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Are You Ready for War in the Neighborhood?

Help us republish this monumental graphic novel by underground comics legend, Seth Tobocman

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Are You Ready for War in the Neighborhood?

Are You Ready for War in the Neighborhood?

Are You Ready for War in the Neighborhood?

Are You Ready for War in the Neighborhood?

Are You Ready for War in the Neighborhood?

Help us republish this monumental graphic novel by underground comics legend, Seth Tobocman

Help us republish this monumental graphic novel by underground comics legend, Seth Tobocman

Help us republish this monumental graphic novel by underground comics legend, Seth Tobocman

Help us republish this monumental graphic novel by underground comics legend, Seth Tobocman

Ad Astra Comix
Ad Astra Comix
Ad Astra Comix
Ad Astra Comix
6 Campaigns |
Ottawa, Canada
$5,750 USD $5,750 USD 178 backers
54% of $10,559 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 6 Projects Mountain Filled 6 Projects
Overview
With your help, Ad Astra Comix is hoping to republish this legendary tale of squats, cops, and raucous riots. Funds raised will pay for a large print run of high-quality books... plus, there are the perks: limited edition prints, posters, speaking engagements, rare comics, and more!

What is 'War in the Neighborhood'?

War in the Neighborhood is 320 pages of largely unheard history. First published in 1999, WITN is a story about smashing cinderblocks, filling in the cracks and finding our future in the rubble. It tells the story of New York City's Lower East Side in the late 1980s, when it came under attack by wealthy developers, cynical politicians and that special kind of daring yuppie who thinks that gunshots in the night are a sure sign of a hip 'hood. The panels may be black and white, but the moral questions raised in the comic are anything but. 

 

 

It may be hard to imagine that a story set at the end of the Cold War is relevant to struggle today. The history of social struggle, however, repeats itself. The lessons contained in 'War in the Neighborhood' have echoes in Occupy, Black Lives Matter and other 21st century social movements.

 

 

 

 

 

Ad Astra Comix is a comics publisher focused on social justice. We've previously published comics dealing with feminist and environmental themes, and we'll be publishing works about migrant rights, prisons, and indigenous struggles in the year to come. More about us here.
 

Perks, Get Your Red Hot Perks Fresh From the Internet

'War in the Neighborhood' is the longest book we've ever published. Our printer tells us that it will cost about $11,000 to print 3,000 copies. In order to ensure that our publishing projects are sustainable, we make sure that pre-order campaigns like this one cover the full cost of printing. Our funding levels reflect the cost of laying out, printing and shipping these titles. That's why we're asking for 15 big ones in order to cover costs. *bites nails*

If we don't reach that goal, we can adjust the size of the print run. If for some reason we don't make enough to print even 1,000 copies (the minimum required for offset printing), we will be forced to hold bake sales and swimsuit car washes (male collective members only) until we reach the necessary amount. 
 

(Top): Reward Level "WAR Starter Pack", featuring a copy of 'War in the Neighborhood', plus two extremely rare issues of World War 3 Illustrated including 'The Riot Issue' #11, and Issue #13 featuring a sneak preview of the chapter 'Seige' from War in the Neighborhood First Edition. (Bottom): Reward Level "Tobocman Starter Pack", featuring a copy of 'War in the Neighborhood', plus 'You Don't Have to Fuck People Over to Survive' (AK Press, 2009), 'Disaster and Resistance' (AK Press, 2008), 'LEN: A Lawyer in History' (AK Press, 2016), and 'Portraits of Israelis and Palestinians' (Softskull Press, 2003)

original art for sale - check the perks column for details

 

 

 

Luckily for anyone who might otherwise fall prey to our sub-par car washing service, we're not worried about coming up short. Why not? Well, check out our awesome perks over on the sidebar and see for yourself.
 

Making a Difference

'War in the Neighborhood' is a classic work of comics history. By contributing to this crowdfunder, you are helping to put it into schools, libraries and universities around North America. You're also ordering yourself a book that is funny, moving and looks great on your coffee table where it will lend an air of cosmopolitan sophistication. 

This is a dream project for us; something we have been pursuing since Ad Astra was founded in 2013. Reading 'War in the Neighborhood' was a transformative experience for all of us and we're sincerely excited to be sharing it with all of you. Seth Tobocman has done so much for radical art and artists since he co-founded 'World War 3 Illustrated' in 1979, the world's longest running English language anthology of political comics. We're frankly honoured to be working with him. 

We also think that WITN is the kind of project that can inspire people to do similar work. Social movements often struggle to retain any kind of institutional memory, and comics history can play that role. Pick up a copy of 'War in the Neighborhood' and you'll see for yourself how much history can fit into 300 pages, and how heart-breakingly beautiful those stories can be.

