In high school, Kaden Quinn would often hear names mentioned and think how it could be developed into a comic book character.
“I would hear someone say something and I would write it down. I remember someone saying Power Pastel; that sounds like a superhero. Or Body Horror, that sounds like a super villain,” he added, noting he would also come up with his own random names.
Holding a passion for drawing at a young age, he always wanted to be a comic book artist. But when the Jefferson City native started attending Helias High School, he began writing and now will be a junior pursuing a journalism degree at Lincoln University.
Quinn never set his own stories and comic book pursuits aside, contributing to his friend and fellow writer and artist Nandor Fox Shaffer’s most recent graphic novel project, “Lifeline.” He joined more than a handful of artists from around the world who each illustrated a chapter to Shaffer’s story.
While watching the success Shaffer has had from “Lifeline” and the first book in his “SEASONS” series through the help of a Kickstarter campaign, Quinn decided to establish a Kickstarter campaign of his own this spring to help pay for printing his first comic book, “Hurdles.” Exceeding his $2,000 goal by May 31, Quinn is now looking to publish the comic book this summer.
Quinn began developing “Hurdles” about two years ago, with its concept stemming from multiple places. However, a big factor that plays into the book’s parody-based premise comes from Quinn’s own slight discontent in how some of his favorite characters in the comic book world have veered off course.
“As a fan, you spend a lot of time with these characters that you love and enjoy. One of the things I’ve realized is the industry sometimes doesn’t take care of them all that well. … For awhile, I feel like they have been dropping the ball on a few characters,” he said. “It is well-intentioned, but a little misguided in my opinion, that they want these characters to seem more relatable by making them younger. The issue with that is they have turned them into these weird, immature, man-children in a way, I think.
“‘Hurdles’ is a commentary on that in a way. I figured I would take this trend in the industry and apply it to characters if they were actual people and take it to its most logical conclusion.”
Set in St. Louis, “Hurdles” is a single-issue, prelude comic book, and Quinn plans to develop it into a more in-depth graphic novel. The story centers around Greg Clapton, also known as the superhero Jumper, and his normal fiancee Maddi Miller. The couple has been together about 10 years, finding times have changed.
“All the superheroes have turned the world into a utopia. There is no need for Greg to be around anymore. They have to figure out how to live life as normal people,” Quinn explained. “Greg doesn’t really know how to grow up or live without being Jumper. It has caused a rift and a weird paradigm shift in how they approach their relationship.”
After he developed the script and initial character designs, he sought out an artist that could truly bring his characters to life visually. He found Indonesian artist Kriswantowhy on Facebook, as well as colorist Jasen Smith. Under the recommendation of Shaffer, he used LetterSquids to finalize the lettering for “Hurdles,” and Quinn has been working hard to ensure their talents are compensated for their work with his first comic book.
To gain full financial support, Quinn also followed Shaffer’s lead in creating a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for printing and expenses of publishing “Hurdles.” With a $2,000 goal set, he offered many tiers of backer support that included receiving a PDF of the comic book, a signed copy, posters, T-shirts, a mention in the book’s acknowledgments and more. Open from late April through May 31, Quinn was pleased to have 51 backers and earn $2,120 when the campaign ended.
“I have had a lot of support from old high friends, family, Facebook groups that support comics and others I don’t even know who donated to the campaign,” he said.
Quinn plans on publishing the book this summer and having it available to purchase at The Antiquarium in Jefferson City and other area bookstores like Downtown Book & Toy. He also will attend a few conventions this summer and hopes to mail “Hurdles” to publishing companies for possible independent partnership and networking opportunities.
Quinn has a lot of ideas for future books that will follow other characters and their stories, but wants them to be connected.
“This is all connected. Like Stephen King’s books where they are all separate but still connected in a way in the end,” he said. “I have a lot of ideas in my mind, and I’m excited to pursue them.”
For more information about Quin or “Hurdels,” follow @Kaden_Quinn_Comix on Instagram.