This one is a heavy-hitting week in indie comics and pop culture–you won’t want to miss this Crowdfunding Round-Up!
PuddleJumpers Issue #2 – SciFi Adventures In A Flooded World
Creators: Vicky Chen (Artist), Alex Blott (Writer), Buddy Beaudoin (letterer)
Goal: $4,688
End Date: April 29, 2026
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $6, the physical for $14, the sticker bundle for $30, the poster bundle for $50, or at higher tiers get the everything bundle for $61, and much, much, more!
Explore a flooded frontier from the cockpits of adventurous couriers. If some long-held grudges don’t keep them from even taking off…
There is a sort of tension before the story even starts for PuddleJumpers: Byron, our protagonist, is heading back to a place he clearly left on bad terms. The tension only builds from there and lets it sit, forcing every interaction to feel a little off, a little unresolved. The job he’s chasing might promise something better, but it comes with people who haven’t forgotten who he was. That’s where the story really lives, in the awkward reunions, the side-eyes, and the feeling that things could fall apart at any second. The flooded world and courier setup give it an engrossing backdrop, but it never loses focus on the characters trying to navigate it. There’s a natural rhythm to how it all plays out, helped a lot by expressive art that sells both the humor and the friction. With more pages expanding the cast and a clear push toward full color, this is a series that’s finding its groove and getting more confident with it. It had to go up on the round-up.
Become a backer here.
HOW TO TOUCH GRASS: Comics to get you outside! [Relaunch]
Creators: Joamette Gil (Lead Editor, Designer), Mutltiple creators (Anthology series)
Goal:
End Date May 7, 2026
Goodies: Get a digital copy for $15, the physical book for $30, the full price book for $42, or at higher tiers get the bookmark+Sticker bundle for $49, and much more!
A humongous, full-color comics anthology about the joys (and stakes!) of going outside.
There’s a lot going on here, but it never feels scattered. You’ve got over 300 pages packed with voices that actually care about what they’re saying, and that comes through fast. The mix of humor, personal stories, and practical stuff like foraging or community building keeps it from feeling preachy or dry. It reads like people trying to reconnect in real time, not talk about it from a distance.
The lineup alone makes it worth paying attention to. A huge range of creators bringing in different perspectives means the book keeps shifting in tone and style, which helps it stay engaging the whole way through. It also feels intentional in how it ties bigger ideas like burnout and isolation back to something physical and immediate.
If you want something that feels lived in and actually useful, this is an easy one to back.
Become a backer here.
The Comics Staple – A Comics News Zine
Creators: Tiffany Babb (Editor), Rest of the Team: Dave Baker, David Harper, David Brothers, Douglas Wolk, Jim McDermott, Susana Polo, Zack Quaintance, Rob Salkowitz, Oliver Sava, Omar Valdivieso
Goal: $7,000
End Date: April 30, 2026
Goodies: Get the six-month print subscription for $15, the digital subscription for $15, the merch pack for $30, or at higher tiers, get the sponsor tier for $125!
A brand-new, monthly zine featuring news, reviews, and interviews for comics fans who want to stay in the loop. Edited by Tiffany Babb
Keeping up with comics right now can feel like a mess, and this cuts straight through that. You’re getting a steady stream of news, criticism, and interviews from people who actually know the space, all packaged into something you can sit down and read without bouncing between tabs. The team is stacked with heavy hitters in comics media today, from critics and writers to editors with years of experience, and that shows in the range. It hits manga, indie books, superhero stuff, and everything in between without losing focus.
Having Tiffany Babb at the center of it is a huge part of the appeal. Her work on The Comics Courier has been some of the best print journalism comics media has seen in a while, something akin to a full comics magazine but delivered in a newspaper format. That kind of consistency and editorial voice carries over here, making this series a reliable and exciting addition to your mailbox.
The format helps too. Twelve pages, once a month, consistent. It’s easy to keep up with and doesn’t demand more time than it needs. There’s also something satisfying about getting this physically, it feels intentional, something you keep instead of scroll past. If you want to stay plugged in without digging for it, this does the work for you.
This kind of project is something I have to give my highest recommendation to; you will not regret it.
Become a backer here.
REAL LIFE COMIX: Only in New York
Creators: Dean Haspiel (Co-Creator), Doug Latino (Co-Creator), and more than 30 creatives!
