Welcome to my third comic anthology roundup of 2024! Some of these collections are freshly bought, others I found hidden deep within the files on my laptop! But enough yapping, it’s time to dig into these stories!
If you missed Part 2, click here to read it: https://thepointofclicking.com/crowdfund-comic-anthologies-ive-read-in-2024-part-2/
Faster Than Light Volume 1
Faster Than Light Volume 1 is an anthology with sci-fi stories centered on family. There are all types of families represented here form the nuclear to the found to the friends so close they might as well be related. The main and consistent genre is drama with some having action and romance. The stories here seem to be crafted to hit you in the feels with a lot of emotional and hard-hitting moments. The violence can be brutal but there isn’t any blood or gore. The art goes from cartoonish to realistic with a majority 90’s/2000’s style. Most of them are in color but a couple of them are black-and-white.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Lost and Found.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
The Chasm: A Mayfly Story.
“How many stories are there?”
Nine, most of them ranging from 5-8 pages with one being a single page.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Why do humans even want to live forever?”
“What’s the last big family get-together you went to?”
A wedding.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nospelllastsforever/faster-than-light-a-sci-fi-anthology-about-family/description
Our Monsters Volume 1
Our Monsters Volume 1 is collection of one-page horror stories that usually star young people. A lot of the scares come from odd, creepy twists to familiar situations. Some of the stories are scary, some adorable, and others will have you scratching your head. There are many creatures here, some of them are unique, and others appear to be influenced by legendary monsters. There isn’t really any violence here, and there’s no blood or gore. The art here looks like something out of a children’s book and is in black-and-white with a notable focus on lighting and shading. Visually this is very character and monster focused.
“Which story was your favorite?”
“I Found the Problem…”, “See You Tomorrow.”, “Sweet Dreams!”, “Lost?”, and “Adorable?”.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
All of the stories were drawn by Luna Ay.
“How many stories are there?”
Eighteen, one page each.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
There are no words spoken here.
“Have you ever seen a monster?”
I don’t think I have.
Physical Link: https://bentboxcomics.com/products/our-monsters-volume-1
Digital Link: https://bentboxcomics.com/products/our-monsters-vol-1-digital
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bentboxcomics/our-monsters-vol-1-unsettling-single-page-horror-stories/description
Power-Ups: Vilified
Power-Ups: Vilified is an anthology with stories inspired by the phrase, “I’m not who they think I am.” This results in stories that have heavy introspection and themes of battling self-doubt and outside criticism. The setting differs greatly from an Earth with supernatural beings to a far-off technologically advanced culture. Some are modern tales with dark twists and others are life stories. There is a bit of comedy here but the majority of what you’ll find here are dramas. The violence is mainly physical but there are some bloody and gruesome moments, along with general destruction. The art comes in many different styles from the bright and cartoonish to the dark and gritty with much more in-between. The lighting and shading tends to be done very well. This anthology wasn’t crowdfunded but it was put together by people who make comics that are.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Whispers and The Monster.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
I See You.
“How many stories are there?”
Sixteen, all are four pages in length except the last which is six.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Why do they treat me as if I am some kind of villain?”
“Who do people think you are?”
A guy who reads freaky comics, which isn’t entirely false.
Tales of Cape Fear Volume 2
Tales of Cape Fear Volume 2 is anthology with a collection of stories focused on the darker things like depression, grief, sadness, and horror. Most of these tales are modern with a scary or thought-provoking twist and at least a couple of these are sequels to stories told in the first volume. The main genre is drama but there is some comedy as well. Only a few of these stories are violent and they can be destructive. All of the art here is in black-and-white with varying styles from the cartoonish to the realistically serious. This anthology wasn’t crowdfunded but later issues were, that’s why I’ve put it here.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Blackbeard’s Return: The Death.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
The Mermaids Legend.
“How many stories are there?”
Eleven, all except two are four pages long.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Okay Tiny, let’s put the beast away for now!”
“When is the last time you felt fear?”
When I thought I locked my keys in my truck, which wouldn’t have been the first time.
Physical Link: https://www.angelafernot.com/product-page/tales-of-cape-fear-issue-2-cover-a
START AGAIN: Stories #1
START AGAIN: Stories #1 is a collection of stories that take place in the START AGAIN Universe. These are all standalone tales with different themes such as love and depression and different genres like action and comedy. There is some violence but it isn’t bloody or gory. There are also some sexual scenes. The art is modern and detailed with strong lighting and shading overall. Some styles are a bit more cartoonish while others are more serious.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Sarah’s Story.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Victoria’s Story.
“How many stories are there?”
Four, all six pages each.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“You’ve ruined everything.”
“You ever wanna start again?”
And rewrite all these reviews? Absolutely not.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jamieme/start-again-stories/description
