By Zack Quaintance — Welcome to our Baby’s Got to Back: February 2021 Kickstarter Comics Highlights feature, the feature that I humbly submit has one of the best names in all of volunteer sites that write about comics. This month — as always — has a deep and robust list of projects, including our PROJECT OF THE MONTH, Yumi: Spy Fatale, Battle Royale, which writer Doug Wagner and artist Hoyt Silva took time to discuss with us.

Check out interview with Doug and Hoyt about Yumi, as well as our list of nine other projects to back this month…enjoy!

INTERVIEW: Doug Wagner and Hoyt Silva talk Yumi - Spy Fatale, Battle Royale

KICKSTARTER OF THE MONTH
Yumi - Spy Fatale, Battle Royale
Writer: Doug Wagner
Artist: Hoyt Silva
Colorist: Kevin Lennertz
Letterer: Frank Cvetovic
Back It Here: Yumi - Spy Fatale, Battle Royale
Bloodsoaked katanas, sentient Lamborghinis, and a soundtrack that can level city blocks. Yumi—the world’s greatest hacker, demolitions expert, and parkour savant—embarks on a globe-trotting mission of vengeance as she tracks down her kidnapped boyfriend, super spy Richard.

ZACK QUAINTANCE: “Bloodsoaked katanas, sentient Lamborghinis, and a soundtrack that can level city blocks.” Is one hell of an elevator pitch. How did all of the various wild elements find their way into this one book?

DOUG WAGNER: Those were all on the list Hoyt and I created in the beginning. Yes, I’m serious. We started off this whole thing with one thought in mind – What would Hoyt and Doug love to read in a comic book? No limits. Sure, the list might not have mentioned a Lamborghini by name or a sick soundtrack, but the elements that drove those were there. We knew we wanted a badass, James Bond-like car on steroids, and we definitely wanted Yumi to be filled with a certain sass and confidence about herself that is resonated in music by divas past and present. Blood-soaked katanas… yeah, that was the list, underlined, bolded, and circled in red.

HOYT SILVA: Yeah there was a lot of excitement as we talked about what each of us wanted to do and the other would chime in with “You know what’s the most badass version of that?” and we built it from there. I don’t think there’s anything that excites Doug and I more than one or the other of us saying “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like that before.”

ZACK: You can really feel the homage to Ian Fleming here, but it felt like the book was influenced by wider pop culture than just Bond. What are some of Yumi’s other influences, both in terms of story and artwork?

DOUG: You are 100% correct. There was a massive hodgepodge of pop culture influences on this story. It was this crazy mix of everything Hoyt and I love in music, movies, and comics. Listening to music is a ritual we both follow daily and believe it makes us better creators, so when we started building this story, it was a no-brainer that music would have play a big part. Then, there’s all the movies we can’t get enough of – The Fifth Element, The Matrix, The Kingsman, Scott Pilgrim, Yojimbo, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Last but definitely not least, there are all the comics we love reading over and over - Luther Strode, Metalshark Bro, Head Lopper, and Harley Quinn. We crammed all those influences into a crockpot and out flew Yumi.

HOYT: I think some of that also came from the housecleaning we did when we were considering the story’s influences. Fleming took inspiration from his life and the things that made him feel debonair and classy from his time. Since we wanted to create a character that was modern and a badass in an updated way we did the same with what was surrounding us. 

ZACK: I’m curious about the decision to go with a graphic novel format over serialized comic for this project. What played into that, and did deciding to fund via Kickstarter factor into that choice?

DOUG: When we first started, we had no publishing plan in mind at all. We didn’t want to bog ourselves down with pre-existing limitations right out of the gate. There were discussions about possibly doing it as a webcomic, but again, we didn’t want to limit ourselves. Yumi was supposed to be a labor of love. As we closed in on finishing up the book, we considered every possibility, and for a few moments, even had a plan to do a serialized version. But just as the pandemic hit, we realized the timing of a monthly couldn’t be much worse. That’s when we decided we wanted to go the Kickstarter route. Plus, I couldn’t give up on the idea that we should offer more than just a single format. I wanted a softcover, a hardcover, metal covers, stickers, and balloons. The only financially feasible way to make that possible was Kickstarter. Now, I’m just giddy at the options we have.

HOYT:  I think the choice to go with a graphic novel is the best way to enjoy Yumi. This way you get the whole story from beginning to end and I think it emphasizes the whirlwind Yumi kicks up in her wake as she storms from page to page. Kickstarter gives us an avenue to potentially do that for the people interested in reading the story in a way traditional publishing routes simply don’t. It allows us to interact directly with our audience and to give people a way to directly support us as creators, which is something very special. 

ZACK: I loved how stylish the book was from it’s opening scene, from the music notes weaving through the panels to the clever use of memes to the meet-cute flashback sequences that change style entirely. How did the team work together to develop the aesthetic for the book?

