A truly unique art experience is on the way as comic industry veteran Jim Fletcher teams up with toy maker and writer James Martin for Flippitoons Odditome of Deadlies and Dreadlies Volume 1, a visually inventive art book where every illustration transforms when flipped upside down.
Published by Clover Press, the 224-page oversized hardcover introduces readers to a bizarre and playful universe of creatures that exist in dual forms. Each drawing reveals a completely different character when turned, creating a constantly shifting experience that blends art, design, and storytelling in unexpected ways. A Kickstarter campaign for the book is live now.
Fletcher, known for his work on major collectible lines during his time at DC Direct, including DC Ame-Comi Statues and Batman Black and White, brings his imaginative sensibilities to the forefront here. The book serves as a kind of field guide to what he calls “Flippitoons,” creatures discovered through a strange artistic process.
“Flippitoons are creatures that I discovered one day while doodling,” explains Fletcher. “One sketch mysteriously tumbled off my desk and glided to the floor, seemingly flipping over of its own accord as it fell. As I attempted to pick it up, the image kept turning over, showing me the surprise potential of its other half! I soon realized that this was no coincidence, and a multitude of Flipittoons creatures were waiting to be discovered, just beyond our reality. That was when I realized that the field of Oddibiology, or the study of odd things, was where I wanted, no, needed to be! With fellow Odddibodologist James Martin, who quickly recognized what these creatures are, this collector art book is our first attempt to catalogue the Flippitoons (at least the ones we have captured so far) and we hope you will have a flippintastic time exploring its pages!”
The book leans into that fictional “Oddibiology” framework, presenting each creature alongside rhyming prose that can be read in either orientation. The result is an interactive reading experience where narrative and design are tightly intertwined. Some characters will also extend beyond the page with short animated “Flippimations,” complete with original music composed by Fletcher.
Clover Press publisher Hank Kanalz praised Fletcher’s creativity and history of innovation in the collectibles space. “When Jim first approached me, showing me these creatures he found, I thought he was flippin’crazy. Turned out I was right!” said Kanalz. “While we were at DC together, Jim created or co-created some of the most successful lines of DC Direct toys in their history, inspiring new and popular comic DC universes like DC AMI-COMI GIRLS and DC BOMBSHELLS. He’s absolutely bonkers,in the best way possible , and you’ll see that when you flip this fantastic book of Oddibiology..”
Flippitoons Odditome of Deadlies and Dreadlies Volume 1 is shaping up to be a standout collectible, combining artbook design, storytelling, and playful experimentation into a format that invites readers to literally see things from a different perspective. Fans can look out for the Kickstarter launch this May.
Check out the preview below!
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