Can you imagine the Penny Arcade webcomic site without advertisements? Co-creators Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik have launched a Kickstarter campaign to see if they can cut out ads on the site.
Above, we’ve embedded a video about the project–what do you think? So far, they have raised more than $318,000 which allows them to remove the “leaderboard ad.” A completely ad-free homepage would require $525,000.
In addition to less ads, backers can earn different rewards that range from an original six-page Automata strip to a free online version of Twisp & Catsby children’s book.
Here’s more about the project: “One of the things that excited us most about the idea of trying an ad-free model was the amount of time it would give us to actually make comics. Currently, we do all kinds of creative services projects that are part of the existing model, but in their absence, that’s all time we can put to work for you. We have a ton of weird settings, and ideas for more, that are simply not possible with the schedule the current system imposes. What we’re talking about would be new projects, in settings you already like, that run ALONGSIDE the week’s comics, not in their place.”
Welcome to our Kickstarter Publishing Project of the Week, a feature exploring how authors and publishers are using the fundraising site to raise money for book projects. If you want to start your own project, check out How To Use Kickstarter to Fund Your Publishing Project.