It’s 2025 and I’m still collecting anthologies from all over, most crowdfunded, some not. By now you should know how this works, so onward to the comics!
Tales of the Frog Knight #2
Tales of the Frog Knight #2 is an anthology featuring stories that place in a medieval world with anthropomorphic animals. These can range from brutal brawls to reflective looks at what conflict can do to people. There are heart-wrenching dramas, heist-like comedies, and action-heavy battles. The violence here is bloody with limb removal and implied gruesomeness. The art has a cartoonish but detailed look to it with a “rural/rustic” color palette that has a lot of faded browns, greens, and grays.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Oath of Broken Ice and The Knight and Highwayman.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
They all have the same expressive and cartoonish art.
“How many stories are there?”
Six, 5-9 pages each.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“You muscle types get dumber with every new regime…”
“What animal would you want be in this world?”
If not a frog I’d be a rhino or something. Is a slug an animal?
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/armandbodnar/tales-of-the-frog-knight-issue-2/description
Wish Upon a Star
Wish Upon a Star is a anthology full of sci-fi stories, most of which have a Twilight Zone-like twist. There are classic fairy tales in a different setting, experiments gone wrong, and robots who have a bit too much intelligence. You’ll read deep dramas, action thrillers, unsettling mysteries, creeping horror, desperate revenge, and interesting plots that will make you sit back and think. The violence can range from simple strikes and laser blasts to full on gore and gruesomeness. There is a bit of body horror here. The art is all in color and can range from the simplistic and cartoonish to the serious and realistic with backgrounds showing intricate and detailed surroundings most of the time.
“Which story was your favorite?”
The End of an Aspiring Legend, They’re All Mad There, and Signal Flares.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
To Play The King.
“How many stories are there?”
Twenty-One, all four pages each.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Yes, they’ve been watching us for a while.”
“When’s the last time you wished upon a star?”
I don’t think I ever have.
Kickstarter Link 1: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulcarroll/wish-upon-a-star-0/description
Kickstarter Link 2: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulcarroll/wish-upon-a-star-a-far-future-fairy-tale-anthology/description
Let Us In
Let Us In is an anthology with stories that are all about taking risks, usually in the form of indie comic creators attempting to get their work out there. Most of these tales detail the different hurdles and pitfalls that can be encountered when trying to get noticed and embraced by the public-at-large. The genres here include science fiction with alien creatures, anthropomorphic animals on another planet, and superhero dramas. There is also a TTRPG game called “Can I Do That?” about getting your work to a convention. There is some light physical violence here but nothing bloody or gory. The art styles go from serious to cartoonish with some stylized designs and all except one is in full color.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Illegal Aliens.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
First Contact and The Price.
“How many stories are there?”
Six stories, 4-8 pages each, a one-page print, and an eight-page TTRPG that is split into two-page inserts.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“You are so close to greatness.”
“How many conventions have you been to?”
Only five.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/devinarscottcomics/let-us-in-an-anthology-by-non-us-creators/description
Amandatory
Amandatory is an anthology full of horror stories illustrated by Amanda Rachels(with some assistance from Amy Rachels) and written by many. There are four distinct themes/genres here: Heroes, Monsters, Clowns, and Nightmares. Some of these are violent tales filled with terror and dread while others are slow-building dramas with a startling twist. Prepare to be unsettled due to subject matter and a frequent dark tone. The violence can be very bloody with heavy gore and gruesome sights. The art has an overall leaning towards realism though it can get cartoonish at some points. Color palettes for the different stories tend to be realistic with a decent range.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Heroic Pursuits, Acts of Dog, and His Grandmother’s Eyes.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
They all had the same versatile art.
“How many stories are there?”
Seventeen, ranging from 2-10 pages each.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“One day she’s going to learn to listen to Mama.”
“Out of those four themes which one would you write a story about?”
Heroes, sometimes the good guy is bad.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/790877629/amandatory-short-stories-illustrated-by-amanda-rac/description
Unboxing Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep4QW-Z90XQ
Skrawl Comix Magazine #1
Skrawl Comix Magazine #1 is a collection of comics, articles, and rock/metal inserts from primarily UK creators. There isn’t an overarching theme here as you have stories are about a Hollywood starlet, a dog being strange, and even one about futuristic competitive rock climbing. The tales tend to be dramatic, violent, or a mix of both with some additional genres like slice-of-life and sports. The violence can be brutal and bloody with some light gore and gruesomeness. The art is pretty detailed overall with a range from the cartoonish and modern to the classic and comic strip. There is a large range of colors here and many different palettes. One of the comics contains full-body nudity.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Goldhorn and the one by Nick Prolix(untitled).
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Daughters of 10.
“How many stories are there?”
There are thirteen stories from 1-14 pages each. There are three one-page inserts that are UK-centric along with an eight-page article.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“I want your head up on the wall with all of the other animals.”
“Have you been to the UK yet?”
Not yet, maybe when I get money.
Physical Link: https://skrawllordz.bigcartel.com/product/skrawl-comix-magazine-1
Digital Link: https://skrawllordz.bigcartel.com/product/skrawl-1-comix-magazine-digital-edition
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/russellmarkolson/skrawl-comix-magazine/description
