If you didn't please go back and pre-follow. It is critical to making sure the KS algorithm treats us well. Yes, it will help, even if you don't get the book. As everything extra I make on Durruti and SWZA is rolled into NPCs, it will help immensely.
We would not be here without each and every one of you. That is a responsibility that I take seriously. I’m constantly pushing myself creatively, but it has become painfully clear to me that greater success breeds greater obstacles.
You may have noticed that the last few kickstarters have taken significantly longer than normal. I certainly have, and I don’t accept it. Here’s why it’s happening, and what I’m doing to fix it.
Beyond the whole "Two comics as one" issue, as I touched on in the last update,
In a scant five years my comic career has gone from this:
It’s absolutely the third best thing to ever happento me (Behind marrying my wife and having my son) but the fact is, I’m NOT simply sending out SWZA issue by issue anymore. With THREE DIFFERENT series, a graphic novel and a TON of super-high quality merchandise…I and Autonomous Collective have hit a wall.
This is a very small operation, and most of the heavy lifting is done by me. The orders we have are so large and intricate that between con appearances, kick-starters, writing new issues and being a full-time dad and husband, I can't get these books to you in a manner that I consider appropriately timely.
Meaning I need to either hire someone to help me, OR pay a contractor. I can't depend on volunteer labor from the rest of Autonomous Collective, because it's a very small operation and everyone is already giving it their all.
I could try to find a high-paying job, but if I do that I may be able to pay for fulfillment help, but THEN that job takes over my life and I have to slow down writing, funding, and publishing new issues.
So it’s a horrible catch-22: If I solve the money problem, things stay slow. If I keep throwing everything into doing it alone things *still* stay slow.
So you can see my dilemma: The answer to one problem makes the other problem worse.
I have started a Patreon. Technically I’ve had one for a while but never did anything with it because I was so focused on the kickstarters and didn't really have a reason to ask for monthly support.
However, now I do and so--that changes today.
If you've just started supporting me, I don't blame you if you want to wait until you have NPCs #1 in your hand before committing any more support. That makes sense. HOWEVER the fact is that if I'm successful with this Patreon, not ONLY will you get NPCs #1 sooner you ALSO get some really cool content while you wait.
See, the puzzle that I’ve been trying to solve is that I need regular, predictable income to supplement the kickstarters, and just to senselessly hike the difficulty: I need to do this WITHOUT piling more and more work on my plate.
ie: It doesn't make sense to get money to fulfill campaigns faster, if I have to work so hard on it those campaigns still stay slow.
As Patreon allows individuals to engage in mutual aid to creators they support with a set monthly amount, you can keep me going, get some really cool benefits AND get your books sooner. Everybody wins.
The money from this Patreon will be used to speed up fulfillment of all my books for everyone whether you're a member or not.
Starting with SWZA #5, NPCs #1 and Durruti #3, those who give $5 or more per month will get their books FIRST regardless of how complicated their order is.
And if you don't give to the patreon, you can STILL get your book sooner than you otherwise would.
For the price of less than a single cup of coffee you can help me, yourself, and ensure that I get to keep telling this incredible story that we all love in the biggest and best way possible.
Even better, I'm starting TWO PODCASTS and if you're into NPCs you will LOVE them.
Dinner Quest is my wife and I playing a modified version of Hero Quest (a game for age 14+) over our actual dinner with OUR SIX YEAR OLD...who has grown quite a bit since I was reading him SWZA #1.
And yes, we are actually eating dinner when we record. We give you the recipe at the end.
Dragon Quest is available on ALL major podcasting platforms AND you get it ad free directly from us for just $1 a month, and I thank you by name at the end.
The Pulp Fantasy Podcast is where I force my friends to listen to awesome works of fantasy and Scifi then once a month we talk about it. More info on this in the next update.
I'm Giving *you* a free comic! Seriously. Right now. Details below + NPCs update + Durruti #3 is HERE.
about 2 months ago
– Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 07:07:13 PM
Hey folks!
Sorry for the radio silence. NPCs is currently in production. As we are not going to make our November 2024 deadline (Due to the book being a double issue), I wanted to do something special for you. More on that below.
As such, I am giving you Snow White Zombie Apocalypse #5 ABSOLUTELY FREE. You were promised a comic by November 2024, so I'm giving you one!
I'm not kidding, no strings attached--just a FREE 22+ page Digital Download of FULL COLOR story from my flagship series Snow White Zombie Apocalypse. This is the series that we were nominated for at the Ringos this year: Best Humor Comic of 2023:
You DO NOT have to get the series to enjoy SWZA #5. It can be read 100% cold and you'll still get a full story with characters you LOVE. Now, if you DO want to order the rest of the series (print or digitally) you can get that HERE:
The more people we have pre following the book, the more likely Kickstarter is to show it to other people on the site, who would otherwise be unaware of it.
