Tag Archives: ben caldwell

Crowdfunding Corner: Catching Hell, Painkiller Jane: Uncovered, Drumsticks of Doom: Queen of Queens 1-3

Welcome to our revamped “Crowdfunding Corner” rounding up some of the latest crowdfunding news. We’re going beyond just announcement projects, we’ll be tracking to make sure these projects get delivered as well as what we think the “risk” of backing them are.

We’ll be updating the format as we get a better handle of the needs of this sort of coverage, so stay tuned and check out the first round of projects!


Reggie Bannister is CATCHING HELL in New Comic Book!

Publisher: American Mythology
Creative Team: (w) S.A. Check, James Kuhoric (a) Emanuele Tommarelli
Launch Date: Currently funding – ends April 9 2026 6:00 PM EDT
Risk: Low – The publisher has run previous crowdfunding campaigns and they’ve been delivered.

Catching Hell #1 A Grindhouse Horror Comic Starring Reggie Bannister

From the Pages of a Lost Horror Magazine… Comes Pure Hellfire

This isn’t nostalgia. This isn’t a reboot. This is a blood soaked love letter to real horror icons.

In Catching Hell, Reggie Bannister doesn’t wear a superhero cape, he doesn’t need one. He’s an everyday guy with scars, grit, and a lifetime of bad decisions. When renegade demons slip through the cracks, someone has to do the dirty work. That someone is Reggie.

It’s loud. It’s brutal. It’s darkly funny in the way only true horror fans understand. And it proudly wears the DNA of drive in grindhouse films, midnight movie mayhem, and monsters that bite, not sparkle.

For over 50 years, Reggie Bannister has been a pillar of horror cinema. Most famously, he is the everyman hero Reggie from the legendary Phantasm franchise, a role that cemented his place in genre history. Fans around the world have cheered as he faced down the Tall Man and his nightmarish minions, proving that courage, heart, and stubborn determination can triumph over even the most unholy horrors.

Reggie isn’t just a name in the credits, he’s a living symbol of horror fandom, known for his grit, charisma, and everyman appeal. From independent cult classics to iconic genre films, he has earned lasting admiration from generations of horror fans.

Catching Hell puts Reggie front and center, not as a sidekick, not as a relic—but as the unstoppable, demon-slaying, witty, battle hardened hero we’ve always known he could be.


PAINKILLER JANE: UNCOVERED

PAINKILLER JANE: UNCOVERED

Publisher: PaperFilms
Creative Team: Joe Quesada, Amanda Conner, Sean Gordon Murphy, Tim Bradstreet, Peach Momoko, Jimmy Palmiotti, Rick Leonardi, Bill Sienkiewicz, Juan Santacruz, Lee Moder, Enrico Marini, Ben Caldwell, John Cebollero, Nelson DeCastro, Piere Brito, Josh Burns, Alecia Rodriguez, Dave Johnson, Scott Hampton, Justin Norman, Branko Jovanic, Rafel De Latorre, Peach Momoko, Sean Gordon Murphy, and Tim Bradstreet, and more.
Launch Date: Currently funding – ends April 2 2026 11:00 AM EDT
Risk: Low – The publisher has run previous crowdfunding campaigns and they’ve been delivered.

For thirty years, Painkiller Jane has carved out her place as one of the most enduring and explosive characters in independent comics. To celebrate her legacy, we’re bringing together an extraordinary collection of the most iconic, most requested, and most visually striking cover art and pin‑ups ever created for the character in PAINKILLER JANE: UNCOVERED

This 64‑page one‑shot is a love letter to Jane’s history, gathering three decades of artwork from some of the most influential and celebrated artists in the industry. For the first time, fans will be able to experience these pieces in a premium format, presented as the artists originally intended—logo‑free, remastered, and curated with care.at plunges readers into a world where memory, mystery, and monsters collide.

PaperFilms has earned a reputation for producing some of the highest‑quality indie comics on Kickstarter, over 25 successful campaigns, with every release printed on premium stock, using rich inks and sharp reproduction that showcase the artwork exactly as it deserves to be seen. Backers know that when a project carries the PaperFilms name, they’re getting top‑tier production values, meticulous attention to detail, and a final product built to last in any collection.

THE PROJECT:

This collection features an astonishing lineup of talent. Joe Quesada, Amanda Conner, Sean Gordon Murphy, Tim Bradstreet, Peach Momoko, Jimmy Palmiotti, Rick Leonardi, Bill Sienkiewicz, Juan Santacruz, Lee Moder, Enrico Marini, Ben Caldwell, John Cebollero, Nelson DeCastro, Piere Brito, Josh Burns, Alecia Rodriguez, Dave Johnson, Scott Hampton, Justin Norman, Branko Jovanic, Rafel De Latorre, and many more have all contributed to Jane’s visual identity over the years. Their interpretations—gritty, elegant, fierce, stylized, and everything in between—showcase the evolution of a character who has survived bullets, betrayals, and the shifting landscape of comics themselves.

