We here at The Convention Collective like to highlight new projects that catch our eye on Kickstarter, and recently we found out about STRINGS #1 which was created by Timothy Yzaguirre. The psychological horror mini-series Kickstarter will launch on January 15th, and we got the chance to chat with Timothy about the project.
- Writer and Creator: Timothy Yzaguirre
- Interior Artist: Ehsan Fazeli
- Letterer: Matias Zanetti
- Kickstarter Edition Cover Artist (Pencils/Inks): Eduardo Souza
- Spoiler Variant Cover Artist (Painter): Tyler Jay Haddox
- VHS Variant Cover Artist: Bryce Yzaguirre
TCC: What was the inspiration (movies, shows, books) for the project?
Timothy Yzaguirre: I have always been intrigued by drama and mystery. I like something that makes me feel emotion, and also I enjoy trying to figure things out. A good movie or book to me is something that hooks me, and makes me want to keep reading or watching. If it has a twist at the end that is even better. I enjoyed the Robert Langdon series of books for this. The Saw movies were very good at shocking the viewer and giving you the unexpected endings as well.
TCC: You describe it as a psychological horror in the Kickstarter description, why did you decide to write a horror story?
Timothy Yzaguirre: Horror is one of my all-time favorite genres, but is so many times missed. I am very picky, especially, when it comes to a good movie. Slasher type movies are pretty predictable, but that isn’t to say I haven’t enjoyed some over the years. Personally though I enjoy the psychological type. Jordan Peele comes to mind most, since he is very fresh with good psychological horror movies. I loved Us and Get Out. Something like that is what I am going for.
TCC: The creative team is from all over the world, how did the team come together?
Timothy Yzaguirre: I admit Facebook groups dedicated to artists and writers helped out with that. I had a vision and was very specific when I reached out to people. I went through a lot of choices until I found what I was looking for. I love art, but just felt I couldn’t do my vision justice, but because I had a specific vision I wanted to be fully involved with the process. I went an unconventional route with the interior artist, Ehsan Fazeli, he is a video game concept artist, but was up for the challenge of making a comic. He was very receptive and allowed me to go page by page; panel by panel, in making this come to life. Everyone on the team has been amazing to work with. The only two I knew before getting started was Tyler Jay Haddox, who did the spoiler variant, he had his first published comic book as a store exclusive for Izzy’s Comics, and we have been friends since. And then my son, Bryce Yzaguirre, who did the VHS variant, he has grown so much in his artistic ability and I want people to recognize that.
TCC: Why did you decide to make it a mini-series instead of a graphic novel/one shot?
Timothy Yzaguirre: Honestly I would have loved to do a graphic novel, but the process has been more expensive than I originally perceived. I didn’t want to overextend myself and then the project fail. Plus I think the idea of doing it in single issues gives me the opportunity to have an ending that will leave the reader wanting more, and hopefully the project will be able to grow.
TCC: Will the next issues also be made available on Kickstarter, or through a more conventional way?
Timothy Yzaguirre: I set my goal on the project lower than what I have invested in it, but that is because I want to make this happen, even if it ends up costing me some in the process. I really feel that this story will impact people and hopefully give them an emotional experience that will do that. If all goes well I would love to pitch the story to someone like Source Point Press or Scout Comics, as I really enjoy what both of them are doing, and feel like they are able to give the little guys more of a chance at making their dreams come true.
STRINGS #1 is scheduled for release in April 2021. Check out their Kickstarter page for more info and to sign up for updates.
