Help fund Study Group Comics' upcoming slate of super awesome print editions by pre-ordering your copies today! Read more
Help fund Study Group Comics' upcoming slate of super awesome print editions by pre-ordering your copies today!
About this project
Hey there! My name is Zack Soto, and I run a webcomics site and micro-publishing set up called Study Group Comics. SG's been putting out high quality print editions for the last several years and while it's mostly been going just fine, I need to ask you for help in getting the 2014 line together.
We've got three excellent titles scheduled to come out this spring, and here is a handy way to pre-order all three!
First up is the new issue of the amazing IT WILL ALL HURT by Farel Dalrymple. It's a weird, sad, silly, and sketchy, fantasy adventure strip with magic and science-fiction and some fightin' action.
You may know and love Farel's work from Prophet (Image) or Omega The Unknown (Marvel), but this is his most free form work to date. And the new issue is fantastic. It'll totally knock your socks off. If you haven't seen IWAH #1, these are beautiful print objects. Featuring full color offset printing on toothy newsprint, Golden Age sized (back when comics were BIG and BOLD), and risographed covers - this is a comic book that's not ashamed of what it is!
Check out this great review of the first issue on io9, and this testimonial to Farel's vision by Warren Ellis.
I'm also really excited to put out our very first square-bound graphic novel, a collection of Sam Alden's beautiful and inspiring HAUNTER. This is Sam's first long-form work, painted in lush and colorful ink washes. It's a wordless tale of a young woman trying to survive an ancient evil in an unknown land. The pacing and storytelling in Haunter is completely masterful.
Jeff Smith (Bone) liked it so much that he recently published a short excerpt of the story in the 2013 Best American Comics volume that he edited. About it, he said “Haunter surprised me. It's impossible to start the thing and not keep reading. It really flows.”
The final project is STUDY GROUP MAGAZINE #3D. That's right, the next issue of our comics anthology/comics crit mag has an extensive 3D section! Not only that, but the rest of the book is printed in full color! Not only that, but this issue is 80 pages instead of 64! Whaaat!
Comics and art from Jim Rugg, Sophie Franz, Connor Willumsen, Trevor Alixopulos, Mia Schwartz, Kim Deitch, Chris Cilla, Malachi Ward, Ben Max Urkowitz, Julia Gfrorer, Pete Toms and more. Articles by Sarah Horrocks, Sean Witzke, and more. The 3D section is kicked off by a retrospective look at the career of pioneering 3D prophet Ray Zone, with testimonials from Mary Fleener, Alan Moore, and more. There's also an in-depth piece on the history and philosophy of 3D comics by Jason Little. You know what, there's still more, too (plus cool glasses)!
One more pre-order possibility to help make those two books a reality: Everyone loved this Study Group shirt by Michael Deforge, but not everyone who wanted one was able to get one in time, so I'm going to do ONE LAST PRINTING of the shirt and then retire it forever. Kickstarter-unique colorway on a soft nice shirt. If you want it, didn't get it before, whatever - this is your chance.
I know - Twelve thousand dollars is a TON of money, for me at least. And that's just for two of these books! But that's how it works. Let me tell you how the numbers break down:
- Printing costs: $9000
- Shipping (guestimation): $1500
- Kickstarter gets their cut: $1008
- aaaand: TAXES! (the rest)
If this Kickstarter exceeds its goal, I've got some cool stretch goals that will enable us to put that money directly to the production costs of four more books I hope to put out in the near future.
UPDATE: STRETCH GOALS!
Our first stretch goal is $14000, which will allow us to fund the second issue of François Vigneault's sci-fi series TITAN and add 16 more pages to SGM#3D!
A sociopolitical thriller set on the fringes of the solar system, Titan follows the intertwined stories of Terran productivity expert João da Silva and Titan union representative Phoebe Mackintosh. As tensions mount between the giant, genetically engineered Titan workers and their despised Terran management, João and Phoebe find themselves caught in a dangerous game that threatens to explode at any minute.
