Kickstarter has become a titan in the comics industry. It feels like every other day, another major publisher uses crowdfunding to reprint a classic series or publish an art book, but Kickstarter’s biggest impact has been on the independent comics scene. In a world of web comics and digital platforms, crowdfunding remains unique in offering new series both funding and marketing. As a result, websites like Kickstarter have become a magnet for talented creators early in their career: creators just like Brandon Ward, the sole creative behind the pulpy action series HITMAN HOTLINE.
I first came across HITMAN HOTLINE on Reddit of all places. A couple months ago, Brandon posted a cover for what will be the second issue of the series. It was eye-catching to be sure. Brandon’s style has a degree of polish that feels on par with the best of the big two, complete with a character design that feels right at home with other masked assassins in those universes. Much like all the other users in the comments, I was wildly impressed. Though issue one wasn’t even out yet, I was already eagerly awaiting the second chapter. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long until another post cropped up on my feed: “’HITMAN HOTLINE’ #1 is now LIVE on Kickstarter!”
HITMAN HOTLINE features, shockingly, a Hitman. The assassin, self-dubbed “Mr. Protagonist,” is one of many killers for hire in a world where murder isn’t just legalized but incentivized by companies like the titular “HITMAN HOTLINE.” Complete with promises of violent action, mystery, and some of the most insane preview pages I’ve seen for a debut comic, I couldn’t back the campaign fast enough.
In short, HITMAN HOTLINE felt like everything that makes these crowdfunded projects amazing, and not to get on the 2008 Robert Kirkman Manifesto soapbox, but these projects are where this industry shines. So, I took the project to my editor, and frankly, it didn’t take much convincing to get him to agree to publish an interview with Brandon Ward (thanks, Phillip). Though we weren’t able to align our schedules for a video interview — like many great comic creators, Mr. Ward is tragically British — Brandon was kind enough to agree to answer some questions via email about HITMAN HOTLINE and his experience creating the series.
On the Hitman Hotline Kickstarter Campaign
Joseph Pines: Congrats again on the launch of your Kickstarter for the first chapter of HITMAN HOTLINE. As of the writing of this, you’re over 800% funded with 102 backers and with 22 days still to go. How has it been seeing the response? Were you expecting this degree of support?
Brandon Ward: Thank you! I am very, very fortunate that one of the biggest difficulties I’ve faced during this Kickstarter has been running out of different ways to say thank you. The support has FAR exceeded what I ever hoped for, which is super nice and feels very validating, especially for my first original project.
Joseph Pines: For anyone who has yet to back the Kickstarter, what is your basic sales pitch for HITMAN HOTLINE?
Brandon Ward: I think my go-to pitch is that it’s like Deadpool meets Constatine meets The Office. Then, if people are still listening, I tell them that “HITMAN HOTLINE” is about an unkillable employee at a hitman-for-hire call centre as he faces both real-world, and underworld, consequences for making a killing… through killing.
I’ve often been finding it hard to label it under one specific genre, which maybe is a good sign? Or not? Who knows. But there’s definitely a mix of action adventure, romance, mystery, comedy, and the supernatural on the way.
On the inspiration for Hitman Hotline
The premise feels right at home with the best kinds of indie comics. What was your inspiration behind the story? Was this an idea you’ve had for a while, or is it a more recent invention?
This idea has definitely been on the back burner for a while; I think I’ve spent a good year tweaking away at the story, planning the layouts of the books, designing characters etc. Prepping and practicing basically. I think I first had the idea for this book in 2024. For my final university project, I did a mini-issue Spiderman one-shot comic, but because that might not be allowed, I had begun spit balling more original ideas. I came up with the title of “HITMAN HOTLINE”, which I thought sounded pretty catchy, and I’ve just worked backwards from there ever since!
I think my biggest sources of inspiration are ‘Nemesis’ by Mark Millar and Jorge Jimenez, ‘Moon Knight’ by Jeff Lemire and Greg Smallwood, and ‘Deadpool’ by Alyssa Wong and Martin Coccolo; if anyone has read those books, the influences will be immediately apparent. Those were definitely some of my favorite books when I started getting into comics.
Between your creative paneling, a degree in Comic and Concept art, and your array of credits, your passion for comics is instantly recognizable. What has your history been like with comics? Was making comics always the end goal for you?
Surprisingly, no! I studied on a Concept and Comic Art course at university a few years ago. I leaned almost exclusively towards the concept art side when I joined, hoping to develop my digital painting skills and become a character designer or key frame artist like Andy Park or Ryan Meinerding over at Marvel Studios.
