Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, entertainment, groo, kickstarter, usagi yojimbo

Catbeard The Pirate Book Three: Shipwrecks And Shedding Kickstarter Campaign

Published Sun, 16 Mar 2014 12:00:09 -0500

Matt Nelson writes for Bleeding Cool:

When I started doing Catbeard the Pirate, I wasn't prepared for the question I got most often at first.

"Does his beard use the litter box?"

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. My name's Matt Nelson, and I draw a comic about a cursed pirate. Right, I know, familiar territory. But his voodoo curse takes a more unique form – his beard is transformed into a living, magical cat. Ah, now we're into more unfamiliar territory.

Catbeard is a concept that, at first glance, could be tailor-made for webcomics. People love cats on the internet (as do I), and let's face it, there's no better place for piracy! But it's always been my hope to make something more.

I grew up reading comics, and among my favorites were always ones like Groo and Usagi Yojimbo. The blend of fantastical adventure and comedy appealed to me immensely, and I've always been drawn to that kind of comic. So when the idea for Catbeard hit me like a bolt from the blue, I knew exactly what sort of story it would be, and what audience I wanted – kids like me who loved adventure and weird laughs.

Catbeard's third anniversary online is next weekend and so far, it's been a fun ride. Catbeard's faced dinosaurs, old rivals, and the perils of the sea – oh yeah, and he also has a cat for a beard. And yeah, to answer the question, that cat needs the litter box. Sure, kids think that's hilarious, but then they get drawn in by the adventure, and that's even better.

I went to Stumptown last year, and a little girl and her family came by my table, and after they heard the pitch, she immediately grabbed the first book, sat down in front of my table, and started reading it. She showed no signs of planning to leave and had to be persuaded by her folks (who bought her the book). That's fantastic, right there. That's the experience I had as a kid at age ten when I went to the library and found my first Usagi collection, and I got to bring that experience to someone else. Now there's a pirate treasure worth having.

The Kickstarter for the third book has begun, and I want to bring that experience to even more someone elses. There's danger, and intrigue. There's plots and revenge. There's ninjas (hey, there had to be eventually, come on now). And yes, there's still a cat for a beard, and he's just as much a part of the crew.

Grab the rigging! Climb aboard and man the cannons! Don't forget a catnip mousey. We'd love to have you aboard for the adventure.

There's treasure to be had.

– Matt Nelson

Kickstarter link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/86891268/catbeard-the-pirate-book-three-shipwrecks-and-shed?ref=home_location

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catbeardthepirate

Twitter: @mattwnelson

Tumblr: http://mattnelsonart.tumblr.com/

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