Sidekicks - The Official Thread

[Russell Brettholtz]

Hey, everyone!

In the 24 hours since last night's "Call to Arms" we have added 15 new Backers who pledged $351, bringing our Total up to $5079. More than halfway to our Goal!

I wanted to take a moment to put a spotlight on a Reward Tier I expected to get more attention than it has, and to announce a change I made to it.

The $215 - Original Art reward tier has been closed.

I have replaced it with the $215 - Original Art and TPB reward (limited to 29):


"You will receive an original page of penciled art drawn by Bong Dazo from the comic. You will also receive a "1 of 30" signed and numbered Trade Paperback of Sidekicks #1-4. Plus both 11x17 posters, the Advanced View JPGs, the Behind the Scenes PDFs, physical copies of Sidekicks #2-4 signed by Writer/Co-Creator Russell Brettholtz, your name will be included in the "Thank You" section in Issue #4 and you will receive PDF copies of the comics."

As you can see, the big difference is that I added a very exclusive Trade Paperback to the reward. How exclusive? There will only be 30 copies printed. They will be signed (by Russell Brettholtz) and numbered (based on the order people pledge the reward). The cover will also have the Kickstarter Bug. This TPB will only be available to Backers of this campaign.

There are still 29 of these rewards available. Please take a minute to check out the Original Art Gallery to see what pages are still available.

One page has already been sold (and that Backer will still receive the updated rewards):


If you haven't backed Sidekicks on Kickstarter NOW is the time to do it: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...cks-issues-2-4

Or maybe you just want to help spread the word:

Click-to-Tweet

"Only 12 days left to Back #Sidekicks on @Kickstarter. Get the new Reward: Original Art and Trade Paperback limited to 30!"

[Russell Brettholtz]

Hey, everyone!

I will be running an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit (/r/comicbooks) tonight, 7:00-9:00 PM EST. Joining me will be the Catatomic Studios art team (they brought you the Stretch Goal from the first Sidekicks Kickstarter, The Omega Chapters, and developed the character concepts for the Sidekicks villains), so drop on by, ask me anything, and maybe throw in a suggestion for the art team to sketch.

[Russell Brettholtz]

Hey, everyone!

The Kickstarter campaign is getting there. Slowly, but surely. I'm still feeling optimistic that over the next 9 days, we will reach our goal.

And while we're getting there, please enjoy the artwork for the Cover to Issue #4 (which just happens to be the Poster in the Digital Plus #1 $50 Reward Tier and the Poster #1 $65 Reward Tier).



And please keep spreading the word about Sidekicks!

Click-to-Tweet

"Only 9 days left to Back #Sidekicks on @Kickstarter. Get the new Reward: Original Art & TPB (limited to 30)!"

[Russell Brettholtz]

Hey, everyone!

I just wanted to share some of the great coverage Sidekicks is getting on the web.

Check out these articles that have run recently promoting Sidekicks and the Kickstarter campaign:

on Bleeding Cool

on GeekOut South-West

on Nerd Rage News

We are always looking for more ways to spread the news about Sidekicks, so if you know of a good blog or web site that covers indie comics and/or Kickstarter campaigns, please let me know.

ALSO, from now until the end of the campaign, every time we have a number of Backers that end in a ZERO, I will release concept art for either a Hero or one of the Villain Sidekicks that we haven't seen yet!

So the first release will be at 170 Backers. Only 2 more to go!

Click-to-Tweet

"Help release the Flying Fox concept art! 170 total Backers is all we need. Support #Sidekicks on @Kickstarter"

[Russell Brettholtz]

Hey, everyone!

We hit 180 Backers! As promised, that means it's time to reveal the concept art for Atalanta; another one of the Heroes in Sidekicks.

Enjoy!


Atalanta Concept Art by Jeff Bonesteel


Issue #2, Page 19 - Pencils by Bong Dazo

(the above page of Original Art is available for purchase as part of the $165 - Original Art and TPB Reward Tier)

Nikki always knew she was special. Her mother told her so. Growing up she was always a little bit stronger, a little bit faster, a little bit BETTER than her peers. When she turned 13 her mother finally explained why.

She was the direct descendant of an actual Greek Goddess: Atalanta.

