[Since jumping into comics crowdfunding in March, I’ve received 12 projects in paper form. Some have arrived digitally, but I’ll wait until the paper copies arrive because I’m that type of luddite. This “Year in Review” will catalog each one…and I promise to be done by New Year’s Eve!]
This is a bit of a different crowdsourced comic — it’s an extension of an Image Comic creator-owned series. I acknowledge that some in the crowdfunding world get their ire up when the “big boys” jump into the crowdfunding pool, but in my mind it’s fair game and, in this case, provides additional value above and beyond what one would expect from a periodical publication. So let’s stop talking publishing politics and talk about a nifty little project.
Declan Shelvey’s 48-page, perfect bound black and white book tells the story of the creation of the innovative Time Before Time series that he is producing through Image Comics. With production values (printing quality, design sense, etc.) that one would expect from a seasoned professional, this book delivers the goods. Readers get:
- A lively discussion between the two co-writers (Shalvey and Rory McConville) on the book about the fun and challenges of taking this team approach,
- A fantastic “script to page” breakdown juxtaposing a page script with a finished page…with commentary from everyone involved in making the book,
- A behind the pen artist interview with Joe Palmer conducted by PanelxPanel editor and noted letterer Hassan Otsame-Elhaou,
- A piece by Shalvey about the evolution of the first issue’s cover, and
- So, so, so much concept/production sketchwork throughout. Like most every page has some image that helped develop the story or the book.
What can I say? The book is impressive. It surely made me appreciate Time Before Time even more (and that first issue was brilliant, with a twist ending that I never would have dreamt up).
The package also came with a black and white Time Before Time print by the late John Paul Leon:
Very cool, and a nice touch by Shalvey to send that out with every package outside of the traditional “stretch goals” as a tribute to Leon.
All in all, I’m very satisfied. The book is a true “process” book. It gets into the nuts and bolts of what it takes to make a comic book in the 2020’s. As a self-publisher of sorts, this stuff is like catnip to me.
That’s it for week one of my 12 (Week)Days of Comics Crowdfunding! I’ll take the weekend off, then jump in for another five crowdfunding packages next week.
And, of course, I’ll add in anything new on the Phoenix Productions front as things develop. (And things ARE developing…just want to mention the right things at the right time.)
~ Prior Entries ~
Day 2: Branches Entwined & Broken
Day 3: Take the Monkey and RUN! #1
Have you considered checking out my small press comics and stories?
Phoenix Productions 
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