It wasn’t until a mandatory comics assignment in the second half of the course that I even attempted to first draw a comic, and I instantly began to really enjoy it. Hell, I don’t think I’d even properly read comics before then: this would’ve been 2023.
Ever since then comics have just consumed me: I read, buy, write, and make them 24-7. I think I really enjoyed the challenge of learning a whole new art world from scratch because I’d begun to feel pretty bored of drawing realistically. It also felt like a much more likely career option versus becoming a concept artist at a larger studio. Now, with AI and all these major lay-offs, it’s sad to think I definitely made the right choice in switching.
On Being the Sole Creative on an Indie Comic
You’ve already had a number of credits in comics, but those were all seemingly as an artist. Is this your first publication where you’re the sole creative force on the project? Did anything surprise you about doing everything yourself?
It is! I think I’ve worked in every role a comic artist can but on separate, published books. I’ve been a penciller, an inker, a colorist, a letterer, and a cover artist, but this is the first time I’ve ever taken on all roles for a published project. My university tutor, Greg Wright, constantly encouraged me to practice my skills in all categories equally, and as hard as that is to juggle, it definitely has had its rewards and has opened up many more work opportunities.
This is my first time ever properly writing though, which did surprise me as to how equally enjoyable and frustrating I found it (I’m definitely more of a visually minded person). Although the first issue is pretty narratively straight forward and action packed, the later issue with time jumps and several interweaving stories and all that good stuff, I found really challenging to map out. I was also surprised at how long everything takes when you work solo. Damn.
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say the first thing that struck me about HITMAN HOTLINE was the aesthetic. Bright, colorful, and yet still a little grimy: it almost reminds me of Hotline Miami. Did you have any inspirations when making the series?
Well, like a bazillion other aspiring comic artists, I am obsessed with the work of Jorge Jimenez… but that’s also extremely hard to replicate, for me at least. I did see Dan Mora’s recent flat colored work (Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #24), which I found really striking, but I’ve also always been a huge fan of Marco Checcetto and Marte Gracia’s work together for as long as I’ve been into comics. Overall, I would say I try my best to find a middle ground between the three styles (I’m not sure how successful that is), but I’ve reached a place where I’m relatively happy with how things look and how long they take.
Advice on Self-Publishing for Comic Creators
Making your own comic is never an easy task, even more so when you don’t have a publisher backing it. What advice would you give to the people out there who want to self-publish their own comic?
I think you definitely have to love making comics (which feels weird, telling people they have to love something) because it’s true! Art is famously unforgiving and comics are no different. I know people far better than me getting far less attention. A lot of it is luck.
And the cheaper the better, of course. I am very fortunate in that I felt I could make this book single handedly because I cannot imagine the pressure of having to hit certain fundraising goals just to cover staffing costs, not to mention printing on top, and then maybeee see a profit. Stressful.
In my situation at least, I’ve been lucky in landing good gigs that allow me enough time to make this book, and the only production cost for me is time. I also feel I would make this book just for fun, even if nobody ever saw it, but the fact that people WANT to see it is just a tremendous bonus.
In a world that is getting increasingly run by IP, by sequels and adaptations, supporting independent comics feels more important than ever. Aside from HITMAN HOTLINE, are there any creators or series out there that you’d like to shout out?
Oh for sure, as new as I am to the indie comic scene, I’ve already come across so many super cool people and projects: There’s a few other guys in the comics space, all of us about a similar age, who I think are doing great work in different ways, my friend Nate Schacter, who actually helped with some writing advice on “HITMAN HOTLINE” has been writing and launching his own series through Summit Comics, Gitano DePaola who’s crazy penciling has been blowing up, Andrew Rende, whose creator-owned book, ‘’Limerence,’’ just seems to be everywhere at the moment, Dylan Dietrich who has just started working for DC, and so, so many more.
On What’s Next for Mr. Protagonist in Hitman Hotline
Can you give us a little hint of what awaits Mr. Protagonist in future issues?
Well, I am constantly trying to toe the line of giving people hints as to where the story is headed but also avoiding spoilers; I will say I am currently working on a few covers of Mr. Protagonist in the depths of Hell. The story definitely turns a bit romantic, but also very gothic/supernatural in what I think is quite a fun way.
Lots of death on the way!
The Hitman Hotline Kickstarter Countdown
Two weeks remain for the HITMAN HOTLINE Kickstarter campaign. Secure your copy today to support this new indie comic launch!