Titan #2 will further expand and deepen the series' "multifaceted, fully dimensional universe" (Jason Sacks, The Comics Bulletin), delving further into the lives of the Titans and ratcheting up the stakes. As Justin Giampaoli notes, "There’s no false utopia presented in Vigneault’s future world, merely an aspirational sci-fi narrative that allows us to reflect back on our own social issues through the lens of this re-contextualization process." Readers can expect Titan #2 to complicate and intensify Francois' examination of historical and sociological issues as his first-ever full-length comic continues.
Just like the first issue, Titan #2 will feature two-toned art on pulpy newsprint and fully-painted cover art, evoking classic sci-fi tales through a distinctly contemporary sensibility: "Vigneault’s lines dance between a sort of Herge influenced European classicism, complete with ligne-claire coifs of hair, and the full-bodied beady sweat style of many modern alt cartoonists" (Giampaoli). Rob Clough of High-Low Comics calls Titan "a smooth but still highly personal read" and says "the format, design and every aspect of production make this a beautiful comic to look." This is François' most fully-realized work to date, and we are delighted to be publishing it at Study Group Comics!
Stretch Goal #2: If we make it to $16,000 Zack Soto's (that's me!) comic The Secret Voice #2 will be pre-funded!
The Secret Voice is my version of an "epic fantasy-adventure comic," though there are elements of metaphysics, art comics, super hero fiction and science fiction to round it out. In The Secret Voice, the warrior-monk Dr. Galapagos races against time to stop a war, save himself, his world and everyone he holds dear. There's action, mysticism, kung fu, trolls, epic battles, and I've built a huge world, which people have only seen a fraction of so far. Still to come are conspiracies, hand-to-hand mayhem, secret societies, doomed romance, betrayal, psychic showdowns, bloody battlefields, and dark forces!
Risks and challenges
No risk! These books will be made! All the work is done! I just need to send the files to the printers, and to do that I need a bit of backing up here on the kickstarter.
I've also got a great support team ready to help me ship out orders. Making sure you get your rewards in a timely manner is our #1 priority.
The plan is to have IWAH 2 out for Linework NW in April, and Haunter & SGM #3D out for TCAF in May, so as soon as these books exist, we can start shipping.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
Rewards
-
Pledge $1 or more
1 backer
You're a really awesome person and I love you forever!
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $6 or more
10 backers
STUDY GROUP FUN PACK -
an assortment of stickers and buttons by Study Group Comics artists!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $8 or more
3 backers
TITAN #2 - The next issue of François Vigneault's socio-political science fiction saga. Set nearly 200 years in the future, Titan tells the intertwining stories of Terran João da Silva and Titan Phoebe Mackintosh as they find themselves caught in the midst of a simmering conflict. The new issue expands the story in new and surprising ways! 32 duo-tone printed pages with a full color painted cover.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $10 or more
1 backer
STICKER & A PATCH (& A HUG AROUND THE NECK) - 1 Study Group related sticker & 1 super cool embroidered patch, and a button of some sort. (no hugs around the neck included)
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $12 or more
16 backers
IT WILL ALL HURT #2 -
The next installment of Farel Dalrymple's beautiful & epic weird, sad, silly, and sketchy, fantasy adventure strip with magic and science-fiction and some fighting action.Beautifully printed in full color on high quality bright newsprint in an oversized “Golden Age” format (48 pages at 7.25″ x 10.5″) comic book with two color risographed covers.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $12 or more
41 backers
DIGITAL DAWG BUNDLE -
Hi Rez PDF downloads of all the books. Read them on your iPad/Kindle etc. Each new print book you get also comes with the corresponding digital download!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $12 or more
3 backers
SECRET VOICE #2 - The next installment of Zack Soto's epic fantasy comic, filled with action, mysticism, kung fu, trolls, epic battles, conspiracies, hand-to-hand mayhem, secret societies, doomed romance, betrayal, psychic showdowns, bloody battlefields, and dark forces!