Goal: $20,000
End Date: May 8, 2026
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $20, the physical copy for $35, the book plus print bundle for $60, or at higher tiers get the bodega tier for $120, and much more!
51 tales of true NY stories
Real Life Comix: Only in New York is a hardcover anthology featuring 51 short, true-life stories capturing the chaos, humor, and heart of New York City. Co-edited by veteran creators Dean Haspiel and Doug Latino, it brings together an incredible mix of established and emerging voices, including cartoonists from The New Yorker, MAD, and American Splendor, alongside artists and writers from comics, literature, art, film, and music. Contributors include Roz Chast, Drew Friedman, Ben Katchor, Barbara “Willy” Mendes, Keith Knight, Julia Wertz, and many more.
This anthology stands out because projects like this do not come around often. It offers a vibrant, unfiltered view of the city through multiple perspectives, from humorous and surreal to nostalgic and unforgettable. With a cover by Maria and Peter Hoey, a preface by Karen Green of Columbia University, and a foreword plus two illustrated contributions by Drew Friedman, it is a true testament to the power of personal comics storytelling.
Reward tiers range from a digital copy for $20 to deluxe bundles including prints, additional books, and virtual or in-person experiences with the editors and contributors for $200–$500. Delivery is expected between August and September 2026. This is an anthology you do not want to miss.
Become a backer here.
Together From Afar: A How to Train Your Dragon Tribute Exhibition/SAVA presents: Sanjay Patel & Friends
Creators: Gallery Nuclues (Artist Exhibition)
End Date: April 11-26, 2026
Vikings of Berk! Gallery Nucleus, in collaboration with Popcore and Universal, are pleased to present “Together From Afar: A How to Train Your Dragon Tribute Exhibition” in celebration of this beloved animated franchise’s 15th anniversary./SAVA (South Asians in Visual Arts) and Gallery Nucleus are pleased to welcome artist and animator Sanjay Patel & Friends, a new art exhibition featuring a collection of fantastic South Asian artists and illustrators! Packed with color and bursting to the seams with imagination, this exhibition will demonstrate the vast talent within the South Asian arts community.
Something a little different this time! Gallery Nucleus in Los Angeles is celebrating two incredible art exhibitions this April in Alhambra, California. Together From Afar: A How to Train Your Dragon Tribute Exhibition honors the 15th anniversary of this beloved animated franchise. Running from April 11 to April 26, the show features new artwork from an array of talented artists, with a reception on April 11 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Free and open to all ages, this exhibit includes early online presales for Patreon members and offers an exclusive chance to see and purchase new pieces before the general public.
At the same time, SAVA (South Asians in Visual Arts) presents Sanjay Patel & Friends, spotlighting South Asian artists and illustrators across animation, illustration, and visual storytelling. Also on display April 11 to 26, the opening reception runs from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, featuring chai, samosas, and henna painting. Sanjay Patel and select artists will be available for signings during the event.
Both exhibitions offer rare opportunities to experience fresh, original artwork and connect directly with the artists. Events like these do not come around often and are not to be missed for art lovers and collectors alike. With such limited time make sure to check it out before its too late!
Check out HTTYD here and Sanjay Patel & Friends here!
‘Troubled detective’ anthology graphic novel.
Creators: Asante Amani (Writer/Artist)
Goal: $1,000
End Date: May 1, 2026
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $5, the physical copy for $15, the bundle for $20, or at higher tiers get a signed copy for $50, and much more!
A 92 page, comic anthology of black and white short detective stories.
Asante Amani writes that they are an artist/writer of little renown, I’m hoping this can help fix that. In short, I cant help but be enamored with Troubled Detective; it was pointed out to me by a friend, and I haven’t been able to stop looking at the Kickstarter page. The story follows troubled Detective Joe Mallard, a modern private detective facing the pressures and alienation of contemporary life. Each story explores how living in today’s world can wear on a person, blending classic crime noir with sharply observed modern realities. With six mini-comics and one 26-page centerpiece, the anthology balances suspense, style, and emotional depth, giving Mallard a relatable humanity rarely seen in detective fiction. You don’t get to see comics this weird (in the best way) often, and I would be remiss not to mention it on the round-up. Make sure you don’t miss it.
Become a backer here.
For more from The Beat’s Crowdfunding Round-Up, check out our archived posts here!
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