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

IF Anthology Or (Bigfoot And The Awkward Art Of Self-Promotion)

Published Sun, 16 Aug 2015 13:00:57 -0500

Last updated Sun, 16 Aug 2015 14:46:58 -0500

Chas! Pangburn writes,

I believe in Bigfoot.

Somewhere in this world, there is a (mostly) forgotten creature that lives its life in complete isolation. This monster—no, this abomination—vacations wherever it pleases and has been carrying out elusive tasks for hundreds of years. Possibly thousands. While it has numerous aliases, it primarily goes by the name of Sasquatch, Windigo, Yeti, or Independent Comic Creator.

Hi, I'm Bigfoot. I'm sure that some of you might be, too.

Indie creators quickly realize that just because you finished a project, it doesn't mean that your work is over. If anything, you've only reached the halfway mark. After spending weeks chained to a desk in your Fortress of Solitude, it's time to stretch those legs and remind the world of your existence. Or, more specifically, your project's existence. It's time to promote, promote, PROMOTE!

For a shy guy like myself, this is terrifying. Nothing makes me feel more awkward and/or egotistical than talking about myself and the projects I've been working on. The sad truth? Every creator has to do various forms of self-promotion. From fun one-offs to your magnum opus, none of it matters if no one knows about it.

So, uh, here I am just awkwardly talking about Bigfoot. You know, the usual.

I'm the writer and letterer of Big Foot, Little Hope. It's a tale about everyone's favorite cryptid dealing with fallen fame, self-doubt, depression, and relationship woes. Hilarity naturally ensues.

The infamous blurry figure becomes defined through the absolutely gorgeous pencils, inks, and tones produced by Mariano Laclaustra (Titan Comics' Doctor Who). After seeing his phenomenal art, I promise that you'll believe that Bigfoot is real. You'll find the first five pages attached to this article. Go ahead and take a peek. I'll wait.

You know how I said that I'm Bigfoot? I actually meant that in more ways than one. This story came about after reflecting on my own adventures in depression after being cheated on. You see, as a creator, my mission is to entertain, inspire, and connect with other individuals. Sometimes the best way of doing that is opening up and speaking about hard experiences in your life. And, well, by adding in a monster that's going through a midlife crisis. It apparently makes for some pretty cathartic (and hilarious) stuff.

This heartfelt and humorous tale is one of fifteen sci-fi stories found within the first volume of IF, an anthology published by Alterna Comics. Thirty-six up-and-coming creators have come together to tell stories about monsters, time, space, robots, virtual reality, and various other technological doohickeys. Although everything is based around science fiction, the storytelling range found within the anthology is what's most impressive. From humor to action to drama, there truly is a story for everyone.

The book is finished, it'll be in the September edition of Previews, and it will hit comic shops on November 4, 2015. For now, Alterna is currently running a Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/petersimeti/if-a-science-fiction-anthology-from-36-comic-book) to get comp copies for all creators involved, upgrade the quality of the book, and to ensure future volumes in the series. Funding ends on August 18, 2015 at 9:00 PM, so it'd mean a lot to all of us if you check things out!

BLEEDING COOL BONUS: If we reach $7K over the weekend, we're adding in a free(!) reward for all backers. And, yes, that does include those that only choose digital reward tiers. All backers will be receiving a BLEEDING COOL TRADING CARD! The front of the card will feature the cover of the book; Bleeding Cool's logo will be featured on the back alongside some additional information about the project.

Title of the Project: IF, Volume 1

Creators involved: 36 total!

• ADAM WOLLET (THE INITIATION – LETTERER)

• ALEX ECKMAN-LAWN (MOON – WRITER/ARTIST/LETTERER)

• BRANDON BARROWS (D IS FOR VICTORY – WRITER)

• BRANT FOWLER (APEX WAR – LETTERER)

• CANDICE WEATHERS (EQUIVALENT EXCHANGE – EDITOR)

• CASEY REECE (EQUIVALENT EXCHANGE – WRITER)

• CHAS! PANGBURN (BIG FOOT, LITTLE HOPE – WRITER/LETTERER)

• CHIP REECE (EQUIVALENT EXCHANGE – WRITER)

• CLAIRE BENSON (LOVE BY NUMBERS – EDITOR)

• DAN LAUER (LOVE BY NUMBERS – ARTIST)

• DAVID BRAME (TICKET HOME – ARTIST)

• DEKARA (LIFE IN THE GAME – LETTERER)

• DINO CARUSO (THE INITIATION; SMASH ATOM – WRITER)

• ERIC WEATHERS (EQUIVALENT EXCHANGE -ARTIST/LETTERER)

• ERICA J. HEFLIN (CLING; LOVE BY NUMBERS – LETTERER)

• FABIAN COBOS (ALONE – ARTIST)

• GARRETT SNEEN (AUTOMATA – WRITER/ARTIST/LETTERER)

• GEORGE ATHANASIOU (SMASH ATOM – ARTIST/LETTERER)

• GLENN MATCHETT (LOVE BY NUMBERS – WRITER)

• JAMES E. ROCHE (APEX WAR – WRITER)

• JON CLARK (CLING – WRITER/ARTIST)

• KENNY JEFFERY (ALONE – LETTERER)

• LOKI DEWITT (SHOWDOWN IN SPACE – WRITER)

• MARIANO LACLAUSTRA (BIG FOOT, LITTLE HOPE – ARTIST)

• MICHAEL MALKIN (LIFE IN THE GAME – WRITER)

• MIKE SALT (ALONE – WRITER)

• NIC J. SHAW (LIFE IN THE GAME – LETTERER)

• NOVO MALGAPO (LIFE IN THE GAME – ARTIST)

• PEEBO MONDIA (D IS FOR VICTORY – ARTIST)

• PETER SIMETI (IF ANTHOLOGY CONCEPT CREATOR, EDITOR)

• ROBERT MENEGUS (TICKET HOME – WRITER/LETTERER)

• SALO FARIAS (APEX WAR – ARTIST)

• SAM AGRO (THE INITIATION – ARTIST)

• TIM SHINN (IF ANTHOLOGY COVER COLORIST)

• UGUR SERTCELIK (SHOWDOWN IN SPACE – ARTIST/LETTERER)

• ZACH BASSETT (SIGNS OF LIFE – WRITER/ARTIST/LETTERER)

Kickstarter End Date: August 18, 2015 at 9:00 PM.

Publishing Date: The anthology will hit comic shops on November 4, 2015

Bleeding Cool Kickstarter goal/reward: BLEEDING COOL BONUS: If we reach $7K over the weekend, we're adding in a free(!) reward for all backers. And, yes, that does include those that only choose digital reward tiers. All backers will be receiving a BLEEDING COOL TRADING CARD! The front of the card will feature the cover of the book; Bleeding Cool's logo will be featured on the back alongside some additional information about the project.

Elevator Pitch Version: 36 of the best up-and-coming comic creators have come together to tell 15 sci-fi stories. Being a writer & letterer for one of them, I touch on the art of self-promotion and story inspiration.