A female cropduster pilot fights to save her daughter from Nazis in 1940's Texas! DOWNLOAD THE FIRST 40 PAGES FREE! Read more
A female cropduster pilot fights to save her daughter from Nazis in 1940's Texas! DOWNLOAD THE FIRST 40 PAGES FREE!
About this project
DUSTER is a 240-page graphic novel project.
Click here to get your FREE 40-PAGE PREVIEW of the book
DUSTER: In the closing days of World War II, a widowed housewife turned cropduster pilot struggles to rescue her teenage daughter from a band of Nazi war criminals who crash near her small Texas farm.
Click here to get your FREE 40-PAGE PREVIEW of the book
DUSTER is a gripping, compelling story. I love the characters. I love the set-up. The art gives it all a gritty, authentic look. And I'm completely, nail-bittingly, breath-holdingly on the edge of my seat -- I only got to read through the end of Chapter 4, and I can't freakin' wait to see how it all works out. Action, suspense, humanity, drama, blood, love and heroics. Micah Ian Wright's coming back to comics, and he and his partners are throwing one hell of a party. Don't miss out on this terrific book.- Kurt Busiek (Astro City)
"Biplanes + Nazis + Kick-Ass Heroine = Duster. Simple math. Awesome equation." - Greg Rucka (Queen & Country)
Click here to get your FREE 40-PAGE PREVIEW of the book
Hey, everybody, Micah Wright here, creator of the popular Wildstorm Comics series Stormwatch: Team Achilles. A few years ago I had an idea for an original graphic novel set in World War II on the American homefront--a story devoid of mutant powers, spandex bodysuits, all-powerful religious artifacts, or talking gorillas. My writing partner, Jay Lender (writer and director of animated hits SpongeBob SquarePants and Phineas and Ferb), and I crafted a thrilling action story with a heart and soul... because Duster isn’t only about planes and Nazis, but also about forging the post-war American woman who can have a job, raise a family and make her own way in the world without any man’s permission. It’s the story of a fundamental change in American life, illustrated through blood-and-guts action!
Once we had a script, we began looking for artists who could help us envision this world in a way that’s appropriate to the time period--not an idealized or stylized 1940s, but a well-researched, lived-in world. What we needed were artists who could draw realistic flesh and blood characters--women who were interesting not because of the size of their bustline, but because of who they are inside. Everyday men you can identify with, not superheroes. Villains who are complex and nuanced, even if they are Nazis. We found a perfect match in Jok Coglitore (rough layouts) and Cristian Mallea (pencils & inks).
These incredible talents have carried us halfway through the 215 page length of the book with amazing results, as you can see in the pictures scattered around this page and at the Duster Graphic Novel Facebook Page. Jay is obsessive about how much he hates computer-drawn speech balloons, so he’s drawn every speech balloon in this book by hand before lettering them. Similarly, he’s also hand-drawn all of our sound effects.
The results have been fantastic! We love it. We've shown what we've completed to some of our friends in the comics industry and they love it, too. We were thrilled recently when Howard Chaykin illustrated a cover for us. We've also secured cover commitments from John McCrea (Hitman, The Boys), and Charlie Adlard, award-winning artist of THE WALKING DEAD!
We're currently on page 131. Our goal is to use Kickstarter to complete Duster and to produce a beautiful 215 page full-color book. We need the money to pay our artists, the colorists, and the printer who's going to print and bind your personal copy of this book. Your support will keep our artists on the job for victory!
What's In It For You?
Well, for starters... there's the book! At 215 pages, it's hardbound and twice as long as the average paperback graphic novel (which typically costs $20). The book will feature excellent quality paper to show off the artwork, and will run 240 pages with all of the bonus materials we're stuffing into the appendix; extra short stories, concept art, and anything else we think of. This edition is exclusively for our Kickstarter supporters! After that, we don't know what our publication future will be. Supporters, this may be the ONLY way you can EVER get a physical copy of the book!
UPDATE: The Shirt!
Here's a rough design of what your Duster T-Shirt is going to look like:
SO HOW CAN YOU HELP DUSTER COME TO LIFE?
Our initial fundraising goal represents the cost of producing all the artwork and coloring. Money beyond that will go toward printing, handling and shipping. Once that’s paid for, Jay and I may--truth be told--treat ourselves to a nice dinner.
