What is Kickstarter? We’re the world's largest funding platform for creative projects. Learn more!

Update #9: "Harvey Pekar's Cleveland" In Stores and Soon, (Some) Mailboxes

Posted on April 18

Whew!  The new book is in stores today or easily ordered from Top Shelf Comix-- and even in a downloadable version that Harvey wouldn't have understood, at all. His fingers didn't really type computer keys, much less tap touch screens.

You don't all get one.  I wish you could.  It's great work.  But not everyone chose Harvey Pekar's Cleveland as their Kickstarter reward. Some of you wanted me to sweatshop my way through making all those damn dolls... 

Zip Comics/Top Shelf will be shipping to donors soon.  I gave them all my donor addresses.  The rest of you are encouraged to visit your local indie book store or, if you want to order online, please go straight to Top Shelf.  Amazon already made out on this deal when they got a cut of your donation.  It's someone else's turn. 

Here's the link: http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/cleveland/767

More news to come, including progress report and "Just exactly how much of my donation went to the IRS?" in a few days.  [Spoiler Alert: A great honking amount, because Estates are taxed at even higher rates than individuals.]

Update #8: How to Get a Copy of Alan Moore's Harvey Pekar Videoconference?

Posted on February 6
OK...  We put out the word that donations via PayPal to hpekar@aol.com from people watching the videoconference online would be appreciated.  And some of you have asked about making a copy for your own use.  Now that it is up on Vimeo.com, you can easily find it (search "Alan Moore Harvey Pekar" to get both Kickstarter videos.)

Download it, here's an instructive video: http://vimeo.com/10259948

View as is-- I like VLC (http://www.videolan.org/)-- or convert it to whatever you like.  Burn to disc.

Alan and I are talking about doing this again.  How could we make a second go round different, interesting and enjoyable?

Joyce
    1. Missing_thumb
      Andrew O'Hara on March 18

      A few years ago in London's ICA, Iain Sinclair curated a conversation between Alan and Michael Moorcock, and I think that Alan in conversation with someone else could offer something different, interesting and enjoyable to a second videoconference.

      While I'm always interested in hearing Alan speak, whether in conversation or in performance, a dialogue would certainly enable Alan at least to expound further on ideas that too often persist only as complex sound bites serially repeated in interviews.

Update #7: Added to the FAQ: OK... You offer "A phone call-- if not a coffee date-- with one of the stars of the film, AMERICAN SPLENDOR." Who do I get to hang with?

Posted on November 28, 2011
Answered as follows:

You have $1,500 to contribute to the cause and you're worrying about hanging with good company?  I always thought people with that kind of discretionary income never worried about glam dates for the prom.

It depends on what coast you live on, I guess.  Phone calls are no problem but for an actual sit down date, Judah Friedlander (plated Toby, now on 30 Rock) is our East Coast guy, with James Urbaniak (played Crumb, all over the place in cinema and, in cartoons, the voice of Dr. Venture) covers the West.  You are sort of stuck with me or real Toby if you live in the middle of the country.  We are each very interesting people but probably not who you had in mind.  My last Screen Actors Guild residual check was for $2.22 which probably doesn't mean much, unless you are into numerology.  

    1. 59934_707080393668_60700550_38010600_8315304_n.thumb
      Rachel White on November 28, 2011

      If I had 1500 to spare I would totally pick Toby, and change the coffee to a white castle hangout.

    2. Missing_thumb
      Cory Johnson on November 29

      Toby for the win!

Update #6: Video in Update #4 is finally-- FINALLY-- unlocked! No password needed.

Posted on November 23, 2011

Here it is again, for those of you breathless with anticipation-- or aghast at my folly.

Update #5: Now I'm getting nervous... again.

Backer_white For backers only, Posted on November 22, 2011
Backer-only-post
Backer-only-post-text If you're a backer of this project, please log in to read this post.


805
Backers
$38,356
pledged of $30,000 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding Successful

This project successfully raised its funding goal on December 5.

Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more

82 Backers

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial web page

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Pledge $3 or more Pledge $3 or more

53 Backers

I don't want a reward, although a thank you would be nice. I just want to help.

Estimated Delivery: Dec 2011

Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more

176 Backers

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed or e-mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more

147 Backers

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. If you are outside the USA please add $5 s/h

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more

63 Backers

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. If you are outside the USA, please add $10 s/h.

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more

53 Backers

WINTER HOLIDAY 2011 SPECIAL!!! Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope. A 2011 Winter holiday card followed by a gift of a book AND some music from Harvey's personal collection selected for you with best wishes by Harvey's widow Joyce and their Danielle, who will do the best they can to get your package to you by the end of the year. If you are outside the USA, please add $10 s/h.

Estimated Delivery: Dec 2011

Pledge $99 or more Pledge $99 or more

58 Backers

A CUP OF TEA AND A LONG WINTER'S CHAT WITH COMICS GIANT ALAN MOORE-- (Hear Alan explain this all in our just posted video: http://vimeo.com/32176575 YES! You may post this anywhere you want.)-- Alan is helping raise money for the Harvey Pekar Library Statue: Comics as Art & Literature Desk on Kickstarter.com In exchange for your $99 pledge, he's offering a several hour-- by invitation only-- video conference from his home in the UK. Viewers may ask impertinent questions. To keep this affordable, split the costs with your friend and plan to gather round your computer.

Estimated Delivery: Feb 2012

Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more

78 Backers

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: "Harvey Pekar's Cleveland." If you are outside the USA, please add $10 s/h.

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Pledge $125 or more Pledge $125 or more

29 Backers • Limited Reward (1 of 30 remaining)

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. And, as seen in the AMERICAN SPLENDOR movie, an authentic Harvey Pekar doll. If you are outside the USA, please add $20 s/h.

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more

6 Backers

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. 5 different 8.5 by 11 pin up color prints of amazing Harvey heads, each again chosen at random for you-- because ALL of the artists were equally terrific. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: “Harvey Pekar's Cleveland.” A VIP invitation to a Harvey Pekar's Cleveland Walking tour, including storytelling lunch with some of Harvey's people. Five tours are planned so far, with dates and times to be determined. If you are outside the USA, please add $10 s/h.

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more

1 Backer

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed or e-mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: “Harvey Pekar's Cleveland.” A Harvey Pekar Controversy Pack: 1 copy of Harvey's posthumously published book “Yiddishkeit” (Abrams Books) AND 1 copy of his soon to be published “Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me” (FSG) and the Joyce Brabner Controversy Pack. (Harvey's wife did a number of political comics that were banned, ended up in Federal Court houses, bought up and “recycled” by well meaning liberals... but some fell off the truck.) ALSO: An authorized reprinted chapter about much of this from Bissette and Wiater's “Comic Book Rebels” AND your chance to voice feedback to any book on a special phone line. So long as you're moderately civil, your call WILL be returned by Joyce, a Harvey friend or collaborator. If you are outside the USA, please add $ 25 to cover s/h and internat'l phone charges.

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more

1 Backer

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope with a strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: “Harvey Pekar's Cleveland” A Harvey Pekar Controversy Pack: 1 copy of Harvey's posthumously published book “Yiddishkeit” (Abrams Books) AND 1 copy of “Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me” (FSG) and the Joyce Brabner Controversy Pack: (Harvey's wife did a number of political comics that were banned, ended up in Federal Court houses-- even bought up and “recycled” by well meaning liberals... but some fell off the truck.) ALSO: An authorized reprinted chapter about much of this from Bissette and Wiater's “Comic Book Rebels” AND your chance to voice feedback to any book on a special phone line. So long as you're moderately civil, your call WILL be returned by Joyce, a Harvey friend or collaborator. PLUS a complete-- or near complete-- set of Harvey's self published and other floppy comics. A number have been set aside for this campaign. If certain numbers run out, expect something else of equal value (we think) to be submitted in its place. If you are outside the USA, please add $ 25 to cover s/h and internat'l phone charges.

