The Sleepless Phoenix Kickstarter Project Needs Your Help!

Friend of Hypergeek, artist Mo Ali, recently informed me of a very worthwhile Kickstarter project called The Sleepless Phoenix Comic Anthology.

The story behind the project is that a number of comic creators were working on graphic novels for UK publisher, Insomnia Publications, when all of a sudden on June 17th, with very little warning, the company folded, leaving the creators with no home for the work that they had invested so much time and effort in.

Strongly believing in each others’ work, and wanting it to see the light of day, the creators banded together to form a coalition of writers and artists calling themselves ‘The Sleepless Phoenix’. The collective then took the issue up with the Comic Book Alliance, who worked to settle the conflict of their publishing contracts with publisher Crawford Coutts, in order to get the works returned to the individual creators.

On July 20th, the Insomnia creators were informed, by the publisher Crawford Coutts, that they were released from their contracts.  As a thank you to the Comic Book Alliance, the Sleepless Phoenix creators have assembled, and plan to publish a comics anthology called Survival Stories, the proceeds of which will be donated entirely to the CBA.

In order to get the anthology published, they need to raise $3, 600 by September 17th, a goal which they are already well on their way to. If you decide that you want to help our this very worthwhile cause, there are a number of great incentives for backers of the project, which range from a digital download of the book, to a physical copy of the book, a mention on the thank you page, a limited edition print, and much, much more - to see the full list, click here.

To learn more about the project, and to donate, please head to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/910305588/the-sleepless-phoenix-comics-anthology

I just donated $25. I would have donated more, but the shipping to Canada gets a bit silly for the higher price packages. Sometimes living in Canada can suck

On June 30, 2010, Insomnia Publications filed to cease trading with the UK companies house. Though Insomnia never officially informed his creators (or anyone) of this decision, all signs pointed to the end of Insomnia. And the creators, well, we were supposed to move on, chalk up a loss, and let all our hard work and dedication become a memory—lesson learned.

But we came up with a different plan. In the days following the news of Insomnia’s seeming end, one thing became clear: that all the creators involved believed in each other’s work. A mutual admiration was shared for the short comics that appear in this anthology, and we are determined to see it get the release it deserves.

And that’s how The Sleepless Phoenix—a collective of up-and-coming comics talent from both the UK and the US—was born. While the Comic Book Alliance works to settle the conflict of our publishing contracts, we took the only content that still belongs to us—this anthology.

The book is 192 pages long, black and white, and features all-new content. Creators include Martin Conaghan (Burke & Hare), Ben Bates (Sonic the Hedgehog), Jim Boswell (KiCk!), Peter Forbes (Oz: Fall of the Scarecrow King), and more. It will be released in October, 2010.

It also features an introduction from Alex Fitch, reviewer, podcast host, and Eagle Award nominee.

Mike Carey (Lucifer, The Unwritten, X-Men Legacy) says the book is “a kaleidoscope of graphic stories - mostly in the darker colours of the horror palette, but all the better for that.”

The varying pledge amounts can be seen on the right side of this page. Once the book is released, it will only be available at conventions and through online orders, at a higher rate.

Previews from the book will be posted regularly, along with some insight from the creators on their process. So be sure to check this page often.

All the profit raised, after printing and shipping, will go straight to the Comic Book Alliance—an organization that fights for the rights of comic creators everywhere. Hopefully, what has happened to the creators of Insomnia publications doesn’t happen again.

We appreciate everyone’s support—thanks in advance!

Canadian backers please add the following shipping surcharge:

$15-$20 pledges = Add $5 shipping
$50-$75 pledge = Add $20 shipping
$325 pledge = Add $100 for shipping

Books will be printed and shipped from the UK.

PROJECT UPDATE: On Friday, August 20, Insomnia creators were informed, by the publisher Crawford Coutts, that we were released from our contracts. While this is a major relief for everyone involved, we are still very dedicated to publishing The Sleepless Phoenix anthology. All profits will still go to the CBA, who were a great help to us during this time.

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