The following is an interview with Elijah Joseph on launching a Kickstarter campaign for the comic book anthology, Print Is Not Dead, in collaboration with HeyyComics. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Joseph about his shared creative process in bringing the stories and characters to life on the page, the incredible backer rewards available through the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent launch of your Kickstarter campaign! What can you share with us about the overall premise of the collection?
Elijah Joseph: Thank you! It’s been a massive labor of love (emphasis on labor). Print Is Not Dead is a 120-page anthology featuring over 20 stories, illustrated by artists from around the world. It’s inspired by manga digests and Stephen King’s short story collections, but it’s not just horror… you’ll find action, fantasy, sci-fi, comedy, and more. It’s a little bit of everything for everyone.
BD: What can you tell us about your shared creative process in working with artists to bring your stories to life on the page, as well as your thematic approach to crafting a complementary collection of stories?
EJ: That’s a loaded question, but I’ll keep it short. The most time-consuming part was going through over a thousand portfolios to find the perfect artist for each story. I even had a small “collaboration test:” I asked applicants to put two smiley faces at the end of their message. If they did, I knew they paid attention to detail and would likely be a great collaborator.
As for the theme, there’s no single narrative thread tying the stories together. The collection itself is the theme, a love letter to discovery. It’s for anyone who remembers channel surfing late at night or digging through back issues at a comic shop and stumbling on something unexpected. That said, most of the stories do explore the human condition, even if the characters aren’t human at all.
BD: Why do you feel that crowdfunding has been such a valuable resource to ensuring the success of today’s comic book creators?
EJ: Crowdfunding lets you tell stories that the big publishers wouldn’t touch. You get to keep your voice intact and share unique stories you can’t find anywhere else. Diving into the crowdfunding community has been inspiring, the variety of comics out there is incredible, and that’s what excites me most as both a creator and a fan.
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 collection’s stories may connect with and impact readers?
EJ: At HeyyComics, our tagline evolved from “endless possibilities” to “stories for story lovers.” My goal with every story is to leave an impact, whether it makes someone laugh, rethink their worldview, or feel seen. Those are the kinds of stories that shaped me as a reader, and it’s my mission to create them for others.
BD: In light of the crowdfunding campaign, are there any particular backer rewards that you would like to highlight for our readers?
EJ: The most important reward is the physical book, after all, the title is Print Is Not Dead. Help me prove it by grabbing a copy you can hold in your hands.
That said, there’s also a high-tier “goofy” reward, where I personally hand-deliver your book and goodies. It’s part fan experience, part personal bucket-list moment for me — and yes, we’ll make it worth your while.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to share with our readers?
EJ: Absolutely! Two main ones that are up on my site right now are:
Wand For Hire: An urban fantasy about a freelancing witch. Think gigworking/Uber Eats driver if they were a witch. Inspired by Brooklyn 99 meets Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Z-List Hero: A story that takes a step away from the heroes saving the world and puts the focus on the ones who have lame powers and try their absolute best to still be a hero in their own way. Inspired by the office, the tick, and the boys.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell readers who want to learn more about the Print Is Not Dead campaign and your other work?
EJ: If you love stories, heyycomics.com is the place for you. No matter if you like novels, movies, TV shows, comics, or manga, if you enjoy stories with character depth, interesting storylines, world building, and character relationships, then each title has something for you.
