HERE & THERE Comic Preview
Just before I set off for MCM Comic Con at the end of the last week I noticed some chatter on twitter regarding a new comic called HERE & THERE about to launch on kickstarter. I got in touch with the writer Chris Sides (Whispering Sands, Dark Matter) and asked if there was anything I could look at. Fast forward to now and I get to sit down and check out the first 16 pages.
Synopsis
Eric Jacobs is a damaged man.
With his body in a coma, he unwittingly ekes out an existence in an inescapable dream-state where he’s hunted by wave after wave of monstrous creatures. But with a cryptic message from ‘the outside’, Eric’s time is starting to run out…
HERE & THERE is a full-colour 52 page one-shot comic that deals with a personal journey of coming to terms with crippling guilt and how that can manifest in horrific ways. It also deals with the themes of loss, responsibility, forgiveness and monsters ripping your eyeballs out.
The first 16 pages
I spent a gripping 10 minutes this morning reading through the first 16 pages of HERE & THERE. I don’t know if it’s the colder weather, the fact it’s Halloween today or just the fact that this is a bloody great read but I had chills. HERE & THERE blasts out of the blocks at a hell of a pace, really sticking you straight in the middle of the action. The first 16 pages give you JUST enough of the basic plot to get you completely hooked and leave you desperate for more. Not quite sure how I am going to survive the wait until February 2019 when the rewards will ship, but I know for damn sure I am backing this one.
The comic is drawn by Adam Jakes and coloured by Aljosa Tomic. I can’t lie, I am completely in love with the monster design. It’s got this Silent Hill kinda vibe that I really dig. I found myself really drawn in to the details of the locations in these first handful of pages. Maybe it’s the fact that it looks like it could be taking place almost where I live, giving it that extra creepy feeling. It’s not for the faint of heart, as I am sure you’ve gathered from that cover image.
Just look at that rotting chunk of meat. I don’t know about you but I could practically smell it as I read this page. When was the last time you had that kind of reaction to a panel? I cannot wait to see how the story unfolds, and what other gruesome delights this team have in store.
The Kickstarter
From the press release:
The funding target has been kept as small as possible; it’s enough to cover printing and production of the rewards, as well as postage. Any additional money will help us increase the scale of production and get the book out to more readers. Plus, we have some great stretch goals planned if we get there!
Smashed it
Well, they have already blasted past their goal in the first week. This project is currently sitting at £1,318 and the goal was a mere £800! Congratulations to Chris and his team. The first stretch goal has already unlocked! Every backer that pledges/has pledged for the BETA WAVES (£12 Art Print) TIER or above will receive a full-colour (260mmx170mm) print of something that Reckless Hero’s Chris Imber is cooking up! I’m a huge fan of Mr Imber’s work, so I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
This kickstarter has something for everyone. Like digital only, and just want this book? It’s yours for as little as £2. Like print and just want this book? £8 and you get that print smell (plus your name in the Thank You’s). Do you like a little bit more bang for your buck, and want as many goodies as possible? There are tiers that will give you 3 months access to the brilliant Comichaus app, digital back catalogue collections and some amazing prints. If you REALLY want to push the boat out, there are options for commissions from artist Adam Jakes or the original cover art.
Escape pod for intangibles
Top of the tree is a day out with 3 of the team (Chris, Adam and Ken) having a pub lunch, beers and talking comics. If you are a budding comic writer or artist, this is an amazing opportunity. The team are willing to review your portfolio beforehand and give you feedback on the day if you back this tier! It’s a one-off, and it’s not cheap, but I reckon it’s totally worth it if you like beer and comics!
If you want to back the kickstarter can be found HERE. It’s running for another 26 days but several of the reward tiers are limited, so if you want them, best get in there now!!
