Promotional Poster

Here is the artwork for the promotional poster for The Ghost Pirate Skeletons of Three Craters Lake!

The nice thing about a big project is that your art always improves from not only drawing every day, but challenging yourself to do bigger and better.  This was designed from the beginning to look like a movie poster... and who knows?  Maybe one day it WILL be a movie poster. :0)

Happy New Year!

And please, consider helping me to fund this comic book through my Indiegogo Campaign (link below).  You'll help me, and get some cool stuff in return!

JOHN :0)

http://igg.me/p/298958/x/1927642

Let's Try This Again, Shall We?

I've got a new comic book comic out, and it is a make or break deal for my company.  I'm looking to get national distribution into comic stores, and I need your help.

Yes, I've tried this already with Kickstarter, which was an incredible waste of my time.  I have no idea what happened there, but we failed to build up the momentum needed to get the campaign rolling, and failing that, received no support by Kickstarter itself.  I'm pretty sure that if we reached their 'popular' page, we would have actually been seen by enough people to carry us through.

I am that positive that this is a great book, and will do extremely well if seen by the right audience.  In support of that statement, the only people besides me to read this book were the very fine judges of the Comic-con International Small Press Committee.  These excellent judges chose me and my book as being 'above very strong competition' and awarded me with the honor and opportunity of a Small Press table at next year's Comic-con International in San Diego!  This is an opportunity that I shall take full advantage of. :0)

I say this becuase if they thought the book was good, then you should as well.  And here's where YOU come in.  I've got quotes from many printers, and there is one conclusion:  printing full color comics is very expensive.  Once the distributor and comic shop takes there cut of the earnings, the printer gets the rest.... and more.  In other words, at this rate, I'll actually be paying people to read my comic!  As Rick says on Pawn Stars.... "not gonna happen".  As much as I love cartooning, I need my business to actually make money and grow.  That's the whole point of getting national distribution after all.

So... I am running a campaign on IndieGoGo.com to raise enough money to offset some of those printing costs, at least enough so that I can make enough money from the books to pay for shipping them. (Yes, as a business model, this sucks... but I'm working on that.)  I am hoping with my previous experience that we can get the ball rolling here early enough, and the great thing about Indygogo is that I get to keep whatever funds we raise, so one way or another you'll be helping me offset those costs a bit, and at the same time get some cool stuff in return... including the book!

There's also the opportunity to pick up some one-of-a-kind original art... some of my favorites, in fact/  So check it out and join the fun!

Here's the link:    http://igg.me/p/298958/x/1927642

Thanks for your support,    JOHN :0)

PS I have a brand new promotional poster for the comic book which shall debut at the Indiegogo campaign.  It is way cool!

Going to Comic-con!!

 The title, and image above, say it all, but there's a lot more to it, of course. :0)

I'm going to Comic-con International... yes, THAT comic-con, and as an exhibitor!
The only people who have read the Ghost Pirate Skeletons of Three Craters Lake, besides myself,  are the fine people at Comic Con International.  Those wise and very esteemed judges of the Small Press Committee, after reviewing my application and the comic book, and comparing it to thousands of others.... have awarded me one of the few select Small Press Tables!

I'm stunned.  But very, very proud and excited! :0)

We're going to COMIC CON!!!!

So if Comic-con International found the comic book to be worthy, you probably will as well.  To see it happen, though, I'm really going to need that help I've been asking for.  Just like the telethons you see on PBS, we're having a fundraiser, and yes, you get some cool stuff for your money.  And unlike PBS, you don't need to pay an arm or a leg for a dvd or coffee mug.  Check out the fundraiser at the link below, and you can pledge as low as a dollar just to say that you support HappyGlyphs Comics and the fine work that we've been doing.

All pledges are appreciated, but remember, with Kickstarter, I don't get a penny unless we reach our goal. And the last day is less than a week away!  So please tell your friends who love comics made for kids of all ages.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/happyglyphs/the-ghost-pirate-skeletons-of-three-craters-lake


Thanks!    JOHN :0)

An Appeal

I want to clarify a few things about my kickstarter.

First of all, a big Thank You to those of you who have pledged. You really have no idea just how much that means to me. More than the money, this kickstarter is a show of support. Yes, I need the money to get these books printed, but honestly, the point of this project is to build my audience to a point where the business can thrive.

And I'm not just taking your money and running... you actually get stuff in return!  From cool postcards to original art and exclusive books.  And the knowledge that this couldn't have happened without you. :0)

Mostly, though, this is about support. Showing the world that you like my comics, and would like to see more, and that you believe I will continue to do bigger and better projects. My fans have always been a quiet group, and I respect that. But sometimes we really do need to make some noise. I understand that many of you simply cannot pledge right now, and I understand that. But if you can, even if it's at the two dollar level, then please do so, and soon. If we can build up some momentum, then more people will pay attention, and maybe we can get some outsiders to start pledging.

I get nothing if this kickstarter fails, and no one's credit card is charged. However, the repercussions of failing can be devastating.  I'm not threatening to quit, but I will be disappointed: I can't deny that.  And things will change. The simple fact is that this business has to grow if I am going to continue doing this.  I've got to reach more people who like my kind of family friendly comics.

