“With a world divided, who do you turn to?” Niobe by Sebastian Jones, Amandla Stenberg, Ashley Woods, Sheldon Mitchell, & Darrell May.
Get an oversized special Kickstarter Exclusive edition hardcover collection of NIOBE: SHE IS LIFE with 32 pages of extra material not contained in the retail edition paperback. Written by Sebastian A. Jones and Amandla Stenberg with art by Ashley A. Woods and Darrell May, the collection also has contributions by many talented artists like Jae Lee and Hyoung Taek Nam. You’ll also be able to get a Kickstarter Exclusive version of the first issue of the sequel NIOBE: SHE IS DEATH by Jones, Stenberg, May and artist Sheldon Mitchell. Be the first to read the book well before its in-store release next year.
While first introduced in The Untamed, Niobe’s solo story begins years later with the character as a teenager. A child of prophecy is on the road to fulfilling her destiny… Niobe: She is Life.
With a world divided who do you turn to?
Between two warring nations, in the heart of Western Ujoa, there is a haven to those who have lost their way. Some say you can rebuild your mind and spirit upon the mountains of Ugoma. For a Half-Elven (Sin-Galemren) girl with off-colored eyes, it is a chance to flee a dark past, and rest safely within the secret monatery of her ancestors. But you cannot run from destiny, or hide from the Devil.
Set within the original fantasy world of Asunda, Niobe: She is Life is a coming of age Beauty and the Beast love story threaded with murder and mystery that leads to all out war.
And the upcoming sequel… She is Death.
There is nothing more dangerous and beautiful than a wild woman.
Niobe: She is Death is a tale of hard truths and revelations for a young woman who is tired of running. Niobe has lost her faith – in humanity and the world around her. In the sequel to Niobe: She is Life, we will witness Niobe’s journey from heartbroken teenager to warrior woman, set to take on a world that would see her dead. Narrowly escaping a violent prison death, she learns that girls like her are being abducted. But the hunted becomes the hunter when she allies herself with a savage mentor who teaches her how to take vengeance on those who prey on the helpless – by being a bounty hunter herself.
Niobe will hunt down and capture human traffickers, rescuing the victims for the families who seek her help. But each step takes her further down the path toward a destiny she did not ask for and a burden she does not want.
And that’s only the beginning!
Written by Sebastian A. Jones (The Untamed, Dusu) & Amandla Stenberg (Everything, Everything, Hunger Games)
Layouts and Concepts by Darrell May (The Untamed, Dusu)
She is Life: Illustrated by Ashley A. Woods (Lady Castle, Millennia War)
She is Death: Illustrated by Sheldon Mitchell (Cable, The Darkness, Vampire Hunter D)
Lettering, Design and Editorial by Joshua Cozine (Witchblade, Superman, Vampire Hunter D)
Cover Artists: Jae Lee, Hyoung Taek Nam, Markus Prime, Rahiem Milton, Matt Waite, James C. Webster, Amandla Stenberg, Ashley A. Woods, Sheldon Mitchell, Michael Person, Olivia Duchess, Mervin Kaunda & Joyceline Furniss.
Niobe and the team behind her have been lauded by fans and critics alike.
Reward packages and pledge levels are on the right, but here’s a little more detail about the various items you can get.
THE BOOKS
– Niobe: She is Life Kickstarter Edition Oversized Hardcover Graphic Novel – This will be 160 pages collecting Niobe: She is Life issues 1-4 with lots of bonus material including 32 pages that won’t be in the retail edition. It will be 8”x12” with a glossy hardbound cover, and if we hit our stretch goals, it will have foil inlay and a reversible dust jacket/poster. Only the Kickstarter Edition will have the foil and dust jacket. Available in some levels signed by Sebastian, Amandla, Ashley, and Darrell. Also available with sketches on the title page by Hyoung, Sheldon, or Darrell.
– Niobe: She is Death #1 Kickstarter Edition – The first issue of the sequel series. This will be a 36 page “floppy” comic book with an exclusive cover by Sheldon Mitchell. Available in some levels signed by Sebastian, Amandla, Sheldon, and Darrell.
