Sons of Fate

What it is: A lost chapter in the history of ancient Japan and the code of the Samurai via an unlikely warrior from the most foreign of lands.

Why I like it: The story sounds pretty cool and I generally think we could use more cool Samurai stories out there. The art looks pretty solid too, and seeing it all in a full comic book series would be solid.

Best Pledge: $10 gets you all three issues as a PDF or $25 gets you a printed graphic novel.

Risk: MEDIUM: Creator Jean-Paul Deshong has been involved with previous Kickstarter projects, but I couldn’t see how well that went. Some of the prices seem a little off, but the March 2014 date for delivery seems to be pretty realistic.

My Sweet Lady

What it is: The story focuses on a cake princess with a rotten attitude named Lady White Cake, and her quest to transform into someone that everyone will love and respect with the help of her little friend, Cupcake. Due to the sudden and mysterious death of Lady White’s father, the King, she will have to take his place as ruler of her kingdom in a month’s time, while uncovering the truth behind her father’s death.

Why I like it: I’m still generally new to manga, but there’s something that sounds cute and fun about the comic series.

Best Pledge: $12 gets you the zero issue of the series signed plus your name as a credit.

Risk: MEDIUM: I have no idea the creators experience in doing this sort of project and the January 2014 date seems a bit short.

Nutmeg: Issue 1

What it is: When quiet, friendly Poppy Pepper teams up with steely new girl Cassia Caraway in a bid to sabotage haughty rival Saffron Longfellow’s brownie-baking enterprise, they wind up creating a brownie even more addictive than Saffron’s, thanks to a secret and possibly illicit ingredient. Before long, they find themselves at the head of a culinary empire and must navigate Saffron, her crew, the PTA and even the police.

Why I like it: Kickstarter is made for a comic series like this. How does the above not get you interested?

Best Pledge: $12 gets you a printed copy as well as pdf and a random print.

Risk: MEDIUM: The prices seem to be really low, but these are professionals, so….

Nelvana of the Northern Lights: Canada’s First Superheroine

What it is: Nelvana of the Northern Lights is Canada’s first superheroine and one of the most popular creations of the Canadian Golden Age of comics. YES! Canada has a golden age of comics!

She was first published in December 1941 in Triumph-Adventure Comics, and ran as a feature for 31 issues, even having her own merchandise and graphic novel. She’s one of the very first female superheroes ever created, predating Wonder Woman by several months.

Nelvana of the Northern Lights was created and developed by Adrian Dingle. The idea was conceived after hearing Inuit stories of a mysterious goddess-like figure relayed to him by his friend Franz Johnston (of the Group of Seven). Dingle decided to ‘make her into a doll in a miniskirt’ and thus Nelvana, defender of the Northern people and enemy to the Axis powers, was born.

Why I like it: This is a piece of history people!!! Awesome to see a superheroine from Canada getting some love.

Best Pledge: $50 gets you a copy to read in print and digital!

Risk: MEDIUM: As they state, they need to restore the book, so the time frame for delivery is a bit up in the air.

QU33R — New Queer Comics Anthology

What it is: QU33R is an all-new project featuring queer comics legends as well as new talents that picks up where No Straight Lines left off. Where No Straight Lines set down our history, QU33R shines a light on our future!

Why I like it: I’ll always support Northwest Press and whatever that team puts together. They’re a needed voice and publisher in the comic book industry.

Best Pledge: $30 gets you the print edition of the book.

Risk: LOW: They know what they’re doing. I’ve contributed before to them and receive my copy in time and as promised.

3 Devils

What it is: 3 Devils is an 80 pg. graphic novel written and drawn by Bo Hampton and colored by Jeremy Mohler. It’s a Supernatural Western/ Action/ Adventure/ Melodrama and too much for editors, in general, to wrap their heads around, in this country and in Europe.

Why I like it: The story sounds very cool and the art looks pretty solid.

Best Pledge: $15 gets you a printed copy signed.

Risk: MEDIUM: First projects I always put at medium as they have no history, but the date of October 2014 is very realistic.

STEAMPUNK REILLY

What it is: A graphic novel telling the story of Sidney Reilly, the world’s first true secret agent, set against a Steampunk alternate history.

Why I like it: I’m a fan of steampunk and the idea of mixing it up with a secret agent spin sounds like it could be pretty cool and entertaining.

Best Pledge: $15 gets you the printed first volume and some more items.

Risk: MEDIUM: The date of November seems to be off, even if it’s completed, I don’t see how it gets printed that quickly (though they may have it all printed).

Misfortune High Book 1

What it is: Misfortune High is the story of Biscuit, a spoiled rich kid, who goes to the most prestigious magic academy in the city.  Biscuit gets caught cheating and lying, but his father decides not to bail him out as he usually does. Instead, his father punishes Biscuit by sending him to a magic school in a bad neighborhood.

Why I like it: The above sounds awesome! So much fun and something new and interesting.

Best Pledge: $15 gets you a digital copy of this and another series or $20 gets you a printed copy.

Risk: MEDIUM: It’s the first project so automatically gets this, but the project is done, so it’s just printing and shipping.