As legend has it, Atalanta was a great hunter and warrior. But she drew her strength from her chastity. So when Atalanta finally fell in love and consummated the relationship, she was cursed by Artemis (to whom she had plead her fealty) to live out the rest of her days on Earth among the humans. However, this did not stop Atalanta from continuing to live the life of a warrior, nor from raising the daughter born of her failed love.

And for every generation thereafter, the first born daughter (born with a portion of the power of the original goddess) inherited the mantle of Atalanta, and sworn to protect those who needed her most.

And so did Nikki inherit the mantle from her mother (along with a pair of really awesome swords).

Genuinely kind and honest, she lives with a secret. That while she must find a suitable companion with whom to conceive the next Atalanta; a companion whom she needs to truly love; she will forfeit her power to that daughter. And giving up that power is not something Nikki has any inclination to do.

The next character's concept art will be unlocked at 190 Backers.

Click-to-Tweet

"Help release the Stealth concept art! 190 Backers is all we need. Support #Sidekicks on @Kickstarter"

[Russell Brettholtz]

Just under 7 hours left and we just hit $7000! But we still have $3000 to go!

It's anybody's guess as to whether or not we make it, but if you haven't pledged yet, you are nearly OUT OF TIME!

Get on over to Kickstarter and Back this project ASAP!

Thanks, everyone.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...cks-issues-2-4

[WendellThornhill]

Wow.

I browsed through several threads this Easter Sunday and took some time to view your material...AWESOME work here Russell, collectively. Very interesting and engaging content overall. I'll subscribe to this thread and will check out your Facebook page.

[Russell Brettholtz]

Wow.

I browsed through several threads this Easter Sunday and took some time to view your material...AWESOME work here Russell, collectively. Very interesting and engaging content overall. I'll subscribe to this thread and will check out your Facebook page.

Thanks, Wendell. That is always nice to hear.

I appreciate that.

[Russell Brettholtz]

Hey, everyone!

While, of course, I am disappointed that we didn't hit out Funding Goal of $10,000, 217 people came together to Pledge $7,450 towards the completion of Sidekicks. And while that may not be a success, I still consider it to be a great accomplishment.

But I haven't given up hope.

I am well aware of the mistakes I made during this campaign, and I plan to learn from them and correct them in a future campaign.

Toward that end, I appreciate any and all feedback that you might have for me.

I believe my biggest mistake was not having a pledge tier that offered a physical copy of Issue #1. After 30 days, I really can't remember what made me think that I didn't need to go back and do a second printing of the first issue.

I also know a lot of people were interested in a Trade Paperback. I will be running the numbers to see if I can create a good reward tier that includes a TPB.

The current plan is to relaunch on Tuesday April 14, at 8:00 PM EST.

Launching a campaign with a huge surge is always a good indicator for success.

So, during the new campaign, ALL Backers who pledge during the first 28 hours (by Wednesday April 15, 11:59 PM EST), regardless of Pledge Level, will have their names included in the "First Day Backers" section of the "Thank You" page at the end of Issue #4.



Thank you, again, everyone. Running a Kickstarter campaign is always an amazing experience, not the least of which is the interaction I get to have with all of you.

Stay tuned for more Sidekicks information.

[Russell Brettholtz]

Hey, everyone!

Just a quick reminder that we're relaunching the Kickstarter campaign to finish Sidekicks tomorrow at 12:00 PM EST.

As I've mentioned, a HUGE surge out of the gate is always important. So, ALL Backers who pledge during the first 36 hours (by Wednesday April 15, 11:59 PM EST), regardless of Pledge Level, will have their names included in the "First Day Backers" section of the "Thank You" page at the end of Issue #4.

I fixed some problem that plagued as in the original campaign, added several new "Catch-Up" tiers, including physical copies of Issue #1 as well as a Trade Paperback.

I'm feeling really good about the new campaign, and I know that with your help we can reach our $10,000 goal.

Thanks, everyone! Don't forget to pledge tomorrow.

Can't wait until tomorrow to check out the new campaign?

Here's a sneak peek: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...token=53f012a9

[Russell Brettholtz]

The relaunched Kickstarter campaign for Sidekicks is LIVE!

I know we can do it this time.

And remember, ALL Backers who Pledge by Wednesday April 15, 11:59 PM EST, regardless of Pledge Level, will have their names included in the "First Day Backers" section of the "Thank You" page at the end of Issue #4.

