Joe Illidge’s ‘The Winterfields’ Featured In ‘Noir Is The New Black’ On Kickstarter
by Brendan M. Allen
In the shadow of the Harlem Renaissance, a father-son duo takes justice into their own hands.
FairSquare Graphics’ Kickstarter campaign for Noir Is The New Black’s bold new format ends in just a week. After breaking records in 2020 with nearly $48,000 raised and 1,200 backers, the anthology series returns with new stories, new covers, and a new legacy in the making.
Noir Is The New Black redefined the noir genre in 2020 with its unapologetically Black take. Now, it’s back, this time in serialized comic format, complete with five variant covers including The Puzzled Man by Fiddler Sneaky, The Winterfields by Chriscross, Noh Face by Uko Smith, Little Rock Files by Quinn MCGowan, and a Cover E Holofoil by Ken Lashley.
Within this new collection is The Winterfields. The gripping historical noir, honoring 100 years of the Harlem Renaissance is written by Joseph P. Illidge, who partners with artist Chriscross, colorist Andrew Dalhouse, and letterer AndWorld Design.
1925. Harlem, New York. The father and son duo of Cain and Carver Winterfield are bodyguards, hired by scholar and activist W.E.B. DuBois to protect a teenage girl from the assassin that killed her parents and now wants her dead. The Harlem Renaissance is the backdrop for a story of action, drama, and justice!
“Ever since last year’s successful debut of The Winterfields in the top-selling Noir Is The New Black: Expanded Edition book from our fearless publisher FairSquare Graphics, Chris and I have been planning for the father and son duo’s return!” said Illidge. “Ex-WW1 soldier Cain Winterfield and his son Carver return as the best bodyguards of Harlem, and if you thought the 2024 story was fierce, get your popcorn and sit down for some rough and tumble brawls with a little bit of heart!”
If you’re drawn to period noir like Watson & Holmes, pulpy historical fiction with teeth, or emotionally rich action stories like Blood Syndicate, The Winterfields is your next essential read.
FairSquare Graphics continues to push the genre forward, paying homage to the Black Noir literary tradition born in the 1960s and reimagining it for the next generation of readers. Support powerful Black storytelling—The Winterfields is available exclusively through the Noir Is The New Black Kickstarter campaign, ending July 9, 2025.Backer rewards kick in at the $10 reward tier for a digital copy of Noir is the New Black S01E02. Physical copies show up at the $20 level. Various bundles are available at higher tiers. The campaign ends July 19th, 2025 at 6:00 AM PDT. Check it out at this link.
