The world's most powerful heroes, and a retro teen team, are creator Charlie McElvy's newest venture. Explore the WatchGuard Universe!
**UPDATE**
The $10 Backer Reward now includes --BOTH-- stories, and not either/or. Please enjoy, and tell the world about this new, improved version of this backer reward!!
What's This All About?
This Kickstarter project is all about getting a quality comic book on the shelves and into your hands. But, it's more than that: it's the culmination of over a decade's worth of work: writing, designing, developing... All leading up to this day.
Who Is "WatchGuard"? Teen Force 5?
WatchGuard & Teen Force 5 are two separate entities residing in the same universe, which I call the WatchGuard Universe, or WGU, but they reside at different times. WatchGuard, the focal point of the stories I have to tell, exist today. And so, their stories will be more modern, reflecting the world around them. Teen Force 5 on the other hand, existed before WatchGuard, roughly in what would be our 1990s era. As such, TF5's stories are more 'retro', harkening back to a time that seemed simpler to us, and to them.
What Can I Expect From The Story?
Well, there are two stories being told, as you've probably deduced already. One story focuses on the developments leading up to the formation of WatchGuard, so it's essentially the origin story. It's filled with plenty of action, so don't worry that the origin will slow down the pace any!
The Teen Force 5 story is kind of an origin, but not really. We're introduced to the team, minus two, and we'll eventually have these latter two join up. They will go from Teen Force, to Teen Force 5 and stay that way until they retire altogether from superheroics. So, call it an origin story if you will, but it's just another tale in the middle of many I have stored in my head for these guys! :)
2 Teams! 2 Eras! 2 Pilot Stories! 44 Pages! ONE comic book!!
BOTH the WatchGuard -and- the Teen Force 5 pilot stories will be told as independent adventures, but in one, double-sized, massive comic book! The comic book will feature two covers ('front' and 'back'), each representing the beginning of each story. The WatchGuard story will feature the WatchGuard cover, and the Teen Force 5 story will feature the Teen Force 5 cover, all in 'flip book' style (á la Youngblood #1, c.1994) -- so you'll know where to start reading! :)
Still confused? Please drop me a note and ask away!
Who's The Creative Team Behind All This?
For starters, there's me: Charlie. I self-published my first project, The WatchGuard Sourcebook, back in 2011 and wrote nearly the entire book. Gaming adventures were added by DT Butchino, an experienced writer for gaming supplements, and edits were by author V.V. Wedding. So, I'll be your Writer.
As for art, well, sit down for this!
On the WatchGuard story we have the dynamic artist Andy Smith, who's lines have graced books such as: Green Lantern, X-Men, DC Comics: WWIII, X-O Manowar, The First (from CrossGen), Batman, Armor X, and more. His clients include Marvel, DC, Image, Wildstorm, Advent Comics, Ominous Press, Dynamite Entertainment, Green Ronin Publishing, and more. Andy is a pro with more than two decades experience in the comic book world!
Joining Andy will be Andrew Dalhouse on colors. Andrew has colored JLA, Teen Titans, Irredeemable, Anita Blake and more!
As for the Teen Force 5 story, we'll have penciler extraordinaire Kevin Sharpe! Kevin has drawn everything from the Legion of Superheroes, to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and on into Nova (Marvel Comics)!
Joining Kevin will be inker Diana Greenhalgh, who worked over his lines previously on Nova #25 and an as-yet unreleased mini-series from Image Comics.
Rounding out the art for TF5 is colorist Eddy Swan. Eddy's clients include several independent publishers, including Zenescope. His previous work on the WatchGuard Sourcebook was so stellar, we decided he's a keeper!!
Ok, Cool! So, What's This Funding Going To Do?
All funding will go into the latter portions of the creation of this book, to include, but not be limited to the publishing fees, printing fees, promotional materials, and possibly distribution fees. The intent is submitting this project to Image Comics, but that will come after this Kickstarter is completed.
Ideally, we'll be able to take this to the next level and begin production on a mini-series for one (both?) properties. That's the point behind the "pilot" issues anyway, right?
So, go! Vote with your mouse by clicking "Back This Project", and enjoy your rewards!!
Reward Achievements to Unlock!
In addition to the regular rewards listed to the right, as we progress successfully toward our goal, you'll be able to unlock new rewards! For example:
• UNLOCKED!! Achieve $1000 in funding: Unlock a unique, one-of-a-kind pinup drawn by Diana Greenhalgh. Fully penciled, inked and on comic book artboard. Female character of *your* choosing! (No nudity, please.) This will be a $200 reward level.
• UNLOCKED!! Achieve $2000 in funding: Unlock a unique, one-of-a-kind pinup penciled by Kevin Sharpe & inked by Diana Greenhalgh. Fully penciled, inked and on comic book artboard. Any character of *your* choosing! (No nudity, please.) This will be a $500 reward level.