Beautifully printed in full color on high quality bright newsprint in an oversized “Golden Age” format (48 pages at 7.25″ x 10.5″) comic book with two color risographed covers.Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $14 or more
1 backer
TITAN COMBO PACK - Copies of the regular editions of Titan #1 & #2! Get started on the series today!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $15 or more
41 backers
STUDY GROUP MAGAZINE #3D -
Our flagship title! The next exciting issue of our comics anthology/comics journalism hybrid. This issue includes a super cool 3D section, including a tribute to the late Ray Zone, complete with glasses!
Interviews with Ronald Wimberly aka D-Pi (Prince of Cats, Black Dynamite).
Art & comics by Julia Gfrorer, Malachi Ward, Sophie Franz, Trevor Alixopulos, David King, Ben Max Urkowitz, Mia Schwartz, Chris Cilla, Pete Toms, and more!
Writing by Sarah Horrocks, Mary Fleener, Joe McCulloch, and more!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $15 or more
2 backers Limited (48 left of 50)
TITAN #1 LIMITED EDITION - Published in collaboration with Lambhouse Press, this numbered limited edition features a deluxe letterpress cover and each issue will include a sketch by the artist.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $18 or more
39 backers
HAUNTER by Sam Alden -
Our very first graphic novel is a lushly painted, wordless adventure comic by Sam Alden. Done in a masterful and impressionistic watercolor style, Haunter is the story of a hunter who inadvertently wakes up something old and dangerous.96 pages, 6″ x 9″ square-bound graphic novel.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $20 or more
40 backers All gone!
IWAH COMBO PACK -
Both issues of It Will All Hurt by Farel Dalrymple!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $20 or more
1 backer
SECRET VOICE COMBO PACK - Both issues of Secret Voice by Zack Soto!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $25 or more
18 backers
IWAH/SG MAG BUNDLE -
A copy of It Will All Hurt #2 & a copy of Study Group Magazine #3D!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $25 or more
40 backers Limited (10 left of 50)
IWAH SPECIAL EDITION -
Farel Dalrymple will sign and do a sketch in a limited number of copies of It Will All Hurt #2!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $25 or more
18 backers Limited (82 left of 100)
MICHAEL DEFORGE SHIRT FINAL PRINTING -
Michael Deforge design for Study Group, printed on a nice t-shirt in a nice color. Never to be reprinted again! Drippy!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $26 or more
29 backers
IWAH/HAUNTER BUNDLE-
A copy of It Will All Hurt #2 & a copy of Haunter!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $30 or more
22 backers Limited (18 left of 40)
HAUNTER SPECIAL EDITION -
Sam Alden will sign and do a sketch in a limited number of copies of Haunter!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $33 or more
24 backers
HAUNTER/SG MAG BUNDLE - Both Haunter and Study Group Magazine #3D
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $35 or more
1 backer Limited (29 left of 30)
RETAILER WHOLESALE BUNDLE #3A - 5 copies of SG MAG #3D at wholesale price. Includes Media Mail shipping in the US. You must have a retail space or web distro to choose this option.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $38 or more
36 backers Limited (14 left of 50)
IWAH 1/ IWAH 2/ HAUNTER BUNDLE- A copy of It Will All Hurt #1 & #2 & a copy of Haunter!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $38 or more
1 backer Limited (39 left of 40)
IWAH/SECRET VOICE MEGA BUNDLE - Issues 1 & 2 of both IWAH and SECRET VOICE! IWAH #1,IWAH #2 & Secret Voice #1 all ship in May, Secret Voice #2 ships in November.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $40 or more
1 backer Limited (29 left of 30)
RETAILER WHOLESALE BUNDLE #2A - 5 copies of Haunter at wholesale price. Includes Media Mail shipping in the US. You must have a retail space or web distro to choose this option.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $40 or more
3 backers
IWAH / HAUNTER/ SECRET VOICE BUNDLE -
It Will All Hurt #2, Haunter, & Secret Voice #2 all delivered to your door!
