BackerKits should be launching this week!
over 2 years ago – Mon, Aug 08, 2022 at 09:19:03 PM

The  "Smoke Test" is coming this week... then all the BackerKits launch!

First and foremost, it was nice to see several of you at C2E2 this past weekend!

The intent was to get the BackerKit surveys launched before I left for the show, but we've been working with BakcerKit over the weekend (usually before and after show-hours) to iron-out a few final kinks in the survey process to make sure it will run smoothly.

I *think* we've got everything sorted, and if they sign-off tomorrow, we'll then be able to send the "Smoke Test" to 5% of you to make sure it's working without a hitch before then launching the full BackerKit for everyone.

For those of you who've never used BackerKit before, I like using it because (once we get the back-end kinks worked out) it provides a smooth and seamless way to finalize your order, including per-populating your cart with everything you ordered and allowing you to make any final add-ons should you so choose. After all, the holidays will be here before we know it, you know?

Point being, watch your email for the BackerKit link this week (especially if you're one of the random 5% of people who get the "first wave" of links as the final protocol check), and rest assured that I'll also be providing you all with the link via an update like this when it's live, too!

Thanks all! If you have any questions, please reach out and let me know! Otherwise, I'll be in touch in a few days!

Your friend in comics,

Dirk

P.S. -- In exchange for your patience, here's a previously unseen (and spoiler-free) preview sneak peek from the book! Enjoy!

Preppin' for BackerKit...
over 2 years ago – Thu, Jul 07, 2022 at 09:17:14 PM

Still waters run deep! We've been keepin' busy...

Hello everyone! I hope this message finds you well after a restful holiday weekend!

Since the CTHULHU JR. campaign ended the team of me, Scoot, Sean, and Leah have been doing final reviews of both all the colors on the whole graphic novel...

And the bonus prose story you unlocked for the book has also been written, edited, and the spot illustrations have been finalized, too!

I don't want to spoil anything, of course, but I will tell all of you that the prose story is officially titled "YOU URN'ED IT!" and it largely focuses upon a certain blue, flaming, floating skull.

I also enjoy the opportunity to add to content to the books in the form of these bonus prose stories, and I can't wait for all of you to see this one!

BackerKits are coming soon!

Along with all the final creative prep, I've also been working with Source Point Press to finalize the BackerKit, which will help expedite finalizing your orders -- and giving you a chance to add anything else on should you want to treat yourself or a friend to a little something extra.

(Fear not, though, the KS Exclusive Hardcover orders have been locked -- keeping all of yours exclusive and extra-special!)

I'm at Florida Supercon in Miami, Florida this weekend (Artist Alley Table F-10), and Source Point Press is at Fan Expo Chicago, but my hope is that we'll have the BackerKit finalized and sent out to you all towards the end of next week... so keep an eye on your emails, and I'll also be in touch via another update -- perhaps even with a spoiler-free peek (or two) at some pages from the book, soon!

Thanks for your support, everyone! If you're in the Miami area, c'mon out and see me, and if you're heading to Chicago, be sure to swing by Fan Expo to support Source Point Press!

Talk soon!

Your friend in comics,

Dirk Manning

Short and Simple: THANK YOU.
over 2 years ago – Wed, Jun 29, 2022 at 02:54:24 PM

$14,796.10

That's how much money we raised in preorders for THE ADVENTURES OF CTHULHU JR. AND FRIENDS from Source Point Press.

This graphic novel not only marks the my first genuinely all-ages co-creator-owned graphic novel, but also has enabled the creation of the first-ever mass-market toy based on a comic I've written.

On behalf of myself, the whole team, and my publisher... THANK YOU, friends. Truly.

I'm going to take the weekend to recover from the campaign and start prepping setting-up the BackerKit to make your fulfillment of this campaign as smooth and easy as possible.

If you want to get in touch before then, please send me a direct message... otherwise, I'll be in touch again soon.

Thank you, friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I remain exceptionally humbled by and grateful for your support.

Your friend in comics,

Dirk Manning

The SEVENTH Stretch Goal has been unlocked on the final day! Y'all rock!
over 2 years ago – Fri, Jun 03, 2022 at 06:23:05 PM

YOU MADE IT A CLEAN SWEEP, FRIENDS!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and y'all know I can be a little wordy sometimes, so I'm just gonna let these pictures do the talking. Look at all the free swag you'll be getting with every pledge that includes at least the HC edition of the book:

Look at all that amazing free bonus swag that comes with any pledge level that includes, at least, the Kickstarter Exclusive Hardcover! Thanks to all of you! THANK YOU!

Stretch Goal bonuses are only included with pledge levels that include a HC copy of the book!

Since we're less than 20 hours from the close of the campaign as I write this, that's just a friendly reminder, friends. If you want all that bonus swag, make sure you're getting the KS Exclusive HC, the "B.F.F. Bundle," or the "Gimme Everything!" -- at least.

The final countdown...

Like I said, we're in the final hours on the campaign -- and I know some of you have now seen me a few times today across email and social media -- so I'm going to say this quickly and get out of the way for now:

Feel free to share the www.CthulhuJr.comlink one last time with anyone you know who will be bummed-out if they'll find out about this campaign after it ends.

Thanks again, all! I am so humbled and grateful that we have unlocked all SEVEN Stretch Goals together.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. TRULY. THANK YOU!

Your friend in comics,

Dirk Manning

Stretch Goal #6 Unlocked! One pin down, one to go!
over 2 years ago – Wed, Jun 01, 2022 at 05:46:05 AM

We Unlocked Stretch Goal #6 over the weekend!

I apologize that this update is coming a few days late, but Stretch Goal #6 was unlocked over the weekend during the always amazing Cherry Capital Comic Con in Traverse City, Michigan! This means every pledge level that includes the Kickstarter Exclusive Hardcover Edition now also includes the first of the two hat pins! Here's a list of all six Stretch Goals we've unlocked so far:

We have one more Stretch Goal to go, and as I type this we're less than $800 from unlocking the final Stretch Goal, which is the second hat pin -- this one featuring the adorable Cthulhu Jr. himself!

That's only 10 "Gimme Everything!" pledge levels, so here's to hoping we can make it happen!

The campaign ends this Friday at 3:30 PM EST... make sure you're getting everything you want!

I guess the headline there kind of says it all, eh?

As we're approaching the end of the campaign, make sure that you're getting everything you want from this campaign! Remember, this is the only time you'll be able to get the Kickstarter Exclusive Hardcover Edition of the book -- with the Kickstarter Exclusive Hardcover art -- and it's also the only chance you'll be able to get the special bundled prices if you want the 12" Plushie as well as the aforementioned SIX Stretch Goals and counting!

Sharing is caring... even for young Elder Gods.

Remember, the best way to help us unlock as many Stretch Goals as possible is to share the campaign with friends who may be interested in getting in on this book and/or plushie combo, so feel to share the campaign directly from the Kickstarter page or by sharing the link www.CthulhuJr.com across social media -- or directly with friends who may enjoy an all-ages accessible horror graphic novel.

Thanks again all! I appreciate you all so much, and how much you've supported this campaign, and I look forward to ending this campaign strong together! Let's unlock that final Stretch Goal... and we'll talk Friday latest!

Your friend in comics,

Dirk Manning