I am always excited for new all-ages comics. As much as people like repeating the cliched “Comics aren’t just for kids anymore!” the fact is that they haven’t been for some time. To put it morosely, the fanbase is slowly dying out, and if established comic fans and creators don’t put forth the effort to gain the interest of the youngest generation early, then our beloved medium will eventually end up solely as the butt of jokes. Throw in a heap of science fiction, and I’m all ears. Bryan Q. Miller and Marcio Takara’s new project, “Earthward,” follows a group of space-traveling children as they attempt to locate their parents, who went missing after locating a planet thought only to be a legend… Earth. Now that’s a pitch that manages to be enticing and simple at the same time.
For many, the main selling point of this book will be writer Bryan Q. Miller. For those who aren’t familiar with Miller, he is currently writing the comic extension of Smallville, but made quite a name for himself only a few years back when he launched the Stephanie Brown featuring “Batgirl,” which quickly earned itself a very vocal fanbase. I am a notorious Stephanie disliker — I promise it isn’t that I have a problem with female Robins — but the issues of Miller’s “Batgirl” that I read were injected with such charm and character that even I had to admit, “Well, I guess she’s not so bad after all.” Those two qualities are perhaps the two that are most needed for an all-ages book; without them, a story meant for all-ages will become rife with pandering to parents and playing to cliches, resulting in a comic that is not meant for all ages, but for children. And, of course, a comic that is only meant for children is not appropriate for children at all. Writing for all ages is not at all easy — hell, I would say it can be much more difficult than writing solely for adults — but the comics that Miller has graced us with so far show that it’s an area that he is likely to excell in, and I’m excited to see if this is truly the case.
Artist Marcio Takara is another name sure to attract comic fans who have been paying attention. Recently, Takara has contributed his excellent line work to the otherwise lackluster “Blue Beetle,” but his most lengthy published run is in Mark Waid’s “Incorruptible,” which he illustrated from #11 until its penultimate issue, #29. However, another comic that Takara worked on with Waid is much more relevant to this discussion: Boom’s “The Incredibles” ongoing and its miniseries predecessor, “Family Matters.” If you haven’t read this mini, I highly recommend it. Sure, Waid is the big name in comics these days (again), but Takara’s art in this mini is the true treat within its pages. His stylized art brings the comic lush life, and is as clear to read as possible. Takara knew his readers would be young, and perhaps new to comic reading, but while his art may be easy to follow, it could never be labled as simple. Oftentimes, sequential storytelling is one of those things that you don’t notice when it is done well, and Takara’s smooth as butter art is indicative of that. When it comes to the art department, this book is in great hands. In case my words don’t sway you, don’t be a dummy — look at the excellent examples on the Kickstarter page!
Like most comic projects, there is a basic pledge amount that more or less counts as “buying” the book. For $10 or $15, you get either the digital or print version of the approximately 110 page graphic novel, plus a few extra goodies (desktop wallpaper and a mention in the Thank You! section for both, a print of the cover and a .pdf for the print edition). Personally, I don’t see why you wouldn’t go with the latter option if you are in the financial position to do so, but some people are very strict about getting things only in digital form, and that’s their perogative. From there into the $50 range, the differences are minimal — you might get a few more prints, or another copy of the book, but they’re more rewards that you might as well get if you like the project enough to donate [X amount of dollars], rather than anything that will spur you on to increase your donation, but that’s fine — as always, I need to stress that Kickstarter is about making something happen first and foremost.
Once you reach the $100-$200 range, things start to look amazing. Sketches by your choice of Takara, Marcus To, Pere Perez, Cat Staggs, Dustin Nguyen, Kelley Jones, or Jamal Igle? Pinch me, I must be dreaming. Of course, there’s a bit of a hitch — due to the weekly nature of this column, by the time I sat down to write this up, all of these great artists had reached their quota. Still, there are some great incentives for retailers, such as fifteen signed copies of the book, plus more assorted goodies, for $250, or even an in-store signing with Miller for $400 (if your store is in Southern California). Don’t get down if, like me, you were set on that Nguyen sketch — the FAQ section hints that more pledge rewards are on their way, and if Miller and Takara were able to snatch up such great artists from the get-go, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were able to swing more immensely talented individuals with the second wave of incentives.
Love all-ages comics, Bryan Q. Miller, or Marcio Takara, but don’t have much cash? A sole dollar gets your mention in the “Thank You!” section. Now you have no excuse.
