Let's Talk Team-Ups

Jeff Burton, creator of Auroraman, sent out an update earlier today in regards to the Kickstarter campaign he ran successfully for his book this past spring.

The campaign included what I thought was an excellent perk; A Canadian Creators Digital Omnibus featuring material from several other publishers.

The cover for that compilation was revealed to backers today and since it appears on the campaign page, which is not backer-specific, that I know of, I don't think there's any harm in displaying it here too. It is the work of Sabastian Van Esch.

I'm going to assume that Captain Canuck needs no introduction. Working clockwise from him, we have Impact from Canadian Corps, Auric of the Great White North, Axiom-Man and of course, Auroraman himself.

We potentially got some even better news earlier today on social media. The following image was posted from the Expired Comics Twitter account. The caption was attention-grabbing.

Who Wants a Team-Up?

Oh, I think I could get into that...Auric and Auroraman, mentioned above, are joined by Expired's Big Nick, who only recently joined the scene as well. Apparently the team-up is "in the works", which is probably all Expired Comics could tell me at this point.

They also suggest we stay-tuned. No issues on that level. And hopefully you guys kick off a trend. Or a tradition. Or a team book. You have options. :-)

September Reading List Additions

I've started cleaning things up a bit around here. Nothing too drastic just yet, just making sure that links work and such, but also adding a couple of new books to the reading list.

Auric Of The Great White North is now included in the hope that folks will discover it and/or sample the book because it seems fairly unique. I admit I have yet to purchase the zero issue (the only one available as I write this) myself. I would prefer to acquire it along with issue number one when that book becomes available next month. In fact, if the option presents itself, I might buy them digitally but get the trade later for the collection.

In any event, Auric is obviously a nice fit for this blog and I'll be keeping that project on the proverbial radar. If the book looks like your kind of thing, the best place to track its progress appear to be this Facebook group. And as usual, clicking on the cover image in the reading list will take you to a page from which you can purchase it. In this case, it's quite simply the Great White North Comics' website's store page.

The other addition is Canadian Corps, a book I'd been eager to read for quite some time. The digital version was among my perks from when I pledged to the fundraising campaign so I got to read it a few weeks ago but I deliberately avoided discussing it here until it was available for purchase. That's now the case; the book can be had on drivethru.

It serves as an introduction to the various team members as leader Warrant (above) gathers them to fight off an alien invasion up (way up) north. Much like he's done in past books, writer Andrew Lorenz manages to give you just enough information about each character to make you feel like you know them a bit already, but also makes it clear that there is significantly more to learn. Good stuff, fun read.

There are a couple of other books that I've received recently as a result of participating in crowdfunding campaigns and I hope to get to them soon.

Lady Victory, brought to you by GMB Chomichuk

Well, hello there!

This lovely lady is the reward for achieving the first stretch goal in the Canadian Corps Kickstarter campaign. As stated in the title line, the artwork is by GMB Chomichuk. A print of the above image will be included with every pledge that includes a physical copy of the book.

And mission accomplished. The campaign reached its desired total as well as the first stretch goal in short order.

So now they're working towards the second stretch goal and beyond. As I write this, they are merely $118 from reaching it.

$3000- Every backer whose reward level includes a physical copy will receive a Canadian Corps sticker and TWO Kickstarter Exclusive prints featuring art by GMB Chomichuk and Calgary-based artist Caanan Grall!

Jump over to the campaign page and see if you don't want in on this, if you have yet to do so. There's plenty of preview material, character descriptions, and so. The more people contribute, the greater the reward. I'm quite interested in the "6-8 page back-up short story illustrated by James Zintel!" offered at the $4000 range. With almost three weeks left in the campaign, it's certainly achievable.

In discussing the project, publisher Andrew Lorenz was kind enough to share the following group image of the Canadian Corps team, by Justin Shauf. Feast your eyes on this thing:

Canadian Corps

I had to check, but I first made mention of September17 Productions' Canadian Corps book in July of 2013. I'm very pleased to finally get to devote a post to them specifically!

Publisher Andrew Lorenz has no lack of projects occupying his time but there were still enough mentions of the Canadian Corps through social media over the past months to maintain confidence that this book was getting its share of attention too.

Lorenz recently launched a newsletter for September17 Productions as well. He uses it to keep his readers informed about how his various books are coming along, his writing process, etc.

This is an approach that I wish more indie publishers would adopt. Facebook and Twitter have their place and use, but your news can get caught in the wash of someone's 980 friends posting pictures of their various meals. And when a book can take months to produce, even just an occasional mention goes a long way towards sustaining interest in it.

On Sunday, Andrew shared an (unfinished, mind you) cover for Canadian Corps.

Pencils and inks by Justin Shauf, colour by Donovan Yaciuk.

I don't know much about the characters yet, just that I totally dig the 'stache on the second guy from the left! But I very much look forward to a formal introduction. Each character has a little something that makes me a little curious about him or her. Good design work in that sense.

While we wait, if you have yet to do so I invite you to check out some of the other books that S17 has released to this point. Legacy and/or New Guard can be purchased in print through Indyplanet. Indyplanet offers some of the books electronically, but if the e-format is more your speed you may be better served to purchase from drivethru. The four issues of Legacy complete the first arc in the series.