Project: "SKY PUP" - Locally Illustrated and Distributed Muncie Comic Book

Images

Description

"SKY PUP" is a 12-page, fully illustrated comic book series that showcases dynamic, easy to follow storytelling that can be enjoyed by readers of all skill levels. The series introduces the character of Sky Pup, a black Labrador dog with a house that doubles as a single propeller plane - a direct homage to the Peanuts characters, Snoopy and the Red Barron. In the first issue, Sky Pup gets into a game of fetch that goes wildly astray. Following installments will bring on other characters in the 'SKY PUP' universe, namely Sky Pup's brothers and rivals - Jet Cat and Crank Tank. The trio go on to have highly imaginative adventures around their world - a fictionalized version of East Central Indiana. Told in a 'slice of life' way, with an aesthetic style that can appeal to first time readers or comic art enthusiasts. As a title, "SKY PUP" celebrates the region's place in American Pop Culture and takes inspirations from notable local sources. Such as Jim Davis with his comic strip - Garfield the Cat, as well as Bob Ross and his long running public access show that filmed for many years in Muncie.

Currently the comic has 12 completed pencil pages and requires a final digital pass for line work and colorization.

Goals & Outcomes

A. Produce a fully colored, print-ready 12-page comic book.

B. Complete a short print run for individual retail sales and wholesale offerings.

C. Distribute Sky Pup through local retailers, including:
Aw, Yeah! Comics, The Common Market, White Rabbit Books, Bob’s Comic Castle, Art Mart, and additional partners.

D. Launch a dedicated website to host the comic pages, provide digital access, and offer branded merchandise (t-shirts, prints, stickers).

E. Establish Sky Pup as a recurring, locally made intellectual property that can be expanded into future issues, merchandise, and community appearances (vendor markets, First Thursdays, conventions, etc.)

How will this loan be used? Please provide an itemized list of expenses that will be covered.

Phase 1 ($550):
1 (one) External hard drive to store all digital files and other materials (backups, promotional, etc.) = $50-100
Cover time for artist (equal to 1 month) to complete digital coloring, prepare files for publishing = $250
Locate local printer (Spencer Printing = ?) or publishing service (Mixam.com = $130-200) to produce a short print run (100 copies)

Phase 2: ($450)
Produce as needed promotion materials (posters, banners, hand-outs, etc.) and branded merchandise based on audience reception (t-shirts, art prints, bandanas, etc.) = $300
Apply to and attend local vendor markets and events to promote the locally created intellectual property, sell first batch copies, merchandise, etc. = $150

How will your project generate money?

Digital Issue:
Individual - $2.00

Individual Print Issues (production goal of no more than $2 per issue):
Retail - $5
Wholesale - $2.50 in batches of 10 ($25)

T-Shirt (produced by the Formless Press, 4 Color print on White 100% Cotton - Gildan Softstyle garments = $8+/-):
Retail - $16
Wholesale - $8 in batches of 10 ($80)

Comic & T-Shirt Combo = $20

Bandanas (produced by the Formless Press, 1 Color print on 100% cotton blanks = $3+/-)
$5

When do you expect to be able to repay this loan?

If project goals are met, it is plausible to begin repayments after 6 months.

With the pricing and merchandise combos, 50 copies of the comic and shirt sold for $20 would meet the $1,000 repayment.
This would set a goal of at least 9 combos a month, equal to $180 - covering a 6 month repayment period.

Portions of sales beyond repayment will be allocated for future donations to the Vore Arts Funds and other local efforts in the Muncie Community.

Do you have experience or support that will help this project succeed? Links to your previous work are helpful here.

Grace Longfellow is the originating artist on the "SKY PUP" title - she holds a B.S. in Visual Communications from the Art Institute of Indianapolis (2011) and boasts 15 years in the printmaking industries (screen and wide format digital). Grace currently provides artisan screen print and design services through The Formless Press, LLC. As a Muncie native, Grace has been active in her community since moving back in 2019. In that time, she has worked with the Common Market, EcoRehab, YART, Muncie PRIDE and other organizations.

The provided images showcase the project's current status, as well as a sample of what a completed colorization will look like.