Monsters live in backpacks like genies do in lamps!

Kids & Monsters Vol. 1 is a gorgeous, 72-page OVERSIZED hardcover graphic novel. All physical backers ALSO get the digital version delivered in three monthly issues. 

We also just added a custom Monster Backpack! Check it out below.

Troubled teens from the crumbling town of Lovelock get sucked into an ancient war between Monsters and Beasts that mirrors their parents' looming divorce.

The teens begin to see cracks in the earth and soon discover two worlds, the one they know and the World Within. Red Beasts crawl out of the cracks and start to rip the two worlds apart, bringing misery to both.

THE TEENS

Gatsby - Rubick's cube genius and kid detective.

Mali - Gatsby's ever angry, yet heartfelt, sister and skateboarder.

Jin-soo - Mali's boyfriend, video game junkie, and hapkido master.

The trio ventures into the World Within, seeking help and uncover MONSTERS who have sworn to protect the bond between the two worlds. The monsters live inside keeps, which to the others look like backpacks.

Each Monster is a reflection of the teen who finds them. Some might find a monstrous alchemist and others a raging ogre. However, to find a monster, one must overcome weaknesses inside themselves.

Six rings hold the two worlds together and half of them are already broken. Once the Red Beasts have destroyed them all, the two worlds will be torn apart forever. Much like their family. Time is running out for these kids. Can they save the world? Can they save their family? Can they save themselves?

Nearly 30-pages are fully complete and the entire book is on track to be done by Jan 2022. There are both color and line art versions of the book, an ashcan, a rad T-shirt, original art, and a one-of-a-kind custom figurine to explore.

Most everything can be added on, so make sure to check the ADD-ONs after you pick a tier.

ALL PRINT BACKERS GET MONTHLY DIGITAL ISSUES STARTING JAN 2022.

FOR THE INSIDERS

If you want to get deep dives into the creative process of Kids & Monsters and all my other creative works, sign up for my substack. It is a bi-weekly newsletter that illustrates the creative process and reveals the behind-the-scenes details that don't make it into the pages. It covers both my comics and board games. Paid subscribers get monthly digital comics and the chance to weigh in on creative decisions. The newsletter is called THE REBELLION.

CUSTOM BACKPACK - JUST ADDED

It wouldn't be right to make a story about kids finding monsters in backpacks if we couldn't get you one of those backpacks. This is a cell-shaded medium size backpack with a big inner pocket, a separate section for a 15'' laptop, a front pocket, and a hidden pocket at the back for valuables. The bag is made out of a water-resistant material and will turn heads at conventions.

$10K - STRETCH GOAL - UNLOCKED

As promised, our first stretch goal is revealed. It is a rad, 5.5" x 8.5" notebook to record all of your monstrous thoughts and doodles. It will have 52 uncoated blank pages. 

"NAIL & GOO" EXCLUSIVE ASHCAN

The world of Lovelock has many secrets. Nail & Goo is a 16-page CAMPAIGN EXCLUSIVE ashcan that explores the story of Nail, a monster who crash-lands outside of town as a child. He has the uncanny gift of being able to consume anything. He tries to find his place in a world that will never understand him, and his only friend, Goo, seems to grow more distant with the slow passing of her father. When someone from his distant past returns, he will have to fight tooth and nail to hold onto what he has. 

*If you signed up for the mailing list, you should have received a secret link to a tier that gets you this for free. 

Ashcan interior page

THE RAD T-SHIRT

This rad t-shirt will NOT embarrass you at parties like a Comic-Con shirt. This screen-printed premium shirt is made from a high-quality cotton blend with a beautiful fit and form (ask the people who got one on The Eighth). GET ONE. You'll be glad you did.

BLACK & WHITE EDITION

I love line art, and I love line art versions of books. It is a way of experiencing the story exactly as the artist saw it. This is NOT an artist edition, but is meant to be read and contains all the lettering and SFX.

ORIGINAL ART

Grab yourself one of Maxi's original inked pages. Nothing digital. All traditional art. 9" x 14" artboards. When backing this, select the letter for the corresponding page you would like.

MALI & RAGE FIGURINE

There is looking at flat art, and then there is holding a 3D sculpture in your hands. It changes everything. This is a custom figurine, just over 6.5" tall, of Mali and her monster, Rage. Mali is wielding the Hammer of Torhild and preparing to STOMP a Red Beast. It is hand-painted and the only one on earth. This certainly belongs on a collector's shelf and will elicit serious bragging rights.