Subtitle: Ghosts, Gondolas, Bisexuals, Cowboys, and Criticism: This Week’s Kickstarter Grab Bag
The Beat wanted to do a bit more for this week’s round-up, especially for PRIDE month. Here’s a list of up-and-coming projects from LGBTQIA+ creators on their platforms!
NO SAINTS NOR POETS #1-3: an Adventure-Romance BL Comic
Creators: Tightrope Press (Publisher), IOLANDA ZANFARDINO (Writer/Artist), MARTINA BELLI (Artist), ILARIA CHIOCCA (Colorist)
Goal: $4,062
End Date: June 18, 2026
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $9, the physical copy for $14, the variant copy for $19, and/or the art print set for $27!
A Chaotic Adventure-Romance Comic Full of Sea Monsters, Illegal Motor-gondola Races, Pride, Faith and Love triangles.
Readers should be interested in No Saints Nor Poets because it is a fresh blend of adventure, romance, and fantasy while exploring meaningful themes that impact and feel relevant today. Set in the flooded city of Serena, the series follows Flynn and Pierre as they navigate class division, faith, identity, and complicated relationships against a backdrop of sea monsters, illegal motor-gondola races, and political tension, something that many readers can relate to a little too well today. What makes the project especially interesting is its commitment to queer representation that goes beyond a stereotype. The characters are allowed to be fully realized people with dreams, flaws, struggles, and ambitions; you cant help but love them for who they are. Created by acclaimed writer Iolanda Zanfardino and brought to life by a talented creative team, No Saints Nor Poets delivers a captivating story that celebrates love, self-discovery, and the courage to be authentic.
Become a backer here.
Jax: The Reaper #1 —A Love Letter to the Early 2000’s
Creators: Husband and Husband (Publisher)
Goal: $10,000
End Date: June 19, 2026
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $6, the physical copy for $12, a signed cover for $30, and/or at higher tiers, get the print set for $49.
Limited comic book series from the MY REAPER BOYFRIEND universe following the escapades of Jax the Reaper in his early 2000’s emo era
Jax: The Reaper combines supernatural horror, queer drama, and early 2000s nostalgia into a story about ambition, temptation, and identity. Set during the rise of internet culture, the comic follows Jax, a reaper determined to escape the underworld, as he offers a struggling musician the chance at fame and success. Of course, a dream opportunity quickly becomes a dangerous bargain with consequences that threaten the protagonist’s soul. The thing is, this series really captures the excitement of the early social media era while exploring the desire for recognition, the price of success, and the choices people make as they chase their dreams. It really asks the question of just how far are you willing to go to accomplish your dreams. Fans of dark fantasy, character-driven stories, and LGBTQ+ representation will find plenty to love in this story, and whether readers are already familiar with the My Reaper Boyfriend universe or discovering it for the first time, Jax: The Reaper offers one hell of a starting point.
Become a backer here.
Bi Visibility: Bi Bi Bi – A Bisexual Comic Book Anthology
Creators: Lifeline Comics (Publisher)
Goal: $30,000
End Date: July 2nd, 2026
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $15,the softcover for $30, the hardcover for 440, and/or at higher tiers get the stickers and pin bundle for $45!
Exploring: Gender Identity, Bi Erasure, Demisexuality, Bi Rep in Media, Tabletop, Sports, Frankenstein, Post-Apocalyptic, and more!
Bi Visibility: Bi Bi Bi is the kind of anthology that reminds readers just how powerful comics can be, collecting 21 brand-new stories from an impressive lineup of creators. The project explores bisexuality through everything from fantasy and horror to romance, comedy, sports, and slice-of-life stories. What immediately stands out is just the sheer variety on display. Every story brings a different perspective; representation is at the heart of the anthology, but it never comes at the expense of telling engaging stories filled with humor, emotion, adventure, and so much heart. Just scrolling through the campaign reveals an incredible amount of talent and passion behind the project, with each creative team bringing something unique to the table. For readers looking for authentic LGBTQ+ stories, diverse voices, and a graphic novel packed with memorable characters and experiences, Bi Visibility: Bi Bi Bi looks like an anthology well worth adding to the shelf.
Become a backer here.
DEVIL’S CLAIM: A Western Horror Zine
Creators: The Velvet Compote (Publisher)
Goal: $10,000
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!
An illustrated anthology where 70+ creators reimagine the American frontier through the lens of horror, folklore, and the macabre.
Devil’s Claim asks what happens when the myths of the American frontier collide with ghosts, monsters, curses, and darker supernatural forces? This illustrated anthology brings together more than 70 creators to reimagine the Wild West through the lens of horror, folklore, and the macabre, resulting in a project that looks packed with creativity. Just from the campaign page alone, the artwork is gorgeous, showcasing everything from haunted landscapes and eerie spirits to unsettling creatures lurking beyond the frontier. What makes the project especially interesting is that it comes from The Velvet Compote, a queer-led collective with a proven track record of producing ambitious collaborative artbooks. Rather than simply romanticizing the Old West, Devil’s Claim uses horror to explore the violence, greed, and displacement that shaped the era, giving the anthology a depth that goes beyond spooky imagery. For fans of horror art, western folklore, and creator-driven anthologies, this looks like a hauntingly unique project worth keeping an eye on.
Become a backer here.
The Comics Courier, A Comics Criticism Journal [Issue 4]
Creators: Tiffany Babb (Editor), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Designer)
Goal: $4,500
End Date: June 30, 2026
Goodies: Get the digital copy for $5, a physical copy for $9, the bundle for $22, or at higher tiers get the postcard bundle for $28!
A newspaper-format journal dedicated to in-depth comics criticism edited by Tiffany Babb
As someone who spends a lot of time reading and writing about comics, I love seeing projects dedicated to comics criticism, and The Comics Courier fills a niche that feels increasingly rare. Made to be a tabloid-sized newspaper format, the journal offers something different from the fast-moving discourse that dominates online spaces. they actually create room for thoughtful, in-depth essays, reviews, and interviews that readers can sit with and enjoy at their own pace. What makes this fourth issue especially exciting is the caliber of talent involved, from critics and journalists across the industry to editor Tiffany Babb, whose work has helped shape modern comics criticism through outlets like The Comics Journal, Popverse, and the Eisner Award-winning PanelxPanel. Babb has become one of the most recognizable voices in comics journalism, a comic queer icon, and her passion for the medium is evident throughout the project. For readers who love comics not just as entertainment but as an art form worth discussing, analyzing, and celebrating, The Comics Courier is the kind of publication that deserves support.
Become a backer here.
For more from The Beat’s Crowdfunding Round-Up, check out our archived posts here!
