Kickstarter

Story & Characters

Beginning of the World is a four volume comic based on my original novel ideas.. In the series you'll meet the main characters, S.W. and Star, who will eventually fall in love as they try to live each day while also making progress forward towards their dreams.

Along the way S.W. will struggle with what he truly wants from life, if he can raise his sister alone, and if his dreams are truly achievable.

Star wants nothing more than to run away from it all. Her overbearing father, the horrible society she was raised in, before it takes her down with it.

The story is about SW and his sister ShindoW, runaways for the last three years who have finally had enough. They want a place to settle down for once. Then there comes the small town of Gainesville, surrounded by nothing and populated with a bunch of family oriented do-gooders... or so it seems.

They stop at a diner to eat and there they meet Star, an eccentric waitress who wants to use them as her ticket out of that dump of a town and onto her own dreams, but there may be a few things stopping her... can she go through with it when there's family she's leaving behind? Is she falling in love with this strange boy? Will it be too late before she makes that decision?

SW also meets Roger, his future bassist for a band he wants to get off the ground, but there comes a time to learn you have to work and you can't be a spoiled rich kid forever. There's also the matter of ShindoW. Is he fit to take care of her? Could someone do it better? What is it about Star that he can't peg down?

Will they ever learn to trust one another in a town filled with a hidden underbelly of economic and corrupt power?

Can they still enjoy the beautiful things in life despite all the chaos around them?

What pasts are they all hiding?

There's the supportive father-figure/mentor Roger who runs the local diner; the trio of Alec, Meg, and Tisi; the spiritual goth Dream; and the mysterious Dante. How will they all tie into each other's fates?

This comic is slice of life, but about growing up at different ages, different circumstances, overcoming addiction, overcoming that voice in the back of your mind, peer pressure, romance, pregnancy, friendship, soul mates, family, and so much more.

It's also about cherishing the little happy moments, finding strength in others, and sacrifices that people make when they're in love.

How do I fund the project?

We set a goal (end of August).

If we get enough pledges to reach our goal, we can publish this comic and you get your exclusive reward!

*Just click the "Back this Project!" button on the top right --> of this page!

If we don't get enough pledges, this project will not get published this time. 

Why should you fund this project?

I've always prided myself in pushing my characters to their limits, putting them in real life situations that happen every day under our noses. The dark and beautiful sides of humanity are explored in an array of uniquely developed characters.

As an avid RPG fan, I love collecting limited stuff. The only way you can get said "limited stoof" is to back my project and get your reward! Most items are signed and individually numbered!

Quality! Each book will be saddle stitch bound (not coil or staples). Pages will be black and white. Each volume will be 40 pages and 3 chapters long! In the back will be a small interview with me where I will answer fan mail. poll results, or provide tips. (Post those comments and let me know what you think!)

If more money is raised I can upgrade to a color cover, but to keep the cost affordable for us all, everything is black and white. However, all Rewards items will include full color!

This campaign isn't just a project you fork money over to. It's the start of finally achieving one of my dreams, something we can all relate to, even the characters in this comic.

In fact, this campaign will continue into future volumes. What that means is all the goodies you see here now will develop in the next fundraiser. (IE: There's a Star and SW T-Shirt availible this time, for Volume 2 it's going to be Dream!) Also, any Backers from this campaign will be eligible for a special bonus next time and thereafter, for free!

See, the comic book world is usually associated with super heroes or the supernatural... even in manga this is becoming more prevelant. I wanted to express  a story readers could relate to and take something from to help them in their own struggles. I don't just cover an issue, I look at both sides. These are as simple as schoolyard drama to something as complex as suicide. Ask yourself what you would do in Star's situation, for example... stay with friends and family or escape a toxic environment into the unknown?

This is a comic based on my original work which has evolved over the last ten years totalling several books (so this won't be the last you see of S.W., ShindoW, or Star! The characters will distinctly age and grow through the series.) This set will eventually encompass 13 volumes but it's just the beginning of a long series...

The most important thing here is that without enough donations to meet the project goal, I can't even begin to self publish. You're only covering publishing costs. Any Reward items will be shipped by me out of pocket. Sounds like a fair deal to me! :)

Only 40 copies will be made. Only Backers will get their volume individually numbered!

Your copy will be recieved in advance before this is released to the public in October.

This is where you can help. I've already purchased the materials and devoted my time, but I can't afford to make a printed version. If you donate to this project there's a ton of incentives waiting for you:

Reward #1
Pledge $1 or more
NAME PLEDGE You will recieve your name in the book on a special "Backers" page. This is the only way to get this reward!
Est. Delivery: Sep 2012

Reward #2
Pledge $5 or more
THANK YOU PLEDGE You will recieve a signed thank you letter!
Est. Delivery: Oct 2012

Reward #3
Pledge $10 or more
COMIC PLEDGE You will recieve a signed copy of the individually numbered Volume 1!
Est. Delivery: Oct 2012

Reward #4
Pledge $13 or more
BUTTON PLEDGE You'll recieve reward #3 as well as a commemorative button!
Est. Delivery: Oct 2012

Reward #5
Pledge $20 or more
POSTER PLEDGE You'll recieve reward #3 and a poster featuring SW, Star, and ShindoW!
Est. Delivery: Nov 2012

Reward #6
Pledge $25 or more
T-SHIRT PLEDGE You'll recieve reward #3 and a t-shirt featuring Star and SW!
Est. Delivery: Nov 2012

Reward #7
Pledge $50 or more
C-C-COMBO PLEDGE You'll recieve all previous rewards (not including the NAME Pledge).
Est. Delivery: Dec 2012

Reward #8
Pledge $75 or more
• Limited Reward
BEHIND THE SCENES PLEDGE You'll recieve all previous rewards (not including the NAME Pledge) plus an additional Behind the Beginning DVD! This is the only way to get this reward and it's limited to 13, individually numbered discs!
Est. Delivery: Dec 2012

Reward #9
Pledge $100 or more
• Limited Reward
You'll recieve all previous rewards (not including the NAME Pledge or the BEHIND THE SCENES Pledge.) plus an additional Everypony Dies custom pony based on one of the Beginning of the World characters! Limited to 3!
Est. Delivery: Jan 2013

Reward #10
Pledge $130 or more
• Limited Reward
By donating $130 you will recieve all previous rewards (not including the NAME Pledge or the BEHIND THE SCENES Pledge.) plus your likeness in an upcoming issue, and a special Preview Booklet for Volume 2! Limited to 3!
Est. Delivery: May 2014

What I've Already Done

I hand-ink my work using various ink pens (such as a Saji pen) with india ink. I will either use pencil for "tone" or digitally tone.

At the time of this initial posting Chapter 1 is completely sketched and the first 5 pages are inked. However, the story in it's entirety is planned out.

As the weeks progress I will share bits of the story (or should I say, Star will) via her video diary!

There is a set date because I am selling this at a local convention. It must be completed by the end of August or I won't be able to get them printed in time!

You can preview the first five pages (that's almost half of chapter one) at the following link! http://botw.thecomicseries.com/

You can also check the status at my blog for bi-weekly updates: http://swaldenmanga.blogspot.com/

Tweet us with the hashtag: #beginningoftheworld !

Find us on Facebook, too: http://www.facebook.com/groups/439544059399664/

I would love hearing any feedback or comments! Thank you for supporting my project! This is my life's work and I can't wait to share with all of you.

- S. Walden