Kickstarter

The Story:

Rehema’s life filled with joy on the day her first child was born. She and her husband, Idi, named the boy Kwasi. He was their hope for the future and their greatest dream come true. He was also born with albinism.

Albinism brings with it a variety of medical concerns, but, in this region of Tanzania, the threat to people with albinism is more immediate. Witch Doctors, and those who believe in their trade, view these people as a magical component. Fisherman use the hair from individuals with albinism on their lures, to encourage fish to take bait. Both adults and small children are encouraged to fear those with albinism. They come to view them as something less than human. They call them “ghosts.”

Rehema and Idi live in a small and tight-knit community where they believe that their son is safe. When outsiders learn of the infant’s existence, word filters back to a local Witch Doctor. Rehema and Idi must take extreme action to keep Kwasi safe as The Doctor and his Harvester come for the infant’s white flesh.

The History:

While Flesh of White is a supernatural horror story emphasizing the bond between parent and child, the core of the story is rooted in real events that continue to occur in Kenya and Tanzania. “Ghosts” are mutilated and killed so that their body parts can be used in spells. The local governments continue to enact legislation to protect persons with albinism, but law enforcement in villages and small communities is difficult. Only through increased awareness can we hope to see these tragedies come to an end.

Flesh of White will explore the frame of mind that comes with the dehumanization of individuals with albinism and the superstitions that have become a part of local folklore. It will also explore the deep emotional connection between parents and their children and the struggle to let go of the people you love.

The Project:

Flesh of White begins with a 4-issue story arc, the first 20-page issue of which is the object of this funding campaign.  Funds collected will go first to fees, taxes, printing and production of books and rewards, and fulfillment (shipping, supplies, etc.).  Any funds remaining beyond those expenses will go toward compensating the creators, marketing and distributing the project (via print, digital and personal appearances at conventions and retailers), and expanding the size of the print run (dependent upon demand).

The Writer:

Erica J. Heflin’s eclectic career has ranged from animal handling at a zoo to owning a comic shop. After years of assisting in production and screenwriting in independent film, she turned to comic writing. Her first mini-series, Mother and Son and Of Wolf and Woman, are available through Grayhaven Comics. Alterna Comics recently released The Black Hand digitally, which can be found on ComiXology.

The Artist:

When Amanda Rachels was a little girl, she wished upon a star to make her dreams of being a comic artist come true.  Night after night, she wished and prayed with all her might.  Then, she switched tactics and wished upon the Bat-symbol instead.  SUCCESS!

Amanda's love of horror has been a heavy influence on her recent work, Clown Town, a tale of killer clowns with a twist, and Arcana Studios' The Book, which explores the dark side of traveling off the beaten path.  She is a frequent contributor to Grayhaven Comics' The Gathering anthology (including several covers).  Currently, she is adapting William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus to graphic novel form and continuing the Flesh of White series.

The Kickstarter Pedigree:

Amanda led FOUR previous, successful Kickstarter campaigns for her serialized horror graphic novel, Clown Town, and Erica participated in several successful campaigns for Grayhaven Comics’ various publications and the horror anthology, Monstrology.

The Rewards:

Full details on each reward tier are outlined to the right, of course!  We're offering Flesh of White #1 in multiple versions, including a Kickstarter-Exclusive Cover, a HUGE Treasury-Sized (10.375” x 14”) Edition, a Blank Sketch Cover – COMPLETE with Limited Color Sketch by Series Artist Amanda Rachels, & the Standard Cover (Available ONLY to Retailers or via THE COMPLETIST Tier for this Campaign).

Extras we've devised EXCLUSIVELY for this campaign include a set of Trading Cards featuring the main characters (ALL FOUR of which will go to backers of ALL Rewar Tiers $10 & UP!) and a script/production companion book!

There are also tremendous opportunities to get original art from Amanda and to actually have YOUR 4-page script drawn by her, edited by Erica and PUBLISHED in a future issue of Grayhaven Comics' The Gathering anthology! Aspiring writers can also have their 22-page script reviewed by former Supergirl  & Action Comics writer, Sterling Gates!

And there WILL be more rewards rolled out as these are consumed! ACT FAST, as many of these are LIMITED!

The Stretch Goals:

No that we have exceeded the minimum funding goal of $2000, there will be opportunities to add to the rewards available as we reach higher levels of funding.  Those achieved already:

• $2500 - The IDI Trading Card for all Tiers $10 & above!
• $3000 - The REHEMA Trading Card for all Tiers $10 & above!
• $3500 - 4 Additional Pages of Bios/Profiles of Main Characters!
• $4000 - The HAMISI Trading Card for all Tiers $10 & above!
• $4500 - The KWASI Trading Card for all Tiers $10 & above

Those YET to be achieved are:

• $5000 - 4 Additional Pages: A Back-Up Story by Erica & Amanda
• $5500 - Kickstarter-Exclusive Art Print Backing Boards for ALL Standard Size Print Copies of Flesh of White #1