PRESS RELEASE
Vault and Zoop have partnered fora transformative new approach to fan engagement to celebrate the release of Barbaric: Born In Blood #1, the newest arc of Vault’s smash hit Barbaric series. What Vault is calling its first ever Crowdbuilding Campaign™ is live now through March 12th, 2024 at www.zoop.gg/c/barbaric.
Throughout the Barbaric “Join The Horde” Crowdbuilding Campaign™, fans will be able to get FREE early digital access to the full issue of Barbaric: Born In Blood #1, which introduces a twisted new villain and gives readers a glimpse into the secrets of Owen’s past.
As more fans join the Barbaric Horde, new treasures will be unlocked for everyone, including more digital comics, more exclusive behind-the-scenes art, and more goodies direct from creators Michael Moreci and Nathan Gooden. Not to mention, the first fans to join the Barbaric Horde get their pick of rewards from the Vault library and access to a limited number of special early-bird gifts (see the “Horde Rewards” section for more details). Further, fans will be able to preorder other special exclusive covers, exclusive merchandise, and more. Last, to those barbarians with the most refined tastes, Vault will offer limited exclusive covers, exclusive merchandise, and more, available first through the Crowdbuilding Campaign™ on Zoop. These rewards will never be produced again; once they’re gone, they’re gone for good.
Unlike a traditional crowdfunding campaign, a Crowdbuilding Campaign™ isn’t about funding, it’s about fandom. The goal of a Crowdbuilding Campaign™ is to bring together a league of both existing superfans and new fans, to give them unimpeded access to both free and premium rewards, and to create a path for greater fan excitement to unlock greater fan rewards.
The completion and distribution of Barbaric: Born In Blood #1 is not tied to the success of the Barbaric “Join The Horde” Crowdbuilding Campaign™; the book is already complete and ready to share with readers. There is no funding goal. It’s this simple: as more fans show up, more exciting rewards will be unlocked.
“We want to give every reader a chance to read our books, no matter where they live, how they prefer to read comics, or what their budget is,” said Vault CEO, Damian Wassel. “We also want to give our superfans the opportunity to enjoy the rewards and extras they deserve for putting so much support behind us. So, we sat down with our friends at Zoop and hatched a plan to address both opportunities, by bringing the comics world its first ever Crowdbuilding Campaign™.”
Zoop Co-Founder & CEO, Jordan Plosky said, “We are always excited to work with trailblazers who are thinking outside the box, and trying something new. Vault’s Crowdbuilding Campaign™ for Barbaric is new, visionary and exciting. It’s something that hasn’t been seen before in comics and Zoop is uniquely positioned as a partner for this type of initiative.”
ABOUT BARBARIC
Barbaric is one of the best-selling independent comics of the past decade. Co-created by writer Michael Moreci and artist Nathan Gooden, Barbaric has sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide and was named one of the best comics of 2021 by Entertainment Weekly, Thrillest, CBR, Comics Beat, & more. The story follows Owen, a bloodthirsty barbarian and his drunk axe as they roam an untamed, mythic realm battling supernatural cultists, hungry giants, creatures of the night, and more in their quest to somehow, amidst all this chaos, do some good. Recently Vault announced Barbaric: Born in Blood #1 would be included in their groundbreaking Free-to-Retailers program in which Vault gives series debut issues to local comic book stores at no charge to them.
ABOUT VAULT
Vault is a critically acclaimed entertainment company that curates bold new science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories. We have been committed to working with historically underrepresented talent since day one. Purpose-built to create enduring fans, our expansive catalog of more than ninety original titles attracts a diverse and growing fandom. Launching new stories first as comics and graphic novels, Vault has partnered with leading companies like A&E, BET, Boatrocker, CBS, Netflix, Paramount, and others, to adapt its story properties to film, television, video games, and more. In 2023 Vault launched Headshell, a line of graphic novels in collaboration with some of the world’s most iconic recording artists like Metallica, Def Leppard, the Beach Boys, Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, Redman, Slash, and more. Press inquiries should be sent to: press@vaultcomics.com Learn more at http://www.vaultcomics.com/
ABOUT ZOOP
Zoop is the new home for creator-owned crowdfunding. For publishers and creators, Zoop is an all-in-one pre-order, production, fulfillment, and marketing solution that connects them directly to their fans.