– Niobe: She is Death #1 Jae Lee “Bloody Fists” Kickstarter Edition Variant – The first issue with an alternate cover by Jae Lee, the legend behind such books as THE DARK TOWER, INHUMANS, BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN and WOLVERINE. The print run will be limited to the number of backers who take pledge levels which include this cover. Available in some levels signed by Jae Lee, Sebastian, Amandla, Sheldon, and Darrell.
– Niobe: She is Death #1 Jae Lee “Heads on Spikes” Limited Edition Virgin Variant – The “daytime” version of this cover will be the retail cover when it is eventually released in stores, but the “nighttime” version is available here as a virgin variant (clean artwork on the cover, no logos or credits), strictly limited to 104 copies… 100 for the “Heads on Spikes” pledge level and 4 for the backers who want to be drawn onto the cover. All copies will be signed by Jae Lee, Sebastian, Amandla, Sheldon, and Darrell, unless requested otherwise.
– Niobe: She is Life Graphic Novel PDF – Get the PDF of the story shortly after the completion of the campaign. Read it while your hardcover is being printed! This version will be 128 pages and will not include 32 pages of the bonus material in the back, as that is exclusive to the hardcover edition.
– Niobe: She is Life Fan Art Contest Winner Editions – All 4 issues of She is Life, each with a variant cover edition by one of our 4 Niobe Fan Art Contest Winners. Additionally, all contestants who did not will have their artwork included in the bonus material at the back of the hardcover. If you haven’t already sent us your high resolution images, do it now!
THE GOODIES
– Niobe Wallpaper Pack – We have so many amazing artists, and we’re excited to share their artwork as both desktop wallpapers and mobile device backgrounds. The pack will include at least 5 of our best cover images in a wide variety of sizes and dimensions to cover all possible devices.
– Kickstarter Exclusive Lithograph Art Prints – 11×17 art prints. One by the master Hyoung Taek Nam (THE LAST OF US, UNCHARTED 4) and the other by the legend Jae Lee (THE DARK TOWER, INHUMANS, WOLVERINE). These prints are exclusive to Kickstarter and will not be listed on our webstore for sale. You can get them both in the ART OF LIFE AND DEATH pledge level or you can get them as ADD ONS separately.
– Arnuminel Choker – Made by Badali Jewelry, makers of the finest fantasy reproduction pieces, including the Lord of the Rings merchandise, these are available in solid bronze, solid sterling silver, and solid 14K gold. The video shows a traditional necklace version, but the choker pendant will be slightly smaller and will be on an elastic ribbon choker with a metal bail clasp. Bails will be solid sterling silver on the bronze and silver editions and solid gold on the gold edition.
– Arnuminel Earrings – Also made by Badali, these will complete the set in bronze and silver. Available in your choice of studded posts or dangling.
Previously released full necklace version modeled by Amandla.
– Niobe Backpack – Made by Human Canvas, there are two options, the Hyoung cover for She is Life issue 1 and the Woods 2nd print cover. Also available as an ADD ON.
– 11×17 Original Artwork – Original pieces drawn by Niobe artists Ashley A. Woods and Sheldon Mitchell.
– Sinner and Savior Canvas Prints – These are 18×24 prints on wooden framed canvas. These are gallery edition canvas prints and are limited to 50 copies, hand numbered and signed by Amandla, Sebastian, Hyoung, and Darrell. Numbers 3-50 are available.
– Get drawn into the book! Available in cameo and speaking roles, you will be drawn into issues 2-4 of She is Death somewhere. It’s too late for issue 1, unfortunately, but we’ll send you an 11×17 print of a page you appear on when the artwork is done.
– Get drawn onto the cover! If you’d rather be front and center, Jae Lee will draw your decapitated head onto the “Heads on Spikes” cover.
– Original Cover Artwork – Get the original penciled Jae Lee cover artwork for “Bloody Fists,” “Heads on Spikes,” or the Jae Lee covers for The Untamed: Killing Floor issues 1-4.
