Kickstarting Comics: ‘Starward Lovers’
by Tito W. James
Starward Lovers was originally published on Tumblr from 2016 to 2019. This campaign seeks to bring the completed webcomic to life in a 232-page A5 (5.8×8.2″) graphic novel, featuring a brand-new cover design, the complete story, a gallery of behind-the-scenes concept art, and a bonus insert of full-color cover illustrations.
Here’s the description: Jen, a closeted college student, has never been in love. She can’t even find the nerve to speak to Red, the woman she admires. She’s resigned to being alone, until one day she finds her crush battling a space alien in a back alley! Yearning to stay close to her love, she joins Red’s all-lesbian team of secret agents, tasked with protecting the earth from the minions of the space-bound dark queen. As Jen fights for her new life and leaves her old one behind, one question stays on her mind: will she finally get a girlfriend!?
The book is the perfect comic for this current moment. There’s a wider acceptance of Queer stories and a global love for anime-inspired pop culture. Online platforms like Tumblr and Kickstarter, meanwhile, have allowed a unique project like this to grow organically.
Readers who are interested can back Starward Lovers right now on Kickstarter.
