First Week CompleteToday marks the end of the first week of the campaign and what a week it has been. We funded within 24 hours and we're incredibly close to hitting both 200 backers and 150% funding ...

The acclaimed Viking Western comic returns! Volumes #1-5 also available.

The acclaimed Viking Western comic returns! Volumes #1-5 also available.

Funded in under 24 hours!Well I didn't think I'd be writing this update this quickly but we hit our funding goal within the first 24 hours of the campaign! It's an absolutely amazing feeling to get there this quickly and it's all down to you. Thank you to every single one of you that have backed so far, I'm excited to share these next chapter's in the Shield Maiden's life with you all.Stretch GoalsSo now we've hit our goal, what's next? Well the traditional next step is Stretch Goals! My main goal is to try and cover all of the costs I'm personally paying for. The Kickstarter covers the printing, posting and some of the art costs but the rest of those costs are all coming out of my pocket. So that's my main aim but in the process of getting there I'd love to be able to give back to the backers that have been with me since Book One all the way up to those who are just joining the Shield Maiden's adventure with Book Six!I've done stretch goals in the past, but for this campaign I wanted to come to you, the backers, to see what kind of stretch goals you want to see as part of the campaign. I've added a poll to this update, so please take a look and vote for your favourites but also please leave a comment to let me know if there's something not on the poll or exactly the kind of thing you'd like to see as a stretch goal.RecommendationsIf you've backed one of my Kickstarter projects before you will know I always like to recommend some other projects that are running right now in each update. For those of you just joining us here's a look at our first couple of recommendations.Nothing Stays Buried - Issue #1Nothing Stays Buried drags the Great Heathen Army through the smoke and shadows of a brutal tale of murder, lies and revenge where an Anglo-Saxon investigator hunt for the truth, Norse kings act like mob bosses, and one bad decision can leave a trail of bodies all the way to the throne. The truth might solve the crime, but lies may start a war.Like how Shield Maiden merges Westerns and Vikings, Nothing Stays Buried melds detective noir with Vikings and I am incredibly excited to read it. I remember writer Aaron Thompson telling me about the concept and I was immediately sold. I can't wait to get my copy and you Shield Maiden readers should definitely check it out!Embers - A fantasy graphic novel full of monsters & magicA travelling wizard returns to his home town, to save it from a fire demon and the people who banished him as a child. Journey through the Evergreen Forest and into and the town of Wispmire, where knights guard it's borders, cultists fight against the arcane and a demon hunts its next victim. From the creator of Candles, Sparks & the Fallen Star and the Reanimator series, comes a brand new graphic novel full monsters, magic and mystery. Artist/Writer Lyndon White's work is always stunningly beautiful and just a joy to look at, the worlds her creates are so well realised and great to explore. The campaign has just launched but it's a perfect time to grab your copy.That's it for today, another massive thank you to everyone who has backed so far. Don't forget to vote in the poll below and let me know what kind of stretch goals you'd like to see! Until the next update, read more comics!Asa

The acclaimed Viking Western comic returns! Volumes #1-5 also available.

The acclaimed Viking Western comic returns! Volumes #1-5 also available.

The acclaimed Viking Western comic returns! Volumes #1-5 also available.

The acclaimed Viking Western comic returns! Volumes #1-5 also available.

The acclaimed Viking Western comic returns! Volumes #1-5 also available.

The acclaimed Viking Western comic returns! Volumes #1-5 also available.

The acclaimed Viking Western comic returns! Volumes #1-5 also available.

The acclaimed Viking Western comic returns! Volumes #1-5 also available.