Tag Archives: backerkit

Traveller, the Most Influential Science Fiction RPG of All Time, Is Coming to 5E

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Traveller 5E

Traveller, the most influential science fiction RPG of all time, is coming to 5E. A landmark conversion brings nearly five decades of iconic science-fiction roleplaying to the world’s most popular tabletop system.

Traveller, first published in 1977, is officially being adapted in a new project led by veteran game designer Timothy Brown, in full coordination with Mongoose Publishing. The project aims to bring the depth, scope, and creative freedom of classic Traveller to a new generation of players.

Designed for groups interested in science-fiction storytelling using familiar tabletop mechanics, Traveller 5E preserves what made the original game legendary while making it accessible to a wider audience. The result is a complete science fiction roleplaying experience centered on interstellar travel, trade, jump space starships, and sector-level worldbuilding, allowing groups to create entire universes on their own.

Traveller 5E supports a wide range of play styles and science-fiction themes, offering tools for:

  • Iconic character creation
  • Designing original worlds, sectors, and interstellar settings
  • Building starships, vehicles, and alien creatures
  • Campaign play focused on exploration, commerce, and discovery

The crowdfunding campaign for Traveller 5E will launch on March 31.

Lynnvander Studios announces Imaria: Beyond the Veil

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Imaria: Beyond the Veil

The acclaimed dark fantasy 5E setting Imaria from Lynnvander Studios returns to crowdfunding with new additions ahead of final production.

Spanning more than 600 pages total, Imaria is a dark fantasy campaign setting and adventure series for 5E, shaped by four Pillars of Power – mana, anti-magic, psionics, and ethereal chronomancy – and bound together by The Veil, a temporal force that isolates the world from extraplanar influence. The setting explores civilizations shaped by the presence, absence, and cost of power – blending fantasy with unsettling elements and long-form play.

Imaria: Beyond the Veil offers a final opportunity for players to access the world of Imaria before the project moves into fulfillment. Following the original Imaria crowdfunding campaign, this upcoming effort will make the full setting available again, along with new additions.

The project features contributions from a wide roster of celebrated creators, including Ed Greenwood, Elisa Teague, and Keith Baker, among others. These collaborators provided additional content and creative perspectives within the existing world of Imaria. Updates to the project also include alignment with the 2024 rules.

Imaria: Beyond the Veil introduces several new additions including:

  • The Tavern of Timeless Tales, a new companion book
  • Eight new dice sets, inspired by the Imarian Elder Dragons
  • New digital adventures, expanding the playable content

NYCC 2025: Dynamite launches the Army of Darkness Board Game on BackerKit

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Army of Darkness: The Board Game

Dynamite Entertainment has been publishing Army of Darkness comic books for two decades, feeding hungry fans with further tales featuring Ash Williams and the entire extended mythos. The comics and collectibles publisher has gone one step further in developing an all-new, miniature-heavy board game based on the action-packed third act of the cult classic film, Army of Darkness: The Board Game. Every tabletop fan will enjoy playing as the iconic hero, Ash, or one of his allies, as they battle it out against a relentless army of the undead who will stop at nothing to control the Necronomicon.

The game is currently funding through BackerKit.

Evil Ash and his “bride,” Evil Sheila, are on a mission to extinguish all human life. Their Deadite army has Arthur’s castle under siege and players must work together to fight off the swarms of undead before, they too, become victims of the underworld.

This fast-paced, co-operative, “tower defense” game has 2-4 players commanding Arthur’s army of knights as they hold off Evil Ash, Evil Sheila, and their army of Deadites from getting their hands on the Necronomicon. Players strategically select action cards to formulate their attack and defense, but their luck will be tested as the battle evolves, unexpected twists happen in the turn of a card, and the best laid plans could be foiled. But additional help is at hand from the modern world… in the trunk of Ash’s car are various tools to assist players in getting the upper hand. And if the resources of the living world aren’t enough, dare to tap into the pages of the Necronomicon and cast a spell at your own risk. Any words uttered from the Necronomicon could either mean salvation for Ash and his friends, or damnation for the entire human race!