 

 

 

Risks + Challenges

This is our single biggest crowdfunder to date. Our next biggest, 'Drawing the Line', managed to raise $9,100. Our last crowdfunder, 'Extraction', didn't do as well - it came up $1,800 short and we had to reduce the size of the print run.

Our team has doubled in size since then. We have been doing background work on this project for close to a year: building contact lists, soliciting reviews, pursuing media coverage and otherwise getting ourselves ready.

We've also looked at what went right with past crowdfunders and are building on those successes. Maybe you were led here by one of the feature articles dealing with the themes of WITN? Our numbers tell us that it's an effective way to drive traffic to projects like this one.

We have our concerns about this project, but no doubts that by late September, we'll be printing a few thousand copies of 'War in the Neighborhood'.

 

Other Ways You Can Help

While we're grateful for every contribution, we understand not everyone can afford to order a copy of the book. But there are still plenty of ways that you can help us make the second edition of 'War in the Neighborhood' a reality:

  • Share this page using Indiegogo's share tools
  • Drop by your local book store or comic shop and encourage them to order some copies.
  • Libraries will order books if requested by cardholders. Check yours.
  • If you're a journalist, ask for a review copy.
  • Organize a collective, take over an abandoned building in the urban core of some decaying metropolis, fix it up, then when you get on the news maybe give us a shout out, you know.
     

Thanks for stopping by!

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Choose your Perk

Change for a Dollar

Currency Conversion $1 USD
$1 CAD
Show your support without breaking your bank account - every little bit counts!
0 out of 500 of claimed

Double Up! Change for a Dollar

Currency Conversion $1 USD
$2 CAD
If every little bit counts, this one counts twice! You'll have our eternal gratitude when we wake up AND when we drift off to sleep thinking fondly of your generosity.
0 claimed

From NYC with love...

Currency Conversion $4 USD
$5 CAD
Donate $5 and help us get this book printed! As thanks, we'll send you a hand-written postcard with full-colour art from War in the Neighborhood.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
3 out of 500 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

STEAL [of a deal] THIS BOOK

Currency Conversion $11 USD
$15 CAD
For only $15, you get a sleek online version of War in the Neighborhood - the complete 340 page second edition, available for viewing on any device! Perfect for folks on the go who want to avoid shipping.
Estimated Shipping
November 2017
31 out of 500 of claimed

WAR at your DOORSTEP!

Currency Conversion $23 USD
$33 CAD
Prepare for WAR in the NEIGHBORHOOD! Your copy of the book delivered to your doorstep the week it's back from the printer!
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
48 out of 500 of claimed
Ships to many locations.

BUY 1, GET 1 for a FRIEND

Currency Conversion $34 USD
$48 CAD
A friend in need is a friend who reads! Change someone's life with a copy of War in the Neighborhood, and your copy is 50% off! This perk is only available during our crowdfunder - better get on it!
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
22 out of 50 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

International Special

Currency Conversion $35 USD
$50 CAD
* International Supporters! * Want your copy of War in the Neighborhood yesterday? Pay for tracked, insured shipping, arriving in your hands as quickly as our North American orders.
Estimated Shipping
October 2016
2 out of 50 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

'WAR' Starter Kit

Currency Conversion $39 USD
$55 CAD
RARE COMICS ALERT! Receive your copy of "War in the Neighborhood", and two super-rare, special issues of the "World War 3 Illustrated" periodical: Issue #11 ("The Riot Issue", 2000), and Issue #13 (, featuring the WITN Chapter, "Seige"). You will not regret this!
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
5 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

THE ART OF WAR

Currency Conversion $70 USD
$99 CAD
Get your copy of War in the Neighborhood, plus a special signed poster of Seth Tobocman's beautiful cover art in full colour. Posters are full colour, 11" x 17", signed by Seth and ready for framing -- or wheat-pasting, if you want. Packages shipped separately.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
2 out of 50 of claimed
Ships to many locations.

RETAILER'S SPECIAL

Currency Conversion $74 USD
$105 CAD
Do you run a small-scale bookshop or distro? This perk is for you! Pre-order 5 copies of War in the Neighborhood and receive a 40% discount. (Shipping rates apply)
Estimated Shipping
October 2016
3 out of 25 of claimed
Ships to many locations.