IWAH & Haunter deliver in May, SV ships in November!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $43 or more
10 backers
STUDY GROUP MAGAZINE COMBO PACK -
The brand new Study Group Magazine #3D, plus the earlier, highly acclaimed SG Mag issues #1 & 2!Features comics by: Jesse Balmer,
Lilli Carre,
Michael Deforge,
Onsmith,
Lark Pien,
Tim Root,
Kris Mukai,
Mickey Z,
Zack Soto,
Trevor Alixopulos,
JT Dockery,
Dan Zettwoch
Julia Gfrorer,
Jonny Negron,
David King,
Aidan Koch,
Chris Kuzma,
Sam Alden, Malachi Ward, Chris Cilla, and more!
Interviews with Craig Thompson, Eleanor Davis, Angie Wang & Mare Odomo. Features on Brecht Evens, Josh Bayer & moreEstimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $44 or more
51 backers
ALL THREE BOOKS BUNDLE - A copy of It Will All Hurt #2, Haunter & Study Group Magazine #3D!
Also includes the patch!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $45 or more
0 backers Limited (30 left of 30)
RETAILER WHOLESALE BUNDLE #1A -
10 copies of IWAH #2 at wholesale price. Includes Media Mail shipping in the US. You must have a retail space or web distro to choose this option.Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $55 or more
2 backers Limited (13 left of 15)
IWAH1&2/Haunter/SGM3D -
A copy of It Will All Hurt #1 & #2 & a copy of Haunter and a copy of Study Group Magazine #3D!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $58 or more
3 backers Limited (47 left of 50)
IWAH 1/ IWAH 2/ HAUNTER/ TITAN/ SECRET VOICE 2 BUNDLE- A copy of It Will All Hurt #1 & #2 & a copy of Haunter, in May. PLUS you will get TITAN 2 & Secret Voice 2 sent to you in November!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $60 or more
2 backers Limited (18 left of 20)
IWAH SUPER DUPER SPECIAL EDITION - A copy of It Will All Hurt #2 signed (no sketch) by Farel Dalrymple and a super-limited, super-beautiful signed & numbered silkscreen IWAH print hand-pulled by Dueltone Printing.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $60 or more
0 backers Limited (20 left of 20)
SECRET VOICE SUPER DUPER SPECIAL EDITION - A copy of The Secret Voice #2 signed (no sketch) by Zack Soto and a super-limited, super-beautiful signed & numbered silkscreen SV print hand-pulled by Dueltone Printing.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $62 or more
5 backers Limited (95 left of 100)
ALL THE SPRING BOOKS + STRETCH GOAL BOOKS BUNDLE! -
IWAH 2/ HAUNTER/ SGM #3D/ PLUS SECRET VOICE 2 & TITAN 2!
