Being a functioning human is hard and sometimes you need to some reassurance—but the old poster of the kitten hanging from a tree branch just doesn’t inspire you anymore…
We need something better, something new, that speaks to the modern experience of living in a late-stage-capitalist hellscape and stealing back every bit of joy you can. We need some modern affirmations!
Partially inspired by the deranged things my wife says to me when she gets home from work, these are things I keep in my head to remind me that we’re meant to be silly little guys doing our best and it’s okay to take a break, have some coffee, and celebrate the little victories in our lives.
These designs, created by Brenda Snell, serve as a reminder to love and appreciate ourselves for everything we are, even the scary parts. We also have 3 existing pins from previous comic book campaigns that we're offering here as well!
💖 WELCOME TO PINTOPIA — a celebration of creativity and collaboration from a diverse group of over 175 creators collectively launching their pin and/or plushie project on BackerKit from January 23rd - February 13.
Be on the lookout for projects that have paired up to be Cross-Collab partners — this means that if you back BOTH projects in the pair (for a physical reward), you will get a limited FREE pin from EACH creator. The more pairs you support, the more FREE pins you earn ✨
And for all you pin-collectors out there, we want to reward your achievements with a limited Gold Pintopia 2025 pin once you support 6 or more Cross-Collab pairs (this reward will be surveyed and shipped by the BackerKit team).
⚔️ 2 FREE Cross Collaborative Freebies for every cross-collab pair you back (one from each creator) 🏆 1 FREE Exclusive Gold Pintopia 2025 Pin if you back 10 participating projects or more
⭐️ PRO TIP: Get the MOST freebies by backing 5 Cross-Collab Pairs!
*See individual project pages for freebie unlock requirements **To unlock the Trophy Pin, you must support each project for a physical item
Shark-like and Powerful
Sometime's "Not Murder" is Good Enough
Sunlight. Water. Rest.
Tummy Ache Survivor
Tiny Cactus
My Spirit is Sharp
All pins come with comfortable rubber stops
Most of these Enamel Pin designs are 1.25"x1.25" with the exception of "Shark-Like and Powerful" which is 1.00"x1.00" and "My Spirit is Sharp" which is 1.50"x1.50".
The money for the campaign goal approximately covers the cost of making 150 pins for each of the new designs.
We use black outlined soft enamel for all our pins, except "Shark-Like and Powerful" which is screen printed.
Pledge levels don't select for which specific design you want, but how many pins you want. You will get to select your preferred design(s) on your backer survey. Add-ons will ask you which specific pin you'd like in addition to your pledge.
Enamel Pins are made by Galaxy Design Squad. Stickers are made by Jukebox Print.
We estimate 4-6 weeks for Galaxy Design Squad to create the pins and ship them to us and another week to ship them out.
Shipping will be added after the campaign during the survey in the interest of being as accurate as possible. Estimated shipping for most amounts of pins (1-6) is approximately $4.00 USD.
Enamel Pins will be shipped with 4"x6" padded mailers. If sticker sheets are included, we'll reinforce the mailer with a corrugated cardboard sheet to keep it from bending. If any comics are included, the entire order will be shipped in a gemini mailer with a protective bag covering the books and pins.
The original designs for this campaigns are also being compiled into a 3"x5" sticker sheet, so you can stick a "Terminally Eepy" on your water bottle to let everyone at work know what to expect!
The Newest Designs!
We also have a sticker sheet covering the previous campaign's designs, so you can let everyone know that you're a "Tummy Ache Survivor" and also extremely brave!
The Old Hits are Back!
We're also providing copies of our bound comics for purchase including:
MechaTon - An All-Ages/Sci-fi/Comedy
Descent into Dread and From the Static - Horror Anthologies
Bi-Visibility: Still Bi - A Comic Anthology about Bisexual-Visibility
Brenda Snell (she/they) is a freelance designer currently living near Flint, Michigan who specializes in logo and brand design. When she isn't designing, she co-hosts her podcast, "Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries" and works on rug making, crocheting, and writing fanfiction. Follow their shenanigans on Twitter @batmanandsobbin
Wells Thompson
Wells (he/him) is the writer of several Kickstarter comics including MechaTon, Frankenstein the Unconquered, and The Catskin and the Rose, as well as a contributor to anthologies like Bi-Visibility and From the Static. He's also a regular contributor to Comic Book Yeti, a comic book review site specializing in indie comics and Kickstarter projects. You can keep up with his shenanigans on his newsletter, Comics, Cats, & Cocktails.
