis. It can also help to bring in new readers not willing to drop $20 on a book.
For fans it means more and more frequent content!
Aren't artists already doing this via the self published mini-comic?
Yes, they are! This is proof that the format of the floppy comic is a viable medium for storytelling. But like it or not, having a brand on the back of that comic means something to readers. If people see a logo on the back of a book--Top Shelf, Fantagraphics, or even Marvel--it is a mark of quality that is very hard to garner as a self-publisher. The books are receiving the selling power of every amazing comic that was published before it.
"Mark of quality?” Who are these Retrofit artists exactly?
Only the best working cartoonists in the business. Collectively these artists have won Harveys, Ignatzes, Xerics and been nominated for Eisner Awards! They are a diverse and amazing group, check out their work:
James Kochalka
Colleen Frakes
Pat Aulisio
Josh Bayer
Corinne Mucha
Joe Decie
Tom Hart
Liz Baillie
Chuck Forsman
John Martz
L. Nichols
Nathan Schreiber
Noah Van Sciver
Ian Harker
Jason Turner
Sally Madden
Brendan Leach
How will people be able to get these books?
They'll be able to get them via the Retrofit website, subscription and through our ever growing bunch of amazing retailers:
Jim Hanley's Universe
New York, NY
Locust Moon
Philadelphia, PA
Floating World
Portland, Or
Quimby's
Chicago Comics
Chicago, IL
Domy Books
Austin, TX
Kilgore Books
Denver, CO
Desert Island
Brooklyn, NY
Forbidden Planet UK
United Kingdom
Bergen Street Comics
Brooklyn, NY
Copacetic Comics
Pittsburgh, PA
The Beguiling
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Atomic BooksBaltimore, MD
Brave New Worlds
Philadelphia, PA
Cosmic Monkey
Portland, OR
Strange Adventures
Canada
Big Planet ComicsWashington, DC Area
What about the money, pal? Where is the money going? We all know from HBO's The Wire that we need to follow the money.
We are asking for $9000 to get the project off the ground. This money will go straight to the printing and mailing of these books. Books will be released monthly from September 2011 to January 2013. Any extra money that may come in will go toward convention tables, convention travel costs for artists and freebies for subscribers!
Thanks to Brian, Tom and Sara!
FAQ
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Each comic will be 5.5in w x 8.5 in h.
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I am bad at counting and copy editing. All the rewards that say 16 issue subscription should say 17 issue subscription. Well, subscribers, you just got another issue!
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Yep! Get them while they are still hot. No one would ever want a cold reward. Ever.
213
Backers
$9,939
pledged of $9,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Jun 14, 2011 -
Jul 25, 2011
- 3 created · 13 backed
- Box Brown 1690 friends
- Website: retrofitcomics.com
Pledge $10 or more
53 backers
You'll receive the inaugural first issue of Retrofit's series by the one and only James Kochalka!
Pledge $20 or more
5 backers All gone!
You'll receive Colleen Frakes' Tragic Relief t-shirt AND the inaugural first issue of Retrofit's series by the one and only James Kochalka!
Pledge $25 or more
54 backers
You will receive a four month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first FOUR issues!
Pledge $30 or more
7 backers Limited (13 of 20 left)
You'll receive a copy of ISSUE 5 of Secret Prison with Guest Artist TOM SCIOLI and You will receive a four month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first FOUR issues!
Pledge $35 or more
6 backers Limited (9 of 15 left)
You'll receive James Kochalka's CD "Don't Trust Whitey!" AND you will receive a four month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first FOUR issues!
Pledge $35 or more
4 backers Limited (2 of 6 left)
You'll receive an ORIGINAL DRAWING by Josh Bayer AND you will receive a four month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first FOUR issues!
Pledge $40 or more
21 backers
You will receive a six month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first SIX issues!
Pledge $50 or more
4 backers Limited (1 of 5 left)
You'll receive John Martz Xeric Award winning book "Heaven All Day" AND you will receive a four month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first FOUR issues!
Pledge $50 or more
0 backers
You'll receive Colleen Frakes' Xeric Award winning book "Tragic Relief" AND you will receive a four month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first FOUR issues!
Pledge $50 or more
2 backers
You'll receive Box Brown's Xeric Award winning book "Love is a Peculiar Type of Thing" AND you will receive a four month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first FOUR issues!
Pledge $60 or more
2 backers Limited (3 of 5 left)
You will receive a four month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first FOUR issues! AND James Kochalka's CD "Don't Trust Whitey!" AND Box Brown's Xeric Award winning book "Love is a Peculiar Type of Thing" AND You'll receive Colleen Frakes' Xeric Award winning book "Tragic Relief" AND a copy of Secret Prison 5!
Pledge $75 or more
3 backers Limited (2 of 5 left)
You will receive a SIX month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first SIX issues! AND James Kochalka's CD "Don't Trust Whitey!" AND Box Brown's Xeric Award winning book "Love is a Peculiar Type of Thing" AND You'll receive Colleen Frakes' Xeric Award winning book "Tragic Relief" AND a copy of Secret Prison 5!
Pledge $75 or more
3 backers
You will receive a YEAR LONG subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first 12 issues!
Pledge $75 or more
1 backer Limited (2 of 3 left)
Pat Aulisio will draw you an amazing looking drawing AND You will receive a four month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first FOUR issues!
Pledge $100 or more
25 backers
You will receive a 16 month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive ALL 16 issues!
Pledge $120 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
You will receive a 12 month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first TWELVE issues! AND James Kochalka's CD "Don't Trust Whitey!" AND Box Brown's Xeric Award winning book "Love is a Peculiar Type of Thing" AND You'll receive Colleen Frakes' Xeric Award winning book "Tragic Relief" AND a copy of Secret Prison 5!
Pledge $150 or more
16 backers
You will receive a 16 month subscription to Retrofit Comics! AND Box Brown's Xeric Award winning book "Love is a Peculiar Type of Thing" AND You'll receive Colleen Frakes' Xeric Award winning book "Tragic Relief" AND a copy of Secret Prison 5! You'll receive ALL 16 issues! You'll also be considered a patron of Retrofit and you'll get a thank you credit in all 16 issues!
Pledge $175 or more
2 backers Limited (30 of 32 left)
You'll receive a page of Original art from Tom Hart's Retrofit book called "Daddy Lightning" signed by the artist AND You will receive a four month subscription to Retrofit Comics! You'll receive the first FOUR issues!