The first expansion for the game is already finished development and available optionally right alongside the full game launch, for fans wanting to upgrade their play experience right out the box. It unleashes the game to its next level, enabling five players at once, adding more miniatures, and more!

Army of Darkness: The Board Game has a playtime of 60-90 minutes and includes:

  • 22” x 22” folding game board
  • 44 character miniatures with the expansion!
  • 6 custom dice
  • 95 cards
  • 47 tokens
  • 4 character boards (5 with the expansion!)
  • 1 rulebook

Army of Darkness The Board Game is based on the iconic horror film from Sam Raimi starring Bruce Campbell. Designed by Lynnvander Studios. The first expansion is also available for preorder alongside the game. It is at the factory right now, with an expectation of completion and shipment to customers by February 2026.

Army of Darkness: The Board Game

Vault Teases an All-New Dungeon Crawler Carl Original Graphic Novel by Matt Dinniman, Michael Moreci, and Brett Bean

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Dungeon Crawler Carl

Direct from creator Matt Dinniman, writer Michael Moreci, artist Brett Bean, and Vault Comics comes an explosive, brand-new, and 100% canon graphic novel expansion to the Dungeon Crawler Carl universe! Featuring a fistful of beloved characters (and some new friends, enemies, and exceptionally concerning weapons), fans will see the opening of the World Dungeon like never before–from a new fan-favorite character’s perspective.

The identity of this character will remain a secret until a very special announcement on September 15th. But starting now, fans can sign up on the Backerkit campaign’s landing page to access hints about the new storyline, enjoy sneak-previews of concept art from the series, secure their invite to a special online launch party, and be the first to hear about upcoming campaign rewards, fan box voting, and extremely special “NEW ACHIEVEMENT!” stretch goals. The full campaign will launch on Backerkit on October 1st, 2025.

This fast-paced graphic novel will follow a yet-unannounced fan-favorite character from the main series who struggles with their humanity as they compete on the alien game show Dungeon Crawler World. Fans can expect the remaining survivors of the global apocalypse–familiar faces as well as some brand new ones–fight bizarre monsters and face ridiculous, deadly challenges for the entertainment of an interstellar audience.

Perfect for both die-hard fans of the smash-hit series AND newbie readers ready to take the plunge… It’s the First Floor like you’ve never seen it before, and it’s coming to you in kickass graphic novel format.

Dungeon Crawler Carl looks to be the hot new property with a recent tabletop roleplaying game announced by Renegade Game Studios. It’s a New York Times-bestselling and #1 Audible LitRPG novel series with over 1 million copies sold.

Dungeon Crawler Carl follows Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. In 2025 it was announced that Universal International Studios and Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door are developing Dungeon Crawler Carl as a TV series adapted by Chris Yost.

Exclusive: What’s the perfect crime? And what do you think you could get away with? Find out in Perfect Crime Party

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Perfect Crime Party

Spike Trotman’s Iron Circus Comics is launching a BackerKit campaign to publish Perfect Crime Party, a full color 300+ page anthology containing 25 light-heart tales of criminal activity from over 40 incredible creators as well as a cover by Jeff Smith. From club-style murder mysteries to anxious teens hijinx to acts of protest, Perfect Crime Party asks the immortal questions: What’s the perfect crime? And what do you think you could get away with?

The campaign will feature multiple tiers for backers, including a digital version of the book, a print version of the book featuring additional art, and a bundle featuring all of Iron Circus’s previous general anthologies, including Sleep of Reason, New World, Timrous Beastie, FTY Ya’ll, Failure to Launch, and the Eisner-award-winning You Died!

The anthology features Smugglers Abroad by Michelle Gruppetta and Fleur Sciortino. In it, a family tries to get the best chocolate over the border. 

‘Smugglers Abroad’ is a zany, heart-warming short comic that showcases the lengths a husband will go, to be able to provide his wife with her favourite treats. This short comic is based in  Malta, during the 1980s, a turbulent time when the island was facing harsh restrictions on food importation to boost local products. The government’s strict import laws, which forbade everything from chocolate to toothpaste to pasta, drove people to “acquire” higher quality products through other means; mainly by smuggling them into Malta via Sicily. Those who travelled were inevitably tasked by their friends and family to return with the coveted loot, and most prized among them was definitely chocolate. While this may seem silly to us now, it definitely turned a lot of Maltese people to a ‘life of crime.’

