So, I was shamed into writing this post by fellow AJSer Greg Hatcher. It all started a few days ago when I posted a link to this Kickstarter campaign, for a new installment of Impossible Jones in our back-channel communications platform.
When I pointed out that I had little else to say about it, besides “It’s really fun, you should read it,” Greg responded that he can usually spin a column out of any campaign he’s backing. I’m sure it wasn’t his intention, but I kind of saw it as his way of saying, “You’re just not trying hard enough, man.”
Anyway, the fact that this campaign met its funding target so rapidly actually inspired me to say a little something more about it.
I should start from the start, though. As I alluded to up top, this isn’t the first book featuring Impossible Jones – a kind of/sort of super-heroine created by Karl Kesel and David Hahn, and who’s reminiscent of Plastic Man and E-man – two all-time personal favorites of mine. The first book was released late last year after a similar Kickstarter campaign was launched in July 2019. That one, by the way, looked like it wasn’t even going to get funded, but – if I recall correctly – there was literally a last-day surge in pledges that pushed it well over the top.
On the other hand, this new campaign reached its initial funding goal of about $20,000 ($19,999 to be precise) in less than three days. That’s even though this time around it’s a standard, roughly 30-page comic book rather than a 150-page, hardbound graphic novel like the first one.
And that just fascinated me. When I posted a link to this campaign over the Classic Comics Forum right after it was announced, another member who contributed to the first one expressed some hesitation about supporting this one, because he found the price for the (physical) book a bit steep. I can understand his point of view (in my case, it didn’t really make a difference, since I always go for the e-book/pdf option. Postage to Croatia is way too high, and in the post-Covid 19 world, I’m additionally worried about the possibility of lost packages – that happened to two books I ordered from the US last year).
Interestingly enough, though, if you look over the number of pledges for various reward levels on the Kickstarter page, it’s obvious that there are quite a few people who don’t share the misgivings expressed by my fellow CCF-er. They were not only unfazed by the price of the book, they in fact were willing to commit pretty hefty sums, even hundreds of dollars in more than a few cases.
As for me, I’m just happy that I’ll have some more Impossible Jones to read.
Still not sure if Impossible Jones is for you? Then check out this link to an online Impossible Jones Christmas story that serves as a sampler.
If you like that and want to catch up on her previous adventures, Kesel also added several pledge options that include the pdf version of the first graphic novel to the current campaign. (Again, you can find the campaign at this Kickstarter link.)
It might not seem like there’s much point in giving a signal-boost to a Kickstarter that’s already met its funding goal, but I have my own selfish reason for doing so: you see, I’m hoping it’ll achieve its second stretch goal, which means an additional 4-page story starring Even Steven, one of the supporting characters in this new, Impossible Jones universe.
Anyway, if you need any further convincing, I have little more to say, except, “It’s really fun, you should read it.”
See, you got a whole post out of it!
I need to remember to look at this one. With my sweet sweet stimulus money coming soon, I could actually afford this. For some reason I didn’t catch the first book, but I really like both writer and artist, and the concept sounds fun. I did get the Karl Kesel trading cards last year on KS, which include Impossible Jones, but I still haven’t opened my package. I’m so weirdly OCD about this stuff!
I too love both Plas and E-Man. Great characters and concepts.
I’m holding out for the Impossible Jones / Impossible Man / Kim Possible crossover.
I will boycott that crossover unless it also includes Hanna-Barbera’s Impossibles and the Impossible Mission Force!
And I was that voice on CCF.
Don’t get me wrong. I really liked the graphic novel. Super fun light-hearted superhero romp.
But $14+shipping is a steep price for a regular format funnybook.
Yeah, I didn’t mention you by name/’nym, because I didn’t want to seem like I was picking on you – like I said, I can’t really say I disagree with your point.
By the way, I know there’s still three weeks to go, but I can’t help wondering if this campaign is going to play out just the opposite of the last one, because after that initial rush that pushed it past its funding goal, new pledges seem to be coming in at a snail’s pace. I’m starting to wonder if any of the stretch goals will be met.
It’s all good. I’m considering the PDF option. I honestly did like the GN quite a bit. And, as I recall, it wasn’t one of those Kickstarters that languished forever. If they were doing this as another GN, even a softcover, I’d be all over it.
Pricey for a single issue but I’ll check out the short, then think about the hardback.