“Beastland” is a fantasy comic inspired by almost losing pets – The Hollywood Reporter

For cartoonist Curtis Crow, seeing a dog suffering from a dog that helped him recover from an accident was a painful experience. Still, it also brought the pair closer than ever.

“I was already very close to her and thought I was my first very adult dog, but after the accident it took our bond to another level,” he said. Erie, a beagle dog struck by a car after spending a day in the park, says. “She took months to recover and paid close attention. It’s like having to carry her to use her toilet, etc. I have to monitor her as much as possible. It didn’t become. “

A few years later, Crow turned some of the emotions behind that experience into fantasy comics. Beastland, Explore the bond between humans and animals. The series takes place in a medieval fantasy world where some people have a beast known as a keeper. It takes place in the background of a despot king trying to outlaw the keeper, following three teenage friends looking for one of their fathers.

“The whole experience is very much at the heart of the story,” says Crow of his time helping Erie recover. “The theme of the bond between humans and pets inspired by those experiences.”

Crow has created a small but enthusiastic follower that allows some of his work to be crowdfunded. Beastland Raised over $ 53,000 on Kickstarter and was eventually featured in Dark Horse Comics. Dark Horse Comics has been collecting the first five books from June 29th at the comic shop and the traditional bookstore on July 29th. Beastland, With Jo Mi-Gyeong’s art and Toben Racicot’s lettering work, this work remains the creator’s title through a contract with Dark Horse.

While Crow believes Beastland Without the Kickstarter campaign, he says, with an audience, he could have landed on a publisher.

“At the time, we weren’t the creators of the name. This is my second comic series and Jo’s first series,” says Clow. His other credits include a fantasy treasure hunt. A little exaggerated And SF Wild cosmos.. “It’s really hard to get started in the comics industry, so someone could pick it up and publish it. Beastland They were very small. No matter how good the pitch you have, good track record and some experience will help tons. “

The author states that Kickstarter is even more pressured than releasing a book from a traditional publisher.

“If something goes wrong or the package is lost, you can always contact me. You need to build trust with your supporters, and I’ll do it in my 15 launches. I think we’ve done it, “says Crow.

For the future, he is planning Beastland Issued 6 and 7, now 6 years old, inspired by healthy Erie. Crow said: “Make sure she makes the most of her life and is alive to the fullest, but more importantly, she is always a better owner, a more compassionate, compassionate person. It’s teaching me new things about how to be. “