But this project isn’t just about celebrating the past. We’re also creating brand‑new, ultra‑limited covers exclusively for this Kickstarter campaign. Amanda Conner, Peach Momoko, Sean Gordon Murphy, and Tim Bradstreet are each contributing new pieces that will be available only through this campaign and never reprinted in this format again. These editions are designed to be true collector’s items—rare, striking, and created by artists whose work defines modern comics.

Painkiller Jane has always thrived because of the passion of her fans and the dedication of the creators who believed in her. This project is a chance to honor that history while giving readers something genuinely special: a beautifully produced, definitive art collection that captures everything that makes Jane unforgettable. Whether you’ve followed her since the ’90s or you’re discovering her for the first time, this book is a celebration of the character’s resilience, the artists’ craft, and the creative spirit that has kept Jane alive for three decades.


Drumsticks of Doom: Queen of Queens 1-3

Drumsticks of Doom: Queen of Queens 1-3

Publisher: Part-time Comix
Creative Team: (a) Dan Dougherty, JT Molloy (w) Jon Westhoff (l) Jon Westhoff
Launch Date: Currently funding – ends April 22 2026 8:05 PM EDT
Risk: Low – The publisher has run previous crowdfunding campaigns and they’ve been delivered.

When Black Sabbath (not the Beatles) became the world’s most famous band, the universe was changed, musically and otherwise. Lost arts, like Alchemy, were made common, schools taught about transfiguration and alternate science, Demons were summoned and some stuck around.

Lana LOVES music. She has played in bands all through high school and now, in college, she still plays in her ex’s fledgling metal band. She’s convinced their drummer to play her indie songs in secret. She’s finishing up the best practice yet when they are drawn into a spiritual battle to keep metal on the top of the charts.

The first miniseries was a wild ride of Daywolves, Metal Cults and hybrid creatures.

The second arc had Lana and the crew taking the next step in their musical journey as they headed to the mysterious Silver Mountain to record their first album. The recording session is a wrap and most of them didn’t get remastered. 

The Final arc is taking the band on the road for their first World Tour, but who will make it to the encore!

All THREE issues- 20 Stunning Black and White interiors story pages- 18-19 by Dan Dougherty and 1-2 pages of added content- FINAL ISSUE 24 PAGES-Standard American size book, Full Color Covers.

Preview: Harley Quinn x Elvira #5

Harley Quinn x Elvira #5

Writers: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Artist: Juan Samu, Amanda Conner
Covers: Amanda Conner (A), Chad Hardin (B), Joseph Michael Linsner (C), Ben Caldwell (D)
FC | All Cardstock Covers | 32 pages | Adventure | $4.99 | Teen

IT’S A PARTY IN THE USA — AND BEYOND! When Elvira first met Harley Quinn, the Mistress of the Dark was desperate for any plan that could help her save her beloved TV show after it was threatened with cancellation by heartless corporate raiders. Well, the Clown Princess of Crime came up with a plan, all right, and now Elvira is along for the ride — no matter how crazy Harley’s scheme turns out to be! Putting together the biggest Halloween block party ever staged is a great idea in theory, but pulling it off means raising a massive amount of money — and a pile of cash that big is sure to draw the attention of every thug and delinquent in the Tri-State area. If Harley and Elvira want to keep their party funds secure, they’re going to have to become too big to fail — and that means going international! Famed Harley Quinn Whisperers AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI double down on the year’s most hotly anticipated crossover in Harley Quinn X Elvira #2, with Conner providing two captivating covers as well as several story pages to accompany artist JUAN SAMU’s interiors — all capped off by indecently alluring covers from JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER, CHAD HARDIN, and BEN CALDWELL!

Harley Quinn x Elvira #2

Preview: Harley Quinn x Elvira #4

Harley Quinn x Elvira #4

writers: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
artist: Juan Sammu, Amanda Conner
covers: Amanda Conner (A), Chad Hardin (B), Joseph Michael Linsner (C), Ben Caldwell (D)
FC | All Cardstock Covers | 32 pages | Horror / Humor | $4.99 | Teen+

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN AND INTO THE FIRE!
With things getting too hot to handle back in Brooklyn, Elvira and Harley abscond to the cooler climes of Transylvania to crash with one of Elvira’s best buddies in his tastefully appointed castle. But despite their reputation as old-school hedonists, the Count’s already-invited guests don’t much care for this pair of interlopers – and they’ve got some decidedly medieval ideas for how to deal with party crashers!

