About this project
BLACK
$91,973
2,775
Kwanza Osajyefo, Tim Smith 3, Jamal Igle, Khary Randolph and Sarah Litt have teamed up to produce the graphic novel, BLACK.
After miraculously surviving being gunned down by police, a young man learns that he is part of the biggest lie in history. Now he must decide whether it's safer to keep it a secret or if the truth will set him free.
$45,000: UPGRADE U
All pledges $25 and up will now include a 8.5” x 11” mini-poster of Jamal’s illustration of Juncture and Kareem. Pledges $50 and above will receive an additional 11” x 17” large-format poster of Khary’s cover.
Additionally, all $25 rewards will include a custom BLACK branded bookmark, and $50 rewards and up will receive three bookmarks, representing each faction within the story.
$55,000: THE BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE
Fight scenes in comics can be brief and have a lot of dialogue that wouldn’t be possible in a real fight. It’s been part of Kwanza’s dream to do an epic, cinematic fight scene with minimal dialogue and loads of action.
This goal would add 20 extra pages to the climactic battle at the end of BLACK. Expect all-out action that will give the characters more room to show off their skills and abilities.
PLUS we’ll include a hint at what’s to come after the conclusion of BLACK.
$65,000: BIRTH OF A NATION
How long have Blacks had superpowers and how has it been kept secret from the world at large? Kwanza Osajyefo and Tim Smith 3 will reveal insights from the lost pages of the Mann family diary dating back as far as the 15th century to present day.
The story will be a limited series published via LINE Webtoons and on BLACK’s social media channels after the graphic novel is released.
$100,000: TOUCH THE SKY
For our final stretch goal we’re aiming at $100,000 to make the book physically bigger – 6.6 x 0.2 x 10.2 inches to be precise. Doing so means adding to weight, printing, and shipping costs but we’d love for people to read BLACK at the same size as most other graphic novels.
CHARACTERS
BLACK is a 120-page story that is comprised of six chapters. If we reach our funding goal, we'll begin work to release issues monthly on digital platforms starting mid-2016.
In advance of the printed book backers will receive issues as DRM-free PDFs in addition to the entire digital volume (with extras!).We're also offering other rewards including prints and special art; please scroll through and pick something you like.
REWARD HIGHLIGHTS
After Reward 2 most subsequent rewards include a limited edition of BLACK. This special version will only be available to Kickstarter pledges of $25 and up.
Pledges above $50 will receive extra swag with their book, and $100 will get you a copy signed by the whole creative team and your name on the thank you page in the back of the book.
Almost all of the funding amount will go towards illustration, production, and delivery of rewards to our supporters.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Creator and writer of BLACK, Kwanza Osajyefo is a former digital editor at Marvel and DC Comics – best known for launching DC's Zuda imprint, which published series like the award-winning Bayou, High Moon, Night Owls, as well as Supertron, Celadore, Black Cherry Bombshells, Bottle of Awesome, and I Rule the Night.
Co-creator and designer of BLACK, Tim Smith 3 (A.K.A TS3), has been working in the comic industry for over 15 years. He created and self-published Red After the Party, and has worked on hit titles for some of the biggest publishers in the industry! To see more of TS3’s work, check out: JUNEMOON.NET.
Recipient of the 2011 Inkpot Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comic Art, Jamal Igle is the writer/artist/Creator of Molly Danger for Action Lab Entertainment. He’s pencilled everything from indie faves to Marvel, DC hits, and now BLACK. He is VP of Marketing and Publicity for Action Lab Entertainment.
Since graduating from School of Visual Arts with a BFA in Cartooning and Illustration, Khary’s been involved in TV, marketing, and comics. The cover artist for BLACK, he’s worked on everything from TMNT to The Boondocks and Hellboy, as well as designs for Brooklyn Brewery – most recently he’s worked on Robin Wars for DC. He's currently developing a new title for Marvel.
Risks and challenges
The biggest risk to BLACK is not reaching its funding goal. We've assembled a dedicated team of comics veterans who can deliver this project. We've also hired a fulfillment company to handle delivery of all rewards.
Almost all funds will go to compensating these professionals for their time.
Another risk is the continued lack of diversity in the comics profession and in content. Our core principle is to tell an entertaining story – but the material and creative team also represent an effort for Black creators to own our narrative and have agency in the industry.
We thank you in advance for your support. #goBLACK
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Funding period
- (28 days)