I thought it would be neat to have a thread about interesting Kickstarter projects - given that we all share a certain (visual) affection?!

Last Gasp Books Fall Publishing Season:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1784498350/last-gasp-books-fall-publishing-season?ref=users
It is kind of scary that they have to try to publish their books like that . . . would be a shame to see it fail!

The Squidder:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/44flood/the-squidder
This one is over but I just love Templesmith's stuff so much and thought I advertise it once more - this book also got a regular IDW release and the Kickstarter 44Flood editions are for backers only - nice concept.

So, what do you like and support?
And what needs to be ridiculed?

I don't think it's scary with regard to the publishing world. Last Gasp releases products to a very small, niche market. It's a finite market and the competition is fierce. I think this is one of smarter moves by them. However, it doesn't seem like there's much support for their products judging by the amount of money they've booked. Maybe it's time for them to go... Nostalgia should never be a part of your business model.

Kickstarter is a really good pre-order system for things you expect to ship in a year or more. Isn't that what it is mostly used for now?

^^^^^

Is it already passe' ?

'Demodé'?

I really like kickstarter, and like browsing for projects even if I don't back them. Haven't done it in a couple of months, but this was one of the last I supported.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/90 ... -sensor-fo

I don't get why "established" companies use Kickstarter. Last Gasp is great, but if they want to have preorders, why don't they go through their usual network, mailing list, etc.? I get that it is added visibility and it might add some organization in the back, but it's diluting all the genuine grassroot projects that only have that site (and others of its kin) as a resource.

Because it is easy and some companies can generate a lot more money that they would with just regular pre-orders and it lets them gauge interest without laying out any cash at all. Let's look at Reaper Miniatures for an example. They had an extremely successful first kickstarter. They raised money to convert their metal miniature production into soft plastic. They asked for $30k and got $3 million. There was lots of talk about it while it was going on and tons of hype. The stretch goals got people excited and people dumped a ton of money into the project. Unfortunately people got caught up in the hype and instead of looking it at objectively they just had visions of plastic in their heads. More than one friend bought into it because they would get a few hundred plastic miniatures for $100-300. People were excited until the project was delivered. They got exactly what was advertised, a few hundred soft plastic figures that didn't have the detail of the metal figures. Disappointment was high but during the kickstarter people were really excited and hyping the hell out of it hoping to see which stretch goals would get unlocked. This is just one example but there are tons more. I've backed a few kickstarters but I researched the start up or individual then made a decision if I thought they could deliver based on that research. Most of the time it has been no. It is easy to make huge promises and have unrealistic stretch goals. Because of high profile successes like Reaper people expect lots of free extras as stretch goals. Also because of Reaper, Cool Mini or Not and a few other successful miniatures kickstarters everyone expect miniatures companies to take this route.

Would I trust Last Gasp with my money if they asked for it to put our a book? Yes since they have successfully put out plenty of books already. Would I back this specific kickstarter? No because I'm not after any of the books they are offering in this kickstarter. I don't know how many book companies have run successful kickstarters but after the first huge success everyone will think its the only way to go.

I don't really know much about Kickstarter other than recently buying into Bwana's Gravy Toys Lonny Kickstarter and I'm really happy with the end result... and for only about $60!

But then again, there is this garbage... https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/10 ... ollectable

Kickstarter's pretty cool when it comes to backing video game projects. Pay a bit, wait maybe a year, and then get a digital download. I like it.

And people say the toys we collect are overpriced.. $100 is bad enough, but $200 for the same figure just in glitter vinyl?? No no no what are you doing

Wow, interesting. Does it work as advertised?

Planned to be shipped in January... But will let you know!

Kaiju vs Robots (insert eye rolling) strategy game.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/659943965/human-resources-an-apocalyptic-rts-game

I really like the visuals!

H.P. Lovecraft's DAGON by my favorite comic artist Ben Templesmith.
I backed his last book and the quality of the final product was fantastic. (Slip case with spot coating, awesome overall quality and some nice extras as the kickstarter pledges went crazy (increased the overall book size by 50%, free prints, all for the original pledged money).)

If you like Lovecraft and comics this might be for you:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/templesmith/dagon-by-hp-lovecraft-and-ben-templesmith

...yeah but it's not just a piece of vinyl, it's all this too!

"Twisting society's view of mortality, the Star Skull very much signifies the "stars in our eyes"; society's undying obsession for fame and recognition that outlives our bodies."

I was hoping to get an American flag with all the stars & stripes cleverly replaced by corporate logos t-shirt too, for an extra 150 dollars...5 bucks gets you on the "wall o' thanks"!

Wouldn't this have been easier just to call Hiddy and ask if he could just drop some stars in the eyes of his already 1/1 skull and wham-bam-thank-you-mamm?

There is an independent toy line I have been collecting for awhile that has a new kickstarter going I thought I would share here. Basically they make really small figures that can snap apart and be mixed and matched with all the other things in the Glyos universe. I like the line because small toys are cool and even though they are very well constructed they keep them priced really low. For 10 bucks you can pick any two of the four new figures they are making. The new weapon packs are really neat too.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/16 ... s-series-2

Glyos is a really cool "open source" way to manufacture. And who doesn't love supporting independent toy makers?

TMNT Boardgame anyone?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/id ... the-past-b

I hate waiting, but love helping some of these projects see the light of day.

In the meantime, I'm still waiting on 2 books to make it to my door (almost 2 years in production).

I love Kickstarter, It really is more of a pre-order system, but you know it's going directly to get it made. I have found most book/publishing things arrive sooner, as printing is quicker than manufacturing. The toys I have backed through there have been really cool, particularly the OMFG line of mini figures