Every so often we like to break out of the normal format of our ongoing semi-regular ‘Crowdfunding Corner‘ feature on the site and give some time to a deserving project that deserves its own solo moment in the spotlight. Today we’re looking to draw your attention in the direction of this year’s Ladies’ Night anthology from the eponymous group founded five years ago at Chicago’s Graham Crackers Comics store by old friend of BF, Hannah K. Chapman.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ladiesnightanthology/ladies-night-anthology-vol-5-sisters
Some of you may remember that earlier this year we ran a report here on the “International Girl Gang” – Ladies’ Night from the US, the UK’s Comic Book Slumber Party and Laydeez do Comics, and Finland’s FEMSKT – banding together to take an alternative message about women in comics to the Angouleme Festival after its failure to include a single woman creator on its prestigious Grand Prix award shortlist the year before. The IGG was organised by Ladies’ Night’s own Megan Byrd and Lauren Burke who are two of the editorial showrunning team for this latest anthology.
Main cover art (left) by Elizabeth Perez (left). Doin’ It For Themselves zine cover by Abby Shaffer from Elizabeth Perez’s layouts (right)
So in our usual ‘Crowdfunding Corner’ manner here’s the lowdown on why you should give this book some serious consideration:
The who and what: The fifth anthology from the titular group the 70-plus pages of Ladies’ Night Presents Sisters presents the work of a team of 24 female, non-binary and genderqueer creators exploring the theme of “the bonds we are born into and the ones we choose, exploring the many ways that one can be a sister.”
What’s on offer: Apart from the anthology itself there’s a 30-page zine Doin’ It for Themselves providing guidance to newer creators on the practicalities of making their own comics through illustration and comics. There’s also the chance to get your hands on accompanying pins (designed by cover artist Elizabeth Perez) and a keychain (designed by former contributor Dani Knight).
Interior art (left) by artist/letterer Jade Armstrong from ‘Do You Kiss Your Sister With That Mouth?’ written by Ellen Linzer. ‘A Fall of Wings’ (right) art and lettering byAbby Shaffer and written by Rachel Halpbern
Why you should back it: Books that give a showcase to newer creative voices are always going to be comics projects with an allied ethos to ours at Broken Frontier, especially when they put mentorship at the heart of that philosophy. Providing a stepping stone for creators to bigger things is the aim of our own annual Broken Frontier Small Press Yearbook after all. Backing a book like this doesn’t just help promote inclusivity and diversity in the medium, it also champions new practitioners and brings them to a wider audience. Discovering exciting new talent and celebrating a sense of comics community in one go should be all the reason you need.
But be quick! There’s only one week left on the campaign at the time of publication!
Contributing artists include: Abby Shaffer, Amalia DeGirolamo, Amy Chase, Andrea Pearson, Berta Pascual (Bamidala), Bethany Duvall, Catherine Satrun, Elizabeth Perez, Ellen Linzer, Francesca de la Fuente, Heather Fischer, Insha Fitzpatrick, Jade Armstrong, Kaia Alderson, Kelly Richards, Megan Riley, Rachel Halpern, Rita Martins, Sarah Satrun, Shawnee Gibbs, Shawnelle Gibbs, Vanessa Walilko and Vixtopher.
