The following is an interview with writer Ernie Altbacker (Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires) regarding his recent return to Kickstarter for the second issue of the comic book series, Area 51 Studios. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Altbacker about what readers will have in store with the latest issue, the incredible backer rewards available to supporters of the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: You recently returned to Kickstarter to crowdfund the second issue in the Area 51 Studios series. Where will readers pick up in this issue with their favorite intergalactic reality show?
Ernie Altbacker: We ended Issue #1 after “producer extraordinaire” Zephril Boon comically gathered (some might say “kidnapped”) his actors, signed them to incredibly binding contracts, and then said, “Showtime!” with his signature finger snap. But we didn’t actually see his show begin. In Issue #2 we see the show he’s broadcasting to the galaxy, and it’s just this cheesy reality show with his actors in an RV in the desert. We also up the stakes at the studios themselves when ZB (as he’s known to friend and frenemy alike) is stabbed in the back by a producing partner that he himself was going to stab in the back. The other producer, in this case a gelatinous Bloort, was just quicker to the stab. Basically, Issue #2 has more aliens, more worlds, bigger stakes, and, of course, more scheming by ZB!
BD: You are reuniting with artist Josh White to craft this incredibly fun series and its characters. Do you feel that you have developed a creative “short hand” in working with one another for each new issue?
EA: Creating this issue, and this Kickstarter, has been much smoother. We didn’t know anything last time, so we made all these easy-to-avoid mistakes. For example, we had eight (8) followers when we began our campaign, all friends I had put in. Apparently, that’s less than an optimal number of followers. Like, laughably and woefully bad. So, we had more this time and that worked out better for Day 1 of the campaign. We are proudly making second-timer, different mistakes, so that’s an improvement, right?
BD: Having successfully funded the Kickstarter campaign for the first issue, what were the most exciting and challenging aspects of running a campaign?
EA: The first day is exciting, when you cross the finish line and fund the campaign – that was a feeling of happiness and relief. Those were both great. The most challenging was doing social media. I had studiously avoided ever touting anything I did before this in my animation writing career. I’m still a little queasy about it. And for the first few weeks, I wasn’t very good at doing it. Now, I think my posts are more concise and funny. So, if it’s decent and might someone laugh, heck, I’m a writer (supposedly), I should be able to do this. Doing these campaigns have forced me to learn this, and I think it’s for the good. Now, I’m not terrible at it and hope to get better.
BD: Are there any particular backer rewards for this new campaign that you would like to highlight for our readers?
EA: We had great success with a Draw-Me-In option for the first campaign. It was the highest-priced tier at $250, and four people actually took us up on it. For the second issue we ran a discount (which was very effective and we didn’t do it the first time). We sold all three Draw-Me-In spots for 20% off. Now, remember I said we’re making second-timer mistakes? When prices went back to “normal,” Josh and I hadn’t counted on that there would be three regularly-priced Draw-Me-Ins available. Getting four in the first issue was a bit hard for Josh. We had to re-panel some pages. So now, we could have six. Umm… whoops. But, if people take us up on it, it’ll be great for the campaign. “Lotta work for Josh, but he’s a gamer,” said the writer, who doesn’t have to do it.
BD: Are there any additional projects – past or current – that you would like to share for our readers?
EA: Not in the comic world, yet. I’m hoping to announce something soon, though. In the animated space, a movie I wrote five years ago finally came out. It’s called Aztec Batman or Batman Azteca, since it’s actually recorded in two languages with a Spanish version and an English dub. That project has been a long time coming, and it actually was theatrically released in Mexico in 500 theaters and finished #10 in box office and #3 in per screen average for all movies. It’s kind of unheard of for what is a direct-to-video project. I’m really happy it’s finally out and it’s found some success. But it’s been a looong road.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Area 51 Studios #2 and your other work?
EA: As readers of this article have learned, I now post regularly. I’m at Ernie Altbacker (the only one in the U.S.) on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For Area 51 Studios, we might still be in the second campaign when this comes out and that link is Area51comic.com/ks
And here is a secret link that will get you Fanbase Press discounts on the printed version of the first issue, and another for a discounted catch-up for printed Issues #1 and #2:
Comic: https://QIy2V2.short.gy/W6Yhir
Catchup: https://QIy2V2.short.gy/x3AHCA
Annnd—if you write a comment saying “Fanbase Press Interview #FreeStuff,” you will also get some bonus free stuff if you back anything printed. We’re thinking stickers, but who knows?
