The Shepherd, Volumes 1 to 3

NEWS re: The Shepherd, Volume 3
almost 2 years ago – Mon, Apr 22, 2024 at 08:34:16 AM

UPDATE on DELIVERING REWARDS

I received word from our Canadian printer this morning (Monday, April 22, 2024). The Shepherd, Volume 3 Hardcover is all set to go to press on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. It seems likely that we could be mailing out the volume to you sometime in mid- to late-May.

I am planning to send ALL digital rewards on or immediately after April 25, 2024. (This is tied to the Backerkit platform.

SOME REWARDS HAVE GONE OUT: Some of you have already received some of your rewards (e.g., the necklace, buttons sets, editorial packs of various types, and statues).

Those of you who chose the character cameo rewards (i.e., the WAYWARD SOUL or RESTLESS SPIRIT levels)—Please send me five to seven headshot reference photos of your face from various different angles. These references will help our artist Luca Panciroli as he inserts you into our story! Please send them to me ASAP.

If you haven't filled out your Backerkit survey: Please do so. If you need it to be resent to you, reach out to me. BOTTOM LINE: I want eveyone to get everything they should get asap!

COOL STUFF RE: THE SHEPHERD’S FUTURE

The following is NOT yet public knowledge. I have only told this to a few family and friends. Next year (2025) will mark the 10th anniversary of the publication of The Shepherd, Volume 1, which was published by Caliber Comics in May 2015.

About a year or so ago, Roberto and I were discussing what we would like to do to celebrate this milestone. Ironically, it was the Scout Comics version of The Shepherd, Volume 1 (published in 2021) that helped us decide.

As you may be aware, the Scout Comics’ version of The Shepherd, Volume 1 has a new, 12-page short story illustrated by Luca Panciroli called The Egyptian Story. We wrote it at the request of then Black Caravan (Scout's horror imprint) Publisher Rich Woodall. Rich suggested that we add a short prologue that would better introduce the series. This was something that both Roberto and I found very appealing, and the result was very well received. You can read it here for free: https://www.theshepherdcomic.com/products/the-shepherd-short-the-egyptian-story

One of the comments made by a reviewer that stuck with me was the huge difference between the two art styles. Of course, we saw it too. It's hard not to see it. Panciroli's work was clearly more in line with what we originally envisioned for the book. The answer was clear: redo the art and reboot Volume 1.

So...that's what we are doing.

So far, of the five issues that make up Volume 1, we have completely redrawn all the pages for Issues 1 and 2--and one Saturday, April 20, we completed Issue 3! What follows is a sneak peek of the redraw of Issue 3, page 21 (of 22). Obviously, it has yet to be colored.

The original Issue 3, page 21:

Here is the new Issue 3, page 21:

Backerkit Smoketest Inbound! SWZA is $150 from making its goal!
almost 2 years ago – Sat, Apr 13, 2024 at 11:14:55 PM

Hey folks!

So, Andrea wanted me to pop in here for a quick update to tell you TWO things. The first of all is that The Shepherd's Backerkit will be sending out emails as a "test". 

This is to make sure that all of you guys keep an eye on your mailboxes. If you get one, please respond promptly and let us know if there are any errors. You can post it to this page or message it to Andrea directly. 

The Shepherd backerkit store is currently open, HOWEVER, it's is best to wait until you get the survey, than to purchase anything extra now. The store is for people who find the campaign after its close. 

SWZA #5

ALSO: Andrea wanted me to tell you that SWZA #5 (or #6 if you go with the Scout Comics numbers from 2023) is literally less than $150 from funding. 

SWZA is in Andreas words "One of the top five comics I've had the priviledge of editing" and this new issue is absolutely BAD ASS:

It's drawn by Adam Bryce Thomas of IDW's Sonic the Hedgehog and Samurai Jack, and I mean...just look at how absolutely exception this art is:

And if you get the rest of the series you ALSO get work by Ringo Award-nominated Inker (For SWZA #1) Hyeondo Park of Dark Horse: 

And Eisner Award WINNER Luana Vecchio:

Oh, and did I mention the Graphic Novel opens with a poem excerpt by NEIL FREAKING GAIMAN?

Don't want to oversell it, but seriously, this is some of my best work. We only have three days left, so PLEASE pop in and give it the final push we need to get the campaign funded!

COMMENT "SHEPHERD" for a FREE Limited Edition Print by Adam Bryce Thomas:

Backerkit Surveys Coming Soon + Snow White Zombie Apocalypse #5/#6
about 2 years ago – Fri, Apr 05, 2024 at 02:47:34 PM

Hello Shepherd fans!

We are positively beside ourselves with the outpouring of support and enthusiasm you guys have demonstrated! Keep an eye on this page and your email box over the next few days, as we have surveys from Backerkit almost ready to send!