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more

1 Backer

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope with a strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: “Harvey Pekar's Cleveland” A Harvey Pekar Controversy Pack: 1 copy of Harvey's posthumously published book “Yiddishkeit” (Abrams Books) AND 1 copy of “Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me” (FSG) and the Joyce Brabner Controversy Pack: (Harvey's wife did a number of political comics that were banned, ended up in Federal Court houses-- even bought up and “recycled” by well meaning liberals... but some fell off the truck.) ALSO: An authorized reprinted chapter about much of this from Bissette and Wiater's “Comic Book Rebels” AND your chance to voice feedback to any book on a special phone line. So long as you're moderately civil, your call WILL be returned by Joyce, a Harvey friend or collaborator. PLUS a complete-- or near complete-- set of Harvey's self published and other floppy comics. A number have been set aside for this campaign. If certain numbers run out, expect something else of equal value (we think) to be submitted in its place. A phone call-- if not a coffee date-- with one of the stars of the film, AMERICAN SPLENDOR, happy to talk to you about working with Harvey or any other question you've burned to ask about making the movie. You have to get yourself to the coffee shop but we buy the coffee or orange pop. (Sorry if you live in Idaho). If you are outside the USA, please add $ 25 to cover s/h and internat'l phone charges.

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more

0 Backers • Limited Reward (2 of 2 remaining)

All the goodies in the $1,000 bag PLUS a $2,000 "Jakprints Gets Harvey Pekar" card. To figure out what that buys, go to Jakprints.com and see what our creative partners can make for you. They've manufactured most of the rewards we are offering here and do spectacular b/w or color comics, printed on demand, CD or DVD packaging, concert merch, custom apparel, banners. signage, art prints-- everything your favorite organization might need to promote a good cause and all kinds of rewards you can offer when you do your own Kickstarter campaign

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Pledge $10,000 or more Pledge $10,000 or more

0 Backers • Limited Reward (2 of 2 remaining)

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope with a strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: “Harvey Pekar's Cleveland” A Harvey Pekar Controversy Pack: 1 copy of Harvey's posthumously published book “Yiddishkeit” (Abrams Books) AND 1 copy of “Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me” (FSG) and the Joyce Brabner Controversy Pack: (Harvey's wife did a number of political comics that were banned, ended up in Federal Court houses-- even bought up and “recycled” by well meaning liberals... but some fell off the truck.) ALSO: An authorized reprinted chapter about much of this from Bissette and Wiater's “Comic Book Rebels” AND your chance to voice feedback to any book on a special phone line. So long as you're moderately civil, your call WILL be returned by Joyce, a Harvey friend or collaborator. PLUS a complete-- or near complete-- set of Harvey's self published and other floppy comics. A number have been set aside for this campaign. If certain numbers run out, expect something else of equal value (we think) to be submitted in its place. A phone call-- if not a coffee date-- with one of the stars of the film, AMERICAN SPLENDOR, happy to talk to you about working with Harvey or any other question you've burned to ask about making the movie. You have to get yourself to the coffee shop but we buy the coffee or orange pop. (Sorry if you live in Idaho). AND one of two outfits worn by Harvey Pekar (as himself or while portrayed by actor Paul Giamatti) in the Oscar nominated film AMERICAN SPLENDOR. First to pledge gets first pick. Weird? You bet. But some people are into that kind of stuff. If you are outside the USA, don't even think of adding extra $ to cover s/h and internat'l phone charges. We're even.

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

Project By

Harvey-pekar-of-comic-boo-006.large

Has not connected their Facebook account.

AMERICAN SPLENDOR autobio comics and film legend Harvey Pekar died July, 2010. His estate is managed by his wife and collaborator, Joyce Brabner. For those who wonder "What would Harvey think about all this?" we offer this picture.

  1. facebook.com
  2. en.wikipedia.org
  3. en.wikipedia.org
  4. imdb.com
  5. smithmag.net