This one is a heavy-hitting week in indie comics and pop culture. You won’t want to miss this Crowdfunding Round-Up!
ARTillery – A graphic novel fighting back against AI!
Creators: Jimmie Robinson (Writer/Artist), Invader Comics (Publisher)
Goal: $3,000
End Date: July 6, 2026
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $10, the physical copy for $30, the completist tier for $50, or at higher tiers get the variant cover tier for $60, and much more!
A sentient AI has stolen humanity’s creativity, and three artists are given superpowers to defeat the AI and STEAL IT BACK!
Readers, in an age where AI seems to dominate so many aspects of life, it comes as a wonderful surprise when a new project comes out that reminds us why we do what we do. ARTillery follows a world where a sentient AI closes the gateways to all human art and creativity, and the Mona Lisa herself comes to life so she can grant three artists the abilities to transform their creations into weapons. In premise alone, that sounds insane, but to artists, to writers, to the patrons of the arts, it couldn’t be any more true, especially now. Make sure to check this campaign out before it’s too late; you won’t regret it.
Become a backer here.
The Big, Big Overstreet Guide to Grading Comics – 7th Edition
Creators: Robert M. Overstreet,Yolanda Ramirez, J.C. Vaughn
Goal: $3,000
End Date: July 17, 2026
Goodies: Get the early bird special for $65, the hardcover for $40, the paperback for 430, or at higher tiers get the retailer pack for $90
With the previous edition selling on eBay for over $100 on a regular basis, the time is now for a new edition of The Overstreet Guide To Grading Comics!
For comic collectors, retailers, and longtime fans of the hobby, there are few resources as respected as The Overstreet Guide to Grading Comics. Seriously. Whether you’re learning the fundamentals of comic grading or looking to sharpen your eye before buying, selling, or submitting books for professional grading, this new seventh edition is packed with practical knowledge, something needed now more than ever. Featuring more than 200 full-color examples, detailed explanations of the 10-point grading system, restoration and preservation tips, and profiles of third-party grading companies, it’s designed to be both an educational tool and a long-term reference. The oversized, full-color “Big, Big” edition also makes this a unique collector’s item, available exclusively through this campaign. If you’ve ever wanted to understand better what separates a Near Mint comic from a Very Fine copy or simply want one of the hobby’s most trusted references on your shelf, be sure to check out this Zoop campaign before it comes to a close.
Become a backer here.
Worlds Beyond Number: The Official Graphic Novel
Creators: Skybound (Publisher), Brennan Lee Mulligan (Co-Creator /Original Game Master/Writer/Performer (for the podcast)), Erika Ishii (Co-Creator/Original Cast Member/Ame), Aabria Iyengar (Co-Creator/Original Game Master & Cast Member/Suvi), Lou Wilson (Co-Creator/Original Cast Member/Eursulon/Spirit)
Goal: $25,000
End Date: July 15, 2026
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $20, the hardcover for $40, the retialers only tier for $40, and/or at higher tiers get the exclusive Wizard, Witch, and apprentice tiers for $60 each!
The hit fantasy podcast by Brennan Lee Mulligan, Erika Ishii, Aabria Iyengar, and Lou Wilson becomes a graphic novel from Skybound!
Even though this round-up is all about shining a light on independent creators and incredible original projects, every now and then something comes along that’s simply too special not to include. Worlds Beyond Number: The Official Graphic Novel takes the incredible storytelling of Brennan Lee Mulligan, Erika Ishii, Aabria Iyengar, and Lou Wilson and transforms it into something entirely new. The 240-page hardcover tells the story of how Suvi the Wizard, Ame the Witch, and Eursulon the Wild One first met, chronicling the unforgettable summer adventure that would shape the rest of their lives.
There’s something magical about watching Brennan Lee Mulligan weave a story alongside such an immensely talented cast, but there’s something equally powerful about being able to hold that story in your hands. Seeing those defining moments brought to life on the page gives them a permanence that feels incredibly special. It’s a book that every Worlds Beyond Number fan deserves on their shelf, but it’s also a love letter to tabletop storytelling itself and a reminder of just how powerful stories shared around a table can be.
All that power in the palm of your hand… Do not miss out on this, you won’t regret it.
Become a backer here.
BEING GORDY, A Situation Comedy #2
Creators: Dave Gordon (Writer/Illustrator)
Goal: $3,000
End Date: July 1, 2026
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $10, the physical copy for $40, the merch pack for $30, and/or at higher tiers get the art-book for $70!
Issue #2 — “The Call Of My Ancestors”
BEING GORDY is described as a situation comedy. To be honest, I had to look up exactly what that meant. Turns out, it’s one of those concepts that makes perfect sense the moment you start reading. This is the kind of comic that feels like sitting down for your favorite sitcom, except every laugh, awkward moment, and absurd twist is packed into a single, self-contained 40-page issue. Every installment works like its own television episode, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with that idea.
Issue #2 follows Gordy, a struggling New York comic creator whose life is thrown completely off the rails after a genealogy test claims he’s 98% Native American, sending him into an identity crisis that’s as ridiculous as it is surprisingly heartfelt. Inspired by everything from F-Troop to the satirical genius of Mel Brooks, BEING GORDY embraces classic television comedy while never losing sight of its characters. Gordy, Paige, and Max make the chaos feel grounded because underneath all the outrageous humor is a friendship that feels genuine. It’s weird, it’s funny, and it’s the kind of indie comic that reminds you how much personality creators can pack into just 40 pages.
Become a backer here.
The Comics Courier, A Comics Criticism Journal [Issue 4]
Creators: Ray Chou (Writer/Co-Creator), Vincenzo Ferriero (Writer/Co-Creator), Vinse Suriantoso (Artist)
Goal: $12,000
End Date: July 16, 2026
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $6, a physical copy for $12, the variant for $25, or at higher tiers get the variant bundle for $35!
Return to the post-magical wasteland and find the answers to ancient mysteries! The exciting conclusion to the second book of Glow.
Some comics build a world, Glow makes you want to get lost in one. Created by Ray Chou and Vincenzo Ferriero, Glow is a coming-of-age techno-fantasy set in a post-magical wasteland where every page feels like its alive.
The campaign returns for Glow #8, the conclusion to the series’ second story arc, following siblings Caszy and Koken as they continue their journey through a world shaped by ancient magic, impossible technology, and the mistakes of civilizations long gone. But what makes Glow stand out isn’t just its story alone, it’s the sheer amount of love poured into every corner of the world. From its breathtaking artwork to its fully realized rune-based language that appears throughout the comic, it rewards readers who slow down and take everything in.
It’s easy to see the influences of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Atlantis, and Dune, but Glow never feels like it’s borrowing from them. Instead, it carves out an identity all its own, balancing sweeping adventure with a deeply personal story about family, hope, and finding your place in a broken world. Whether you’ve been following the series from the beginning or are looking for your next indie fantasy obsession, this feels like one that’s more than worth the journey.
Become a backer here.
For more from The Beat’s Crowdfunding Round-Up, check out our archived posts here!