I know this seems very different from SWZA & NPCs, but trust me, if you like my writing you'll LOVE shadow of the people. It's a biopic/war epic about the life, death, and deeds of Spanish Anarchist Buenaventura Durruti: One of the most successful anti-fascists of all time.
While it's a semi-non fictional account of anarchism's biggest hero (who lived in the 1930's), it will be particularly resonant with those of you who follow NPCs Co-Author Zac Xeper. That's actually why I'm putting it out now, rather than in February (As I had initially planned).
Also the series is just...well it's REALLY f&*king good. I know, I shouldn't be the one to say that as it's my comic...but I really cannot fathom how lightning struck on a project like this...so I'm gonna give you Ron Marz's dust jacket quote on the book.
Well, at the moment, there's not really much to tell. It's in production (which will go much faster now that SWZA is out) .
So what I wanted to do is to give you a little insight on the series.
First Piece of NPC's Art (Made by me) Inspired by 8-Bit Theatre...like THE webcomic of the early 2000's. (good god I'm old).
So, NPC's as a concept began when I briefly met Felicia Day at DragonCon WAAAAY back in 2015. While I was there with Rogue of Crüxshadows, repping the early stages of Afterall, our fantasy novel that I swear to god is coming out...hopefully very soon.
This was in its second incarnation, as a screenplay, adapted from the original stage play I wrote in like...2010.
Initially, I actually pitched the role of Snow White in SWZA TO Felicia, and she was kind and gracious enough that she actually gave me a working email. I sent the script to her literary person and they got back to me with: "We like it, but we can't afford to produce it as a TV Show."
Frustrated but understanding (because YEAH. I was naive you actually need a serious production company to make that happen), I then asked if I could submit another webseries with a MUCH lower budget. They agreed, but as soon as I got the email, I realized I didn't have anything.
*SO* taking cues from "The Guild" I got together with several friends and theatrical colleagues. We came up with the idea collaboratively over a long dinner in a sushi place near the Flatiron District of Manhattan. and then me and My Co-Writer Zac Xeper of Dogpark Dissidents came up with the story.
I pulled on old webcomic styles from back in the day. I even made THIS lineup of the characters. The entire core cast is there, along with three antagonists:
As you're probably guessing we got shot down a second time by Geek and Sundry. To be clear, this is totally understandable. Coming from the theatre, my experience was in making plays. "A webseries is just a play behind a camera" I said to myself. I can do this myself! BOY was I wrong.
They again said they liked it but they couldn't afford it, because film is *insanely expensive* --Like MORE expensive than renting a stage in Manhattan for a two-week run.
After the second rejection, I said to myself: Well let's see what they CAN afford. I went to the site and I saw one of their programs. "OH!" I said to myself. "I get it now! Their shows are like...Eight voice actors playing D&D? WOW! They *REALLY* can't afford ANYTHING."
Oh younger Brent, you sweet summer child. Those eight voice actors, were THESE guys:
Which is why it's so cool that Kit Buss did the cold open. Also, I am officially an idiot.
Anyway, the reason I brought it up, is that in just shy of TEN years the project came from this:
To THIS:
And yes, it's exactly the same story today, that it was in 2015. (Thank God Skyrim is still relevent).
This is what I mean when I say, I NEVER give up. Because I don't. It takes some time so please be patient with me, I hit some rough patches, and sometimes I'm too optimmistic...but I ALWAYS find a way over every obstacle life throws in my way.
You're getting your book (And this time I can say confidently it's NOT gonna take ten years.)
NPC's #1 IN PRODUCTION + 3rd Ringo Award Nomination + The Tether
3 months ago
– Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 12:12:30 PM
Hey Folks!
First off, NPCs Coloring is COMPLETE!
You'll be happy to know that the book is now FULLY COLORED and is entering production. Took twice as long as I thought it would, but then I remembered: "Oh yeah, I actually made that a double issue!"
Production involves lettering, edition, and the creation of the actual high-quality book in a format that we can send to a printer.
I wanted to make sure to let you know: WE DID IT! Thanks to YOUR support my flagship series, Snow White Zombie Apocalypse got its THIRD Ringo Nod!
Ultimately, we lost out...to JEFF FRIGGIN' SMITH of BONE.
As Jeff's one of the greatest living cartoonists in the whole damn world (if not of all time) I'm beyond overjoyed that our scrappy little book is becoming the industry powerhouse it deserves to be.
Back in 2019, no one in comics even knew who we WERE. Now, just a few years later we're getting real recognition and that's due in large part to you guys!
This only means good things for NPCs going forward. As we've already been recognized for Best Humor Book, Autonomous Collective's third series has a chance of making a big splash in the moderate to near future.
