Become Part of the Jack the Ripper Graphic Novel "1888"

[Wolfgang_Parker]

Hello!

I have been a reader of the Casebook since 1999, and just made the leap from "long-time lurker" to full-fledged member. As a new member, I would like to present to you, my fellow members, and "ex-co-lurkers," the culmination of my fascination with the Ripper Murders of the last 21 years...

1888 is a Victorian Noir where metaphysician, Deklin Skurlock is called in by police to assist tracking Jack the Ripper. But the trail of the killer thrusts him into a supernatural gang war where men kill by the power their faith grants them, where he finds he has no faith of his own."

The real beauty in the project is that you can actually be part of the book's development and creation. By clicking HERE (or click the graphic above) you can watch a brief video presentation that shows samples of the artwork, a mini-trailer, and explains how you can get involved in 1888.

Now, as far as the BIG question of, "What theory did I use for the book?" The answer is..."A new one."

I'm not going to give away the ending to the backers or to anyone else, but I will say it isn't a doctor, or a royal, or an American quack, or any other theory floating out there.

Having said that, the book is Historical Fiction and I worked on a story that, while based in reality, wouldn't let me down when the gang takes off the mask, and it's old Mr. Wheatly, who explains that he was trying to scare everyone away from the abandoned amusement park because he had a diamond mine under it. JTR scared me as kid and I wanted to keep him scary.

Take a look at the video. As someone who has been so fascinated with the Ripper mystery, it would be a pleasure for me to share the passion for the mystery with kindred spirits.

Also, my thanks to Mr. Ryder for his allowing me to post this...and for the Casebook!

[Stewart P Evans]

Sounds Great

Sounds like a great idea, best of luck and if there's any way I may be able to help let me know.

[Wolfgang_Parker]

Thank you!

Sounds like a great idea, best of luck and if there's any way I may be able to help let me know.

Thank you for checking it out, Stewart!

If you have an Amazon account you can become part of 1888 for as little as $10 USD and you will get to see the book production in our video updates, and receive a file of the book to read upon its completion.

Just go HERE to pledge and become a backer.

[Stewart P Evans]

I Do

Thank you for checking it out, Stewart!
If you have an Amazon account you can become part of 1888 for as little as $10 USD and you will get to see the book production in our video updates, and receive a file of the book to read upon its completion.
Just go HERE to pledge and become a backer.

I do, and I shall see what I can do.

[Wolfgang_Parker]

How did I know "being a part" of the novel meant funding him?

Clarify: does that ten dollars actually get you something or are you actually hoping people will pay you to produce something and get nothing in return?

Hello, Ally!

If you follow the hyperlink provided in the original post (and in my response to Stewart's reply) everything is explained. By no means are we asking people to back this project without showing our sincere gratitude for doing so.

Depending upon the amount that backers pledge, we are offering original art from the book, limited edition prints, PDF and print copies of the finished book, and even incorporating the backers likeness and name into the story (only one slot left to be a character though.)

In short, we are not asking for donations. Please follow the link HERE to learn about the project, our reward system, and the artists involved.

[Ally]

Actually you are asking for donations. If you weren't, the book would be published and you'd be asking people to pay for the book when it comes out. A donation is when you give to a cause, and you are here, hat in hand, hoping people will fund you. Call it being a patron of the arts, or whatever, but you are asking for donations.

You are perfectly able to do so, and people can make up their mind whether they want to donate to an in production project, that is both your rights.

But don't mis-characterize what you are doing. You are not asking people to "become a part of" the book, you are asking them to pay you to produce it.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with the request, I just believe in calling a spade a spade and not wrapping it up in double speak and BS.

That "pledge" of $10 bucks doesn't even warrant a thank you in the acknowledgments, that honor requires a "pledge" of $25. And for a 50 donation, more than enough to buy a printed graphic novel, I still wouldn't warrant an actual printed copy of it. That's a donation. People don't get an actual print copy of the book until they "pledge" $100.

And again, I am not saying there's anything wrong with you asking for donations. But that's what you are doing, and there is something wrong with misrepresenting it.

