2022 Publications from Birdcage Bottom Books

READ THIS ONE!
3 days ago – Thu, Jun 04, 2026 at 07:42:01 AM

A few other Kickstarter campaigns I'm involved in are quickly winding down. Figured I'd remind backers of my past campaigns about these before they end. Here's an update I just sent out to backers of the Jeffrey Brown "Climb Every Mountain" campaign:

We can't thank you enough (but we'll try)! You've helped us blow past the funding goal and two stretch goals. That means every backer with a physical reward will also receive a risograph-printed bonus mini-comic by Jeffrey Brown ("Don't Climb Mountains") and a brand-new 16-page risograph-printed mini-comic by J.T. Yost ("Get the Hell Off of Me"). 

Although both of the original art rewards were snapped up at the beginning of the campaign, there are still 3 out of 4 "process packs" unclaimed. Each of these packs includes all kinds of original art in the form of sketches, scripts, and other creative detritus. AND it includes yet another bonus comic by Jeffrey specifically about the making of the Climb Every Mountain artwork and campaign. This bonus comic won't be available anywhere else, and there are only four of them (well, six....one for Jeffrey and one for me).

If two more of these process pack rewards are claimed, we'll unleash yet another free risograph mini-comic to our beloved backers. This one by one of our favorite cartoonists, comics cheerleader, historian, banjo shredder, and hardtack enthusiast Marek Bennett! 

(this is just a quick mockup of the cover...colors, etc. TBD)

Another Kickstarter campaign caught my eye today, and since it's about to wrap up I want to signal boost so that more people can get in on it before it ends. You may (or may not) remember one of the books I published when I ran Birdcage Bottom Books, Eddie's Week by Patrick Dean. Patrick was an absolutely unbelievable cartoonist taken much too soon by ALS. Patrick never stopped creating art, even as his body failed him. Once he was no longer able to hold a pen, he painstakingly created art using eye-gaze technology. 

RUN: The Making of a Graphic Novel is co-created by a similarly inspirational human, Brad Heaven. Brad was born with nonverbal Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy, but despite the very real limitations imposed by his body, his motto is "No Limits". As such, Brad completed a marathon with the help of his best friend and business partner Dan O'Connor. They have partnered with writer Andrew Katz and illustrator Antonio Luzano to create a graphic novel based on their experience. To help fund the creation of the book, their Kickstarter campaign offers a "making of" book! Please read more about it here and support it if you're able. Even posting on social media makes a big difference!

Oof, this update is getting long. One more quick thing:

I colored and risograph printed two editions of a Denis Kitchen stream-of-consciousness drawing. These are offered in the "Creatures Out of The Subconsiousness" Kickstarter campaign which has yet to reach its funding goal. With only EIGHT hours left at the time of this update, you snooze you lose!

(Brown & Sunflower Yellow edition, will be numbered & signed)

(Teal & Fluorescent Orange edition...will be numbered & signed)

(Tiny bonus prints that I assume will be included for any backers of the riso print reward tier)

Ok, phew, that's all for now! Thanks again!

New Jeffrey Brown comic! Be notified when the campaign launches!
about 1 month ago – Fri, May 01, 2026 at 08:23:27 AM

I'm very excited to announce that Jeffrey Brown's comic "CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN: An Argument Against the Use of A.I. in Creative Endeavors" is about to get its own crowdfunding campaign. 

I've worked with Jeffrey on a few projects in the past (most recently, "Kids Are Still Weird" published by NBM Graphic Novels), so when he expressed an interest in printing a risograph edition of "Climb Every Mountain", I jumped at the chance. We thought it would be fun to offer a bunch of different variations including mini-comics, prints, and even some of each that had blank final panels for him to complete by hand. 

He even put together four "process packs" that include sketches, a bonus behind-the-scenes mini-comic , and all sorts of handmade elements that were involved in the making of this comic. You can also get your hands on the rough draft or the final artwork itself!

If you've ever wanted to talk with Jeffrey directly, we're offering a few video meetings with both of us to discuss your comics, his comics, my comics, self-publishing, finding a publisher, Chicago vs. New York pizza, or whatever you'd like. 

So, sign up to be notified when the campaign launches (very soon!) so you don't miss out on the limited-edition and one-of-a-kind rewards. Thank you!

News from J.T.!
about 1 year ago – Sun, May 04, 2025 at 12:34:29 PM

Hello old pals & backers! It's J.T. Yost here with some news and a recommendation. 

It's been two whole years since I passed the Birdcage Bottom Books torch to Daniel Whitfield & Camille Alaras. Although they haven't lifted the pause on publishing, they've built an incredible community of artists and musicians at their Birdcage Comics Cafe. If you're in the San Bernardino, CA area, please stop by and say hi for me. 

In the meantime, I've been working as the marketing manager at NBM Graphic Novels. I've had the opportunity to work with a personal hero, Jeffrey Brown, on his KIDS ARE STILL WEIRD book (which was originally scheduled to be a BBB publication) and meet inspirational authors and artists both near and far (much of NBM's output is translated European work). I've done some fulfilling creative work there including drawing a cover for the PUNK ROCK IN COMICS anthology's English edition, drawing fun designs for PINK FLOYD IN COMICS and the aforementioned PUNK IN COMICS that I then used for promotional screen prints, stickers, and temporary tattoos. I've also been able to use my risograph printing skills quite a bit!

At the beginning of 2025 I was downgraded to part-time work at NBM. I'm thankful to still have a job and have been filling the gaps with freelance work, but if you know of any jobs in comics that could use my particular set of skills, PLEASE do let me know. Part of the freelance work I've been doing is risograph printing comics and prints for my fellow cartoonists. If you need something printed, please reach out to me at [email protected]. I have ridiculously reasonable prices and will work closely with you to set your files up for riso printing. 

Speaking of riso printing, I've been going through my comics, new and old, and collecting them in new improved riso printed editions. I haven't yet put everything up on my website for sale, but you can see what's currently available at jtyost.com

Lastly, I still like to support indie cartoonists in every way I can. To that end , please check out BBB alumni (he contributed to both the BOTTOMS UP and TOO TOUGH TO DIE anthologies) Daniel McCloskey's current Kickstarter for his newest addition to his Cloud Town teen drama. Great for kids, and there's enough chaotic punk-inspired fun to make it interesting for us old folks, too!

The Ten Percent
about 3 years ago – Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 04:38:41 AM

Don't miss the 2023 Kickstarter campaign!
over 3 years ago – Mon, Feb 27, 2023 at 09:23:28 AM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.