In order left to right, top to bottom, “Bloody Fists,” “Heads on Spikes,” “Untamed #1,” “Untamed #2,” “Untamed #3,” “Untamed #4”
Any of the following items can be added to a physical reward package by simply increasing your pledge by the amount shown and then stating the reward you want in the survey after the campaign. Backers with digital only rewards can add on items but please contact us to discuss shipping. Similarly, if you are international, please contact us to calculate the shipping on your upgraded package.
PLEASE NOTE: INTERNATIONAL BACKERS, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR ADDITIONAL SHIPPING AMOUNT FOR YOUR ADD ONS.
$10 – She is Death #1 Kickstarter Edition. Get an extra or add to any other physical reward tier (including the $20 Early Bird). See above in REWARDS.
$15 – She is Death #1 Jae Lee “Bloody Fists” Variant. Add to any reward tier that includes the She is Death #1 Kickstarter Edition (limit 1 per person). See above in REWARDS.
$15 – Stranger Lithographs. Add on one of our non-exclusive lithos. These are available through our store and at conventions, but they’re discounted from $20 plus shipping (on webstore) to only $15 with shipping included.
Above: Ashley Woods, Ashley Woods, Jae Lee, Sheldon Mitchell
Above: Hyoung Taek Nam, Hyoung Taek Nam, Rahiem Milton, Rahiem Milton
Above: Michael Person, Duchess, Mervin Kuanda, Joyceline Furniss
$20 – Niobe Pathfinder book. Want to play in Niobe’s world? Pathfinder is making a 36 page supplement book for Niobe, allowing fans their first opportunity to game in Asunda.
$20 – Either Kickstarter Exclusive Litho. See above in REWARDS.
$20 – “Remark” head sketch on your book. A small “bust” style sketch.
$30 – The Untamed: A Sinner’s Prayer hardcover graphic novel
$50 – Solid Bronze Arnuminel Earrings. Shipping included. See above in REWARDS.
$55 – Full sketch on your book. A more detailed sketch. Per the $120 “Sketchy” pledge level above in REWARDS, but added to any level you want.
$65 – Solid Sterling Silver Arnuminel Earrings. Shipping included. See above in REWARDS.
$70 – Solid Bronze Arnuminel Necklace with sterling silver bail. Shipping included. See above in REWARDS.
$60 – The Untamed: A Sinner’s Prayer KICKSTARTER EDITION graphic novel. Get one of the last few copies leftover from our previous Kickstarter. They will be on a first come, first served basis. Please message us if you do this add on to ensure your spot and so we can mark this as “sold out“ if necessary.
$70 – CGC 9.8 edition. Have your Kickstarter Edition or “Bloody Fists” Variant graded (unsigned copies only). Guaranteed to be 9.8.
$80 – Niobe backpack. Your choice of the Niobe backpacks (shipping included). See above in REWARDS.
$100 – Solid Sterling Silver Arnuminel Necklace with sterling silver bail. Shipping included. See above in REWARDS.
$100 – CGC 9.8 Signature Series edition. Have your Kickstarter Edition, “Bloody Fists” Variant, or “Heads on Spikes” Variant graded and signed with authenticated signatures. Guaranteed to be 9.8. Additional add-ons may be available upon request.
$24,000 – Mini Litho – We will produce a mini litho of the pencils of some of Sheldon’s pencils for She is Death, and every physical reward backer will receive one.
ALSO
Niobe’s Tattoo – Everyone getting a physical reward will receive a temporary tattoo of the symbol of Arnuminel.
$27,500 – Mini Litho – We will produce a mini litho of the pencils of Jae Lee’s Untamed #2 cover, and every physical reward backer will receive one.
ALSO
You will also receive a Niobe bookmark. “There is nothing more dangerous and beautiful than a wild woman.”
$30,000 – God of Nature Tattoo – Everyone getting a physical reward will receive a temporary tattoo of the symbol of Powisienne, God of Nature worshipped by the Galemren elves.
ALSO
The She is Life Kickstarter Edition Hardcover will now have a reversible dust jacket.
$32,500 – Long Life – 16 more pages of extras and artwork in the She is Life hardcover, exclusive to the hardcover and will not be in the retail paperback or ebook. This is in addition to the 32 pages already exclusive to the hardcover, making for 48 pages of additional back matter from the trade paperback.
