Kickstarting Comics: ‘BOXES Comic Magazine’ #2 — Another Great Indie Anthology That Needs Your Backing!

Currently funding on Kickstarter, the 2nd volume of Steven Ingram & ThirdBear‘s BOXES anthology is all about showcasing all that’s fresh and exciting about indie comics…

 

Okay, admission time, a fair while ago, Steven Ingram, editor, creator, and put-togetherer of this BOXES anthology, sent me a copy of issue 1 and I made a mental note to take a look, tell you about it, preview it, maybe review it. Into the to review folder it went and then… well, you can guess the rest I’m quite sure. I always feel absolutely awful when good comics people send me things and there simply isn’t the time to cover them all.

Anyway, just to make my guilt complete it’s now so far past the time to tell you how good BOXES volume 1 looks – and it does, I had a quick look-see at it just before doing this piece – that it’s time to tell you all about the Kickstarter for BOXES magazine issue 2.

Essentially, it’s one of those absolutely essential anthologies that I have so much time for – the sort of thing where you find fresh, fascinating, and just plain damn good new short comics work from some fine UK-based comic creators.

This new volume contains comics from Kamila Krol, Kai Dylan, Manon Wright, Shri Gunasekara, Sarah Allan, Cath Garvey and returning creators Enrico Ariis, Julie Campbell and Mark Brady, with articles from Gareth Brookes on his love for the esoteric comics of the enigmatic Malcy Duff, and from Michael Torrens on finding artists to work with.

It is, needless to say, like issue 1, going to be a mixed bag with all sorts of stories and all manners of art styles. And there’s a chance that not everything will float your boat. However, that’s the total point of something like BOXES. If it’s doing its job right, and I really think it is, just from that quick flick through of issue 1 and the examples of the art you’re about to see, then there’s going to be such diversity and range of styles in here that there’s bound to be things that you’re going to like more than the rest. If I’m honest, that’s the reason why I do love things like this, or the recently covered Zinezilla comic, the sheer breadth and invention of the work is just a joy to behold.

Anyway, this is one of those things that has so much potential between those covers, so much undiscovered comics talent to get hold of. And the only way you can do it is by backing the Kickstarter – you have until Sunday 5 May to do that.

BOXES volume 2 is a B5 sized, 78-page book available in both digital and print editions. Obviously that’s the main thing for this KS but there’s a few extras and rewards, as you might expect, including the chance to get hold of BOXES volume 1 as an add-on. There’s also a set of four A5 art prints including the cover image by Kamila Krol plus art from Enrico Ariis, Shri Gunasekara and Ingram. Other add-ons include adding various ThirdBear Press books and Ingram’s graphic novels Holly and Burn With Me.

 

As all the best publishers and KS campaigns do, the BOXES Kickstarter will be sharing the benefits of a successful campaign with its creators, meaning that their contributors get page rates for their work and, should they hit and exceed target, every £1000 over the initial goal means an extra £5 added to the creators page rates for the magazine.

BOXES volume 2 – published by Steven Ingram/ThirdBear Press
Kickstarter runs until Sun, May 5 2024

 

Now, a preview of what you can expect here in BOXES volume 2 –

Kamila Krol makes comics and artwork that’s often inspired by dreams and folklore. The comic she’s making for BOXES is a beautifully dark tale dealing with the difference between seeing and being seen.

 

Manon Wright’s work often centres around themes of empathy and connection. Her comic The Gatherer is a poignant exploration of remembering the lost.

 

 

Enrico Ariis – After his Captain Ishmael comics in BOXES Vol. 1, Enrico Ariis returns with a new comic Who’s In There?, an unusual Science Fiction story about a woman who may or may not be being affected by the loneliness of space.

 

Cath Garvey is a creator with a love of humour! Her comic follows Bin Juice Babe as she tries to catch the eye of that hot guy who works at Tescos.

 

Sarah Allan (AKA The Roaring RAAR) is another new creator!. She has created a story about a very unusual dinner party where everything may not be as it seems.

 

Shri Gunasekara‘s beautifully illustrated comic When I Say “Love You” is all about the small moments of love we might overlook in our everyday lives.

 

Kai Dylan is an exciting new creator with a distinctive art style. His comic Drifting is about feeling lost and finding the will to do something about it.

 

Mark Brady returns with more ideas from The Southside Cash Money Concept Club. Expect more off the wall business ideas that hey, could maybe be workable!

 

Julie Campbell’s comics focus on the joy to be found in nature. She returns in this issue of BOXES with another beautifully illustrated story about birdwatching!

 

Steven Ingram – And lastly, BOXES editor Steven Ingram has made this wee comic called The Beautiful Sad.