SWZA #5 Production COMPLETE:
For once I got something done early digital versions of SWZA #5 will be going out over the next few days, and the book will go to the printer after Durruti #3 launches!
So, some of you may or may not know, but my editor Andrea Molinari is a huge part of why my books are so good. He's got a new issue of his own acclaimed horror/supernatural series: "The Shepherd".
and well, I'll just let him tell you about it:
"Hello! I’m Andrea Lorenzo Molinari, and I’m Brenton’s editor. You are familiar with my work even though you probably don’t know it. That’s because I work behind the scenes on all three of his series: Snow White Zombie Apocalypse, Durruti: Shadow of the People, and NPCs: Myth, Magic, & Retail. This effort is no burden because, like you, I am a fan of Brenton’s work.
Today I am coming to you to ask for your support on a Kickstarter campaign I’m running for my series graphic novel series The Shepherd.
The Shepherd is a guide of souls in the afterlife. If you’re wondering what my stories are like, let’s just say that my favorite book of all time is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. So if you like ghosts and redemption stories, I’ve got you!
You heard him folks! Andrea's solo work is as top of the line as his editing, and I'm personally excited about this newest chapter. PLUS if you comment "Lengel" on the page, he'll send you a FREE digital bonus comic from the same series: The Burning Maid! Sample page BELOW.
NPCs Coloring (almost) DONE! Production Immanent + Masala Walla Chai + SECRET PODCAST PROJECT
5 months ago
– Thu, Aug 01, 2024 at 07:27:19 PM
Hey Folks, been a while,
So first of all Zac and I want to thank you for supporting our work Wanted to show you how far we've gotten in the 46-Page BEHEMOTH of a first issue.
Next time I say: "It's just a few more pages, let's just go for broke and make it the best book it can be!" I give all of you permission to slap me.
NPCs #1 Update:
I was thinking of the project as one book, when in fact I realized too late that we were in fact making TWO books PLUS several more pages? Turned out to be harder than we had anticipated. Still, the work we're getting back is absolutely PHENOMINAL:
Still, my loss is your gain, because this is SO FREAKING GOOD I can't even.
We're currently on the last few pages that need to come back colored, after which time it will enter a phase of lettering and production.
So, this is not comics related, but by now you guys know how my ADHD brain works (or rather doesn't :P)
As such: WHO WANTS SOME BADASS CHAI?!
If you're on my mailing list you may already know, but my good friend Holly has launched her first kickstarter (with my help) and guess what? SHE'S FUNDED!
Holly studied authentic chai making in India, and her chai is absolutely exceptional.
She has less than only 58 hours to go, so now's the perfect time to pop over and grab yourself some of it, and/or some of the really awesome recipes and benefits she has available:
As such, go pledge to Holly NOW. Don't wait, don't finish reading this update, pledge to her and then return!
So, this is not so much a preview as it is a preview of a preview. So, I have a patreon, and as you can see, I haven't done anything with it (Yet).
One of the things that I have been working on, is a way to get these comics to you sooner WHILE providing a decent level of benefits that DON'T require a huge investment of time, when I should be making comics and sending them to you.
As such, keep an eye on this and y other pages because there are TWO major changes coming soon. I can't tell you what they are YET. But here's the thing: You're gonna love it AND it will help get my comics to you much faster, so everybody wins!
If you want to pledge now, I will be giving everyone who pledges early either a free digital comic OR one of the upcoming SWZA challenge coins. You will get more details over the next few days.
Thant's it for now,
-Brent
NPCs Inking DONE! Ringo Award Nominations + NEW SWZA Challenge Coin
8 months ago
– Thu, May 23, 2024 at 05:06:06 PM
Hey folks,
NPCs inks are 100% done and are being sent to our colorist as we speak! I'll post some never before seen pages below, BUT I need your help.
SWZA has already been nominated twice, and we have a real chance of winning. The Ringos are by popular vote and voting ENDS TONIGHT 5/23/24.
If we get another nomination and even a win that would be HUGE for NPCs. The more awards we rack up the more your books are worth, so please, don't wait. Don't finish reading this, go vote now. It takes less than 5 minutes.
Plus this will help us WIN next year with NPCs #1!
Suggestions below I have also included a suggested list of creators so you can just cut and paste for the other categories at the bottom.
Badass, right? And bearing all the hyper-detail that you expect from me. It's the perfect companion piece to SWZA's gold and silver coins:
THIS COIN features the visage of SWZA #5's antagonist Queen Skuld Half Elven. It will be sent FREE to anyone who supported SWZA #5 with a base pledge of $40+ (not including S/H).
The first twenty orders can get it for the unheard of price of just $10 a coin. The regular price will go up to $20 after that, so like with your voting, don't wait. check out the SWZAQ #5 page for the link tomorrow night.
