Don Simpson's MEGATON MAN: MULTIMENSIONS
+ BICS & DUMBO Open Studios
Indie-comics legend, Don Simpson was about to launch a Kickstarter featuring Megaton Man and his Bizarre Heroes, plus team-ups and mash-ups with guest characters, and here is a headline/link to a Bleeding Cool story about what stalled the project:
“Kickstarter Suspends Don Simpson's Megaton Man Over Iranian Artist”
Having discussed it with Don and other people, the issue might be as simple as Kickstarter can't legally send funds to Iran. But, because it's a Don Simpson production with approx. 60+ contributors, I HIGHLY DOUBT Don was gonna ask Kickstarter to cut 60+ checks to everyone involved. I assume Don was gonna collect said funds and figure out production costs and proposed payouts on his own. In other words, none of Kickstarter's business. Otherwise, why should Kickstarter care where anyone lives in order to email digital comix files to Don's laptop? It’s not like the Iranian cartoonist in question is a secretary of defense texting war plans to journalists, friends and family. Dub me a dummy if I'm missing something.
At the end of the day, we're not talking about a few bucks funding armaments. Okay? Besides, everyone knows the pen is mightier that the sword.
Cartoonists from all over the world make indie comix because they love it. Because they have to. It’s in their heart, blood and soul. And that's the spirit behind Don's MEGATON MAN: Multimensions. A comic book omnibus celebrating alternative superheroes, independent creators and diverse voices — from all over the world.
I know that Don Simpson and his co-publisher, Cosmic Lion Productions, are looking at other crowdfunding options. Fingers crossed this all-inclusive project will see the light of day.
My gal, painter/artist Jen Ferguson is participating in DUMBO Open Studios this weekend., April 26 & 27 from 1 - 6pm. Her studio is located at 55 Washington Street, #317. DUMBO, BK/NY.
You can learn more about Jen and what’s going on in her mysterious studio HERE.
I’m a guest this weekend at Brooklyn Independent Comics Showcase, April 26 & 27, 2025 from 11am - 7pm, and I will be moderating BICS’ first ever panel, “The Business of Self-Publishing Comics,” with Nicholas Forker, Russ Kazmierczak Jr., Mahdi Khene, and Whitney Matheson on Saturday, April 26th from 1-2pm.
Whitney will be debuting her new book, THE FEELING. A collection of 23 stories. I’ve read every one of them and they’re all great.
Phoenix-based cartoonist, Russ Kazmierczak Jr., will also be at BICS debuting his new effort, Amazing Arizona Comics #54.
“Can Speed Cameron and his friends stop Chip, the Living Microchip, from taking over the city? Maybe the real question isn't can they . . . but SHOULD they?
Amazing Arizona Comics satires news and culture with superhero adventure. Issue #54 launches the award-winning title in a bold, new direction, as its creator, Russ Kazmierczak, Jr., includes memoir, poetry, travelogue, and more alongside his fun, poignant superhero stories.”
Vito Delsante and I celebrate our Sweet 16 on the latest episode of the VITO x DINO podcast (with a live Easter Rabbit cameo):
See you in the gutters!
—Dean
Instagram / Website/Blog / Nightwork Studio / Etsy / VITO x DINO
UPDATE: as soon as I published this newsletter, Don Simpson shared some good news:
https://donaldsimpson1713.substack.com/p/megaton-man-multimensions-now-live
Back when it first came out and I was ordering nearly everything published by Kitchen Sink, I immediately loved Don Simpson's Megaton Man. It was clever and stupid, sexy and silly, and very funny. I still have every incredibly well printed issue. Several years ago, in advance of a trip to Pittsburgh, I commissioned Don to do a commission of MM, which I picked up at a comic convention at an empty shopping mall on that trip. I also have several original pages from him, including Border Worlds and Wasteland. In the past year, I supported Don's Zoop fundraiser for the hardcover edition of Megaton Man. Hopefully, this Kickstarter fiasco won't affect the Zoop project. This action by Kickstarter is very disturbing, especially when there are many more "political" and "offensive" projects being offered there. Don is a great storyteller and artist. This sucks.