ABOUT THE BOOK
The Dissident is an international political thriller set in the near future. A young American dissident escapes to Amsterdam only to discover there is nowhere you can run from injustice!
Follow the adventures of Hans Nobel, an American exile who escapes to Amsterdam after America's democracy collapses. Hans soon discovers that you can't run from tyranny when he uncovers a corrupt Dutch leader's conspiracy involving eco-assassins, kidnapping, human experiments, and a plot to kill anyone who resists the despot's plan to take over Europe. With the help of an underground resistance network Hans resurrects a legendary outlawed newspaper to expose the truth and spark a revolution.
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"This is the kind of literary reportage that belongs in the maturing of the comics medium." - Will Eisner (Creator The Spirit, Comics and Sequential Art)
"The Pander Brothers paint us an emotional map that leads us through surly underworld regions of the personal and political, good and evil, without losing the way. X marks the spot!" - Gus Van Sant (Director Good Will Hunting, Drugstore Cowboy)
"THE DISSIDENT cuts to the chase in examining the existential question inherent in resistance - do the ends justify the means? The Panders have poured themselves into this work, and I toast their skill." - Joe Sacco (Creator Palestine)
"THE DISSIDENT is proof that 'comic books' have become a powerful, dimensional new literary art form." - Katherine Dunn (Author Geek Love)
THE PLAN
Remastering THE DISSIDENT in Full Color!
Originally printed under the title “XXX” by Dark Horse Comics in the mid-90s, we intended the series to be colored, but due to budget cutbacks it was released only in black and white. The 336-page narrative was written and visually researched over two years while living in Amsterdam and takes place in many historical Dutch locations. We recently obtained the original scans of the pages and now plan to fully remaster and color every page the way they were originally meant to be published, and make the comic available for everyone to read online for free throughout 2016!
Before and After!
We have been creating color tests and are thrilled to see how much life is being brought to the pages, and a sense of being transported into the streets of Amsterdam. Here are a few examples in progress.
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Digital Online Premiere!
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For the first time ever, The Dissident will be made available digitally through Comixology and on a dedicated website, TheDissidentDaily.com, where we will be releasing one new page every day for free.
INTERACTIVE - Explore the Actual Locations!
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Many of The Dissident scenes unfold in actual locations throughout Amsterdam and Rotterdam. We will be creating hot links to Google Street-view from the web version so that you can instantly transport yourself into the various scenes and follow the footsteps of Hans in his adventure.
It's an exciting way to explore the city of Amsterdam and the story-world of The Dissident!
REWARDS
We have a number of exciting rewards that include one-of-a-kind original paintings, as well as the original printed "XXX" series, selected graphic novels, and advanced digital copies of the remastered color edition of The Dissident.
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TIMELINE / DISTRIBUTION
We plan to color The Dissident over a three month period beginning at the end of February.
World Premiere on Independence Day!
The first color page will go live July 4th on thedissidentdaily.com, with daily page releases throughout 2016.
ComiXology
As each chapter is compiled we will also make them available through ComiXology and other digital distribution platforms.
FUNDING
We're asking for $15,000 dollars, most of which will go to the labor of coloring 336 pages of artwork. The rest will pay for designing the digital graphic novel, and building the dedicated website, THEDISSIDENTDAILY.COM. Additional costs are factored in for creating and delivering rewards.
•Coloring
•Digital production / book design
•The Dissident website
Risks and Challenges
This is our second crowd-funding campaign. The first, our short film “Subtext”, was successfully funded and created, backers were sent regular updates and all rewards packages were delivered when the film had its festival premiere in Palm Springs.
Risks and challenges are very limited regarding the coloring and fulfillment of The Dissident. All the artwork is scanned and ready to go, so it’s just a matter if sitting down and taking the time to craft beautiful and consistent colors throughout the book. As this is a digital release shipping will be limited to physical rewards, and receipt of the completed book will be as easy as downloading a PDF.
Other Ways You Can Help :)
Social - spreading the word…
Video soundtrack by Auditory Sculpture.
