The following is an interview with writer Nandor Shaffer regarding his return to Kickstarter to crowdfund issue #3 of the comic book series, Man-Child. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Shaffer about his shared creative process in bringing two different narrative timelines to life on the page, the incredible backer rewards available to supporters, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: You recently returned to Kickstarter to crowdfund the third issue of Man-Child. For those who may be finding the series for the first time, how would you describe its premise, and where will returning readers pick up with Rufus and the Monarch-Crier in this latest issue?
Nandor Shaffer: After the passing of Stan Lee in 2018, I felt the need to “give back” to the world and comics community what his imagination and creations gave to me growing up. Man-Child pays homage to the work and life of Stan Lee and is a tribute to the Marvel Age of comics brought about through his vision along with co-creators Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and other pioneers of the 1960s. Moreover, it is a commentary on modern-day comic book fandom, as well as an opportunity to put the widely used expression “man-child” on trial through the lens of the twenty-first century. Telling two separate storylines — one taking place in the innocent silver age superhero universe of the Monarch-Crier and the other in our mature world with comic book nerd Rufus Boston — Man-Child weaves the dream with the dreamer and fantasy with reality. There’s never been a better time to jump into this series and the reason why is because this is where both storylines begin to really take shape and find their footing! This will be a six-issue miniseries so we’re right at the crucial midpoint. The Monarch-Crier finds himself imprisoned on Professor Pilgrim’s private island as six of his most formidable foes — Summit, The Crane, Highness Helen, Ivory Horn, Bitter Pill, and Post-Man — are tasked with taking him out. Then, in our world, Rufus agrees to work at his LCS on a very eventful New Comic Book Day…not knowing he’ll be all on his own! And you know how us nerds are when it comes to getting our pulls exactly right! Haha.
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in bringing these two different timelines and sets of characters to life on the page?
NS: Very challenging! As you well know, comics are all about “real estate” (i.e., page count, how many panels per page, how many word balloons per panel, etc.), so trying to juggle both stories at the same time while giving the reader enough time to spend in each world per issue made things tricky from a narrative structure standpoint. As I began writing, I wanted each story in each 22 to 28-page issue to have enough meat on its bones, balancing the “dance” between them in a way that left the reader satisfied. It was also a priority of mine that the stories parallel each other more often than not in some fashion, whether those parallels are thematically subtle or quite obvious. Juxtaposing this idealized superhero world against the more mundane elements of the real world is what continued to interest and excite me, and I think emphasizing this contrast is one of the strongest selling points of the series. You’re essentially getting two stories in one! Thankfully, with a talented artist like Jay Mazhar at my side, he manages to be the glue that pieces it all together beautifully.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that this story may connect with readers?
NS: This series was created with superhero comic book fans of all stripes, colors, and generations in mind. While it leans into the mostly retired silver-age aesthetic and storytelling tropes of the 1960s, the modern-day beats with Rufus help to ground the series as a whole and act as a doorway into the joyously united (but sometimes divisive) world of fandom. The series tries to break new ground on that front while attempting to uphold the legacy of giants who’ve come before us in the comic book industry. If you’re looking for an honest, authentic representation of what it’s like to be a superhero fan or comic book fan in general, look no further than Man-Child. The title of issue three is “Wednesday Warrior” if that tells you anything!
BD: Are there any specific backer rewards that you’re most excited about with the Kickstarter campaign?
NS: I’m thrilled to spotlight the Steve Epting variant cover that will be available for pre-order! Steve is the co-creator of The Winter Soldier and worked on my favorite Captain America, Fantastic Four, and Avengers runs with writers like Ed Brubaker and Jonathan Hickman at Marvel. To be honest, I’m not sure if he’s ever done a cover for an indie Kickstarter comics project, so I’m extremely happy about having him a part of the Man-Child team! He’s also my favorite comic book artist of all time, so forgive me if I gush over him a little too much. It’s a dream come true. Of course, the previous two issues will be available so you can catch up on the series! On top of that, I’ll have my catalog of books available for purchase in what I like to call the “Foxhole Comics Bundle,” as well as rewards like owning an original inked sketch by Jay Mazhar, getting your name in the acknowledgments section of the book, and even getting drawn into the story itself! This campaign will feature our first-ever gatefold cover by Benjamin W. Morse, the creator of Scarlet Twilight and August: Purgatory Underground — two of my favorite indie books now available!
BD: Are there any other projects that you want to highlight for readers?
NS: There are so many great-looking projects launching alongside mine that will be running throughout October! I’d like to shout out Cam Kerkau’s Gilgamesh: Eternal, Chuck Saterlee’s Pots & Panels anthology project, Trevor Mueller’s Demon City, Jeff Schiller’s Magic Powder series…shall I go on? My wallet is going to HATE me at the end of October, hehe.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Man-Child #3 and your other work?
NS: I encourage everyone who wants to follow me on my comics journey to subscribe to my newsletter — foxholecomics.substack.com — and my YouTube channel — Foxhole Comics. My supernatural comic SEASONS is also available to read on MACROVERSE or WEBTOON for FREE, and we’ll be continuing that series in 2025 as we prepare for volume three.
I’m pretty easy to get a hold of and I love talking about my stories, so if anyone wants to chat or ask questions, I’m always down for those discussions. Crowdfunding has really changed my life and if it wasn’t for the support I’ve received through Kickstarter, I don’t think I’d still be here making comics. Every campaign’s success shows me that I’m providing readers something special, and it’s only because of them that I can keep on telling my stories. So, please back Man-Child #3 today! This is a project born out of grief over losing an icon (Stan Lee), and if there’s any way that I can share a glimpse of the heart and soul of what he and comics means to me through this series, then I’ll consider my mission to be accomplished. Action, adventure, romance, tragedy, and the perseverance to overcome through it all? This is comics to me. This is Man-Child to me.
