Word Balloons: Oklahoma-based comics projects seek funding
Two Oklahoma-based entities are seeking funding on Kickstarter for their comics-connected projects. SoonerCon is seeking fundraising for its next sci-fi/fantasy convention, while Literati Press is crowdfunding for printing and promotion for the fourth issue of its well-reviewed “Glamorella’s Daughter” series.
SoonerCon is a volunteer-run event produced by the Future Society of Central Oklahoma, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting the arts, literature, and sciences through the lens of pop culture. The organizers plan to hold the 30th SoonerCon convention June 24-26 at the Embassy Suites in Norman.
SoonerCon is the Oklahoma City metro area's sci-fi/fantasy convention that dates back to 1986. The original iteration of the show ran from 1986-1997 and was revived in 2006. More than 100 panelists and professional guests are featured at the show, including comic-book artists and writers, novelists, painters, actors and more.
The 2019 SoonerCon drew about 3,100 attendees to Norman. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to COVID-19, and the 2021 edition was held in several online formats.
The convention usually features dozens of panels, a cosplay contest, autograph signings, workshops, and game rooms for tabletop and video gaming.
As part of the Kickstarter, Oklahoma artist Jerry Bennett has created art for the SPIKE Academy, a team of superheroes organized to defeat the evil villain “Covidia.” These characters will be portrayed by cosplayers at the convention.
Find out more at https://soonercon.com/ or https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fscok/soonercon-30-join-the-spike-academy.
The ever-busy Bennett is also the artist of “Glamorella’s Daughter.” Crowdfunding is currently being sought for printing funds for issue #4. The first 3 issues of the series have already been distributed to comic shops nationwide.
“Glamorella’s Daughter” is written by Charles J. Martin.
“This story reflects my experience as a father learning to adapt to a brilliant child with a mind that works so differently from my own,” Martin said in a previous interview with The Oklahoman. “I'm encouraged to have heard from other parents who've identified with Glamorella and Comet's struggle to relate to one another. I wish I'd known more as a young father about the gifts and challenges of parenting a child on the spectrum, so I'm hoping this comic might help families lucky enough to have their own Comet in their lives.”
Find the Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/literatipress/glamorellas-daughter-4.
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewLprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Word Balloons: Oklahoma-based comics projects SoonerCon, 'Glamorella's Daughter' seek funding
