The past month we have seen some big names in comics launch Kickstarter campaigns and now two new comic vets throw their hat into the Kickstarter ring. Chip Mosher and legendary artist Peter Krause today announced a new Kickstarter campaign for “Blacking Out,” a 56-page graphic novel presented in the hardcover European album format. Colorist Giulia Brusco, letterer Ed Dukeshire, and designer Tom Muller join Chip and Peter to tell the tale of disgraced ex-cop, Conrad.
“In “Blacking Out,” Conrad follows a lone clue—a discarded crucifix—to unravel the death of Karen Littleton, whose body was found amid a blaze that scorched 10,000 acres. Conrad’s search leads him to clash with the victim’s father and prime suspect, Robert Littleton, as well as hostile former colleagues in the local police force. All the while, Conrad combats his consuming alcoholism and fading faculties.”
The Kickstarter campaign launched today with many options for available for backers. To go with the obvious copy of the book there will be a print set of 11 cinematic lobby cards featuring characters from “Blacking Out” illustrated by artists Francesco Francavilla , Eduardo Risso , Mirka Andolfo, Dan Panosian , Emma Rios, Jacob Phillips , Patric Reynolds , Ryan Kelly , Jamal Igle , and Elise McCall available. Other rewards include an original drawing from Peter Krause, and a tier including a tour of LA’s most notorious crime sites with Chip Mosher.
To learn more about “Blacking Out” and the new Kickstarter campaign we were able to talk to one the creators, Chip Mosher, about the project. Chip discusses going to Kickstarter for the project, creating characters who are bad but like-able people, working with Peter and more. You can find our interview with Chip below, as well as exclusive first looks at two lobby cards that will be available as part of the Kickstarter. A big thanks to Chip for taking the time to answer our questions and be sure to check out the new “Blacking Out” Kickstarter live now!
The obvious first question to discuss this book and Kickstarter has to be what is the story of “Blacking Out?”
Chip Mosher: “Blacking Out” is one part murder mystery, two parts character study and three parts darkness. Mix it all together in a cocktail shaker and out pours our main character Conrad Sauer, a drunk ex-cop looking for redemption by figuring out who really killed Karen Littleton. All the while, a fire threatens the town of Edendale, where Connie is working the case. Will he solve the murder in time? Read it and find out!
I know you have been working on it for a while, how much has it evolved since your initial idea?
CM: The stories I write always take twist and turn before I put it on the page, but “Blacking Out” really came to life when Pete joined me on this journey and breathed life into the characters and the story.
What makes a good noir story?
CM: Hmmmm… I would say a good noir story needs to be bleak and without hope. But with just a glimmer that there might be some hope, when we all know there is none.
I’ve seen it mentioned as a story of “bad people doing bad thing.” Who is Conrad and why will readers be invested in his journey?
CM: “Blacking Out” is not for the faint of heart. “Blacking Out” is not the feel-good book of the year. “Blacking Out” is a journey one takes to learn about yourself as much as it is to learn about our misfit characters—Conrad, Mattie, Anita, and the rest of the outcasts trying to do the best they can but failing miserably.
As someone who has worked in the comic industry for a while you are familiar with how comics are distributed and obviously with comiXology the pros/cons of print and digital releases, what made Kickstarter the right avenue for the book?
CM: I wanted to have a clean separation between my two worlds, keep it church and state, you know what I mean? A few years back, I helped my wife with the Kickstarter for a book on Femme Fatales. We like our noir in this family. I’m a big fan of Kickstarter and wanted to have a direct avenue to get the book in the hands of fans without compromising the creative vision for the book and this was the best way to do it.
Continued belowYou have teamed up with another industry vet, Peter Krause for art on the project. What has Peter brought to the project? How would you describe Peter’s art on the book?
CM: Peter’s work on this book is without peer. Pete was the perfect partner to co-create the world of “Blacking Out.” He’s immensely talented and has a great story sense. I really leaned on him in the creation of the book. Pete’s known in comics, but comics people don’t know he’s a storyboard artist. So when I gave him the script, with no panel breakdowns, I let him story board the entire thing. Then he drew the book from there. I later went in a did a lettering draft based on the pages he did. The result speaks for itself – sequential storytelling at its peak. The art is phenomenal.
Additionally, colorist Giulia Brusco, letterer Ed Dukeshire, and designer Tom Muller doing an amazing job on the book and all really together help build the perfect gritty noir tone of the story. What was it like working with this team?
CM: My goal when I started this project was to work with some of the top talent in the comic industry and give them the time they need to do their best work. When you work with professionals who are used to delivering on tight deadlines, it’s not risky to say, “the deadline is what it takes you to give me your best work.” And that’s what I told every member of the team. Giulia’s storytelling with color is amazing. She really created such a phenomenal atmosphere for the book and the encroaching fire. Just beautiful. Ed hand drew every single balloon and had a ton of freedom to do aggressive word emphasis, his specialty, per my script and per his gut. Ed’s lettering is some of the best you will ever see. And what can I say about Tom? Once Pete started drawing page one, I approached Tom about the book and we kept in touch over the years when this was in gestation. In between his redesigning the X-men branding, he did the “Blacking Out” logo and art directed and designed the cover. The collaboration that he and Pete did on the cover is insane. Once you read the book close the damn thing, you’ll see what I mean. There are layers of meaning.
Some people may know you from your Head of Content role at Comixology. What has having a job like that brought to your own writing approach to comics?
CM: Pete and I started working together before the comiXology Originals program was spun up. But working with him, Giulia, Ed and Tom has certainly made me more aware of what it’s like to be on the other side of the comic creation process and helped me be better at my job.
As a collector of collected editions and hardcovers the mention of “European album hardback with spot gloss” gets me excited. Was the format and presentation of the book something you took into account when creating Blacking Out?
CM: In France, what we consider oversized European albums are the norm, known as bande dessinée or BD for short. When Pete and I got together, I sent him some BD from France to show him what I was thinking. These hardcovers are usually 48 pages. I’ve been really inspired by my work trip to France and love that format and how much more the width of the pages give the artist to tell a story. Being able to have such a big canvass on the cover for Tom and Pete to do their thing and take it up a notch with spot gloss, is amazing. Very happy to see one and done hardcovers become popular in the states, I think it’s really better for casual fans that pick up comics.
For you what is the most exciting tier or addition the Kickstarter of “Blacking Out” has to offer readers?
CM: I’m a big fan of the Lobby Cards that we were able to get for this project. It was so much fun to give the book to a stellar group of artists and see what scene sparked their imagination. We have amazing art from Francesco Francavilla, Eduardo Risso, Jamal Igle, Emma Ríos, Mirka Andolfo, Jacob Phillips, Dan Panosian, Ryan Kelly, Patric Reynolds, Elise McCall, and a special card by Peter too. I was very stoked to work with Francesco again. He and I did Left On Mission over 10 years ago, and I loved what he did with his card.
Continued belowIn the end why do you think readers should support “Blacking Out?” What do you hope they take away from the book?
CM: “Blacking Out” is a roller-coaster ride if someone wants to read a challenging book that will get you thinking about your bad life choices, this one is for you! (Laughs.)