• UNLOCKED!! Achieve $2500 in funding: Unlock a unique, one-of-a-kind pinup penciled by Carlos Gomez & inked by Diana Greenhalgh. Fully penciled, inked and on comic book artboard. Any character of *your* choosing! (No nudity, please.) This will be a $750 reward level.
• UNLOCKED!! Achieve $3000 in funding: Unlock the Sentinel Statue! Sentinel, our star-spangled tactician, will be featured in a 8" resin mini-statue, and you can be the first person to own one! Fully-painted, and ready for display! This will be a $2000 reward level. LIMITED TO ONE BACKER.
• UNLOCKED!! RETAILER REWARD! If we achieve $3500 in funding: One retailer gets an exclusive set of (10) Retailer Incentive Cover issues, plus a release day autograph signing by writer/creator Charlie McElvy. This will be a $500 reward level. LIMITED TO ONE RETAIL BACKER.
THANK YOU!
Sentinel Statue, Work-In-Progress
FAQ
-
No. There is enough action, violence, mayhem, and such to warrant calling this "PG" or "Y-10" or somesuch.
-
Those are the colors for the reward shirts, ordered in bulk, but if you would like to change your shirt color or the type of shirt (hoodie, V-neck, etc.), then please reply with such information at the time of reward. There may be additional fees to make these changes, but no additional shipping.
-
In much the same way as a TV pilot -- the intention is to give you something completely worthwhile, and at the same time, gauge interest to decide if progressing to the next level (mini-series, for example) is possible. So, get yours, love it, tell everyone about it, and let's make it happen together!
-
Absolutely not! It may've just been an oversight on my part -- any Reward that is only one physical book or shirt is an extra $7 (USD) for shipping & handling fees. Larger Rewards that include more than one book, or more than one tee, or a combination therein, is $15 for international shipping. Piece of cake!
153
Backers
$6,915
pledged of $6,500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Aug 3, 2012 -
Sep 2, 2012
(30 days)
- 2 created · 55 backed
- Charlie McElvy 1074 friends
- Website: WatchGuardComic.devian...
Pledge $1 or more
6 backers
Download of a Kickstarter Backer exclusive WatchGuard & Teen Force 5 wallpaper set for your Desktop, iPad (tablet), and iPhone (smartphone).
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $5 or more
10 backers
Your name in the Thank You section of the final book, plus a tweeted 'thank you' from @WatchGuardComic, plus the Wallpapers from Reward #1.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $10 or more
24 backers
DRM-free copy of either WatchGuard or Teen Force 5 pilot issue stories, sent directly to your Inbox (choose one), plus Rewards #1 & #2.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $15 or more
34 backers Limited (66 of 100 left)
Pre-release of the pilot in physical, paper format featuring our Kickstarter-exclusive cover! You will receive your copy via USPS Priority Mail more than a month before it hits the comic store shelves! Plus, rewards #1 & #2!!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $20 or more
15 backers
KS Backer exclusive 12x18 autographed print (image size 11x17, with 1" white border) for backers in the USA. International backers please add $7 for shipping & handling fees, plus Rewards #1, 2 & 3.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $25 or more
2 backers Limited (3 of 5 left)
RETAILER REWARD! • 3 - 12x18 Promo Posters for WatchGuard and Teen Force 5 • 50 - 4x6 Rack Cards featuring WatchGuard and Teen Force 5 These will be delivered in the month before that our book hits Previews, to encourage orders from your local store!
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $25 or more
5 backers All gone!