As thanks for your generosity, we are offering a variety of exciting PLEDGE REWARDS, just like we’re PBS or something. They include signed copies of the graphic novel, digital copies of the book, t-shirts, amazing prints, options for contributors to be drawn into the book (and receive an original sketch of their character)... and ONE lucky random Kickstarter contributor will win a page of original art! If you've ever been to Comic-Con, you'll appreciate what an amazing reward this is, and EVERY contributor will be entered in the drawing, regardless of the amount they pledge.
2. SHAREWe need more than just your dollars; we need your voice. Help us get the word out. We beg you. Post a link to this Kickstarter project on Facebook. Go and "Like" the Duster Facebook page. Tweet about the project using hashtag #DusterOGN. Then tweet about Duster again. Make your mom tweet about Duster. Google+ Duster! People use Google+, right? Start an annoying email chain letter about Duster. Walk around downtown with a sandwich board sign promoting Duster. Scream about Duster from the clock tower of your local college, then mention Duster to the news reporters as you do the perp walk to the paddywagon. Help us make this happen.
Kickstarter is providing us with an amazing opportunity, and we thank you, the Kickstarter community, for your time and consideration. We truly believe in the entire concept of Kickstarter, so we'd like to commit to something extra by participating in the KICKING IT FORWARD project. We pledge to spend 5% of all the money we raise above our initial funding request for this book on helping other artists’ dream projects come true here on Kickstarter.
So there you have it, that’s our pitch. Drop us a line--we’d love to hear from you. We’ll be sure to post updates as the project moves forward!
Thank you very much,
Micah, Jay, Jok, and Cristian
In case you missed it above, CLICK HERE to get your FREE PREVIEW!
View the PDF right in your browser or download to the device of your choice!
FAQ
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Our artists are hard at work right now to finish your copy and get it ready for the printers. We have rough layouts for pages 1-168 (out of 215) finished, and expect to have all of the layouts completed by October of this year. Our inking is finished through page 130 and moving forward, and the coloring is finished up through page 39 and should be completely finished in around 10 months. With contingencies, printing, and shipping (to us, and from us to you), we're hoping to have the book fully finished in October of 2013, possibly earlier, or (hopefully not) a little later. Obviously, we won't wait until that point before contacting you... we'll be posting updates (for donors only) including some special fun stuff we're announcing very soon. Don't worry... there is no possibility this book won't get finished... we have all worked for too long and too hard to get to this point; to abandon it now would be insanity. Costly insanity. We have thousands and thousands of our own dollars already invested in the project, so you can definitely trust us to finish it with your dollars.
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Awesome! We can't add you to the Kickstarter roles, but we CAN take your pre-order for a copy of the hardback (or extra copies for those of you who pledged for one, but now need an extra for a friend or loved one). Simply write us at micah@micahwright.com, stipulate the pledge level you WISHED you had bought in at, and you can commit to helping us via PayPal. :)
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The story is 215 pages, but due to the way books are printed (in 16-page "signatures,") the book will be 240 pages long. Part of that length will be a short story we're doing with our layout artist Jok, a "prequel" to Duster of sorts. We will also have a pinup gallery featuring art by amazing artists like Charlie Adlard, Donna Barr, Carla Speed McNeil, Pia Guerra, Hilary Barta, John McCrea, Jason Copland, CP Smith, Tomm Coker, Whilce Portacio, Carlos D'Anda, and many others! You will definitely be getting your money's worth out of this book! :)
Rewards
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Pledge $5 or more
10 backers
As a special thank you, everyone who donates more than $5 will receive gorgeous DUSTER DIGITAL WALLPAPER for your computer, tablet and phone.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $20 or more
33 backers
A BEAUTIFUL FULL-COLOR, DIGITAL COPY of the 215-page Duster graphic novel.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $30 or more
195 backers
DELUXE HARDBACK COPY of the Duster graphic novel! This is a one-time printing exclusively for our Kickstarter pledge donors who are helping us finish the book! (international backers, please add $10 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $40 or more
85 backers
HARDBACK COPY WITH A TIP-IN ART CARD SIGNED BY ALL THE CREATORS! Plus, you receive a DIGITAL COPY of the book as well! (international backers, please add $10 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $45 or more
2 backers
BEAUTIFUL ART PRINT by comics legend HOWARD CHAYKIN and a DIGITAL COPY of Duster! (international backers, please add $10 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $45 or more
1 backer
FULL-COLOR DUSTER T-SHIRT to keep you warm while you read your DIGITAL COPY of Duster. (international backers, please add $10 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $55 or more
12 backers
HARDBACK copy of Duster and a FULL-COLOR DUSTER T-SHIRT to keep you warm while you read the book. Plus, you receive a DIGITAL COPY of the book as well! (Signed available - please add $10) (international backers, please add $10 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $55 or more
