This is it. About (updated) 5 hours from now, the Kickstarter will be closed. If you're thinking of pre-ordering, or otherwise contributing, now is the time!

As this project has progressed, we've had updates showing you the process of creating the book, focusing on Pages 16 and 17. We've shown you the outline, script, rough layout, and inks for both of these pages.

Today, I want to simply show you what this comic is going to look like. I think when people see the work Ryan is doing, they will just want this book.

Before that, though, I feel that I should update you on our last day of fundraising. After updating my math, it appears that we need to raise another (updated) $440 by tonight. If we can't, that will mean spending a lot of money out of my own pocket, and that could unfortunately delay the printing of the book.

However, I'm not just here to ask for more money. Instead, I want to make sure that you're aware of some new and updated rewards. Please take a minute to check out the right side of the main page, to see what we're offering. Here are some examples...

$40 - EXCLUSIVE VARIANT - In addition to your regular copy of the comic, you will also get an extremely-limited edition variant, with a new cover and bonus art pages.

$70 - ORIGINAL SKETCH - For some reason, nobody has picked up an original sketch commission from artist Ryan Cody! You can get one, along with your copy of the comic, for a bargain.

$99 - COMIC SHOP PACK - Basically, a shop can get $145 worth of comics, plus everything they need to promote them, for $99 including shipping.

$300 - SPONSOR - I have updated our "sponsor a week" reward to cost a lot less, and still give you a whole ton of rewards.

$440 - PUBLISHER - I have reduced the cost of this reward package-- which includes being listed as the Publisher of the book, plus an incredible package of prizes. If you can save the day all at once, you get it all.

Thanks for checking out these rewards. Now, here are pages 16 and 17, in full color...

Enjoy,
Ian Struckhoff

It looks like I should clear something up, so people don't misconstrue why we're still promoting this project. A number of people have noticed that the Kickstarter for FAILSAFE has "reached it's goal". Many are now passing the fundraiser by, and others are probably wondering why I'm still pushing it.

Each Kickstarter can only have one goal. If that goal isn't reached, then nobody is charged and the project gets no funding. This comic meant enough to me that I needed to guarantee that it happened, so I set the goal very low-- Specifically, planning to spend about $600 of my own savings.

Unfortunately, that means that for the last four weeks of the project, funding has been almost completely flat. That's the risk I was taking, but since setting up the project I've suddenly had to move house, and finances have been tighter than originally expected.

So now, in the last day and a half before the fundraiser ends at midnight on Friday, I'm pushing especially hard to get the word out there. Believe me when I say, I hate begging as much as you probably hate hearing it.

Here's how our goals break down...

• $1750 - I spend about $900, and the comic happens
  
• $2053 - This is where we are at now. (I spend $628)
  
• $2681 - I don't have to spend from my personal savings
  
• $4422 - We can afford a full professional print run

I should be perfectly clear-- My original logic still holds. This comic is important to me. I would rather be broke and have the comic happen, then have money and no comic. I'm incredibly grateful to the 82 people who have put down their money to make my dream come true.

However, if I can make FAILSAFE a reality without ending up with empty pockets, that's something I'd like to aim for. So until the campaign ends midnight (EDT) Friday, I'm still promoting it. Thanks for understanding.

With things moving so fast, I don't have time to spare if there are cool things to show you guys. And boy do I have something cool to show you guys!

Jonathan Wyke is working on the cover for the ultra-exclusive limited edition version of FAILSAFE, based on a pin-up you can see in a previous update. At the same time, I've been working on a likely cover design for the book. (First the front cover, then the full wrap-around treatment. Outlines are so you can see the layout on Kickstarter's white background and in email.)

Put them together, and you've got a "cover treatment"-- A sample of roughly what the cover to FAILSAFE could end up looking like. Stay tuned for the final cover from the book's artist, Ryan Cody, as soon as we can share it!

In smaller news today, I have finally taken the plunge to use my real name as my main online identity-- Instead of going by @ian_x, you can now find me on Twitter as @IanStruckhoff. (You can also follow Ryan, who is @RyanCody.)

Thank you,
Ian Struckhoff