Harley fan club co-founders AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI go continental in Harley Quinn X Elvira #4, with Conner once again serving up double helpings of steaming-hot covers (as well as adding flavor to JUAN SAMU’s tasty interior art) along with JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER, CHAD HARDIN, BEN CALDWELL, and a special MYSTERY BLIND BAG featuring exclusive variants!

Harley Quinn x Elvira #4

Preview: Harley Quinn x Elvira #3

Harley Quinn x Elvira #3

writers: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
artists: Juan Samu, Amanda Conner
covers: Amanda Conner/Red (A), Chad Hardin (B), Joseph Michael Linsner (C), Ben Caldwell (D)
FC | All Cardstock Covers | 32 pages | Superhero/Horror/Humor | $4.99 | Teen+

Harley Quinn’s plan to throw a borough-wide Halloween party in Brooklyn to save Elvira’s cancelled TV show is shaping up nicely — and by “nicely,” of course we mean “total chaos!”

Facing a distinct lack of legitimate investors on this side of the Atlantic, Harley and her reluctant partner in crime have to broaden their appeals. That means courting Old World money — and money doesn’t get much older than the mouldering family fortunes found in certain European crypts!

Shameless Harley Quinn enablers AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI raise the stakes in their third issue of Harley Quinn X Elvira, with Conner continuing to deliver double-barreled cover action — together with JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER, CHAD HARDIN, and BEN CALDWELL — as well as supplementing JUAN SAMU’s inimitable interior art!

Harley Quinn x Elvira #3

Preview: Harley Quinn x Elvira #2

Harley Quinn x Elvira #2

writers: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
artists: Juan Samu, Amanda Conner
covers: Amanda Conner (A), Chad Hardin (B), Joseph Michael Linsner (C), Ben Caldwell (D)
FC | All Cardstock Covers | 32 pages | Superhero/Horror/Humor | $4.99 | Teen+

When Elvira first met Harley Quinn, the Mistress of the Dark was desperate for any plan that could help her save her beloved TV show after it was threatened with cancellation by heartless corporate raiders. Well, the Clown Princess of Crime came up with a plan, all right, and now Elvira is along for the ride — no matter how crazy Harley’s scheme turns out to be!

Putting together the biggest Halloween block party ever staged is a great idea in theory, but pulling it off means raising a massive amount of money — and a pile of cash that big is sure to draw the attention of every thug and delinquent in the Tri-State area. If Harley and Elvira want to keep their party funds secure, they’re going to have to become too big to fail — and that means going international!

Famed Harley Quinn Whisperers AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI double down on the year’s most hotly anticipated crossover in Harley Quinn X Elvira #2, with Conner providing two captivating covers as well as several story pages to accompany artist JUAN SAMU’s interiors — all capped off by indecently alluring covers from JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER, CHAD HARDIN, and BEN CALDWELL!

Harley Quinn x Elvira #2

DC’s Harley Quinn and Elvira’s Halloween Bash Starts This August!

Dynamite Entertainment, DC, and Queen “B” Productions have announced the details and launch for the hotly anticipated crossover between two cherished superstars, Harley Quinn and Elvira Mistress of the DarkHarley Quinn X Elvira #1 releases this August.

Two of the biggest icons across pop culture, and inspirations to everyone who is a bit quirky, funny, macabre, and daring, are crossing paths this year and are joined by a who’s who of top creators and veteran contributors to their tales.

As the scintillating story begins, readers will meet a bored Harley Quinn — this is very bad news for everyone else! While Elvira is faced with an uncertain future as her TV show is under siege by suits and corporate cuts. When these two peerless pariahs cross paths, what follows will be the most ridiculous Halloween party ever seen — and never wanted!

The world-famous tag-team and comic book power couple of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti return once more to writing the cupid of crime. Their indelible chronicling of Harley’s wild rollercoaster ride of a life through the 2010s significantly added to the foundation from which the massively popular character stands on to this day across media. This new escapade with Elvira will feature the beloved Brooklyn backdrop and some fan-favorite characters from their hallowed DC Harley Quinn adventures.

In adding the Mistress of the Dark to the mix, they are joined by the wonderful Juan Samu. This inimitable illustrator returns to channeling the vivacious horror hostess, following his celebrated work on Elvira Meets Vincent Prince, back again for her next and perhaps biggest team-up to date. Samu will be pulling the heavy duty in bringing their scripts to the page, but as an exciting surprise, the one and only Amanda Conner will also be providing select interior artwork through the series!

