More Rewards!

For those of you contributing $100 or more, you will be given special V.I.P. Access Passes to Project: Acropolis. What does this mean? You get to see everything before it hits the public! Get to know our characters, our universe--see concept art and behind the scenes footage on the project!

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“Growing up in Auburn, Alabama in the '90s, there was a total black/white social divide, sure, but it's not like black people didn't exist. That's what it feels like sometimes, reading superhero comics…” – David Uzumeri, Why We Need Minority Heroes in Superhero Comics

Acropolis is a graphic novel project that has targeted the comic book industry’s weakness and developed a cure known as diversity and equality.  Acropolis is about making sure YOU are represented; that YOU  are able to relate and empathize with a character that looks just like you.

” The new Ultimate Spider-Man, who will have the almost impossible task of replacing the late Peter Parker (easily one of Marvel Comics most popular characters), took off his mask and revealed himself to be a young, half-black, half-Latino kid by the name of Miles Morales.

… It’s about a black kid in D.C., a Dominican kid in the Bronx or a young Mexicano from California being able to read a comic and come away from it saying, “I can be Spider-Man.” Generations of minority comic-book fans before this day, couldn’t say such a thing.” — David Betancourt, Miles Morales & Me: Why the New Biracial Spider-Man Matters

I have grown tired of finding characters of American Indian heritages codenamed Totem, Black-Moon or Red Wolf whose abilities go no further than being spiritually tied to animal spirits and deities for example; and find it hackneyed that women in comics are becoming more overly sexualized to sell titles.

“…Before Maryam was born I just sort of laughed off the more questionable portrayals of women in comics. It didn't affect me personally; I'm an adult, I know my own worth. But it kills me that there are so few comics I'd feel comfortable sharing with her. Or with any kid for that matter... Whenever we've got kids under 14 in the house and they start rummaging through my comics collection, I have to dive in and make sure they don't innocently pick up some superhero book and run into what amounts to softcore porn. Never before did it occur to me how bizarre that is -- having to keep a kid away from comics.” –G. Willow Wilson, Female Super-Hero Characters and Sex: Creators Explain How Comics Can Do Better

 This is not about forcing minorities and women into mainstream comics. It’s about taking the world we live in, adding a superhero dynamic, and bringing it to life in the form of comic books.

“I don't want to read comics about superheroes -- or about the future -- or even about an imaginary, heroic alternate fantasy world where that's the case, particularly since it goes against everything I find so appealing about the genre. It's not that I need my heroes to be perfect. I just want the world they live in, and the people they are, to represent the reality outside my window, and the reality I've experienced throughout my life.” – David Uzumeri, Why We Need Minority Heroes in Superhero Comics

Acropolis is about expansion, about change, and most of all, reviving a culture that has been in existence for over 70 years.

“Besides, by writing characters of all races we as creators are expanding the market which helps the overall comic book community and expands our market.” –Eddrick Dejaun, Black Writers & Characters in Comics

Acropolis is where you will find race and gender not impacting the character, but the character impacting the race and gender. We are not defined by the color of our skin or sex, but who we are as an individual.

 “Before that, I was reading GCPD (Gotham City Police Department). The cast was so astonishingly diverse. Hispanic (One main character being a hispanic lesbian), Black, Irish, mixed, etc with a level of culture understanding and recognition that I’m completely unaccustomed to seeing (especially considering this was written by two Cis-gendered white males). And it was all in a police precinct too, and everyone was treated with respect, from the writers, and when culture was brought into it, it made sense, and it meant something.” –versipelles, Tumblr

What is the money for?

The current Kickstarter goal amount will make or break this project. Two years ago I purchased a used Wacom tablet as it was all I could afford at the time. As of today, the scratches on the surface of the tablet are causing more complications and frustrations than what I am willing to put up with. As lead artist on this project, my production is extremely limited. It is imperative that I finish concept art on all characters and places within the next several months. The proceeds will be used to purchase necessary equipment and software for this project.  As a one man band (for the time being), my productivity is crucial!

Why should I pledge for this project?

I am confident and investing 100% of my trust and faith into this project. I believe this is what is needed to revive the current state of the comic book industry and superhero culture. The industry has found itself becoming mundane and set in its ways. It is time for change. We need innovation; innovation in the way superhero stories are told, the way characters are written and created, and the way we respect fans and avid readers of these books and intellectual properties.

What’s in it for me?

Since Acropolis is still under a heavy NDA to protect the property, I can only provide illustrations of two main characters: Tremor and Bolt from the actual project. I realize that this is not enough of a reward, so I have taken the time to put together a few packages for those contributing larger dollar amounts! Please be sure to check them out!