About
DUSTER: The Graphic Novel
$28,151
468
DUSTER is a 240-page graphic novel project.
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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.
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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)
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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
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Funding period
- (35 days)