– Michelle Gruppetta

In Racked by Chuck Harp, Luis Santamarina, and Rob Jones, when your crimes need art supplies, the answer is more crime.

Ultimately, ‘Racked’ is a story about determination. A cross-generational struggle to follow our ambitions in the face of fear. This isn’t a crime showcasing evil, but presenting the desperate. Sure, this is a tale of thieving kids painting trains, but it also speaks to the pursuit that starves artists and baffles families.”

– Chuck Harp

As an artist, I believe that “Racked” offers me the opportunities to embark on an immersive urban adventure and push beyond my usual comfort zone, which typically lies within the realm of fantasy.”

– Luis Santamarina

Racked gave me the chance to work on a more fun, grounded and down to Earth comic than I sometimes get to, and it’s a fun story of working together.

– Rob Jones

‘Le Debacle de Fromage’ is by Matylda McCormack-Sharp:

My story features two characters I have been drawing since I was 11; unlikely friends, Trevor (the elephant) and Derrick (the mouse). In ‘Le Debacle de Fromage!’ we see the pair navigate the highs and lows of living with roommates, and what happens when the most heinous crime is committed… cheese theft…

Perfect Crime Party launches soon, so don’t miss out by signing up now.

Crowdfunding Corner: Aster of Pan: The Source from Magnetic Press is live!

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Backer Beware: Crowdfunding projects are not guaranteed to be delivered and/or delivered when promised. We always recommend to do your research before backing.

Magnetic Press has launched a crowdfunding campaign for Aster of Pan: The Source by author and illustrator Merwan with an exclusive variant cover painted by fan-favorite artist Peach Momoko!

This long-awaited sequel to the award-winning and official selection of the 2020 Angouleme Comics Festival, Aster of Pan, resonates with deep, layered characters in dynamic, often action-packed situations, Merwan‘s anime-inspired visual style mixes the dynamics of classic mangaka with a water-colored palette that is uniquely his own, varied by the line weight of Tim Sale.

The year is 2068. The place, Fontainebleau forest, ancient home of some of France’s mightiest monarchs on the outskirts of what was once Paris. The post-apocalyptic society of Pan survives by growing rice and scavenging among the ruins of a destroyed civilization. Their precarious existence comes under threat when the powerful, technologically advanced Federation of Fortuna forces them into a dangerous choice—submit to Fortuna’s rule, or try to best them in a barbaric, ritualized game known as Celestial Mechanics. Pan’s only hope? A hot-headed outcast they’d rejected for being “un-Pan”: a girl named Aster.

Aster of Pan: The Source is available exclusively for pre-order only through Backerkit. In addition to the campaign-exclusive Peach Momoko cover, Slipcase Sets, and original artwork, fans will also be able to pick up copies of Merwan’s previous books, Pistouvi and False Guard, with other exciting exclusives and stretch goals to be revealed throughout the campaign.

The limited Aster of Pan: The Source pre-order campaign ends Friday, May 17, at 5pm PST.

Exclusive Preview: S.E. Case’s Acclaimed Webcomic Hit Series Rigsby WI Heads To Iron Circus Books

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Spike Trotman’s Iron Circus Comics has launched a BackerKit campaign to publish the first ever, highly anticipated print edition of the cartoonist S.E. Case’s webcomic hit series Rigsby WI. The funny, naturalistic graphic novel series chronicles the lives of a group of average teenagers in a small city in Northern Wisconsin. It’s a series about growing up and the things that shape us, including relationships, poverty, race and sexuality, and how we choose to present ourselves to our friends, family, and the rest of the world. The BackerKit for the first book, a 120 page graphic novel titled Rigsby WI: Foothold is now live.

