057 Come Join The Massive-Verse!
Back INFERNO GIRL RED on Kickstarter and you could be drawn into every Massive-Verse title!
Hey everyone! Happy Chicago Bears Season Opener-Eve-Eve!
We’re knee deep in some pretty exciting New York Comic Con prep (more on that in a second), putting the finishing touches on Radiant Black #26A and Radiant Black #26B (more on those in a sec, too), NO/ONE #6, The Dead Lucky #10, Rogue Sun #16, our oversized SHIFT one shot—
—gosh we do a lot of books—
—and that’s just what Michael and I are wrangling in The Massive-Verse!
But honestly, the size and scope of The Massive-Verse is kind of the perfect way to segue into the first bit of news that I wanted to highlight today—we have exactly two weeks left on our Inferno Girl Red Kickstarter and as of writing this, we’ve currently raised $56,000— which is incredible. However, it’s still quite a ways from our $85,000 goal. And I know— 85 is a big number. But if you’re reading this then you probably already know that when we do a book, we go all out. The reading experience is paramount to us— we don’t cut corners, we work ourselves to the bone in order to build and design the best version of the book we’re making, from the paper stock to the design, back matter and of course, outside-the-box storytelling— no matter what it takes for us to pull it off.
We approach everything as a big, passionate swing because those are the kinds of stories that we like to read. And honestly? Those are the types of stories that should be made.
Unfortunately though, building those premium reading experiences makes for expensive books.
As our creator owned superhero universe has continued to grow, it’s been amazing to watch how many people our approach has also seemed to resonate with. Watching a community grow around those same types of outside-the-box approaches to storytelling and world building that we love is a feeling that is really hard to put into words. It very much fuels us to keep going, to keep iterating, to keep pushing the boundaries and to keep finding new ways to both grow our superhero books and give our readers new, immersive ways to participate with them.
So with that in mind, I wanted to highlight three of the newest tiers that we’ve announced this week, as we work together to bring Inferno Girl Red Book Two to life.
ENTER THE MASSIVE-VERSE – THE ULTIMATE MASSIVE-VERSE PACKAGE!
“Are you the ultimate Massive-Verse fan? Well, this is the ultimate Massive-Verse package! Become a part of our worlds and stand alongside our greatest heroes. Just one person will be able to claim this ultimate package, including:
– Be drawn into EVERY Massive-Verse title: RADIANT BLACK, ROGUE SUN, INFERNO GIRL RED: BOOK TWO, NO/ONE and THE DEAD LUCKY!
– Separately, IGR artist/co-creator Erica D’Urso will draw an illustration of you standing alongside the main heroes of the Massive-Verse– Inferno Girl Red, Radiant Black, Rogue Sun, No/One and Bibi from The Dead Lucky! And you’ll get to keep the original art!
– Before sending you the original art, Erica will scan the illustration, and it will be digitally colored by IGR colorist Igor Monti– giving you a fully-colored digital version!
Yep, you read that right— you can actually join The Massive-Verse!
Now, full disclosure— this is a pricey one. $5,000. However, there’s only one slot and this is something that I’m not sure we’ll ever do again.
So if the idea of being a part of our universe sounds cool to you, then this would definitely be the tier to take a look at. While it’s still available!
But what if you have no interest in being in the books… but rather, you want to make your own books?
From the get go, all the creators behind The Massive-Verse have been in this together— there’s a reason why I set up Black Market Narrative as a creative collective. We make the books together, we help and support each other…
…and now, through this Kickstarter, we’re also offering two tiers that would allow us to bring some of that same support to helping get your project off the ground!
SCRIPT/OUTLINE/PITCH REVIEW BY KYLE HIGGINS AND MICHAEL BUSUTTIL!
“Are you an aspiring or up-and-coming writer? Get your most promising script, outline or pitch document sharpened by legendary comics writer Kyle Higgins (RADIANT BLACK, BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM, NIGHTWING, MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS) and Massive-Verse editor Michael Busuttil (RADIANT BLACK, ROGUE SUN, NO/ONE)-- they'll read over your work, give you written feedback, and then go over that feedback with you via Zoom!
We’re only offering 10 slots here, at $1,000 each– so don't miss your chance to level up your game with sage advice for these industry pros!”
PORTFOLIO REVIEW BY ERICA D’URSO AND KYLE HIGGINS!
“Are you an aspiring or up-and-coming comics artist? Get your most promising comics page (or cover) samples reviewed by IGR artist/co-creator Erica D'Urso (INFERNO GIRL RED, THE MIGHTY VALKYRIES, HEROES REBORN) and writer/editor Kyle Higgins (RADIANT BLACK, BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM, NIGHTWING, MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS)! Erica will assess your pages, offer corrections/potential alternate approaches, and then go over that feedback with you via Zoom-- and during that same Zoom, Kyle will offer his own advice and career guidance, drawing from his experience in both creator-owned comics and at the Big Two!
Much like the writer’s review, we’re only offering 10 slots here at $500 USD each– so don't miss your chance to level up your game with with guidance and advice from one of the industry's biggest rising-star artists, and one of the industry’s most influential writer-editors!”
You can check out these new tiers plus a host of other cool, immersive experiences— like designing an Inferno Girl Red (!!!) with Erica D’Urso (!!!!) at the link right here.
And as always, thank you so much for your support— no matter the tier you’re backing us at. This is one of the most beautiful books that I have ever been a part of and we’re all willing to do whatever it takes to bring it to life. I can’t thank you enough for your help— we truly could not do this without you!
Black Market Narrative Heads to NYCC
I mentioned up top, New York Comic Con is right around the corner and without getting into too many details just yet… this is looking to be a really big show for The Massive-Verse. We’ll have a Black Market Narrative booth on the main show floor, with some really exciting exclusives (not comics!) that we’ll be announcing over the coming weeks.
Oh yeah, and we’re also doing this:
If you’re in the NYC area you should definitely try to find a way to come out— there’s something like, 20 different Massive-Verse creators who will be attending NYCC this October— come meet your favorite creators, chat over a pint and argue with us over Daytona 500 races and Street Fighter matches!
Final Order Cutoff
Radiant Black #26 - 09/11/23
After the delays I spoke about in last month’s newsletter, I’m thrilled to be able to tell you that we’re finally sending Radiant Black 26A and Radiant Black 26B to the printer! That means that Final Order Cutoff (FOC) is this Monday, September 11th.
This is your last chance to pre-order part(s) two of our event-across-timelines, The Catalyst War. And let me tell you, these issues go big. How big, you ask? Well—
Catalyst War Part Two takes place in Radiant Black 26A and Radiant Black 26B.
You really don’t want to miss these. Things are about to get explosive :)
Okay, I’ve gotta get back to NO/ONE and Catalyst War land— stay safe out there, everyone! Can’t wait to see some of you in NY!
Kyle
Los Angeles
So excited that Radiant Black #26 is finally going to the printer, and good luck with the rest of the Inferno Girl Red Book Two Kickstarter, you all deserve every success!