The following is an interview with Sal Abbinanti regarding the recent Kickstarter campaign launch for Atomika: God Is Red Omnibus Edition. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Abbinanti about the revisiting the world and characters more than 15 years after its inception, the great backer rewards available to supporters of the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: You recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for Atomika: God Is Red Omnibus Edition, collecting not only the entire 12-issue series, but more than 70 pages of new artwork. What can you share with us about the genesis behind this incredible omnibus collection?
Sal Abbinanti: It was time. I had a few years to think about it and gather all the material. I received an amazing invite to release Atomika in Eastern Europe, and the edition they assembled was amazing and the response was amazing, as well, so I had always wanted an absolute edition here in the US and this Omnibus was the perfect option. I also felt many comic fans never got the chance to even see the project, and I had a lot of tremendous talent that contributed some amazing images to Atomika that was never seen.
BD: Having begun this project over 15 years ago, what can you tell us about your experience in revisiting the world and characters of Atomika brought to life in collaboration with writer Andrew Dabb, as well as having the opportunity to share so much never-before-seen artwork with longtime fans and new readers?
SA: It’s very exciting; the timing for the original release of the book was not good. My original publisher was not the best, so I went and created Mercury Comics to get my work actually seen. The material is strong or I wouldn’t waste everyone’s time with Atomika. It was a true labor of love, and Andrew Dabb wrote an amazing script–it really shines. The sad part about all the never-before-seen art is that a few of the artists are no longer with us. So, it’s important for their pieces not to just wither away never to be seen. You will not be disappointed.
BD: What are some of the fun backer rewards that are available to those who contribute to your Kickstarter campaign?
SA: We have pledge tiers ranging from a digital edition to a signed print edition, and original artwork by me. We have a tier with a collectible trading card set featuring Atomika covers by classic Silver Age artists including Claudio Castellini, Ernie Chan, Gene Colan, Gary Gianni, Alex Nino, John Romita Sr., and Sanjulian to tiers featuring limited edition 7×10 prints showcasing artwork by many of the most celebrated artists in the industry including Alex Ross, Glen Fabry, Michael Turner, Darwyn Cooke, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Tim Bradstreet.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that Atomika’s story will connect with and impact readers?
SA: It’s a small press original unlike anything that’s out there. I put a lot of sweat into Atomika; it was my answer to a ton of rejection by the comic industry. It has a tremendous script by an amazing writer with a slew of cool characters and a who’s who of artists with a variety of styles for everyone. My art is not like the house styles that the comic reader has grown tired of from Marvel and DC. Atomika will grab them by the balls and not let go.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find out more about Atomika: God Is Red Omnibus Edition and its Kickstarter campaign?
SA: Head over to the Kickstarter page and follow us on @mercury_comics.
