Webb: The Big Race is the latest graphic novel printing we’ve done for a Kickstarter client. Created by Mike Cucka, John Salimbene, and Brad Gorby, Webb is the story a stock car racer (named Webb) fighting a corporation who pushes consumerism. As Webb says, “I’m not a product!” And in Webb’s world, people who participate in consumerism get turned into actual product mascots—for example one of the characters in Webb is The Ham Girl, who walks around in ham can costume.
The Kickstarter
Mike Cucka, John Salimbene, and Brad Gorby ran a great Kickstarter campaign in March of 2015 and raised $8,192 to bring their graphic novel to life. One of the awards offered to backers was to be added to the book as a product mascot—such a fun idea! Once funded, they spent the rest of the year writing and illustrating the book. Backers were updated on their trip to Comic Con, where they introduced the character of Webb, along with preliminary sketches, and of course the news when Bookmobile shipped out the books.
Graphic Novel Printing at Bookmobile
The print files came into Bookmobile in mid May; we sent proofs to Mike and got a quick okay to print. We shipped books by the end of June—a six-week turn is pretty typical hardcover schedule for us at Bookmobile (paperback is only two weeks).
Webb is 9″ x 12″ (odd trim sizes aren’t a problem at Bookmobile), 76 black-and-white pages, a printed case with gloss lamination, and black-and-white printed end sheets. Once we had a good portion of the run bound, I sent Mike the photo below so he could update their backers!
From Mike and John,
We had the choice of going overseas or printing at home. The folks at Bookmobile were there for us from start to finish. They worked with us through the project estimate stage, helped us think through our options, delivered proofs quickly and turned around the print job just as promised. The quality was exceptional. Just what we had always envisioned! We will be back.
After the Kickstarter and Printing
Webb is still going strong, and this was just Volume 1. Follow them on FaceBook to stay up to date!
Why Bookmobile for Kickstarter?
Bookmobile provides all the services a Kickstarter publishing project might need: graphic design and typesetting, eBook conversion, printing, distribution, and fulfillment. Our short-run print quality is excellent, our pricing is affordable, and we offer many options, like square trim sizes, translucent vellum inserts, foil stamping on paperback covers, and more. Browse our Gallery to see the full breadth of what we offer! And with a minimum run quantity of just 25 copies, Kickstarter creators can print short runs and order reprints as needed—which means no worries about storing inventory or cash flow complications. Get a printing quote here!
We offer services together in one package, or à la carte. Interested in any of our services? Contact me!