I've met some awesome people at conventions and such, and many of them tell me that they love my work.  This has convinced me to keep going, and to reach further. I believe that national distribution to comic shops is what I need to do, to find and grow my audience. Like any small business, though, I can't do it alone.

'Like' my comments, pass around the link to comic lovers of all ages, and pledge if you can. Let me know that you're out there, and I'll continue to make quality comics that the whole family can enjoy.

Thanks for reading! JOHN :0)

 

Here's a look at the new video, by the way.



And here is the link to the kickstarter itself.  At least take a look, and see what this is all about.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/happyglyphs/the-ghost-pirate-skeletons-of-three-craters-lake

Exclusive Knight and Day Book!

On the Road with Knight and Day!  The story begins with a little girl wanting a cat, then her mother needing a vacation, and ends up with a compromise that has the Knight family driving 18 hours to Florida... on a whim!  It'll be over 20 pages of Knight and Day goodness when finished, with new artwork for the cover, and some never before seen strips and illustrations from their trip, including some time at Walt Disney World, and a side trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina.  The Kickstarter cartoon above will definitely be in there as well, IF this book gets made, that is.

This book has been planned for a while to be the big incentive in getting people to contribute to this much needed kickstarter.  However, I've been pretty busy so the book is on hold until the Ghost Pirate Skeletons of Three Craters Lake is finished, and I've put to bed the magazine I'm currently illustrating.  Have no fear, though... I love this story and it will get done.  Only if the kickstarter succeeds, though, will you see this delightful little collectible.  Otherwise, you'll have to wait for the next Knight and Day comic strip collection to come out... and that may be a long wait!

First off, yes, I do plan on having one more Knight and Day comic strip collection... a companion to my first book Take Me Away From All This!!.  And yes, most of this vacation storyline will appear in that book.  However, the second book was supposed to celebrate 10 years of Knight and Day, which was last year, so you can see where the schedule is right now.  Frankly, I'm about halfway through the book, so... depending on where the company goes next year, it may be a very long wait.
My plan is to finish On the Road with Knight and Day this December, have the limited number of books printed, and, providing the Kickstarter works out, shipped out in January.  I will try to get the cover art done in time to post it at the kickstarter for all to see.

Check out my kickstarter page for more.  See you there,    JOHN :0)

Exclusive Incentive

Here's a 'lost panel' from The Ghost Pirate Skeletons of Three Craters Lake!

Okay, it wasn't lost, but I did make it exclusively for our new Kickstarter campaign, and it is a scene that takes place between the pages of the comic itself. Just imagine, while reading the comic, that this takes place during the initial construction of the ride, The Ghost Pirate Skeletons of Three Craters Lake.

If we reach our goal of $2700, then I will send all supporters this collectible print as an extra thank you!  I do need to point out, though, that $2700 is the minimum amount I'll need to get these comics into stores next year,

Honestly, I'm not looking for charity, or a free ride here.  HappyGlyphs Comics can not stay around without growing and reinventing itself.  For years now I've created comics and frankly, although I do it because I love it, I simply can't keep doing this for little to no profit.  I am trying to take a big step here and grow this from a micro business to a small business, which would involve national, if not international distribution to comic book stores everywhere.

If this Kickstarter is successful, then not only the funds, but the support of my friends and fans, will help us to take this next step where hopefully the business can grow and take care of itself.  Otherwise....  I don't know yet.  I have faith, though,  that the people I've met through HappyGlyps Comics will come through with their support.  I've been fortunate enough to be able to meet many of you in person, or chat through facebook, and it's great to have that personal connection.

So let's see what happens!    JOHN :0)

Incentives

HappyGlyphs Comics is having a fundraiser to help get our new comic book, The Ghost Pirate Skeletons of Three Craters Lake, finished, published, and hopefully distributed in comic book stores.

But we're not just asking for your cash... we're offering some cool rewards as a special thank you for your help.  I'll post some here, and some, like the EXCLUSIVE new book we're offering, will get it's own post later.

To begin with, we have an awesome set of postcards for you to collect or share with friends, and a HappyGlyphs Fridge Magnet featuring our two mascots, the HappyGlyphs Sheep, and the Alien Robot from the cover of The Inquiring Minds: Funny Pages #1.

I am also offering an opportunity to own one-of-a-kind original art, from the comic book itself, and from other projects.These are the actual drawings, in ink on 2 ply art stock paper, so once they're gone, that's it.    The first three below are actually offered at the kickstarter right now, so may go at any time. The next are select pieces of art that I may add later if there's interest.  Please let me know if anything catches your eye.  (please note that the last piece has a tear in the top layer of paper, down near the signature).
 

"Pirate Beach"

"Haunted Mansion Anniversary Tribute"
(One of my own personal favorites)

"Just Another Water Pipe"

Two great Sunday panels from The Inquiring Minds: Funny Pages #1
(also among my very favorites)

Read more here:
http://happyglyphs.blogspot.com/2012/11/making-it-happen.html

And visit the Kickstarter here:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/happyglyphs/the-ghost-pirate-skeletons-of-three-craters-lake

Thanks,    JOHN :0)