This past Thursday JP Fallavollita and I had the chance to talk to the creative team on Image Comics’ Hoax Hunters – you can check that out right here. Along with Hoax Hunters, writer Michael Moreci is also working with artist Keith Burns on their title, Reincar(Nate), but rather than going with a traditional publisher, the duo are looking to get their physical book into people’s hands utilizing Kickstarter. Michael Moreci answered some questions via email about Reincar(Nate), Kickstarter and why it can be a good tool for creators.
Andy Burns: You recently started a Kickstarter campaign for your book Reincar(Nate) – first off, for readers who might be unfamiliar with Kickstarter, could you explain what it is?
Michael Moreci: I think Kickstarter is a lot of different things to different people. My approach to it with Reincar(Nate) is a pre-order system, one that is not totally unlike the current system that supplies 99.9% of all comics to shops. Kickstarter is more direct, though, and comic shop stock isn’t predicated on a certain goal being met (usually), so there are differences.
Basically, Kickstarter is a great DIY method to get passion projects off the ground. You start a page and explain what your project is about, what funding you’re looking for, where the money will go, etc. It’s pretty cut and dry. And based on that, people have different levels at which they can contribute, and those levels offer various rewards. For Reincar(Nate) we have a lot of cool stuff–original artwork, a behind-the-scenes digital packet, even an opportunity to be illustrated in the book.
Reincar(Nate) is a project I’ve been working on with artist Keith Burns for quite some time. We have a deal to release the book digitally with Viper Comics, but we’re old school; holding the book in our hands means a lot to us, and we think it does to others as well. So we’re raising money to help make that happen.
Andy Burns: What’s the story of Reincar(Nate)?
Michael Moreci: Reincar(Nate) is the story of Nate McCoy, a sort of ne’er-do-well private eye who has a special ability: He can see and interact with past versions of himself, the people he reincarnated from. It’s sort of like Chew meets Terriers, with the visual look of Drive.
Here’s the synopsis, which I think puts it best:
Nate McCoy is an ordinary P.I. with an extraordinary ability—he can see and converse with prior versions of himself, the people he reincarnated from. With the help of Jameson (a Wild West lawman) and Alan (a 1960s accountant-turned-hitman), Nate works to solve his latest case, the disappearance of Tatiana Kreschen, a young superstar bowler. When Tatiana’s coach is found dead, Nate sees all roads leading to El Panda, local crime figure and reigning bowling champion—and the man Nate believes is responsible for his father’s murder. In his pursuit of El Panda, an unknown sniper guns down Nate, blasting a bullet straight to his head. Nate dies, briefly; when he comes to, he finds Jameson and Alan waiting. Together, they pursue the whereabouts of Tatiana and work to uncover who tried to deliver Nate “the big sleep.” All the while, Nate is forced to consider the grip the past has on him—a grip that also led to the downfall of his past selves.
Reincar(Nate) is a story about life, the afterlife, and the way in which the past—the way, way back past—has a knack of catching up with us.
Andy Burns: Why did you decide to go the Kickstarter route? Why do you think this is a good tool for creators?
Michael Moreci: You know, because Keith and I have been working on this book for so long, it has become near and dear to our hearts. We really believe it’s something special, and we want people to share the enthusiasm for the project that we have. So we decided to put the book on our backs and try to make this Kickstarter thing work. It isn’t easy, by any means, but like I said, we have the passion to make this a reality.
And, from my perspective, I think Keith’s art absolutely warrants a print edition. His pages are so, so rich. So much depth and vitality and craft goes into everything Keith does, and I don’t think digital does it justice. I’d do an absolute hardcover edition if I money I allowed, just to see his work blown up to that scale. Seriously—Keith Burns is an artist to watch, I guarantee.
As for Kickstarter being a good tool for creators, I think it all depends on what you want to do. I work with Image as well, and it is fantastic. No one treats you better. Same goes for Viper, who have been very, very good to Keith and I. But, at the same time, it’s nice to do something on your own and totally control every aspect of its production and overall look. I enjoy that.
Finding a publisher can be daunting, and sometimes publishers are wrong. They reject things they shouldn’t, and accept projects that aren’t worthy. That’s just how things go. Everyone’s human. Having Kickstarter as an option sort of course corrects those oversights and gives the power to creators. If you believe enough in your project, you now have a tool to make it happen. Make your book on your terms–that’s pretty amazing.
Andy Burns: What’s your timeline for funding and release
Michael Moreci: The project end date is May 4, so we have to raise $8250 by then. And Kickstarter is all or nothing—if we don’t hit that goal, we go home empty handed. And, believe me, no one is getting rich off the project; in fact, I’m not seeing one cent. We just want to see the book printed.
Assuming we hit our goal, the book will be printed and released, hopefully, at San Diego Comic Con. If we miss that deadline, it’ll ship in August for sure.
For more information on how you can contribute to Michael Moreci’s Kickstarter project to publish Reincar(Nate), click here!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/910305588/reincarnate-graphic-novel/widget/video.html
Wow, thanks Andy and Michael for that interview! Hopefully this is one of the first Kickstarter projects that will succeed! I’ve downloaded the PDF preview and will look at it later. Don’t give up!
Thanks, Clarence! Hope you enjoy!