ALSO
The story of Niobe’s lost tribe, Dusu: Path of the Ancient, will be collected as a Kickstarter Edition hardcover and made available as an add-on.
$35,000 – Trading Cards – Every physical reward backer will receive 3 of 12 random trading cards of Asunda characters, the backs of which will create a connecting image.
ALSO
The She is Life Kickstarter Edition Hardcover will now have foil inlay on the cover and spine.
$37,500 – Backers will receive the Hand of the Devil temporary tattoo. Make your deal and pray it’s a good one.
ALSO
A second bookmark featuring the Gods and Dragons of Asunda.
$40,000 – Longer Life – Another 16 additional pages of extras and artwork in the She is Life hardcover, making for 64 pages of additional back matter from the trade paperback.
ALSO
The extra back matter will now be included in the Kickstarter PDF (but not the commercial ebook).
$42,500 – Trading Cards 2 – Backers will now receive 6 of 12 random trading cards with a connecting image on the back.
ALSO
A slipcase edition will be made available as an upgrade add-on.
$45,000 – Year of the Stranger – Every backer at $35 and up will receive a 2018 Stranger Comics Calendar.
$47,500 – Trading Cards 3 – Backers will now receive the full set of 12 trading cards with a connecting image on the back.
$50,000 – The Birth of a Savior – 32 more pages of extras (for a total of 96 extra pages, the equivalent of a whole additional book), and the extras will now include the 52 page story of Morka Moa, villain of She is Life, pursuing Niobe as a baby. Morka Moa is written by Sebastian and Darrell who is also drawing the book.
THE INNOCENCE PROJECT (CHARITY DONATION)
At Stranger Comics, we like to make the world a better place, and as some other campaigns have done, we are donating a portion of our proceeds to charity. In She is Life, one of the main plot points is a character accused of a crime based on the color of his skin, so we can’t think of a better charity to work with than The Innocence Project.
The Innocence Project is a non-profit legal organization that is committed to exonerating wrongly convicted people through the use of DNA testing and to reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
We will donate 10% of our proceeds after the costs of printing and fulfillment with a minimum donation of $1,000 if the campaign is successful. Help us help others and get some great books in the process. And consider donating directly. You can find their site HERE.
Want to know what’s next for Niobe and Stranger Comics? Click on THIS or the graphic above and enter your email in the “Join Our List” field along the right side of the page.
How can we help?
– Glad you asked! Please share on all social media platforms even if ya don’t pledge. You may know someone who might like this stuff. It all helps!
Have you made anything else we can see?
– Lots of stuff! Just click the link to Stranger Comics and you will be able to see all kinds of comic books and children’s books we have printed and sold around the world.
When will I receive the PDFs?
– Within a month after Kickstarter is finished. You’ll be able to read it before you get the printed book.
When will the books and/or lithograph prints be shipped?
– Each pledge states an estimated shipping date. Some take longer than others because of the upgrades in those tiers, and except in certain cases, we will not be shipping rewards out piecemeal. In other words, your books may be held back until the rest of the rewards in your tier are available.
Can I add more items to my pledge? If so, how do I do that?
– Yes! There’s an add on menu above. You simply increase your pledge by the amount shown next to the item you’d like to add on, and when you fill out the survey, write in the notes what the extra pledge money was for. If there’s something else you’d like to add that is not on the menu, message me through Kickstarter.
Can I change my address for shipping?
– Once the time comes to start shipping, a message will be sent asking for your current address. At any time before we ship your pledge, you can contact me with the “Ask a question” button on the bottom of the page to let us know your new address.
Anything else?
– You can contact me with the “Ask a question” button on the bottom of the page.
There are few challenges left that we have not already overcome. The NIOBE: She is Life four issue book is complete as is the NIOBE: She is Death comic #1. (We have also run a successful kickstarter for THE UNTAMED so this is not our first time putting a book together or fulfilling a campaign.)
Unless there is a delay with the printer or the post office loses packages, there is no foreseen risk of not getting NIOBE if this Kickstarter is successful.