Our Story
Hi, I�m Danny Boyd, longtime filmmaker and professor, now fully immersed in the graphic novel world. I ask your help in the production of my first epic graphic novel, CARBON. The finished product will be a four-book story published as a single volume.
At this point in my life and career, creating in the graphic narrative format is not only more efficient, but more personally fulfilling. It makes me love production again! I can tell bigger stories, quicker, and still with the possibility of the product eventually making its way to cinema.
Most importantly, CARBON is near to my heart. It is the biggest thing I've written, and I think the best. For sure a work of the �fantastic� (Gods, monsters, and evil coal barons), but with an environmental viewpoint that matches my own - Responsible Green.
CARBON covers an original civilization before ours, ours on the tipping point of extinction, and what, if anything, livable we will leave behind on our current course.
The center of CARBON's universe? Smack-dab where the original Garden of Eden was � Mingo County, WV! And who can save us from this most cataclysmic disaster in our human history? A courageous group of West Virginia coal miners and their community. These unlikely heroes are mankind�s only hope on this edge of the end of the world.
I have contracted two of the best graphic novel artists in the world to help me bring CARBON to life in illustrator, Edi Guedes, and colorist, Alzir Alves, of Rascunho Studio in Brazil. And right here in Charleston, world-class letterer, Jason Arthur.
Upon completion, CARBON will be shopped to major publishers. Our first graphic novel, CHILLERS, will be released by a national publisher next year (details TBA soon) so I am confident that CARBON will have significant publication as well.
The Impact
Primarily, I hope for an entertaining, commercially successful graphic novel. This is my first opportunity to go "Epic" in the entertainment world. I could never have afforded the grand scale of CARBON as cinema working outside of the Hollywood system.
Rod Serling (Twilight Zone) is my greatest creative influence. He understood that in order to enlighten, especially with controversial subjects, we must first entertain. The subject of coal extraction (both the human labor & environmental issues) is a sticky wicket. It is a polarizing topic where it is hard to find common ground in the present-day "emotion" of it all. Perhaps using it as background context in a highly fictionalized entertainment form will allow for a more objective reevaluation. As well, bring a new audience to the issue.
Over 20 years ago I took the lead in leveraging West Virginia as a national and international filmmaking entity. Many of you were a part of that movement. You partnered with me to do the near-impossible. I ask my old and new friends alike for that partnership again in this exciting, new frontier.
What We Need & What You Get
What I need is exactly $7,150. $110 a page to pay the artist and letterer to complete the final 65 pages of the book. This is at a super discount to me considering the amazing talent I have assembled. It would typically be 2-3 times more. I already have close to $6,000 of my personal savings into the production of Books 1, 2 and the start of 3. My problem is I ran out of savings. I put my money where my mouth is, but I've run dry.
What you get? Besides being an active partner in the creation of CARBON, I'm giving out lots of goodies! Mini-posters, movies, books, comics, a starring role... Check it out!
Be assured, this book will be completed and released. If not fully funded through this campaign, I will find other ways. It may take me longer to save, but it will be finished. I have a history of getting things done.
Other Ways You Can Help
Straight up, if you can't help, you can't help. I fully understand. Been there myself, when I could and when I couldn't help others financially. So if you can't help due to financial or philosophical reasons, hakuna matata. We remain friends.
You can also help by simply spreading the word through your networks, both about this fundraising campaign, and when the book eventually comes out. Please be my army of reviewers.
If you would like to contribute in other ways, perhaps through the University, please contact me directly (danny@danielboyd.com).
Many thanks!
Danny
Carbon web page: http://danielboyd.com/wordpress/carbon
www.danielboyd.com