TOBOCMAN STARTER KIT

Currency Conversion $77 USD
$110 CAD
Receive your copy of War in the Neighborhood - and four other books by the legendary political comics creator. Includes "Disaster and Resistance", "You Don't Have to Fuck People Over to Survive", "Portraits of Israelis and Palestinians", and "Len: A Lawyer in History". Bundle includes a 25% discount off of list price on books. (Shipping rates apply)
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
5 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

RETAILERS SUPER SPECIAL

Currency Conversion $123 USD
$175 CAD
* Retailers, Distros, and Activist Groups * Pre-order 10 copies of War in the Neighborhood at a 50% discount! Includes a signed, limited edition poster of Seth Tobocman's beautiful full-colour cover art from the book.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
3 out of 50 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

WORKSHOP in a BOTTLE

Currency Conversion $141 USD
$200 CAD
This perk is an event in a bottle! Includes 10 copies of War in the Neighborhood at a 50% discount, 1 free copy to give away as a door prize, a custom presentation by Ad Astra Comix (produced in collaboration with the donor), a promotional flyer template, and assistance marketing the event on social media. Perfect for book stores, comic shops, reading groups, and activist organizations. Subject to availability - please e-mail us at adastracomix@gmail.com in advance for details.
Estimated Shipping
August 2017
0 out of 10 of claimed

ORIGINAL ART - "Students"

Currency Conversion $299 USD
$425 CAD
Receive your copy of War in the Neighborhood, and as special thanks for your donation, you'll receive an original work of art by Seth Tobocman! This reward level includes shipping. "Students" is an original illustration for a New York Times article about student protests, ink on board, 8 by 9 inches.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to United States of America, Canada

ORIGINAL ART - "Homeless"

Currency Conversion $299 USD
$425 CAD
Receive your copy of War in the Neighborhood, and as special thanks for your donation, you'll receive an original work of art by Seth Tobocman! This reward level includes shipping. "Homeless" is an original illustration for INX syndication about the criminalization of the homeless, ink on paper, 11.25 by 9 inches
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to United States of America, Canada

ORIGINAL ART - "Bike"

Currency Conversion $334 USD
$475 CAD
Receive your copy of War in the Neighborhood, and as special thanks for your donation, you'll receive an original work of art by Seth Tobocman! This reward level includes shipping. "Bike" is an original illustration for a flyer calling for the creation of a bike messengers union, ink on board, 11.5 by 5.25 inches
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to Canada, United States of America

ARTIST SHOWCASE in a BOTTLE

Currency Conversion $352 USD
$500 CAD
This perk is an event in a bottle! Includes 10 copies of War in the Neighborhood at a 50% discount, 1 free additional copy to give away as a door prize, a visual presentation by Seth Tobocman about his work, a promotional flyer template, and assistance marketing the event on social media. Perfect for book stores, comic shops, reading groups, seminars, and activist organizations. Subject to the artist's availability - please e-mail us for details.
Estimated Shipping
August 2017
0 out of 10 of claimed

ORIGINAL ART - "Not Enough"

Currency Conversion $370 USD
$525 CAD
Receive your copy of War in the Neighborhood, and as special thanks for your donation, you'll receive an original work of art by Seth Tobocman! This reward level includes shipping. "Not Enough People Have Died" is original art, a sketch for a mural in the hallway of the old ABC No Rio building. Acrylic on paper, 7 by 10 inches.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to Canada, United States of America

ORIGINAL ART - "Refugees"

Currency Conversion $493 USD
$700 CAD
Receive your copy of War in the Neighborhood, and as special thanks for your donation, you'll receive an original work of art by Seth Tobocman! This reward level includes shipping. "Refugees" is one of Seth's earliest work available on the crowdfunder. An original illustration about Salvadoran asylum seekers in the 1980s, it could easily be about Syrian refugees today. Duo shade paper, 11.75 by 9.5 inches.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to Canada, United States of America

ORIGINAL ART - "Bandshell"

Currency Conversion $563 USD
$800 CAD
Receive your copy of War in the Neighborhood, and as special thanks for your donation, you'll receive an original work of art by Seth Tobocman! This reward level includes shipping. "Bandshell" is an original illustration depicting our long lost and beloved Tompkins Square Park Bandshell. Ink on paper, 12 by 11 inches.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to Canada, United States of America

ORIGINAL ART - "Dragon"

Currency Conversion $598 USD
$850 CAD
Receive your copy of War in the Neighborhood, and as special thanks for your donation, you'll receive an original work of art by Seth Tobocman! This reward level includes shipping. "Dragon" is a gorgeous illustration made for the New York Anarchist Bookfair promotional poster. Ink and acrylic paint on clayboard. 14 by 11 inches.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to Canada, United States of America
sold out

Early Bird - FREE SHIPPING

Currency Conversion $23 USD
$32 CAD
Estimated Shipping
October 2016
Only -7 left
Ships to Canada, United States of America
sold out

RARE ART - "Umbrella House"

Currency Conversion $475 USD
$675 CAD
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
1 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to Canada, United States of America

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