So, what's this all about?
Hi, my name is Karl Stephan and I write and draw comics. I've been published by Slave Labor Graphics in the past and now want to try my hand at crowdfunding my latest comic, Mary Boys. This project consists of 2 issues of 24 pages each.
The Mary Boys are quadruplets born with a rare genetic condition that causes enlarged hands and feet, distorted facial features and prevents sufferers from growing any body hair. Their condition also affects the way they metabolise alcohol. Drinking beer gives them almost superhuman strength and endurance (unlike the rest of us who send drunk texts to people we ...shouldn't).
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The boys are from a backwater English town called Basham where they were raised by an old priest named Parrish. May years ago Parrish was the victim of an attempted robbery which left him with a bullet in his skull and flashbacks to a past life when he was a member of the original Order of the Knights Templar hundreds of years ago. Using his revived knowledge he trained the boys in the Templar fighting traditions.
Basham is riddled with many social problems thanks to a huge retail corporation driving out small businesses, cutting jobs and leaving large sections of the community impoverished and at the mercy of gangs.
Parrish prophesied that Basham will suffer a great biblical apocalypse unless it is purged from its evils. So, the boys roam the streets at night with their cricket bats, heavy boots and lager cans to bring in the needed salvation by force.
The 'Mary' in the title is a reference to the Boys being Catholic and also to the mysterious image of the Blessed Virgin being ever present in their nocturnal missions, guiding them in their fight against gangsters, hooligans and wrong-uns, including Basham’s own police force.
This is a very British black comedy that will appeal to fans of comics like Tank Girl, The Goon, Cerebus, TMNT, Marshall Law and TV shows like The Young Ones and The League of Gentlemen.
Save for the lettering the covers and interior pages are all traditionally illustrated with real media, so it looks definitively old school.
Your contribution will help bring this deeply personal yet patently untrendy comic into the world!
What's in it for me?
The perks you will receive for helping to bring this project into the world are listed in detail the right hand column and include digital and print versions of Mary Boys issues 1 and 2, digital versions of my existing print catalogue, art prints and patches.
Risks and Challenges
As far as experience goes, I already have one 175 page graphic novel under my belt, so I am confident that I can see this project through to the end. Both covers and incentive art pieces have been drawn; interior pages are all lettered and have been drawn to the final pencil stage. All that remains for me to do is is ink the final 35 pages, which should realistically take between 3 to 4 months .
Other Ways You Can Help
Even if you can't contribute money, you can still help by spreading the word about this campaign by using the share tools.
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