Welcome back to another installment of Indie Comics Showcase, the weekly blog where we signal boost a few truly independent comics that are currently crowdfunding their projects, crowdsourcing their funding in some way, or just completely self-publishing on their own. Every little bit of support for these creators matters, from a single dollar pledge to the twenty-five dollar bundle, and of course the higher tiers are usually fun too! Even if you can’t back a campaign or buy a book, you can share or tweet about these projects to your friends and followers.
On Indie Comics Showcase, we interview the creators, show off some art, and tell you how you can check out the product for yourself. Below we have some outstanding crowdfunding campaigns this week for you to learn about, enjoy, and hopefully support by backing one or more of them! Thanks for checking these out and for being the best part of Indie Comics Showcase. Let’s jump in!
Check out the campaign here!
Chris Braly: Joe, let’s kick things off—how would you pitch your latest comic to someone who’s never heard of it before? What’s the heart of the story?
Joe Spicer: Two fathers. Two sons. Two destinies colliding. From the pages of Red Talon, G.O.D., and Biblical Proportions comes one of the most powerful indie comic book crossovers of 2025: Pentecost + Scorcher: Father’s Day. This one-shot delivers high-octane superhero action mixed with raw family drama about the bond—and the betrayal—between fathers and children.
Pentecost – Once a superhero, now a fallen father battling addiction and grief. His flame flickers, but his hope for redemption still burns.
Scorcher – A superhuman villain, forged in fire and serving the commands of his father, Burning Skull, the infamous enemy of Red Talon. But now Scorcher faces a turning point: obey his father’s evil orders… or ignite a new path of his own. This is more than a fight; it’s a story about faith, forgiveness, trauma, and the fire inside us all.
CB: What first sparked the idea for Father’s Day, and what made you want to put it out independently?
JS: The idea really sparked during a conversation between me and Ken Keller, the creator of Red Talon. We were talking about our respective flame-based characters, Pentecost and Scorcher, and realized they each carried deep emotional weight tied to their fathers. That shared theme immediately lit a fire (pun intended) for the story.
Both characters struggle with family trauma, identity, redemption, and legacy. Bringing them together wasn’t just about a cool visual crossover of two powerful flame characters; it was about exploring how their broken pasts shape their futures, and how crossing paths could help them grow. Their “father wounds” became a meaningful story bridge, allowing us to advance both characters’ emotional arcs in a way that’s honest and resonant.
CB: Who do you think this story will resonate with most—what kind of readers are you aiming for?
JS: Star Cross Team-Up: Pentecost & Scorcher is made for readers who love character-driven superhero stories with emotional depth and high-energy action. If you enjoy comics where personal struggle fuels heroic growth and where powers are matched by heart.
CB:Can you walk us through your creative style and process—how do you build a story like this from the ground up?
JS: My creative style has always been rooted in authenticity and emotional truth. I don’t just build heroes; I build people who happen to have powers, and whose battles are as internal as they are explosive on the page. Pentecost, for example, came from a deeply personal place. He was inspired by my brother and by the real struggles so many people face with mental illness, regret, and moments in life where hope feels out of reach. His flame isn’t just a power—it’s symbolic of a soul trying not to burn out.
Ken Keller brings that same level of emotional sincerity with Scorcher. Scorcher was developed for Ken’s Red Talon universe, and Ken crafted him with a strong foundation in fatherhood themes, trauma, healing, and the consequences of legacy. That’s one reason this crossover feels so natural—both characters are built from real human pain and the desire to rise above it.
In terms of process, we start with heart before spectacle. We talk about motivation, wounds, and the emotional beats we want readers to feel first—then we layer in action, mythology, humor, and world-building. We ask, Why does this matter? before we ask, How hard can they punch?
Visually and tonally, the Star Cross style blends grounded realism, faith and moral conflict, and a bit of gritty indie edge with cinematic pacing. We love dynamic superhero moments, but they hit harder when they’re contrasted with vulnerability, doubt, faith, and redemption.
At the end of the day, our process is simple: Real people. Real struggles. Real consequences. Extraordinary circumstances. That’s how we build heroes who feel human and stories that stay with you long after the last page.
CB: You’ve mentioned Ken Keller a few times, but tell us more about the rest of the creative team behind this crossover.
JS: This book is a real team effort. I co-wrote it with Ken Keller, creator of Red Talon, and together we built a story that blends our flame-powered heroes with real emotional depth, especially around fatherhood and redemption themes.
The art team is incredible. Mark V delivers powerful interior art packed with grit and emotion, while Vince White handled the flashback pages with a classic storytelling touch that grounds the characters’ pasts. Olan Orig’s colors are stunning—he brings the fire, mood, and atmosphere to life in a way that really elevates the story. And Brian Dawson’s cover art—it hits hard and sets the tone before you even open the first page. Everyone brought passion and heart to this project, and it shows on every page.
CB: What’s your production process like these days? And where are you currently at with Father’s Day in terms of completion?
JS: Our workflow is very focused and fast-paced. Once the script is locked, we move straight into art, colors, and then lettering. We stay in constant communication as a team, reviewing pages as they come in and making sure the emotional beats, pacing, and visuals all land the way they should. It’s a busy, nonstop process, but that’s the energy we love—building something powerful step-by-step together.
