"I like that this project is reaching out to creators and giving them a chance they might not get without it," said Lijewski. "I also like the idea of spreading the work of independent artists and creators who may not be able to go a mainstream route with their non-mainstream ideas."
PowFlip also echoed this sentiment, mentioning that the current U.S. "indie" publishing scene hasn't quite embraced the fact that there's a generation of artists who are heavily influenced by Japanese and European comics, but aren't necessarily drawing "Ameri-manga" -- they're creating something that's different and new.
"There's a new wave of comic art and artists that is starting to gain momentum right now, and publishers are just not cued into what is going on so they don't tend to pay these new artists much attention," he said. "There's sort of this expectation of what "indy" or alternative comics look like, that draws heavily on the past of those genres in the U.S. - so now that kids are picking up and playing with conventions and styles that draw more from European and Japanese comics (instead of just copying R. Crumb) - they just don't get it."
He continued, "And while there's good reason to be afraid of psuedo-manga, nobody seems to get that this new wave of artists who've been inspired by foreign comics is what alternative American comics ARE these days. There's just no appreciation for it in the industry. Sure there have been a few artists taking these influences and running with them like Corey Lewis or Becky Cloonan, but there aren't much."
Anna Bongiovanni, Minneapolis-based creator of Gehenna had this to add about what makes F*X*T special. "Fawn is treating the artists with real respect. She's not trying to get us to make as much as possible for as little as possible. I think she's really concerned about quality when it comes to the magazine so when people buy it, they can be assured it's a worthy purchase."
KICKSTARTING F*X*T WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM ONLINE FRIENDS
"We've already confirmed our lineups both for the ongoing series and also the one-shots," said Lau, "but we are still accepting illustration applications for our illustration sections. If Kickstarter succeeds, I hope to be able to include more illustrators. If year one of F*X*T succeeds, I hope to include more creators for year two."
But before she can layout or publish a single page, Lau (and F*X*T) needed funds. So what did she do? She tapped into the power of an online micro-financing site, Kickstarter. She set a goal of $10,000, and asked for supporters to donate a few dollars to get this project going. In return for this initial infusion of capital, Lau is offering incentives to supporters, like buttons, prints and copies of the first issue when it gets printed. Pledge amounts start at $1 and provide different "thank you" gifts in return for various pledge amounts, from $10, $25, $50 and upwards to $300 as the top level.
She isn't the first comics creator to use Kickstarter to fund her project. James Kochalka (American Elf, Monkey vs. Robot), and Becky Dreistadt (Tigerbuttah) used Kickstarter to get their books published and Newsarama recently profiled Mitch Gerads and Mike Dillion (Johnny Recon) and Steve Bryant (Athena Voltaire), who also financed their respective comic book projects through Kickstarter.
If F*X*T reaches its fundraising goal, Kickstarter investors can expect to see the first issue appear in their mailboxes on or shortly before January 2011. Otherwise, readers can order issues of F*X*T online, purchase them from the participating artists at various comics shows, or look for them at select bookstores and comics shops.
"FIXING" FRUSTRATION WITH MAINSTREAM PUBLISHING, D.I.Y. STYLE
So why call it "F*X*T?" "This project has been in my head in one way or another for a couple of years but somehow I'm always the one waiting to be asked to do something," explained Lau. "I've always loved participating in projects when people ask me to, but getting older though, I realized I can't wait for someone to allow me to do it, I can't wait for someone to ask me to make this thing I want to make, so I forced myself to "fix" my way of thinking. I had to "fix it" myself to get it done."
"In life I make it a point not to curse, so the spelling of F*X*T came from the usual way of bleeping expletives since I would always 'bleep' myself," she laughed. "...plus it looks nice I think? It begins with an F! My name begins with an F! Decision made!"
The other decisions that have already been made for the first issue of F*X*T is its line-up of artists and stories. Here's what's scheduled for F*X*T issue 1:
- Creator spotlight/interview with Christy Lijewski
Lijewski will also create the cover art for the first issue of F*X*T. - Plastic by Mia Schwartz (continuing series)
2 Girls, 1 Trip - When you live in a world of cartoon logic, what kind of life would you lead? - Tracks by PowFlip (continuing series)
A cliché story about love and death, and death. When Elise moves with her father into the family's old countryside bungalow - she finds herself a victim of unbearable ennui. The only thing within miles providing even the faintest amusement is the expired penny candies at the local general store. That is, until she meets a mysterious young man... - Gehenna by Anna Bongiovanni (continuing series)
Growing up is never easy, but Gehenna is not an escape. Rather than grow up, Erik's older sister Maddie's spirit flees to the underworld of Gehenna, but Erik must confront rats, ghosts and an Owl as well as his own fears of becoming an adult to rescue her. - Musik Non Stop by Helen Cho / MBP (continuing series)
Why do YOU rock? Four musicians, four lies, four different agendas and one big pile of money. Also, music! - Beastie Lore by Sloane Leong (one-shot story)
A few young, mythical creatures try to survive an era that has little imagination by attempting to live and pass as plain ol' humans themselves. Transgressinal cuteness abounds.
You can still support F*X*T by visiting their website at www.fixit-mag.com/ for more information about how to order your copy of this new magazine, or how you can contribute artwork to upcoming issues.