As an incredible renaissance woman just like her two stars, Conner will be co-writing, contributing artwork, as well as TWO covers for each issue in this sizzling six issue event for the ages. She’s joined for this momentous meet-up by fellow cover artist superstars Joseph Michael Linsner and Ben Caldwell. Plus, covers by one of comics’ most scorching hot rising stars in Mark Spears, known for his hit Mark Spears’ Monsters series. Last but certainly not least, Jimmy and Amanda’s longtime Harley Quinn collaborator Chad Hardin also contributes covers!

Prez: Setting a Dangerous President is as amazing to read now as it was when it came out

Oregon teen Beth Ross has just been elected President of the United States of America. Age restrictions were abolished when corporations gained the right to run for office. Elections are now held on social media, and after a corndog accident makes Beth Ross go viral, a nation is shocked to wake up and find that “Corndog Girl” has just become their new president.

Story: Mark Russell
Art: Ben Caldwell
Ink: Mark Morales
Color: Jeremy Lawson
Letterer: Travis Lanham

Get your copy in comic shops! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon
Kindle


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Mark Russell and Ben Caldwell’s Prez gets a new release with new content

Prez: Setting a Dangerous President

Timed for the election year, Mark Russell and Ben Caldwell‘s Prez returns with a new edition and additional bonus content. Prez: Setting a Dangerous President features the original six-issue series from 2016 that featured Russell, Caldwell, and Dominike “Domo” Stanton. It also features a new original story from Russell and Caldwell and includes a short story from the 2016 Catwoman: Election Night one-shot, plus the original Prez Sneak Peek from 2015’s DC You publishing initiative.

Prez: Setting a Dangerous President introduces readers to fast-food worker Beth Ross, against the backdrop of a national meltdown and the 2046 presidential elections. Due to a hilarious combination of events and a video of Beth getting her hair caught in a deep fryer, the 19-year-old viral sensation known as “Corndog Girl” becomes the youngest commander-in-chief in United States history. In a nation where corporations can run for office, the poor are used as human billboards, and tacos are delivered by drone, is the social-media sensation ready for politics, and is politics ready for her?

Prez: Setting a Dangerous President arrives June 4.

Preview: Vampirella Strikes #7

Vampirella Strikes #7

Writer: Tom Sniegoski
Artist: Jonathan Lau
Covers: Lucio Parrillo (A), Stephen Segovia (B), Junggeun Yoon (C), Ben Caldwell (D), Cosplay / Rachel Hollon (E)
32 pages | Horror | $3.99 | Teen+

VAMPIRELLA HAS INFILTRATED THE CHAOS CULT, ONLY TO FACE THE DEADLY QUEEN OF HEARTS!
It has been fifteen years since the death of Mistress Nyx and the world in slowly recovering, but this isn’t a world that we’ve ever seen before. This is a world where the natural and the supernatural have merged to create a dangerous new place-a world very much in need of Vampirella. Wearing the guise of a Chaos Cult leader, Vampirella has infiltrated a special meeting of the highest order. What plans does the insidious demon cult have for the unsuspecting world and what do they have to do with the return of one of Vampirella’s most dangerous enemies, the blood red Queen of Hearts? Enter the world of Vampirella Strikes under a series of amazing artist by returning superstar artists Lucio Parrillo, Stephen Segovia, Junggeun Yoon, plus another stunning cosplay cover featuring Rachel Hollon!

Vampirella Strikes #7

Preview: Vampirella Strikes #6

Vampirella Strikes #6

Writer: Tom Sniegoski
Artist: Jonathan Lau
Covers: Lucio Parrillo (A), Stephen Segovia (B), Junggeun Yoon (C), Ben Caldwell (D), Cosplay / Ireland Reid (E)
32 pages | Horror | $3.99 | Teen+

Having fulfilled her role in Vengeance, Vampirella is now posed to Strike in an all-new series arising from the post-apocalyptic ashes of Dynamite’s
Vengeance of Vampirella series! It has been fifteen years since the death of Mistress Nyx and the world in slowly recovering, but this isn’t a world that we’ve ever seen before. This is a world where the natural, and the supernatural have merged to create a dangerous new place — a world very much in need of Vampirella. Whispers on the street of Sepulcher City talk of evil on the rise. The Cult of Chao is up to something big – but what? A secret meeting of the Cult’s highest ranking officials is about to occur in a Romanian castle where their plans will be revealed, a meeting that Vampirella must attend — but how? The answer to this question is revealed in the pulse pounding, first issue of this latest Vampirella Strikes story arc. Enter the world of Vampirella Strikes under a series of amazing artist by returning superstars Lucio Parillo, Stephen Segovia, Jung-Geun Yoon, and another stunning cosplay cover — featuring Ireland as Vampirella!

Vampirella Strikes #6
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