9 backers
HARDBACK copy of Duster and the HOWARD CHAYKIN ART PRINT plus you receive a DIGITAL COPY of the book as well! (Signed available - please add $10) (international backers, please add $10 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $55 or more
9 backers
TWO HARDBACKS! One hardback copy of Duster for you, another for a friend. Plus, you receive a DIGITAL COPY of the book as well! Additional hardbacks available for each additional $25 you donate. (available signed - please add $10/copy) (international backers, please add $10 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $75 or more
26 backers Limited (174 left of 200)
NUMBERED HARDBACK SIGNED BY ALL THE CREATORS, featuring an exclusive bookplate designed by Duster artist Cristian Mallea. ONLY 200 WILL BE MADE! Plus, you receive a DIGITAL COPY of the book as well! No other copies of this hardback edition will ever be numbered, so here's your chance to grab the rarest of the rare, as well as help us get to our fundraising goal.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $100 or more
21 backers
Signed Hardback WITH YOUR NAME IN THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS SECTION! Everyone will know that YOU helped this book happen! It's like you're an executive producer on our graphic novel! Plus, you receive a DIGITAL COPY of the book as well! (international backers, please add $10 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $100 or more
5 backers
SMALL RETAILER LEVEL - We love our Local Comic Store owners, and we want you to love us back. You get 5 signed hardback copies (suggested retail of $40), a special thank you in the acknowledgments, and a free Howard Chaykin print to either give away to a customer or hang in your store (or frame and put above your fireplace). Even better, we pay for domestic shipping! Additional hardback copies available at a retailer price level, just ask. (sorry, but international shop owners must pay shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $125 or more
7 backers
Signed hardback copy of Duster with your name in the acknowledgments, a t-shirt, and a digital copy of the book. (international backers, please add $10 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $125 or more
2 backers
Signed hardback copy of Duster with your name in the acknowledgments, the Howard Chaykin art print, and a digital copy of the book. (international backers, please add $10 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $150 or more
1 backer
A BEAUTIFUL COLOR PRINT BY CHARLIE ADLARD, acclaimed artist of "THE WALKING DEAD" will accompany your signed hardback copy of Duster with your name in the acknowledgments, and a digital copy of the book. (international backers, please add $10 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $175 or more
7 backers
The deluxe package: you get the digital copy of Duster, a signed hardback copy with your name in the acknowledgments, the t-shirt, the Howard Chaykin print, AND the Charlie Adlard print! (international backers, please add $15 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $200 or more
4 backers
MEDIUM RETAILER LEVEL - Do you run two or more stores? Or have a lot of female customers? Or you're located near an Air Force base? If so, then you're going to need extra copies, and we've got a great deal for you. You receive 10 signed hardback copies of Duster (each with a suggested retail price of $40), a special thank you in the acknowledgments, PLUS a t-shirt, a Howard Chaykin print, AND a Charlie Adlard print... AND we pay the shipping! That's a $500 value! Additional hardback copies available at a retailer price level, just ask. (sorry, but international shop owners must pay shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $225 or more
1 backer Limited (15 left of 16)
ULTIMATE ASHCAN SPECIAL EDITIONS! Here at Duster, we printed black-and-white Ashcan proofs of each chapter of the book as they were fully completed and handed them out to close friends and family to look for printing errors, spelling mistakes, lettering problems, etc. These books feature temporary covers by Jay in his trademark style. Now that we're so far along in production, normally these proof copies would just be consigned to the wastebins of history, but instead we're offering them to YOU! These are the most collectible of all variations of Duster, full as they are with spelling mistakes, weird serifed capital-I's in the middle of words, jarring overprint problems, and other mistakes and errors. YOU GET: the digital copy of Duster, a signed hardback copy with your name in the acknowledgments, the t-shirt, the Howard Chaykin print, the Charlie Adlard print AND a limited-edition set of signed Ashcans! This truly is the ultimate comic collectors package! (international backers, please add $15 for shipping)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $300 or more
3 backers Limited (2 left of 5)
ROSIE THE RIVETER SPECIAL: Ladies, we've re-examined the book, and you can APPEAR IN DUSTER! We have 5 minor roles for women to appear in the graphic novel, just send us a photo and we'll draw you into the book. All of these walk-on parts are for females, ages 16-60, so I'm sorry, gentlemen, you're not eligible... A great gift for yourself, a sister, a wife or girlfriend, or any female comics fan in your life. You'll also get a DIGITAL COPY of the graphic novel, TWO SIGNED HARDBACKS WITH YOUR NAME IN THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, a CHAYKIN print, an ADLARD print, a T-SHIRT, and a SIGNED CHARACTER DESIGN SKETCH of your WWII Greatest Generation character by Duster artist Cristian Mallea suitable for framing!
