ON MARS, a graphic novel about colonization and conflict
Created by Neurobellum Productions
Award-winning authors SYLVAIN RUNBERG and GRUN tell a taut tale of hope and violence on the red planet in a deluxe graphic novel set.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Things on track as we enter holiday season... and something COOL in the meantime!
over 1 year ago
– Wed, Nov 13, 2024 at 12:43:40 PM
Hi everyone!
Hope you're having a great week -- a few of you have requested an update, so we're here to let everyone know that things are chugging right along as anticipated. The files have all been approved with the printer and they've moved the project into full production. We should have updated estimates from the shortly, but it should be reasonable for these to be loaded on a boat headed our way before the New Year! That would get them in our warehouse by the end of February, so we're good for a March ship date. 😎
Once we get some advance copies, we'll be sure to post photos. Same with the stretch goal bonuses -- we should have something to see in December or January.
Our plan is to lock orders on the Pledge Manager on Friday December 13th, and then charging credit cards for any balances due on Monday December 16th. You'll still be able to update your addresses after that, but we will need to lock the orders by then to make sure we're ordering the right amount of stretch goal bonuses. For those folks who missed the campaign, they can still pre-order through Backerkit until then!
Digital files will be distributed in January.
We'll lock addresses in February for final shipping preparation.
Assuming the world doesn't end before then, we should be able to ship in March.
Let us know if you have any specific questions and we'll do our best to help!
Surveys away! Check your email! And BOOKPLATES WILL BE SIGNED!
over 1 year ago
– Mon, Oct 07, 2024 at 10:16:21 AM
Hi all!
As mentioned on Friday, the smoke test went well, so the rest of the surveys have gone out this morning! Please watch for those emails from Backerkit with your unique invite code. You can also try to log into Backerkit proactively at https://on-mars.backerkit.com/, but the email will give you more direct access.
We'll leave the Backerkit open until mid-December so you can make adjustments to your order as much as you'd like until then. We will be sure to give you plenty of heads-up as that date approaches.
Digital files will be sent out in January, and we hope to lock addresses in February so that we can ship in March.
BIG UPGRADE ANNOUNCEMENT!
We had hoped to confirm this while the campaign was still live, but we have since been able to figure things out with Sylvain and Grun to sign the numbered ON MARS bookplates! They will both be at the Angouleme FIBD in January, and we will make time to grab a beer together where they will both sign the bookplates. So yes...
THE ON MARS BOOKPLATES WILL BE SIGNED!
These are included with the (campaign-exclusive) Slipcase Set, so if you are interested in one, but are in one of the lower tiers, you may want to consider adjusting your pledge in Backerkit before orders are locked. 😊 The slipcases will NOT be reprinted, so get them now while you can...!
That's all for now -- thanks everyone for your support!
ON MARS Smoke Test Surveys are a go!
over 1 year ago
– Fri, Oct 04, 2024 at 01:52:17 PM
Happy Friday, everyone!
Just a brief update to let you know that we have initiated the smoke test surveys.
If you're not sure what that means, it is a small set of surveys that have been sent to a random selection of backers in order to test the survey system on Backerkit. If there are any bugs or confusing questions, the smoke test will weed them out so that the rest of the surveys go out smoothly.
Please watch for an email from us (on behalf of Backerkit) with your survey link, and if you are one of those lucky few to get a smoke test invitation, please try to fill it out as promptly as you can. Backerkit recommends that we wait until 75% of those smoke test surveys are complete before sending the rest.
Assuming things go well, we expect the rest of the surveys will be sent at some point this weekend. We'll post another update as soon as we do!
Thanks, everyone! More news soon!
You got the coin!
over 1 year ago
– Fri, Sep 20, 2024 at 05:03:40 PM
Hi, everyone!
What a great finish! You unlocked the final stretch goal so every physical package will be getting a commemorative Drop Coin for FREE!
Next steps are setting up the Backerkit Pledge Manager next week so we can get your surveys out. We'll follow up shortly with news on that once its ready. But for now, we celebrate! WOOOT!
Third bonus art print unlocked! Final goal: Mars Drop Group coin!
over 1 year ago
– Thu, Sep 19, 2024 at 08:07:28 AM
Hi, everyone!
If you hadn't noticed the changes on the campaign page yesterday, we've unlocked the third linen cardstock art print by Gun stretch goal! Just look at all this stuff we've added to your pledges FOR FREE!
Next up -- the final stretch goal: a Drop Group Commemorative Coin!
This 2" metal coin is designed as a token assigned to each group of prisoners dropped on Mars during the construction phase of the colony project. In the story universe, these would have been assigned before landing and exchanged upon arrival for appropriate gear and quarters. But in this universe, it's a cool golden die-struck commemorative coin made exclusively for this campaign. And a really nice final stretch goal to make these closing 48 hours more exciting. 😊
If you're unfamiliar with our previous campaign challenge coins, we've been producing these since our PARIS 2119 campaign in 2020 and have produced nearly two dozen coins for various campaigns to date. Here's a pic of just a few of them over the years --
from Top left: MONTE CRISTO, MONKEY KING (top), BLACK BOX CHRONICLES (bottom), NO FUTURE, DRACULA, FRONTIER, LOST LETTERS
Take it from me (or any of the many repeat backers who have built up a collection of these over the years) -- these are REALLY NICE BONUSES. Are they necessary to enjoy the book? Nope, but none of the stretch goals are, if we're being honest. The books are awesome on their own; these collectible bonus items are meant to enhance your package as thanks for your support. (If you don't want any of these bonus items cluttering your home or office, just let us know that you don't want any stretch goals and we'll remove them from your package...)
