This project is to fund the first offset print run of Volume 1 of my graphic novel, "The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal".
What sort of comic are you going to print, here?
The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal, Volume I contains chapters 1-13 of the comic, which can be read online here. Although I've been publishing to the web, TJ and Amal is originally created and designed for print, and reads best in book form. The art is crisper and more detailed on paper, and the story flows more smoothly from page to page.
As for physical specs: The book will be about 130 pages long - there are 122 pages of comics (Chapters 1-13); the rest is titles, notes, supplemental material, and acknowledgments. There will be a 12# heavy stock color outside cover and black and white matte interior cover. The interior comic pages will be printed offset in black ink on bright white 60# recycled paper. The pages are standard comic size (6.625" x 10.25").
So what's the comic about?
A couple of guys from very different walks of life embark on a cross-country road trip from Berkeley, CA to Providence, RI. Along the way, they form an unusual friendship that may turn into something more.
A review and more detailed summary can be read here. Or if you like, you can simply read the comic online. Please note that it is intended for mature audiences.
How much will printing cost, and where will the money go?
Based on estimates from several print houses, the cost of printing, binding, and delivery will be around $4,500. Any funds raised beyond this cost will go directly into packaging and postage for those who buy a hard copy of the book.
How close is it to completion?
The bulk of the Volume I comic is already finished and ready for print; all that's needed at this point is some minor retouching, layout in inDesign, and illustrations for the back and inside covers.
I have already chosen a print house and am hoping to have the comic back from the printer within 4 months of successful fundraising.
To cover additional shipping costs, international backers please add:- $5 to a pledge of $15 or more
- $5 to a pledge of $25 or more
- $8 to a pledge of $75 or more
- $15 to a pledge of $150 or more
FAQ
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Yes! I plan on having enough books printed to keep the TJ & Amal web store stocked for several months, at least.
Signed and sketched books will be available again after all the Kickstarter-preordered books have shipped. I had to put a cap on the number of sketched books available here, as the demand became more than I could handle without putting the comic on hiatus.
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I am aiming for October. It will take me about 4 weeks to do lay-in, cover art, interior cover, etc. Obviously it can't go to press without a finalized list of names for the Acknowledgments, so the first round goes to the printer for proofing as soon as the 45-day fund drive is up.
After that, I will receive a hard proof copy from the printer (I'm estimating this will take 4-6 weeks), check that for errors and any necessary revisions (probably a week or two), then send the final files to press.
Shortly afterwards, folks who have pledged for the PDF copy will receive an email with a download link.
The physical books will take a while to arrive in Austin and ship out - packaging, post office runs, doing the sketches and everything - but that process should not begin any later than early October.Depending on how fast the printer operates, this *may* all go faster than anticipated, but I'm being conservative in planning here and allowing for glitches :-)
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Anything left over after printing, shipping, packaging, postage, etc. will go towards the first print run of Volume 2. (Which is currently about 2/3 finished, and I hope to print in late 2012.)
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Yes! Just remember to add the amounts listed at the bottom of the project description to cover international shipping.
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Volume 1 contains a lot of swearing and some drug use, but there is no graphic sexual content. (There is in Volume 2, though - just a heads-up)
589
Backers
$14,990
pledged of $4,500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
May 31, 2011 -
Jul 15, 2011
(45 days)
- First created · 31 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: tjandamal.com
Pledge $1 or more
17 backers
Access to pledges-only area of the TJ and Amal website, with concept art, development work, illustration drafts, revision notes, etc.
Pledge $5 or more
30 backers
Downloadable PDF copy of the completed Volume 1 graphic novel, plus access to pledges-only area of the TJ and Amal website.
Pledge $15 or more
270 backers
One print copy of the Volume 1 graphic novel, plus access to pledges-only area of the TJ and Amal website.
Pledge $25 or more
225 backers All gone!
One signed copy of the Volume 1 graphic novel with sketch inside, and access to pledges-only area of the TJ and Amal website.
Pledge $75 or more
36 backers
TWO signed copies of the Volume 1 graphic novel (one with a sketch), access to pledges-only area of the TJ and Amal website, and your name listed as a supporter in the Acknowledgments/Thanks in the book.
Pledge $150 or more
10 backers All gone!
THREE signed copies of the Volume 1 graphic novel (one with a sketch), access to pledges-only area of the TJ and Amal website, a special thanks to you in the book's acknowledgments, and a finished grayscale/black and white ink and marker illustration of TJ and Amal in natural media on heavy Bristol or illustration board.
