*STRETCH GOAL UPDATE*
Reached:
a. Naked Samurai Included.
b. Inspirational Postcard
c. "Bounder" Business card.
d. Stickers
e. Donal Delay Pinup
f. Robozan Included in the Sketchbook.
g. Nosferatu included in the Sketchbook.
Not Reached yet:
h. (reached at 15k) Foreign Agent Included in the Sketchbook.
i. (reached at 18k) Comission Artists in the community!
The Broad Pitch
In the Universe of Earthbound there are 13 Sponsors across the galaxy. They recruit the greatest contenders on each planet and submit two every four years to the GGPT, Galactic Grande Prix Tournament. They hold a draft every year for an exclusivity contract, so other Sponsors won't compete for the same contenders. But once you draft a contender, you still have to go out and recruit them. A subclass of warriors emerged to make a living specifically on the task of recruitment, known as headhunters. Even headhunters are often compelled to do their job by blackmail and threats of punishment. Freedom is not guaranteed, even Free Will is not guaranteed.
Spaceman and Julia are sent to Earth to recruit the Sirens of Violence, four deadly warriors hiding out. Whoever recruits more of the four shall earn their freedom. In the case of a tie, Wiz Kid, their ex-teammate who happens to be stranded on Earth, will be the tie breaker. Wiz Kid was recently drafted by the 13th Sponsor. He is a very late draft pick but he's also a Dark Horse, one Handler in the 13th ward has a mysterious high stakes bet on him.
The big idea that everyone likes behind this story is the R-types. The R-types are weapons that jack the targets free will. Headhunters use them to recruit Contenders. But the Sirens are extremely deadly. Spaceman and Julia will have to recruit other warriors on Earth first, enlist their help, and then go at the Sirens. It plays out in really fun ways, for example later in the story (this isn't a big spoiler i promise) one of the headhunters needs a car to get somewhere fast, so they stop the nearest car that approaches and shoot the driver. It happens to be a soccer mom. So a soccer mom is on their team for the rest of the story at that point, driving them around like a badass. One could also shoot cops, hell you could shoot the President but you might have to shoot some other targets first. It's a fun concept. The different strategies Spaceman and Julia utilize is telling of their character. Just how the R-types work is slowly revealed through the story.
Hey, I'm Narwhal
I'm very passionate about indie comic books and hope to make a living writing and drawing them soon. I've floated on the outskirts of the industry for years now, some pro work here and there. Earthbound is a great way to introduce my style to the world. It's been three years in the making, and the process of writing goes back further, into my twenties. I'm always trying to master story structure more and more. Earthbound represents my attempt to be really efficient, every scene is multi-tasking and building on the whole. I want it to feel brisk and compelling as you read it, and I can't wait to share.
Earthbound's greatest influence is the movie Battle Royale (2001) by Kinju Fukusaku. In Battle Royale, the players are all set up quickly and the meat of the movie is just this deadly game-scenario playing out. The Strategy Is The Story, I like to say. Stories like this allow you to focus on the characters, alliances, friendships, romance, heartbreak, betrayals, sacrifice, tragedy, and levity during moments of repose, as opposed to the plot. The plot is these things.
Free Will: Truth or Dare
A big theme in Earthbound: BTBOE is Free Will. I've heard from some smart people that Free Will doesn't actually exist. But we have this concept of losing it, as shown throughout popular media: The Borg, for example. How could we lose it if it wasn't a thing in the first place. Throughout Earthbound every character is fighting for their own Free Will with their life.
Earthbound is intended for ages 16 and up. I dare you to read it if you're 15!
Impact
Narwhal Comics is looking for 4000k as a campaign goal to fund a limited edition signed print run, and top ramen. The funding will also help continue the story.
I did everything on this comic, writing, art, coloring, lettering, layout. I had some help with editing (Thanks Avid!). It is a true indie comic. I hope it stands out and reinforces the fact that the modern indie comics movement is really special.
I've crowdfunded in the past but this is the project I'm the most excited about, a full graphic novel.
Personally, the goal for me is to transition to doing this more and more, and away from my day job. I slice meats at the local Fred Meyer for the upper echelon of society, the meat-buyer, the elites gotta have their salty meats. They send out personal shoppers with chihuahua service dogs to fetch them their precious salty meats. All the time they hide behind an iron curtain of anonymity. Who are these mysterious elites who need daily salty meats sliced? And entire infrastructure exists underneath them to ensure they get the salty meats. We mustn't have a meatless elite class, no sir. I'm a pillar of society. Somebodies gotta do it, but I'd rather be drawing comics. If I'm good enough, then I deserve to, that is my goal, and I present to you Earthbound: BTBOE.
Exclusive to this campaign is discounted pen and ink, and digital art commissions. Highly recommended (good value and quality). Examples below.
Thanks for having a look!