DOUG:  I’m so thrilled you picked up on and enjoyed those aspects. We really went for it on this book and that can be terrifying. When you push boundaries creatively, you never truly know if it’s going to work out or people just won’t care. In order for us to make a lot of that happen, it required so, so, so many long phone calls and failed attempts. Hoyt, Kevin, Frank, and I had to work more closely than on a normal project and it took more than one attempt on a few aspects of it. Hoyt and Kevin would spend hours poring over the colors to make sure they were just right. I can’t tell you how many edits Frank and I went through together to get everything balanced the way we wanted it. But I have to say, the entire team stepped up and everyone wanted to create something special, and I’m so proud of how much work everyone put into this book.

HOYT: Everyone really brought their “A” game to play. Like Doug said that back and forth was REAL. There’s a few pages and scenes that got so many iterations that I honestly lost count. We all pushed each other to bring out our best and we let everyone be the owner of their own creative space. We considered all suggestions that anyone presented and ran them through our Yumi filter to see if it would work to improve the story. If it did, in it went, and if it didn’t; no big deal. Some of the best insights we got were from our Editor, Lisako. She had a good hand in offering insights from a perspective that understood what Doug and I were going for and was unique to our own experiences. I’m definitely proud of the squad and what we put together.

ZACK: One of the things I really liked about the book was the visceral feeling that the creators were having a blast making it. Were there any creative moments that jump out to you as particularly exciting or triumphant? 

DOUG: Oh, man, we did have a blast, and I feel like there were so many creative moments that were just too much fun. I have a few but don’t want to be that spoiler guy, so I’ll be purposefully vague. Lover’s Bridge, Mounties, space laser, and “I hate Taylor Swift.”

HOYT: Early on we agreed; why do the thing if we’re not enjoying it? With the back and forth I had more and more fun with the book as it went on. Doug’s right though no spoilers!

ZACK: Finally, I know you’ve just finished making a 136-page book, but this character seems so well-suited for future adventures. Might we see Yumi again at some point?

DOUG:  Well, I truly hope so, but I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. It really comes down to whether or not our Kickstarter gets funded. We do already have a few more story ideas and I know I’d love to work on Yumi every day, so...

HOYT: I don’t want to put the cart before the horse here, but given the opportunity and the right story more Yumi would certainly be on the menu. If I could have that much fun again there’s no way I wouldn’t sign up.

Other Books to Back This Month

The Bridgebuilder’s Creed
Creator: Shawn Daley
As ten of the brightest minds in the land, the Bridgebuilders of Terraquill travel from province to province, crafting infrastructure where it’s needed most. Life was good.
But then there was war. 
Bryatt “Yodel” Yodleson, TerraQuill’s last remaining Bridgebuilder, finds himself alone in a land he helped shape. And day by day, that shape is becoming harder to recognize. When an odd creature brings with it prospects of a bright new future for TerraQuill, Yodel finds himself trapped in the shade of his past. Can he reconstruct his life and find purpose in a world that’s moved on without him?
Or will he learn that some bridges can’t be rebuilt? 
Back It Now: The Bridgebuilder’s Creed on Kickstarter

BROKENLAND, No. 3
Writer/Artist: Drew Morrison
It's a genre bending, dialogue-free comic book series written, drawn and colored by Drew Morrison. It takes place in a tough city populated by everyone you know and centers around Meeso, a timid creature whose intentions often go overlooked. In issues 1 & 2, Meeso has made some discoveries about themselves and the world they live in. In this third issue, Meeso confronts the odds and learns about their true power.
Back It Here: Brokenland, No. 3 on Kickstarter

Coddlesworth’s Clockwork Circus
Writer: Danny Oliver
Artist: Slobodan “Boban” Jovanovic
Colorist: Kurt Michael Russell
When the Tempest—an impenetrable storm spawned by the Great Cataclysm more than three thousand years ago—suddenly dissipates, it reveals a massive continent untouched by modern technology. Simultaneously, arcane energies long discounted by science now permeate the world, giving rise to practitioners of magic and bringing to life a variety magical creatures and hazards.
Even as adventurers, scientists, and prospectors rush to explore this new continent, two young halflings begin their own journey outward.  Their quest is to find the truth behind a dark legend. Since those truths could not be found in the mystical heart of their native lands, then the answers must exist beyond… into a world they never even dreamed of.
Back It Here: Coddlesworth’s Clockwork Circus on Kickstarter

Deadskins
Writer: Clay Adams and Alexandre O. Phillipe
Artist: Leila Del Duca
Colorist: Brett Nienburg
Letterer: Charles Pritchett
A Harvard-educated dandy and his blind, drunk companion are all that stand between the Old West and an Undead Apocalypse. This is the true story of Custer's Last Stand... whatever they taught you in school is bullsh!t.
Back It Here: Deadskins on Kickstarter