The good news is, there are people on this site who knee-jerk support anything I say a bad word about, so you might actually get donations you wouldn't otherwise get just because people will feel bad for me giving you a hard time.

You can thank me in the acknowledgments.

[Wolfgang_Parker]

Actually you are asking for donations. If you weren't, the book would be published and you'd be asking people to pay for the book when it comes out. A donation is when you give to a cause, and you are here, hat in hand, hoping people will fund you. Call it being a patron of the arts, or whatever, but you are asking for donations.

You are perfectly able to do so, and people can make up their mind whether they want to donate to an in production project, that is both your rights.

But don't mis-characterize what you are doing. You are not asking people to "become a part of" the book, you are asking them to pay you to produce it.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with the request, I just believe in calling a spade a spade and not wrapping it up in double speak and BS.

That "pledge" of $10 bucks doesn't even warrant a thank you in the acknowledgments, that honor requires a "pledge" of $25. And for a 50 donation, more than enough to buy a printed graphic novel, I still wouldn't warrant an actual printed copy of it. That's a donation. People don't get an actual print copy of the book until they "pledge" $100.

And again, I am not saying there's anything wrong with you asking for donations. But that's what you are doing, and there is something wrong with misrepresenting it.

The good news is, there are people on this site who knee-jerk support anything I say a bad word about, so you might actually get donations you wouldn't otherwise get just because people will feel bad for me giving you a hard time.

You can thank me in the acknowledgments.

Hello, Ally.

[DarkTaleProductions]

Well as a fan of both the Ripper investigation AND graphic novels, I'll make a donation either some time this week or next week.

Good luck on your project and can't wait to read it.

[The Grave Maurice]

Let me see if I have this straight. Not only do I have to buy and read an increasing number of JtR books, but I now have to pay something before I can buy and read a JtR book? Is that it? Surely the end of the world must be nigh.

[Jdombrowski89]

The artwork looks pretty nifty, but all abound I'll wait to buy it IF it comes out. Seems too big a bargain for my cash to just wait and see it it ever becomes produced.

Regards,
Justin

[Wolfgang_Parker]

Well as a fan of both the Ripper investigation AND graphic novels, I'll make a donation either some time this week or next week.

Good luck on your project and can't wait to read it.

Hey, DTP! Thank you for taking a look at the project.

I hope you will join us. We have a great team assembled, and a solid, compelling story. If we didn't there is no way I would be publicizing it, and asking for help to make it happen.

Your help will be GREATLY appreciated.

I saw the post you made about your film as well. The still look good. Looks like you are making a lot of progress!

[DarkTaleProductions]

Thanks. Just waiting awhile to get some money. I wasted a lot on the film, haha.

[Wolfgang_Parker]

Let me see if I have this straight. Not only do I have to buy and read an increasing number of JtR books, but I now have to pay something before I can buy and read a JtR book? Is that it? Surely the end of the world must be nigh.

You have it all wrong, Maurice. This way you get to buy the book in advance, then watch the progress as it is created. Then, when it's finished, we send it to you to read. Think of it as the "Japanese Steakhouse experience" of Ripper fiction.

[The Grave Maurice]

Yeah, well, maybe. At the moment you just seem to be selling the sizzle.

[Wolfgang_Parker]

The artwork looks pretty nifty, but all abound I'll wait to buy it IF it comes out. Seems too big a bargain for my cash to just wait and see it it ever becomes produced.

Regards,
Justin

Thank you for taking a look, Justin. I will pass along the compliment to John Amor, our illustrator.

I can understand some apprehension about the follow through but I've working as an artist in a public capacity for 16 years and my team are all professionals. If we did drop the ball on this, suffice to say, the damage to our reputations, and careers would be severe. Not to mention the small claims lawsuits. Google me, if you like. Just be gentle.

Again, every pledge helps no matter how small. If you are curious as to how a graphic novel is made, join in. I'm really excited to show everyone what goes in to creating comics, and to give insight into what has spawned this particular story.