Sometimes as a teen in a small town, you can feel trapped — trapped enough to want to gnaw off your own leg to escape. Bethany has gotten some much needed stability in Rigsby, WI — she’s away from her oppressively disapproving mother, and the other local teens Jeordie, Erik, and Anna have welcomed her in — and together the four of them know how to escape from the world that is closing in on them. While Case’s vibrant art and naturalistic writing doesn’t shy away from the rougher experiences and feelings of teens, it also covers the truly important topics like, “is Phish a good band?”, “is the neck the dong of the torso?” and “Ernest Hemingway: Was he a piece of shit?” Nostalgic, sweet, bitter and funny all at once, Rigsby WI feels like a teenage afternoon spent with friends, with all the pathos, boredom and absurdity inherent therein. 

We have an exclusive look and you can support the graphic novel now!

Rigsby WI

Those Two Geeks Episode Special: When I Was Young… (An LGBTQIA+ Charity Comic Anthology)

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Alex is joined by Heather Antos to talk about When I Was Young… (An LGBTQIA+ Charity Comic Anthology) A 100+ page comic anthology featuring short stories of inspiration, advice, and triumph. All profits will be donated to The Trevor Project to benefit LGBTQIA+ youth. The project is currently live on Backerkit and is just over 80% funded with about 10 days remaining.

You can find Heather @heatherantos on all the socials, and the link to the project at www.WhenIWasYoungComic.com

You can reach Alex and Joe can be found on Twitter/X respectively @karcossa and @FirstRonin4 if you feel the need to tell them they’re wrong individually, or by email at ItsThose2Geeks@gmail.com.

Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.

Crowdfunding Corner: Magnetic Press launches two from Jim Bishop

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Lost Letters and My Dear Pierrot

Backer Beware: Crowdfunding projects are not guaranteed to be delivered and/or delivered when promised. We always recommend to do your research before backing.

Two surreal tales of life, love, and loss from an extraordinary imagination…

From the Award-winning wunderkind creator Jim Bishop, comes two tales of heartbreak and adventure: Lost Letters and My Dear Pierrot, now live on Backerkit!  

For fans of Studio Ghibli and Satoshi Kon, these powerful and unique Award-winning OGNs are presented in English for the very first time, and are available only from Magnetic Press, the industry’s leading graphic novel publisher.

Lost Letters

On an idyllic island where humans and fish coexist on land, young Iode (short for Iodine) waits patiently for a letter he has been expecting, one that seems to be perpetually delayed. Suspecting it might have gotten lost, he takes a trip into town to inquire at the post office. Along the way, he meets a spirited hitchhiker entrusted to deliver a mysterious package by the enigmatic underworld syndicate, “The Octopus. ”Their two missions intertwine leading not only to unexpected adventure, but deep personal realizations for both of them… The world is not what it seems, and the simple surreality of their little town may not be everything it seems to be.

Exploring the value of Family and Friendship amidst deep, personal doubts, LOST LETTERS is a deceptively powerful tale of emotional orphans coming to grips with the reality of their surroundings. Set in a surreal fantasy land populated by talking fish, this multi-layered adventure is filled with exciting action, beautiful palettes, startling imagination, and quiet dignity.

Originally released in Europe in 2021, the OGN won multiple awards including the International Manga Awards in Japan, Lecteurs.com BD Prize,  the France Bleu Comic Award, and the 2022 Orange Comics Prize.

My Dear Pierrot

Cléa, a young noblewoman, is groomed for a promising future with Berthier, the son of a Count. It should be a comfortable life, but is that what she truly wants…? Fate introduces her to Pierrot, a charming street magician who sweeps her off her feet and reveals what her sheltered life lacks. Fascinated by Pierrot, Cléa follows him to his hidden treehouse in the woods, where wonders unimaginable unfold. The boundaries of possibility expand before her, but is she really chasing freedom, or is she trapped in Pierrot’s spell…?

What begins as a fairy tale romance turns gradually into a fantasy thriller with dark twists and dangerous repercussions that will keep you turning the pages through to its deadly climax. This is not your typical storybook of whimsical witchcraft — Jim Bishop deftly manipulates the tropes and reader expectations to explore the delicate line between devotion and independence.