Spring books start shipping in May, SV2 & Titan 2 ship in Nov!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $62 or more
2 backers Limited (48 left of 50)
ADVENTURE LOVERS BUNDLE -
IWAH #1+2/ HAUNTER/ SECRET VOICE #1+2
A whole mess of high quality, full color adventure comics! The previously released & Spring Release books all start shipping in May, Secret Voice #2 ships in Nov!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $70 or more
0 backers Limited (30 left of 30)
RETAILER WHOLESALE BUNDLE #3B - 10 copies of SG MAG #3D at wholesale price. Includes Media Mail shipping in the US. You must have a retail space or web distro to choose this option.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $70 or more
21 backers Limited (79 left of 100)
ALL THREE BOOKS AND THE SHIRT BUNDLE - A copy of It Will All Hurt #2, Haunter & Study Group Magazine #3D, and the shirt! Also includes the patch!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $75 or more
0 backers Limited (20 left of 20)
TITAN SUPER COMBO
Titan #1 Limited Edition signed & sketched, Titan #2 signed, AND a beautiful signed and numbered screenprint hand pulled by Dueltone Printing. For the Titan fanatic in your life!Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $80 or more
2 backers Limited (18 left of 20)
HAUNTER SUPER DUPER SPECIAL EDITION -
A copy of Haunter signed (no sketch) by Sam Alden and a HUGE super-limited, super-beautiful signed & numbered 5 color silkscreen Haunter print hand-pulled by Dueltone Printing.Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $80 or more
1 backer Limited (29 left of 30)
RETAILER WHOLESALE BUNDLE #2B - 10 copies of Haunter at wholesale price. Includes Media Mail shipping in the US. You must have a retail space or web distro to choose this option.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $80 or more
1 backer Limited (4 left of 5)
ZACK SOTO RESIN TROLL TOY -
One of Zack's crazy hand made toys based on the trolls from The Secret Voice. 6.5" tall and almost that wide, with magnet articulated joints. Subject to availability.Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $86 or more
6 backers Limited (94 left of 100)
ALL THE SPRING BOOKS + STRETCH GOAL BOOKS AND THE SHIRT BUNDLE! - IWAH 2/ HAUNTER/ SGM #3D/ PLUS SECRET VOICE 2 & TITAN 2! AND The awesome MICHAEL DEFORGE SHIRT! Spring books and the shirt start shipping in May, SV2 & Titan 2 ship in Nov!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $90 or more
0 backers Limited (30 left of 30)
RETAILER WHOLESALE BUNDLE #1B -
20 copies of IWAH #2 at wholesale price. Includes Media Mail shipping in the US. You must have a retail space or web distro to choose this option.Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $100 or more
3 backers Limited (27 left of 30)
RETAILER WHOLESALE BUNDLE #4A - 5 copies each of SG MAG #3D, HAUNTER, & IWAH 2 at wholesale price. Includes Media Mail shipping in the US. You must have a retail space or web distro to choose this option.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $200 or more
0 backers Limited (20 left of 20)
SECRET VOICE ORIGINAL ART -
A piece of original Zack Soto art used in the making of It Secret Voice #1. Big weird drawings on 11x17 paper with india ink. Subject to availability. Can be a single page or a double page spread (subject to availability)Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $200 or more
0 backers Limited (30 left of 30)
RETAILER WHOLESALE BUNDLE #4B - 10 copies each of SG MAG #3D, HAUNTER, & IWAH 2 at wholesale price. Includes Media Mail shipping in the US. You must have a retail space or web distro to choose this option.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $500 or more
0 backers Limited (4 left of 4)
THE "WHY NOT?" BUNDLE - ALL the books, the shirt, the patch, one resin Ghost Grunt toy AND Zack will paint you a painting (up to 18"x24") of pretty much anything you want to see (within reason), and give you a kiss on the cheek or a polite handshake if you ever meet in person. "Vladimir Putin wrestling Stan Lee on the moon?" SUUURE! WHY NOT?
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $1,000 or more
1 backer Limited (11 left of 12)
STUDY GROUP SUPER STUDY BUDDY 5 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION -
You'll get EVERYTHING on the list: all the new books, all the old books, and EVERY BOOK WE MAKE FOR 5 YEARS! Including mini comics, risographed oddities, minis that are bundled with toys, etc. This might pay off big. Or we might get killed in a tussle at the spx chocolate fountain. Who really knows how many books we might end up making?!??!?!??!!? All I know is, we've got a lot of plans for the future.
This is for the people I like to call "people with money at hand who just wanna help us get a 12th of the way there"I like to call this the oddball bundle. Because I'm an oddball that thinks this JUST MIGHT WORK!!!!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world
Funding period
- (30 days)