Duplicant #1 - #4
Writer: Karla Nappi
Artist: Marianna Strychowska
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
At its heart, Duplicant is a thriller about the forces conspiring against the one man who offers hope during a pandemic. That one man is Matt Travers, a scientist who creates duplicate organs that saves humanity from the organ failure contagion - only their high cost forces people into indentured servitude. In answer to this, a dangerous black market arises which is run by a religious fanatic and Matt's former mentor.
Back It Here: Duplicant on Kickstarter

Leaders of the Free World #3
Writer: Corey Pruitt
Artist: Eli Johnson
Colorist: Paris Alleyne
Letterer: Toben Racicot
They came out the sky, seven beings with incredible powers referring to themselves as "The Godsend". They came to our planet to help evolve us into something greater, something more. Using their advanced technology, the Godsend bestowed upon us great powers and abilities. But with that same power came greed, corruption and destruction. Using our new abilities, the human race went to war over who should rule the Earth and billions were killed. The Godsend intervened but were too late, the damage had been done. Teaming up with the United Nations, the Godsend are now enforcers of the Archetype Papers, a law that prohibits super powered beings(named Archetypes) from operating outside of their respective countries. And then the world went back to normal, but at what cost? And what happens when the whole world is in danger and it takes a team from all over the world to save it? Find out what happens when seven beings from around the world have to team-up to save us all in...
Back It Now: Leaders of the Free World #3 on Kickstarter

Major Holmes and Captain Watson #1 - #4
Writer: Jeff Rider
Artist: Ismael Canales
Colorist: Roger Sorruca
Letterer: Justin Birch
London, 1914 - Major Sheffield Holmes, nephew to the great detective, and his mysterious American partner Capt. Imogen Watson have uncovered a secret society known as "The Moriarty," a dark cabal that has vowed revenge on the Holmes family. Joined by the gruff Det. Inspector Agamemmnon J. Brick of Scotland Yard and the resourceful mechanic Juliette McKinnon, the new Holmes and Watson must defeat the zealot known only as "The Scholar" and prevent Europe from descending into war!
Back It Now: Major Holmes and Captain Watson #1 - #4 on Kickstarter

The Miracles
Writer: Joe Glass
Artist: Vince Underwood
Colorist: Harry Saxon
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
The Miracles is a brand new, 120 page original graphic novel. It tells the story of high school senior Elliot Morgan: a massive comic fan with graduation and Major Voltage Adventures on his mind, when he's astonished to discover he has superhuman abilities of his own. 
When he almost immediately goes out and makes a public display of his new superheroic abilities, he's amazed to be confronted by his favourite comic book characters staring him down in the real world. As if that wasn't crazy enough, they reveal the truth about themselves - they're his parents and they reveal that they are refugees from the world of his favourite comic book escaped to this world when he was just a baby. 
What follows is revelation after revelation, after more and more of the family's secrets come to light. Just how many secrets can one family be keeping?
Back It Here: The Miracles on Kickstarter

PROJECT: Big Hype
Writers: Varioius
Artist: Various
Colorist: Various
Letterers: Various
PROJECT Big Hype is a manga sized 300 page collection of stories modeled off Shonen Jump. We wanted to provide western creators and audience an experience that we felt was lacking in the current comic landscape. Featuring 24 stories from 72 creators, we think that you will find a new favorite series within these pages. The best part is, the whole book is completed! We are raising funds for a print run of the book and once we hit our goal all backers will get a digital version of the comic as we take the book to print.
Back It Here: PROJECT - Big Hype on Kickstarter

Slightly Exaggerated #1 - #2
Writer: Curtis Clow
Artist: Pius Bak
Letterer: Toben Racicot
Slightly Exaggerated is a story set in a whimsical fantasy world where a dying treasure hunter must steal back a sacred artifact from a crazed cult leader in a world where religion is law. It's set in an over the top whimsical fantasy world filled with flying sea creatures, talking animals and lots of other crazy, fun stuff! This setting makes for some really fun treasure hunting adventures. Think Indiana Jones/Uncharted meets a Studio Ghibli world. This story deals with a lot of deeper, mature subjects and themes like dying, leaving a legacy, religion and questioning what you've been told.
Back It Now: Slightly Exaggerated on Kickstarter

When You’re Hunted, You Run #1
Writer/Artist: John Jack
Colorist: Peter Paul Smith
When You're Hunted You Run #1 is the first issue in a 4 issue crime miniseries written and drawn by John Jack with colors by Peter Paul Smith and a stunning main cover by Winston Gambro. This series explores the lives of four people when they are forced to answer the question, what do you do when they're after you? In issue 1 an average man is forced to flee for his life when he finds himself suddenly in the crosshairs of nearly everybody he meets. When You're Hunted You Run #1 is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing till the end.
Back It Here: When You’re Hunted, You Run on Kickstarter

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Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as Comics Bookcase.