If you're not familiar, backerkit is a companion service to kickstarter that provides better fulfillment data than KS does while also providing a seemless way to purchase last-minute add-ons after the campaign has closed.

We'll let you know once the surveys launch. The best part is, there's a chance to grab that awesome Leggio statue that the campaign fell JUST short of:

In the meantime, Andrea wanted me to inform you that:

SWZA #5 (Or 6) IS ALMOST FUNDED!

In case you're unaware, SWZA--one of Scout Comics's flagship series--is a little less than $17k from hitting its $12,000 goal!

After runs by hard-hitting artists like Ringo Award-nominated inker Hyeondo Park of Darkhorse, and Eisner Award WINNER Luana Vecchio of Image. the NEXT incredible artist is taking the reigns: Adam Bryce Thomas of IDW's Sonic the Hedgehog and Samurai Jack! 

The book looks amazing, and like every other issue of Snow White Zombie Apocalypse, issue #5 is edited by none other than Shepherd Co-Writer Andrea Molinari!

PSA: The Kickstarter release is numbered differently from the Scout Release, so IF you got Scout's 2023 run and a copy of SWZA #5, this book is actually your (Scout's) #6.

For more information on the issue, check out the trailer (and for extra fun, watch PAST "the end":

In any case, Brent could REALLY use your help pushing it over the line, and to make things easy for you there are tons of ULTRA-RARE SWZA merchandise that are marked WAY DOWN. This includes:

There are currently THREE Ultra-Rare printer plates that come with a certificate of authenticity AND the signature of SWZA writer/creator Brenton Lengel. Best of all, they're up to 20% off!

The "Warhol" and the Blue (Cyan) plate are sold. but we still have:

Magenta (20% off)

Yellow: actually, an ultra-rare "pink lemonaid" plate  (20%0ff)

 And black (17% off)

All of these (and many other discounts) are available for an extremely limited time on the page, so head over and pledge. Comment "Shepherd" after a pledge of $10 or more + s/h & get a FREE limited edition print!

Backer Rewards Update -- April 2, 2024
about 2 years ago – Tue, Apr 02, 2024 at 09:35:43 AM

Hello Everyone.

I wanted to give you a quick update on our progress as we work to fulfill your Backer Rewards.

FIRST, I wanted to give everyone access to our music SOUNDTRACK for The Shepherd. Here is the link to the music that influenced our writing:  https://tinyurl.com/TheShepherdComic

SECOND, we are preparing to send out all the digital rewards for this campaign. HOWEVER, as part of this effort, we need to create a THANK YOU page for the digital version of The Shepherd, Volume 3: The Valentine and The Pit. This leads me to ask all of you: Are you happy with having your name listed as it appears in the campaign backer list, OR do you want your name listed a different way? (For example, you may have listed your name as John D. in the campaign backer list, but now you want to have it listed in print as Johnathan Doe.) That is fine, but I need you to alert me to whatever change you want by NOON EST on April 10th, 2024. (How is that for specific?) If you do not ask for a change by then, I will assume that you do not want to change it, and I will proceed to publish it as it is.

THIRD, I have started discussions with the printer. I have a phone call scheduled for today (4/2/24). Hopefully, the hardcover will be printed soon. Stay tuned…

FOURTH, I have begun assembling the Editorial Packs. I have scheduled a trip to Scout HQ this week to pick up the remaining titles, and I hope to send these out next week.

FIFTH, the 3D statues are being printed as I write this—in fact, the first two statues--belonging to Jon Hernandez and Evan Pozios--are already complete! I expect them to go out to their owners next week.

SIXTH, I need photos (with no glasses or hats) of those five people who chose a CAMEO appearance in an upcoming Shepherd story. This means YOU: Lesa, Ted, Marissa, Evan, and Richard!

Thank you all for your love, support, and trust!

Deep Gratitude to All of You from Team Shepherd!!
about 2 years ago – Thu, Mar 14, 2024 at 08:02:04 AM

Thank you. 

Two words. As a writer, I am intimately aware of the power of words. Yet, it is also an odd reality that words can also fail. For all their power, they can also leave you unsatified, unable to express your thoughts and emotions in any meaningful way. That is where I am this morning.

Roberto and I began this journey together in June of 2011. At that time, we had NO idea that we would still be writing Shepherd stories in 2024. To be completely honest, I NEVER imagined a first graphic novel, let alone what it has become.

I think that what has been the most incredible thing about our Shepherd experience is all the amzing people we have met along the way: new friends, fellow creators, podcasters, fans. In some special way, our lives have intersected because of these stories--and I think we are all better for it.

So, thank you. As weak and inadequate as those words are, we write and say them from the heart, from the soul.

NOW BUSINESS: With regard to the Kickstarter rewards, we will start fulfillment next Monday (3/18/24). Obviously, printing the books will take a minute, but I promise that we WILL keep you informed as we go!