Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, entertainment, kickstarter, last line

Drawing The Last Line

Published Sat, 18 Apr 2015 13:00:11 -0500

Writer/Creator: Christofer Frey. Illustration: Ryan Winn. Color: Jean-Francois-Beaulieu – Lettering: Troy Peteri. Publishing Date: Monday, April 13, 2015. Closing Date: May 13, 1015

A squad of Young Rangers defends their remote town from a nefarious motorcycle-club during a nationwide blackout.

Christofer Frey writes,

While this condensed tagline is at the crux of the story of THE LAST LINE, it is not the emotional center. This is the boiled down, PR friendly rapid-fire pitch of THE LAST LINE'S Kickstarter Campaign as well as the creative marketing message here, in Los Angeles. This is the "high concept". Even as I read the pitch now, I realize that the Six Flags, Bush Gardens, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride that this comic has been on (both commercially and creatively) has lead to this latest fundraising effort for a reason: the creation of a simple tale about fathers and sons.

In the hay-day of my single life, I remember hashing out this idea about Boy Scouts being the unsung heroes of America over eggs Benedict and a pounding hangover. Youth Organizations in America seemed to be losing influence and becoming passé. By the end of the meal, I had the kernel of an idea for a graphic novel and a portal into a world of possibilities. About six years later, the Boy Scouts have become the Young Rangers and the single life has now become anticipatory fatherhood.

The core story of THE LAST LINE is very familial. A boy grows up under the morals and guidance of a Youth Organization rather than his absentee father. It shapes and molds him into being someone fervent and inspired but altogether unfulfilled. While the driving action of the comic is the Young Rangers against the marauding biker gang The Rattleheads (a little Megadeth reference for anyone who cares) the emotional conflict is one between a father and a son. Artie and his technology-entrenched father Teddy are forced into facing their differences, regrets, and shortcomings, as they make their way through a nation-wide blackout.

While, there are still the supplemental stories of how the Progressive Movement of the early 1900s gave birth to the Young Rangers, how the advent of the blackout empowers the rampant, multiple patriot militias throughout the country, how the world of THE LAST LINE is really an allegory for America losing its sense of self, and a host of other characters ranging from survivalist misanthropes to embittered statesmen cursed with immortality to Native American demi-gods, its still just a story about fathers and sons.

It's strange that the timing of the commitments, deadlines, and rising/falling inspirations have culminated into this Kickstarter Campaign, launching on Monday, April 13, 2015. Simultaneously, in my personal life, the birth of my son is imminent. Almost too organically, the writes and rewrites have narrowed the focus of the story on the father/son relationship. Weird how that happens.

About a month from now this Kickstarter for this all-important first issue will either be funded or not funded. I'm hoping that its simplicity will entreat you. At the same time, my son may be born or remain in utero for a few more weeks. Whether this gets funded or not, I know that the story, the heart, and the inspiration are all worthy. And THE LAST LINE will be a reality. Not for me…

For my son, Mason.

The Kickstarter is live now! Please give what you can!!!

All live links can be found on my Twitter page https://twitter.com/ChristoferFrey or my Tumblr http://thelastlinecomic.tumblr.com/ Anything you can contribute will be greatly appreciated. I have also added a stretch goal for Bleeding Cool readers. If we reach it, we'll furnish you with a mini comic featuring a 4D shot of Mason – probably about a super soldier program 

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