IronSpike
Psycho Bunny Studio
((If you haven't been able to guess, Japan Needs Heroes 1 and 2 still are not out and the creator has taken his $20 grand and fallen off the internet.))
Speaking as someone whose Kickstarter project took two years and is only just now (********. FINALLY.) sitting at the printer and soliciting back-cover quotes, I want to give "Japan Needs Heroes" the benefit of the doubt.
But the creator hasn't posted even a Backers Only update since December.
Personally, I feel Kickstarters have no obligation to keep people who didn't back the project up to date. But even contributors don't know what's going down right now.
If something specific is holding up the show, I'm going to bet it's artists slacking. When you're not paying someone to do something, their urge to produce isn't quite as fierce as it might be. but even if that's the case, the creator should say something.
The creator of "Japan Needs Heroes" actually
has a Gaia account, but he signed up just to promo his webcomic, "Wayward Sons." He received a frosty reception, and never returned.
Yeah, that's where I first kind of met him, on here on Gaia.
I mean if he was keeping everyone up to date on the project step by step, either on Kickstarter, or the facebook page, or his own website, or his blog or via smoke signal I'd have no problem with it.
"This artist is missing art"
"I sent them into the printers but I'm getting a red light"
"T-shirt design keeps bleeding"
Anything and I'm pretty sure people would be okay with it. I know I would, heck like I said on JNH2 if he'd just update with a "I'm having problems right now but don't worry $$$$$ has gone to the Japan Red Cross already and I'm only holding onto $$$$ for the printing and shipping" I'm pretty sure people would be cool with him taking five years to get it out or just sending everyone a thank you card.
But to get vague updates of "We're almost done!" for around 6 months and then a "Just gotta find a few people at Wondercon" in December and then dead air from then on?
Well not only does it smack of serious unprofessionalism if not down right KOHNY level of shadiness, it just re-enforces all the negative comments people had of him from the get go and it drags down the name of everyone who contributed art and encouraged others to contribute money. Not like I have any fans to disillusion but I know I was pressuring my friends and family to get the JNH2 book because I was going to have my work in it. After I submitted (August 2011) I got no confirmation my work was received and other then one "we're just missing a few people" e-mail I've received personally, nothing back. And I've e-mailed him a few times asking about if he got my art, if he'd like me to do replacement art for people missing, how many pages are missing and if the money has been donated yet.
I guess I'm just miffed because now it just seems like it was a waste of time when I could have done something else and directed my friends to other donation sources. I'm more miffed about this because I helped create this mess by being a part of it.