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $475 or more
2 backers
SUPER DELUXE RETAILER SPECIAL: You're one of the biggest retailers in America, right? Then you need to have a few extra copies on hand to satisfy all the people who stumble onto this Kickstarter AFTER the deadline! You receive 30 signed hardback copies of Duster (each with a suggested retail price of $40), a special thank you in the acknowledgments, 3 t-shirts, 3 Howard Chaykin prints, and 3 Charlie Adlard prints. That's a $1200 value for the books alone, and another $300 for the merch... and you're getting all of that for an astounding markdown. PLUS we pay the domestic shipping! (international stores pay shipping) Even better, we'll publicize your store after the Kickstarter campaign ends for latecomers who want to buy copies. Kickstarter projects never come offline, either, so it's a permanent advertisement for your store and recognition that you're a retailer who truly cares about creating great comics (and who also loves a smoking-hot deal!)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $500 or more
4 backers All gone!
THE GREATEST GENERATION SPECIAL:
You can BE IN DUSTER! We have 4 minor roles for men to appear in the graphic novel, just send us a photo and we'll draw you into the book. All of these walk-on parts are for male Army Air Corps soldiers, so I'm sorry, ladies, you're not eligible... all our female roles are unique individuals with extensive speaking parts (unlike the disposable menfolk who die by the dozens)! A great gift for yourself, a brother, a boyfriend, or any comics fan in your life. You'll also get a DIGITAL COPY of the graphic novel, TWO SIGNED HARDBACKS WITH YOUR NAME IN THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, a CHAYKIN print, an ADLARD print, a T-SHIRT, and a SIGNED CHARACTER DESIGN SKETCH of your WWII Greatest Generation character by Duster artist Cristian Mallea suitable for framing!
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
Keep your eyes peeled for Nazis as you fly the skies over the American homefront in a real Stearman Kaydet biplane just like the one Jo flies in DUSTER!
Either experience the thrill of biplane travel yourself, or give it as a gift to a friend or loved one... it's a once in a lifetime experience that the lucky passenger will never forget! AND you'll be helping us to complete and print Duster, AND you'll get a SIGNED HARDBACK COPY with your name in the Acknowledgements!
Get yourself to either Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Sonoma, Long Beach, or San Diego, California; Tampa, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, or Key West, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Sedona, Arizona; Prince Frederick, Maryland; Owls Head, Maine; Atlanta, Georgia; Denver, Colorado; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New Jersey; Chester, Connecticut; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, or Galveston, Texas; Oahu, Hawaii; or even Gloucestershire, England; and Sydney, Australia! If all of these locations are too far for you but you STILL want to fly in a Stearman, let us know, we have a few other pilots on our list that might be closer to you.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $1,000 or more
2 backers All gone!
THE DIRTBAG SPECIAL!
We have TWO FEATURED SPEAKING PARTS for male American civilians. These two creeps are utterly reprehensible dirtbags who engage in a truly horrible conversation and then get killed by Nazis. Have you ever wanted to be a comic book dirtbag?! Because if so, THIS is your chance! Just send us a photo and Cristian will draw you into the book dirtbaggin' it up before getting sent to your early grave by Nazis! Show off your dirtbaginess to friends and family (if you dare!) with a DIGITAL COPY of the graphic novel, TWO SIGNED HARDBACKS WITH YOUR NAME IN THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, a CHAYKIN print, an ADLARD print, a T-SHIRT, and a SIGNED CHARACTER DESIGN SKETCH of your WWII Greatest Dirtbag character by Duster artist Cristian Mallea suitable for framing!
Estimated delivery:
Funding period
- (35 days)