The following is an interview with writer/illustrator Christie Shinn regarding her recent return to Kickstarter for the graphic novel, PEN_15 HERE. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Shinn about why Kickstarter has been such a valuable resource for comic book creators, the incredible backer rewards available through the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: You recently returned to Kickstarter for the launch of a new graphic novel in your fan-favorite series, Demon Bitch. For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you tell us about this character, and where will readers pick up in this latest installment?
Christie Shinn: Demon Bitch is a low-level demon from the 13th pit of Hell where people throw their dog shit and gum wrappers! She heralds the second coming of Armageddon, but the first one never happened because she is DUMB. She’s based on people I despise.
Currently, I am doing a Kickstarter funding another graphic novel, PEN_15 Here, with artistic offerings from Mog Park – official illustrator of Game of Thrones, Zorilita – the official artist of My Little Pony, Lawrence “Rawdog” Hubbard of Real Deal Comix, and many more! I’ll be releasing a kid friendly book called Demon B Meets ‘Mr. F Word’ where your name and personal identity actually MEAN something! There’s actually NO swearing or adult situations in here! All books come personally signed and other merchandise in its offerings.
BD: How would you describe your creative process in bringing this character to life on the page, given that you are balancing the writing and illustrative duties?
CS: I just think of something. It’s like an idea or something that pissed me off. To be fair, I don’t try to overthink it, as overthinking it tends to make the point not come across well. I’ll get this picture and words in my head and BAM I throw it out on paper. It’s like a big GO.
BD: Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter have provided a wonderful opportunity for creators of all mediums to reach new audiences. What encouraged you to utilize Kickstarter, and how do you feel that it has helped independent creators?
CS: I think the algorithm and community itself. There are so many people that want to help the process. You can do things to spread your outreach easily ON Kickstarter. What I find useful is the platform ITSELF, as their SEO and algorithms are very efficient into people that may not initially know your work – it will guide them there.
The only factor that I DO NOT find helpful is the social media itself repressing the word of an actual Kickstarter LINK going out there. There is also constant interference where they will randomly suppress DMs and such – even if you’re not talking about it to that friend of yours. People can ask about paying for ads – but to be quite fair, they’re broken and quite unintuitive.
BD: Are there any particular backer rewards that you would like to highlight within the campaign?
CS: There’s a few. I’ve spoken about the personalized graphic novel and children’s book offerings. What you get IN ADDITION are these already included in my campaign!
A personalized, rude as hell, and most likely gross thank you message directly from Kickstarter once you back.
The ‘I Am Shitbird’ pin where people can pretend to be Shitbird as some people like to think it’s all about them. Stretch goals will be an ‘I Am Demon Bitch’ pin and a blank one. There are stickers and patch iterations of these stupid things.
Then, there’s ‘Blenderfuck’ – another iteration of someone else thinking that it’s them. They told me that I should do something absolutely obscene by a blender and so I obliged by drawing this. It’s available in a magnet, sticker, and patch form – so whatever your freaking stupid imagination is – go for it!
There’s a free reading pack that involves the work of Rob Kirsch (Turner Family Terrors), Daphne Lage (Egoraven), and Steven Prince (Monster Matador) – and the list is growing per day.
As part of the features of the campaign, you get rewarded additionally for backing both digital/physical campaigns of BOTH Rob’s and mine, you’ll get a free designed print that you’ll get. So, if you back digital on BOTH of our campaigns – you will get a digital version and vice versa; however, the physical would be signed by the two of us.
BD: Are there any other upcoming projects on which you are working that you are able to share with our readers?
CS: When I have a moment, I’ll be working on volume 2 of Sepulchre and I have a tarot deck already finished so I’ll go with that in another Kickstarter.
I also have a drawstream on my YouTube channel called ‘Lunch Hour: Reheated’ that you can see me draw for a couple of hours on Wednesdays from 12-2 p.m./PST.
Also, the Demon Bitch video game is currently in production. You can sign up and win free stuff here.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Demon Bitch?
CS: Support the Kickstarter! Go online and go to her webtoon and take a peek through the utter awfulness that I see. Also, you’re welcome to hit me up personally on my website: www.HoraToraStudios.com.
