The Floating God Murders is a graphic novel sequel in the SF noir 'Weird Work' series, launching on Kickstarter with artist Shaky Kane and writer Jordan Thomas reuniting to tell the story of detective Source pursuing a serial killer. Rather than building support from scratch, this project exemplifies a powerful crowdfunding strategy: leveraging an established reader community from the original series.
Sequels and follow-ups to existing creative works represent one of the most effective approaches in comic and graphic novel crowdfunding, particularly on platforms like Kickstarter. The project demonstrates how creators can tap into existing fan loyalty and prior engagement to fuel new productions, a model increasingly common in both Western and Japanese creative fundraising.
Highlights
- Sequel strategy leveraging existing fan base from the original series
- Creator-focused appeal highlighting Shaky Kane and Jordan Thomas's established reputation
- Specialized, niche content within the graphic novel genre
Why this campaign attracts support
The primary strength of this project lies in the existing fanbase already established by the original 'Weird Work' series. Rather than seeking entirely new supporters, the sequel can directly appeal to readers already invested in the world and characters—a powerful advantage in crowdfunding. On Kickstarter, this creator-to-fan relationship is particularly direct, operating outside traditional publishing infrastructure in a self-publishing culture that emphasizes creative independence. For Japanese creators applying this model, the key is building ongoing fan relationships through social media and clearly presenting past work and worldbuilding. However, without details on the funding goal or reward structure, the specific fundraising strategy remains unclear.
A note from the editors
Graphic novel crowdfunding campaigns frequently employ sequel strategies to directly engage existing fans—a model with clear lessons for Japanese manga creators and artists seeking to fund follow-up projects. While this approach shows proven potential, the limited information available in this case makes it difficult to assess specific funding targets or backer response. We will provide updates as more details emerge.