@Gerard He's thinking up his next stalling tactic, is my guess...

No updates here and noticed people complaining on his Facebook page, whats going on?

Happy fundiversary everyone.

I'm about this close to declare Ben has taken the money and ran. Probably wasn't his intention, likely that he bit off more than he can chew and can't figure out to get out of the hole he's in but is too afraid to say it, and thus keeps hitting us with stalling tactics. But run all the same.

@iarejester I'd rather he just go on without them, personally. It wasn't the names that drew me to this originally. In fact, the only person I really had heard of before what Thunt (of Goblins), and that's who pointed his fans this way.

I'd be very interested in knowing who these hold-outs are. Perhaps if we all spammed them e-mails they'd finally get off their arses and accomplish what they said they would. I don't suppose it's possible to get that information, is it?

At this point it's just going to be a nice surprise for me when it finally gets finished.

Week two...

And today marks the end of that week mentioned in the most recent update...

Thanks for letting us know you're still alive Ben!

I shall keep my eyes open over the next few weeks.

Thank you for the update.

Thank god, an update was posted. It isn't much, but at least it is something.

I sent a direct message last week requesting an update, no response so far. If we don't get one, since there is no higher authority to appeal to we will unfortunately have to contact with him more directly. He does have an online presence (Facebook, webcomic site, another kickstarter project, etc). I'm loathe to use those to our advantage, but unless something changes we're short on options.

I only have two hopes at this point.

A) this project will be finished
B) The money has been accruing interest over the past 11 and a half months.

So... Taking out the name of the person who replied, here was the reply:

Sorry to hear you’re having a bad experience. Obviously communicating with backers is a crucial part of running a Kickstarter. We emphasize the importance of this to creators every chance we get, but still it’s up to them to post Project Updates and respond to comments and messages.
Kickstarter cannot issue refunds as all transactions are between creators and backers. If you wish, you can write the creator and request a refund. Creators aren’t obligated to issue refunds when a backer asks.
The fulfillment of a project is the sole responsibility of its creator, but what happens in our community is important to us. Thanks for letting us know.

(Looks like we're on our own. I guess I should look on the bright side. Without this project, I would have never heard of Kickstarter in time to be part of other projects who _did_ give me the content I had paid money for.)

I have sent a message to Kickstarter to see what happens in these sorts of cases (where a project doesn't actually deliver on its rewards). I'll let you all know what I hear back.

"an update soon" - one month and counting.

The only person I purchased this book because of was Thaunt (of Goblins) who pointed me towards the project in one of his Blog posts. I highly doubt anyone would go "My money's going to a good cause but I didn't get any art from X!" after all this time.

...Especially if X is the reason we're seeing nothing so far. As per Kickstarter rules, as mentioned on the first page of this project, we need to get something for our funds.

A reflection on time:
* 335 days ago this project was funded successfully.
* 240 days ago JNR2 project was funded successfully.
* 28 days ago Benny Powell last logged in to Kickstarter to post his "update pending" comment.
* 22 days ago we remembered the year memorial of the March 12, 2011 disaster.
* 16 days ago WonderCon 2012 concluded another successful event that Benny attended to hunt our more artists to complete this project.
* In 31 days from today (+8 GMT) this project hits its year milestone since funding was successfully raised with no completion of the work.
* In 1,491 days from today it is estimated that the repairs required for the damaged caused by the 2011 Japan Earthquake will be completed.

Any bets on what's finished first: Benny's update, the JNH comic or the Japan repairs?

I would add my voice to those looking for an update...if there was a chance that such a request would be seen.

What I think I find the most troubling is the fact that Benny hasn't even logged in since he posted there would be an update soon. I am sure there is a lot going on in his life, personally and professionally, but I cannot see it being to terribly difficult to just come and give us weekly updates.

Soon really is beginning to feel like the blizzard term Soon(TM)

There comes a point where you need to either refund or just go along without the 'big names' you used as a draw. Many people just want this concluded and the money be sent to help the effort.

I'm as trusting and committed to believing that Benny's team is really on the ball with this project and they're chasing down the late artists and/or getting replacement artists to fill the shortfall that exists to complete this project.

But over at JNH2, Matya is absolutely right. WonderCon 2012 has now been and gone, yet both the first and second Japan Needs Heroes Kickstarter campaigns have been left waiting for an update.

As someone who laughed at the Kony 2012 campaign and the amount of people that suckered in, I'd feel more phenomenal about myself right now if I wasn't on the other side of the coin with this project and if I had of just sent the USD$60 to one of the local Japan relief efforts.

With USD$23,720 pledged between both JNH Kickstarter campaigns, we want an official update Benny. Any official update please.

There's a rather long comment posted to the "second" run of this Kickstarter. (You know, the one that was supposed to get their books shortly after our shipped in JULY 2011...)

I would like to point out that I'd like a refund before getting a $50 T-shirt. _Especially_ if the money is just sitting in a bank account somewhere after all this time...

There is still a lot of repairs to do in Japan. While a large percentage of the wreckage has been removed, a lot of the affected towns and ports are still suffering.

The area that was affected by the disasters continues to be an area that needs help. Things have gotten a little bit better, yes, but relief is still being sent to eastern Japan. A couple of my friends are actually going to volunteer in the area, so I'm 100% positive that this money will still be able to be put to good use in Japan :)

I do get tired of waiting. We are already a year past the disaster. Is at least a part of the money put to good use in Japan?

Sometimes it is best to make do with what is in your hand. Otherwise, this project will take forever!

I agree, an update, or even an x/y pages completed would be wonderful. I just feel bad because there is such a large pool of money that could really help some people sitting stagnant.

I'd like an update too. Something in the way of a percentage to completion or rough ETA? Without something quantifiable I'm losing faith that this will ever be what was promised, and all the while this money isn't helping anyone.

@Jon Good luck with that? Though you might have a better chance at a reply with an actual message to him.

Any news since the December 31st update? I know the team was close as of August 11th 2011 and the hold ups now are the big names, but I'm just curious.

Benny, I'd like my money back. - Jon R. McClung

Hey Benny, thanks for the update. I can understand some of the bigger names taking their time, they have deadlines and commitments they have to meet before they can work on anything their doing for free. As long as I get my copy it can take as long as is needed. I figure the longer I have to wait the better the product in the end. Again thanks for the update letting us know the project is still alive and kicking.

Any doubt that it'll be done by the one year mark of the end of this project, at the very least? May 3rd, 2012? (Though I'm sure we're all hoping for sooner than that.)

Having taken the top option, I'm prepared to wait.

I trust Powell's word.

I was really hoping to get this in time for Comic-Con, like it said in Japan Needs Heroes II. I was going to have it signed and given as one awesome Christmas gift. So I have to ask, where are the updates?

Any updates on the book? ^_^

Should I be nervous about the quiet around here...?

Any updates Benny?

@Jessica Hawthorne Did you give your address for this one? I can't remember doing so, but Amazon does have my info...

But, no, the project is not yest completed. At least since the last update.