Survey reminder, printing update and a surprise announcement!
about 1 year ago
– Wed, Mar 26, 2025 at 06:45:42 AM
Defenders!
A quick note to remind those of you that haven't yet (SLACKERS!) to please return your surveys. We're at 82% completion right now and while hitting 100% is a pipe dream, I'd love to reach 90% before fulfillment begins. You'll get your packages much faster through our printer/fulfillment team in the initial wave than if you straggle in late and sending out the leftovers falls on my shoulders. I mean, you'll get your book for sure, it just takes me a little longer to pack and ship.
We'll be locking orders in about another week so don't worry, you still have time to get your package promptly!
As for the printed books themselves...
Everything is printed up and waiting to be shipped. There's a box of books winging their way towards me for signatures and that's where today's special announcement comes in!
If you look closely at the cover, you'll see a small 2 after my last name which, in this case, means Champagne Squared because The Defense #1 marks the professional comic book debut of my 21-year old son Jack, who worked with me quite a bit on this project. This first issue would be nowhere near finished without his help, I'd barely started it after two years and Jack did a great job working in tandem with his old man to bring this sucker across the finish line.
Anyway, long story shorter, those of you that opted to have your copies signed will also be getting the very first bonus signatures of Jack Champagne to accompany my scrawl. Very proud dad moment for me and a semi-exciting moment for Jack, who finds this entire comic book industry a bit of a head scratcher which is a shame because he's light years ahead of where I was at his age.
Anyway, that's enough ramble from me today. Get those surveys in, fellas! We're excited to get this first issue out to you!
Your bestie,
Jack Champagne's Dad.
And surveys are officially sent!
about 1 year ago
– Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 05:33:29 AM
Defenders!
A brief note this morning to inform you all that the smoke test smoked out successfully and the remaining surveys have been distributed to your email addresses.
In early April, we'll be locking addresses and collecting the shipping monies. We'll send out another update before anyone's card is charged so no one is caught off guard. Shortly after, the digital rewards will be released (and by shortly, we mean like 3-4 minutes later) with physical packages expected to follow a couple of weeks later. I approved the proof from the printer yesterday so all lights are green.
More news soon, gang. Thanks and aside from the smoke test, don't smoke! It's terrible for you.
Your bestie,
Keith Champagne
The latest thrilling Defense update
about 1 year ago
– Wed, Mar 19, 2025 at 06:35:19 AM
Defenders!
Let's start with the bad news. After dropped pledges, the campaign did NOT meet the 3K stretch goal threshold that would allow us to print a new batch of P.U.N.C.H. #1's for backers. It's unfortunate but dropped pledges are a fact of life with crowdfunding campaigns and all we can do is roll with the punches.
However, as mentioned in our last update concerning this very issue, all backers will now receive a digital copy of P.U.N.C.H. #1 instead. Same great book, no need to bag/board it and we know you'll enjoy it just as much. I personally find that the coloring is more clear and vibrant in its digital form so who know? If you're like me, you might even enjoy it more.
As far as DEFENSE #1 goes, the files are at the printer and the initial 'smoke test' surveys are being sent out this morning. As long as there are no technical issues with the surveys, the rest will be sent out tomorrow. Please fill them out and return them by April 1st if possible so we can stay on track for a timely fulfillment of this campaign.
If you also supported DAYBREAK! THE COMPLETE SERIES and you want to combine shipping costs (and also claim your BACK BOTH BUNDLE), THIS is the survey you need to fill out and turn in. All your books will be sent to you in one fell swoop and let me tell you sports fans...what a great day that will be when you check your mailbox!
And finally, we've had a bit of a creative shake up moving forward on future issues of THE DEFENSE. Unfortunately, Leo Rodriguez is unable to continue laying out the series but don't worry! I flipped through my rolodex and am happy to say that the new layout artist will not disappoint.
We'll announce our mystery artist as we get closer to the completion of issue #2 but if you're a detective, I've worked with him several times on different projects as a penciler/inker team, both for DC and elsewhere. Some random word association when I think of his name? Let's see...Gamera, Malibu, Maiden, Freddy Krueger.
We've talked about flipping the script and working as writer/artist several times over the years and I'm glad the timing has finally worked out. The Defense is in great hands! Stay tuned, awesome stuff coming!
Keep an eye out for those surveys!
Your bestie,
Keith Champagne
The Verdict is in!
about 1 year ago
– Wed, Mar 05, 2025 at 07:24:00 AM
Defenders!
The Jury has declared that THE DEFENSE is...FULLY FUNDED!
Thank you for taking a chance on this project and helping us bring it to life!
Although the campaign totaled out above the 3K stretch goal, we are currently about $100 beneath that tier due to errored pledges. Cancels and errored pledges happen with every campaign. If your pledge was unable to be processed, please follow Kickstarter's instructions (you'll have gotten an email) to bring your account current within the next six days. Not only do we not want you to miss our first issue but we also want to be able to supply every backer with their free copy of P.U.N.C.H. #1. If we end up shy of the funds to print up your new batch, it's likely we'll still release the book digitally to everyone but that's kind of sh!tty, right? We'd strongly prefer to be able to provide physical-tier backers with physical copies and I think it'll work out fine in the end.
As for what to expect next, things will be quiet for the next couple of weeks while KS does its thing but you can expect surveys via Backerkit in 2-3 weeks to collect your addresses and any shipping fees. The book is completely finished, it's being proofread one final time right now and we don't anticipate any issues meeting our stated fulfillment window in April.
That's all for now, gang. Thanks again for supporting this project and New Pain. None of what we're trying to do is possible without you.
Keith Champagne
Two hours left!
about 1 year ago
– Tue, Mar 04, 2025 at 07:08:40 AM
Defenders!
A quick update before the bell rings on this campaign.
Always, always, ALWAYS knock on wood the final day of a crowdfunding campaign but it looks like we're safely past the 3K stretch goal. New pledges have more or less balanced out the cancels that always come in the final 24 hours so the funding level seems stable and as long as nothing catastrophic happens to pull us underwater, everyone will be getting a FREE copy of P.U.N.C.H. #1 with their copy of DEFENSE.
We're going to call a mulligan on the 4k stretch goal for another free book. Instead, if we can at least reach $3650, all backers will ALSO receive a free copy of the first issue of MICROSCOPIC. Tom Nguyen will be aggravated that I'm giving away the store but whatever. I'm bigger than him, what's he gonna do about it?
Let's make some noise for the final two hours, gang! All we need is someone's rich uncle's brother to swoop in and pick up one of the luxury reward tiers and we're there! If you participated in the BACK BOTH BUNDLE, that's a total of 5 FREE COMICS you'll be receiving next month.
Your bestie,
Keith Champagne