The great news is that the book is essentially complete. All the writing, art, and colors are finished. We’re currently in the final lettering phase. So you’re not backing a concept—you’re backing a nearly finished comic that’s in the last leg of production and headed toward print.
CB: You’ve self-published a few projects now. What have you taken away from the crowdfunding and indie publishing experience?
JS: I’ve learned that making indie comics isn’t just about creating a book; it’s about building a community. You have to hustle, communicate, and show up every day. Crowdfunding teaches patience, consistency, and gratitude. Every backer matters, every share helps, and every project strengthens your craft. It’s a lot of work, but the creative freedom and direct connection with readers make it worth it.
CB: Looking beyond Father’s Day, what’s next for you and the Star Cross universe?
JS: Absolutely. This team-up is just the beginning. We plan to continue the Star Cross Team-Up series with future crossover issues featuring characters from across the Star Cross universe and beyond. Pentecost’s journey will also continue in upcoming Star Cross titles like Star Cross United and Biblical Proportions, while Scorcher’s path will move forward in future issues of Red Talon. There’s a lot more story to tell, and this crossover opens the door for even bigger moments ahead.
CB: For collectors and backers, are there any special bonuses or rewards tied to this release?
JS: Special features/perks: poster, trading cards, variant chibi covers, digital reward bundle, and catch-up issues for new readers.
CB: Before we wrap up, anything you’d like to say directly to our readers and fans out there?
JS: Just a huge thank-you to everyone supporting indie creators and believing in what we’re building. Star Cross is growing in a big way. Alongside new comics like this one, we’re also releasing new titles in the Star Cross Comics online store and expanding into prose with brand-new novels.
Check out the campaign here!
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Check out the campaign here!
Chris Braly: Silvio, for readers who might be new to your work, give us your quick elevator pitch—what’s Sword of Justice: Origins 2 all about?
Silvio Spotti: Sword of Justice: Origins 2 is a high-octane sci-fi fantasy adventure published by Top Secret Press, created by veteran artist and writer Silvio Spotti (DC, Disney, BOOM, Avatar Press, IDW). The story follows Brenna, a runaway from a lunar colony who crash-lands on a broken Earth and joins Tanet, a fierce barbarian, and Muriel, a rogue prince-mage. Together, they fight to reclaim a world swallowed by chaos.
This second issue continues the acclaimed series with intense action, rich world-building, and dynamic characters—fully inked and lettered, needing only colors to complete production. With eight fully delivered Kickstarter campaigns behind it, this project is a safe bet for backers who want premium indie comics with epic scale and stunning visuals.
(All issues available and a trade paperback on campaign + original art.)
CB: That sounds awesome. What first inspired Sword of Justice: Origins, and what made you want to bring it to life through self-publishing?
SS: The idea comes from the Thundarr the Barbarian TV show, which evolved into an homage to the comics from the 90s.
CB: Who do you see as your core audience for this series? Who do you think will connect most with Sword of Justice: Origins 2?
SS: All ages can read. It is aimed at those that love comics without bullshit in it.
CB: Let’s talk about your art and storytelling style. How did you develop your creative process and influences over the years?
SS: My style comes from Buscema, Jim Lee, Silvestri, and Dale Keown. It developed over 25 years of experience working for all American publishers and on two books that became movies—Cowboys & Aliens and Wynonna Earp.
CB: You’ve worked with some incredible talent over the years. Who’s joining you on the creative team for this issue?
SS: I’m the writer, and artist and the colors are by Veronica Lopez. We have alternate covers by: Rafael Lanhelas (Top Secret Press), Alex Guimarães (DC, Marvel), Ivan Nunes (Spawn), Vittorio Astone (IDW), and others.
CB: What’s the status of production on this issue? How close are you to having Sword of Justice: Origins 2 ready for backers?
SS: The new book is inked and lettered, only in need of colors that will be done after funding. All other comic books in this series and the trade paperback are printed and ready to go.
CB: You’ve successfully crowdfunded several projects now. What has this journey taught you about indie publishing and connecting directly with readers?
SS: It’s an incredible journey and can’t be done without the support of my editor, Top Secret Press.
CB: Once Sword of Justice: Origins 2 is out, what’s next for you and the universe you’re building?
SS: Yes. There is the third installment that tells the origin of the mage Muriel. Every new origin also introduces new characters to the universe of Sword of Justice.
CB: For collectors and campaign backers—what special perks or rewards are being offered this time around?
SS: We have original art.
CB: Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like readers to know about what’s coming next from you and Top Secret Press?
SS: Yes, we have big plans for 2026. Give a chance to a new book and a new author. We need to make the universe of comics a fresh one, with new ideas from new authors. Just as a chance was given to Image Comics back in the 90s, indie comics deserve their chance too.
Check out the campaign here!
@SilvioSpotti @topsecretpress1 @spicemaster77 @DARKForcesCOMIC @OlanOrig31139 @MkOdinson
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That’s it for this installment. If you’re a creator ramping up your own campaign or have a comic available for purchase online and you want to be featured in our weekly column, click here so we can hopefully help you get more eyes on YOUR crowdfunding comic project. Until next time, support indie comics!
English (US) · 