In a significant shift within the comic book crowdfunding landscape, Sam Kusek has stepped down from his role as Senior Outreach Lead for Comics at Kickstarter. This transition raises questions about the future direction of this pivotal position and its impact on independent creators.
Since his appointment in April 2024, Kusek’s tenure has been marked by a commitment to supporting independent creators in navigating the crowdfunding process. Notably, the position has seen a turbulent history, with Kusek following the short-lived tenure of Bryce Gold, who served as Head of Comics from May to December 2023, succeeding Oriana Leckert, the Director of Publishing & Comics Outreach.
Kusek shared his reflections on this career move, stating, “As you may or may not have heard by now, I’ve decided to step down from my position as the Senior Outreach Lead for Comics at Kickstarter. This was an incredibly hard decision for me to make because I really have loved this job. I love helping independent creators find their footing, develop their business and get the spotlight they deserve. I loved helping publishers figure out what they could bring together or revive from their catalogs. I loved traveling to conventions and talking with people, helping to demystify crowdfunding. I believe that Kickstarter is a great tool for creative development…hell, I can tell you first hand how it’s helped me make my own dreams come true. And I think that was part of what sat at the core of my decision. As much as I love helping others (and being damn good at it), I’ve missed that first hand experience of creating something new. The challenges, the problem solving, the wins. There’s nothing quite like it. So I am going to be taking a leap back into publishing to do just that. I can’t say exactly where I am heading yet but it will be announced in the new year. In the meantime though, I wanted to take time to celebrate the things I was able to accomplish during my time at Kickstarter.”
As Kusek prepares for his next venture in publishing, the industry is left to ponder who will fill this pivotal role at Kickstarter. Interested parties are encouraged to consider the challenges and opportunities presented by this position, particularly in an evolving market that increasingly relies on crowdfunding to support independent comic book projects.
Based on reporting by https://www.facebook.com/richard.james.johnston. Read the full story at https://bleedingcool.com/comics/sam-kusek-quits-senior-outreach-lead-for-comics-at-kickstarter/.