Both Lost Letters and My Dear Pierrot are offered in multiple editions including Digital, Premium Softcover, Deluxe Hardcover, and a Limited Edition Slipcased Set. Books may be ordered individually or you can create your own customized bundle by selecting a base Pledge Level and then adding other items as add-ons. 

The campaign ends Friday, March 15th at 8pm EST/5pm PST.

Crowdfunding Corner: Magnetic Press announces The Didier Cassegrain Collection

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Backer Beware: Crowdfunding projects are not guaranteed to be delivered and/or delivered when promised. We always recommend to do your research before backing.

The Didier Cassegrain Collection

Now live on Backerkit, Magnetic Press presents a collection of four cinematic graphic novels colorfully illustrated by the uniquely identifiable Eisner Award-winning creator, Didier Cassegrain! This exciting collection includes Don’t Let Go, Black Water Lillies, Trapped on Zarkass, and Tao Bang!

Don’t Let Go

This island-set thriller filled with murder, mystery, and kidnapping… or so it would seem…? Based on the best selling novel written by Michel Bussi…

In an idyllic resort on the island of La Réunion, Liane Bellion and her husband Martial are enjoying the perfect moment with their 6-year-old daughter. Turquoise skies, blue sea, palm trees, a warm breeze.

Then Liane disappears. She went up to her hotel room between 3 and 4pm and never came back. Her husband, worried, had gone to the room along with the concierge – the room was empty but there was blood everywhere. Despite his protestations of innocence, the police view Martial as their prime suspect. He was the only other person who went to the hotel room between 3 and 4pm according to the staff of the hotel.

Then he disappears along with his daughter. With Martial as prime suspect, helicopters scan the island, racial tensions surface, and more corpses are found. Is he really his wife’s killer? And if he isn’t, why does he appear to be so guilty?

Black Water Lillies

A twisty who-done-it about a murder in Monet’s garden in Giverny and the three women who may know who did it! Eisner Award-nominated title based on the best selling novel by Michel Bussi!

Giverny, France. During the day, the town is the home of the famous artist Claude Monet and the gardens where he painted his Water Lilies. But once the tourists have gone, there is a darker side to the peaceful French village.

This is the story of thirteen days that begin with one murder and end with another. Jéme Morval, a man whose passion for art was matched only by his passion for women, has been found dead in the stream that runs through the gardens. In his pocket is a postcard of Monet’s Water Lilies with the words: Eleven years old. Happy Birthday.

Entangled in the mystery are three women: a young painting prodigy, the seductive village schoolteacher, and an old widow who watches over the village from a mill by the stream. All three of them share a secret. But what do they know about the discovery of Jéme Morval’s corpse? And what is the connection to the mysterious, rumored painting of Black Water Lilies?

Trapped on Zarkass

A gonzo sci-fi adventure through the planet Zarkass based on the classic novel by Stefan Wuhl!

It is the third millennium, and gender definitions are gone, references practically banned. Larry and Marcel are two Earth agents sent to the lush and threatening jungles of the planet Zarkass forced to collaborate for an ultra-secret mission. Their official cover is to study the fauna, flora, and the unique customs of the native Zarkassian people. But really they are there to find and examine the mysterious wreckage of an alien vessel that has the government concerned. But the two young agents start to suspect that each of them might be hiding the real reasons for their presence on Zarkass… reasons that are much more personal…

Adapted from the classic sci-fin novel by celebrated author Stefan Wul, TRAPPED ON ZARKASS is a colorful, updated take on “odd couple/buddy cop” adventures with a gender-bending undertone, adapted by writer Yann.

Tao Bang

A soaring pirate fantasy reprinting Didier Cassegrain’s first graphic novel! An exhilarating, swashbuckling fantasy adventure packed with scoundrels and anti-heroes by authors Daniel Pecqueur and Olivier Vatine.

Ellora’s business has been in freefall since the dragon sheikh Ad Arphax opened a competing brothel nearby. So she sets out with ruffian Norden to find the Isle of Mermaids, whose siren song should bring in the customers and put her back on top. But the journey is wrought with fantastic dangers, not the least of which is the Amazon pirate Tao Bang – an old acquaintance of Norden’s – now in the employ of Ad Arphax…

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