About this project

The Goal:

A six-issue mini-series to be published through Image Comics.  With the first issue complete, funding will be used to create the next two issues -- which cost roughly $6,000 each to produce.  Any spare change will be used for advertising.

As the writer, I have elected to waive my pay at this stage in order to see this project succeed, and I've already paid for the first issue on my own.  Granted, our goal is set at $6,000, but $12-14,000 is what we truly need to succeed.

To clear up any misconceptions, Image does NOT pay upfront.  The creation of each issue is paid for entirely by me, and what we do make on the back end is not a guarantee.  Our revenue is a gamble every step of the way; we might be lucky to break even.  Unable to work due to a debilitating medical condition that forces me to sleep eighteen hours a day, I have turned to Kickstarter for funding. 

FAILING PUBLICATION, ALL PLEDGES WILL BE REFUNDED (-10% FOR KS & AMZ FEES).  PUBLICATION TBD BY NO LATER THAN 12/01/11.

The Book:

His life plagiarized in Bram’s Stoker’s "Dracula," the once famous Faustian guitarist Varney the Vampire bribes his struggling screenwriter nephew, Simon, to script the ultimate horror film based on his past adventures.  Its goal: to expose the book’s scandalous author and reclaim Varney’s "undead" infamy.

But all is not as it seems.  A feud rages between Varney and a coven of witches -- and both parties want Simon dead for reasons of their own.  Now, Simon must find a way to make his film dreams happen while staying out of their crosshairs, and make Varney and the coven see that their quarrel is in vain.  But is Varney really a vampire?

“Shadow of the Vampire” meets “Get Shorty” and “Crossroads” in this hilarious and horrifying take on the vampire genre that blends the garish pop humor of such adult cartoons as "Family Guy" and "South Park." 

Content Rating: Teen +.

The Premise: "Art Imitating Life"

Sold for a penny a chapter on the streets of London in 1845, James Malcolm Rymer's "Varney the Vampire" became an instant sensation, only to be forever eclipsed in the annals of fiction by Bram Stoker's "Dracula" in 1897.

Ironically, Stoker's Gothic masterpiece employed almost all of the now standard vampire tropes that originated in Rymer's work, including: fangs, shape-shifting, control over animals and weather, and superhuman strength.  Plot elements and characters were strikingly similar, too.  Alas, Rymer never had the chance to confront Stoker, passing in 1884.  And with the advent of cinema and Bela Lugosi, Dracula became a legend.

Now, after over a century of needless neglect, "Varney the Vampire" rises from the grave with a rockin' new twist to devour a whole new generation of readers. 

The Theme: "The Trappings of the Past"

Fate can often be a cruel and forgetful mistress that rewards the unworthy, causing us to cling to our past.  A fixation with the past can be life-changing -- especially if rooted in the depths of revenge.  So how does our moral compass polarize: Are our behaviors a byproduct of our environment, or are we genetically predisposed?  Specifically, are some of us born evil?  If so, can salvation be found? 

The Structure: "An Homage to the Absurd"

Designed to spawn at least one sequel, "Varney" utilizes a plethora of literary elements and Easter eggs from popular vampire fiction and films, gladly juxtaposing them for hilarious effect.  Forged in a non-linear, fast-paced fashion, "Varney" tells the bloody, tragi-comedic tale of redemption of two blossoming "pals," haunted by their troubled pasts and the uncertainty of their futures.

Kickstarter Rewards and Project Updates:

As comic book fans and collectors ourselves, we want to reward our backers with a truly unique and interactive experience.  In addition to what could quite possibly be the greatest bang-for-your-buck-ratio rewards system on Kickstarter to date, our team will be at your beck and call to answer your questions regarding rewards and updates.

Rewards range from signed copies, posters, and t-shirts to original, one-of-a-kind, inked character sketches and page art from each issue.  Pending publication, all pieces of original art are guaranteed to rise in value.  And remember, if we don't get published, you don't pay!  So what do you have to lose? 

Also, for everyone that pledges: regardless of whether or not the book meets its target funding goal (which means you get your money back from Kickstarter), I will ensure that you get a free copy of the first issue PDF.  So if we win or lose, you're still winning! 

T-Shirt Rewards (Please Choose One):

Poster, Character Art, and Page Art Rewards:

"Fangs" to the Comics Community for their Support:

Bleeding Cool: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/05/12/kickstarter-varney-the-vampire/

Comic Book Resources: http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/05/ickstart-my-art-help-resurrect-varney-the-vampire/

Comics Bulletin: http://www.comicsbulletin.com/news/130610042351573.htm

Fuel Your Illustration: http://www.fuelyourillustration.com/a-kick-in-the-right-direction-for-varney-the-vampire/

Strange Kids Club: http://www.strangekidsclub.com/?p=8323