Thank you, everyone!

http://kck.st/1aOY2vT

[Russell Brettholtz]

Hey, everyone!

Following is the Poster #2 Reward from the Sidekicks Kickstarter Campaign (which you can support at this link: http://kck.st/1aOY2vT).

I absolutely LOVE this picture. Many thanks to Jeff Bonesteel for designing all of the characters, Bong Dazo for adding his own touches to the pencils, and Sara Machajewski who gave them all a tweak when she added the colors.

The Kickstarter campaign is going great!

With 18 days left we are 76% of the way toward our funding goal of $10,000.

Now would be a great time to jump on board if you haven't already done so.

Thanks!

[Russell Brettholtz]

Hey, everyone!

With 10 days to go we are over 80% of the way to our goal. Only $1934 to go!

Keep spreading the word!

I just wanted to give a little update on how the artwork is coming along for Issues #2-4.

Issue #2 is completely penciled with 10 pages inked.

Issue #3 is penciled, inked and colored.

Issue #4 is penciled with 15 pages inked and 2 pages colored.

You might notice that Issues #3 and #4 are moving along faster than Issue #2. I am very sad to share that our Issue #2 inker, Rick Ketcham, passed away last month. We were all very shocked by the news. To keep Sidekicks on schedule, Glauber Matos (who is inking Issues #3 and #4) has agreed to finish Issue #2.

And don't forget, the concept art for the villain sidekicks, Boost, will be revealed when we reach 220 Backers.

Click-to-Tweet

"Help release the Boost concept art! 220 Backers is all we need. Support #Sidekicks on @Kickstarter"

[Russell Brettholtz]

Hey, everyone!

We're into the final week and closing in on our goal of $10,000.

With only 4 days left we only need $1564 to fund the campaign! If you know someone you think would enjoy Sidekicks, NOW would be the time to share the link with them.

One of our current Backers made a request for a way to get the 12-page Bonus comic, The Super-Hero's Nightmare (written by Russell Brettholtz with art by Peter Sefcik), that was included with the digital copy of Sidekicks in the original campaign last year.

So for any one who would like to receive The Super-Hero's Nightmare, you can increase your pledge by $1 and it will be sent out immediately following the successful completion of this campaign.

I do want to point out that the Bonus story is in no way related to the Sidekicks mini-series, characters, or world (BUT it is a fun read).

And I know I said I wasn't going to release the Boost concept art until we reached 220 Backers, but it's taking a bit longer to get there than I had hoped, so I figured, what the heck.



Boost is the sidekick to the villain, Quarrel. She can "boost" the power level of any super-powered people that are near her.

And just a reminder that all of the villains (including their sidekicks) were designed by Jeff Bonesteel. You can "add-on" an 11x17 full color commission by Jeff for $100 or pledge at the $150 - Bonesteel Art Commission Tier to have Jeff draw any character, just for you.

Almost there, folks. Keep spreading the word!

Click-to-Tweet

"#Sidekicks only has 4 days left to raise $1539 to fund the mini-series on @Kickstarter. Support the #comic here: http://kck.st/1aOY2vT"

[Russell Brettholtz]

Hey, everyone!

Less than 24 hours to go and we are so close!

We only need $333 to reach our funding goal. I know we can do it!

Just a few quick reminders before the final hours tick by.

There are still 9 Issue #1 First Print copies available. These have the Kickstarter Bug on the front cover which the second print copies will not. If you are already pledged to a tier which rewards a second print, simply increase your pledge by $5 to upgrade to a first print. First come, first served.

Also, we still have many incredible pages of Original Artwork by Issue #2-4 penciler, Bong Dazo. Be sure to check out the available pages here: http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/Si...0Art%20Rewards

Finally, if commissioned art interests you, consider getting your own piece done by our character designer, Jeff Bonesteel. You can get an 11x17 full color commission of any character you want (even beyond Sidekicks characters). Take a look at his portfolio here: http://jbonesteel.deviantart.com/gallery/

It's been an amazing ride. Let's finish strong!

Click-to-Tweet

"#Sidekicks needs $333 in 24 hours on @Kickstarter to reach its funding goal. Support the #comic here: http://kck.st/1aOY2vT"