AHOY Comics is stepping into crowdfunding for the first time with a new project that leans into everything the publisher does best: bold ideas, sharp satire, and a willingness to take risks. The Syracuse-based indie publisher has announced The Forgotten Divine, a new science fiction drama from writer Mark Russell and artist Russ Braun, launching soon on Kickstarter.
The campaign marks AHOY’s first Kickstarter, giving readers a chance to grab exclusive covers, special editions, and other perks tied to the release. Known for titles like The Toxic Avenger, Second Coming, and Justice Warriors, AHOY is positioning this as an opportunity to expand what their books can offer while bringing readers directly into the process.
At the center of The Forgotten Divine is Rodney Coleman, an unhoused veteran plagued by recurring visions of a distant world. What starts as confusion soon turns into connection, as he finds others experiencing the same dreams. Together, they form a group to make sense of what they are seeing, but that shared purpose slowly spirals into something far more dangerous, shaped by paranoia, belief, and the need to find meaning.
“THE FORGOTTEN DIVINE is about why people join cults, assign meaning to mysteries, and find comfort in their own persecution,” said Mark Russell. “I feel like we can all either relate to these characters or see someone we know in them. We’re all looking for our Forgotten Divine.”
Russ Braun emphasized the creative challenge behind the project, particularly in how the story builds over time. “THE FORGOTTEN DIVINE is a challenging story, both to read and to draw,” Braun said. “The subtleties involved in the storytelling required a lot of thought; the slow evolution, ramp up, and ultimate impact is a testament to Mark’s writing. Visually, we got to put some stuff out there that hasn’t been seen before and that’s always a blast for me. We took some risks, but I think AHOY, Mark, and I are known for that and it definitely paid off.”
Editor-in-Chief Tom Peyer highlighted how Kickstarter opens the door for AHOY to push even further creatively. “We’ve always promised our readers they could Expect More from our line of comic book magazines featuring comics, prose fiction, poems, cartoons—and Kickstarter lets us deliver more More,” Peyer said. “It gives us the absolute freedom to make a book that’s as jam-packed and utterly excessive as our wildest dreams will allow. Plus, by supporting the Kickstarter, you’re playing an active part in making said book a reality and increasing the story’s visibility, helping us guarantee that it’ll hit comic shops and bookstores. Man—you’re kind of a hero, aren’t you?”
The Kickstarter for The Forgotten Divine will feature campaign-exclusive content and additional perks, with more details to be revealed as it goes live. Fans can sign up now to be notified when the campaign launches.
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