Set of 3 prints, signed by WatchGuard creator Charlie McElvy. FREE shipping in continental US. All others please add $5 for US & US Territories; $7 for international shipping & handling fees.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $30 or more
3 backers
WatchGuard or Teen Force 5 logo tee shirt, emblazoned on the front of the tee. Choose One. International backers please add $7 for shipping & handling fees.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $30 or more
4 backers
Digital download from RPGNow.com for the complete, updated WatchGuard Sourcebook, plus Rewards #1 & #2.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $35 or more
1 backer Limited (4 of 5 left)
RETAILER REWARD ONLY! 2x copies of the Kickstarter exclusive cover signed by writer/creator Charlie McElvy & interior artist Andy Smith! FREE shipping (USA-only)!! International retail backers please add $7 for shipping & handling fees.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $50 or more
20 backers
The "Kit-and-Kaboodle" Reward! You get the wallpapers, the Thank You's, DRM-free copies of BOTH pilot issues of WatchGuard + Teen Force 5, the 12x18 exclusive print, the tee shirt (choose one), and the digital download of the WatchGuard Sourcebook from RPGNow.com!! International backers please add $15 for shipping and handling fees.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $75 or more
3 backers
Signed copy of the WatchGuard Sourcebook, plus Rewards #1 & #2, and both of the DRM-free pilot issues of WatchGuard and Teen Force 5. International backers please include $7 for shipping and handling fees.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $100 or more
1 backer Limited (4 of 5 left)
RETAILER REWARD! • 3 - 12x18 Promo Posters for WatchGuard and Teen Force 5 • 50 - 4x6 Rack Cards featuring WatchGuard and Teen Force 5 • 1 - Autographed, Retailer Incentive Cover of the WatchGuard + Teen Force 5 flip comic These will be delivered in the month before that our book hits Previews, to encourage orders from your local store! *NOTE: Autographed comic may not ship in the same timeframe as the promo materials.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $100 or more
5 backers Limited (40 of 45 left)
Signed copy of the final comic book + the signed KS backer exclusive print. International backers please include $7 for shipping and handling fees.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $100 or more
1 backer Limited (24 of 25 left)
Signed copy of the WatchGuard Sourcebook + the signed KS backer exclusive print. International backers please include $7 for shipping and handling fees.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $150 or more
0 backers
No limit! The 6" Sentinel resin kit statue can be yours! At this level, you will receive the UNpainted Sentinel resin kit -- the same as the retail version, but months in advance! Help us make our goal, and get a nifty statue to paint & place on your mantle/bookcase/desk!!
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $200 or more
1 backer All gone!
LIMITED TO ONE BACKER!! Full body 11x17 pencil & inked character drawing of your choosing by the inimitable Elliot Fernandez! Please no nudity.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $200 or more
1 backer Limited (1 of 2 left)
A unique, one-of-a-kind pinup drawn by Diana Greenhalgh. Fully penciled, inked and on comic book artboard. Female character of *your* choosing! (No nudity, please.)
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $200 or more
2 backers Limited (8 of 10 left)
You get the whole sh-bang: signed copy of the comic, signed copy of the WatchGuard Sourcebook, a logo tee of your choice, the signed exclusive print, the Thank You's, and the KS exclusive wallpapers. PLUS, you'll get digital downloads of both comic stories AND the WatchGuard Sourcebook. International backers please include $15 for shipping and handling fees.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $500 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
RETAILER REWARD ONLY! 10x Autographed Copies of the comic signed by creator Charlie McElvy & artist Andy Smith!
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $500 or more
1 backer All gone!
Get YOUR face, or that of a loved one's, in a comic! You can star in a panel or two of one of the stories! Plus, you get an autographed copy of both the comic and the WatchGuard Sourcebook AND the exclusive print (+ Rewards #1 & #2)! ONE OF A KIND REWARD! (This rewards will require a model waiver.) International backers please include $15 for shipping and handling fees.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $500 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
NEW RETAILER REWARD UNLOCKED!!! One retailer gets an exclusive set of (10) Retailer Incentive Cover issues, plus a release day autograph signing by writer/creator Charlie McElvy. LIMITED TO ONE RETAIL BACKER.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
Half-page advertisement of your project/business/personal space, et al. (no "adult" materials, please) featured in the finished comic! Also, broadcasting of your supported advert through Twitter, Facebook, WatchGuardComic.com, and our digital releases for 1 month (up to 10 new products!). The latter would remain in place until either expiry or for 6 months, whichever is shortest.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
This reward level provides you with an autographed copy of both the comic and the WG Sourcebook, everything from Rewards #1, 2, 3 & 4, PLUS a pinup of a character of your choosing (or your own design) by WG artist Andy Smith. The final art will be in pencils + inks on comic book art board. ONE OF A KIND REWARD! International backers please include $15 for shipping and handling fees.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $1,500 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
HEROES INITIATIVE REWARD!! Everything from Rewards #1, 2, 3 & 4, PLUS autographed copies of the comic and sourcebook, PLUS the exclusive pinup, PLUS get your name in print in the Thank You page in BOLD TYPE at the top of the list, PLUS: • 10x Autographed Copies of the Ray-Anthony Height cover issue will be donated to the Heroes Initiative in your name/honour. These will be autographed by creator Charlie McElvy, artists Andy Smith, Kevin Sharpe & Diana Greenhalgh, and cover artist Ray-Anthony Height. LIMITED TO ONE BACKER!!!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $1,500 or more
1 backer All gone!
Everything from Rewards #1, 2, 3 & 4, PLUS autographed copies of the comic and sourcebook, PLUS the exclusive pinup, PLUS get your name in print in the credits pages of both WatchGuard and the Teen Force 5 stories, with you listed as "PRODUCER". ONE OF A KIND REWARD!! International backers please include $15 for shipping and handling fees.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
NEW REWARD UNLOCKED!!! The Sentinel Statue! Sentinel, our star-spangled tactician, will be featured in a 8" resin mini-statue, and you can be the first person to own one! Fully-painted, and ready for display!
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
