Originally a novella by the godfather of horror H.P. Lovecraft, 'Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath' has received a modern update courtesy of journalist and amateur illustrator Jason Thompson. There's only one problem: a complete run of printed comics is a steep investment, though you could help solve that issue.
As with other Kickstarter projects, Thompson hopes to raise $10,000 in order to cover printing fees for his comic book adaptation. Having eclipsed the halfway point, the artist is appealing to Lovecraft fans to help him cross the home stretch. As an avid student of both the American horror genre and the comic medium, I've done my part to help realize this dream by donating. The personal touches Thompson added to the original Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath make the graphic novel adaptation so compelling. Whereas the devils, ghouls and fiends that populate the narrative are scary as ever, the protagonist Randolph Carter is a cute, relatable cartoon -- the effect is genius!
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Crowdfunding Comics
- Consumer willingness to fund creative comic projects creates opportunities for amateur illustrators to publish their work.
- Modernization of Literary Classics
- Updating classic novels with modern illustrations appeals to contemporary audiences and creates opportunities for derivative works.
- Personalized Imagery in Graphic Novels
- Adding personalized touches to classic stories through illustrations opens new avenues for creativity and innovation in the comic book industry.
Where This Applies
- Crowdfunding
- Crowdfunding websites offer a platform for artists to raise funds and self-publish their works, potentially disrupting the traditional publishing industry.
- Comic Book Publishing
- Crowdsourced comic book publishing presents new opportunities for independent publishers to release innovative, niche titles to a growing market of comic book enthusiasts.
- Illustration and Graphic Design
- The modernization of literary classics through illustrations presents opportunities for graphic designers and illustrators to reimagine beloved stories in new and exciting ways.
