The following is an interview with Chad Perkins regarding the recent Kickstarter campaign launch for The Legend of Sparkledog. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Perkins about the shared creative process for bringing the story to life, the backer rewards available with the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: You recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for The Legend of Sparkledog. For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you share with us about the premise of this new story?
Chad Perkins: The Legend of Sparkledog follows the story of Quinn, our gender fluid protagonist, who decides to purchase a fursuit from a very questionable website. But once the fursuit arrives, Quinn discovers that the suit might be the one wearing them. Join Quinn on a multi-genre, reality-shifting horror adventure as they try to collect the Four Chrystal Paw Pads to bring peace back into the world. Except peace isn’t an option. Each issue is written as a different genre and theme, so one issue you’ll be reading a 1920s noir story, and the next you’ll be reading a DnD campaign.
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in working with Blake Mathias to bring this project to life?
CP: Blake described the creative process like a game of chicken. When we first came up with the idea, I typed up a small, one-page introduction page just to make fun of the idea of Sparkledog. But after that, Blake drew the concept art for Quinn, and then I wrote a couple more pages…then Blake did a full page and then well…now we are here. That’s pretty much what the creative process has been so far: how much nonsense and absurdity we can add into a book such as this.
BD: How many total issues do you have planned for the series’ first story arc?
CP: At the moment, Sparkledog is planned for a six-issue mini-series; however I do have plans for Quinn and Sparkledog later on down the road! So, they certainly aren’t going anywhere.
BD: In light of the Kickstarter campaign, are there any particular backer rewards that you would like to highlight for our readers?
CP: We are very proud with the variant cover artists we chose! Warren Brown who did an awesome greyscale movie poster cover and our Jason Lenox coloring book cover that allows you to color Sparkledog how you want! Of course, we can’t forget the wonderful K. Lynn Smith cover that’s vibrant and very pretty!
We also have a lovely Indie Bundle lineup, where you get Monster Matador issue one and Roadkill Rampage and more goodies! We also have a tier where you can design a fursona and be included into the book!
BD: Are there any other projects on which you are working that you would like to share with readers?
CP: At the moment, I am working on a fish story that I’m very proud of! Which will hopefully be popping up soon.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about the Legend of Sparkledog Kickstarter campaign and your other work?
CP: You can follow myself on Twitter @CasualNerdChad, and you can follow Blake Mathias on Twitter (@tukk_rol). Plus, we also host Shots With Comics on the Indie Comics Network, where we drink and talk about the comics we are reading for that week! And, of course, you can check out the Kickstarter link, as well!
