Valor’s family fleed persecution from Panama and made their way to America in the 80’s. Unfortunately, right after Valor was born, the parents had to return to South America, fearing retribution from the government. Valor was left behind in the small town of Elk Mountain, where he would eventually become their superhero. Despite the close bond with the town that accepted him as their own, he one day disappears.
Elk Mountain tells the story of a community’s interaction with not only their hero but an immigrant. The upcoming graphic novel takes a candid look at a community that begins to doubt if their neighbor actually ever belonged. What was Valor actually up to all of those years?
Elk Mountain is written by Jordan Clark, who previously wrote a story in Bitch Planet Triple Feature #2. It features art from artist Vince Underwood (Page Turn), colorist Brittany Peer (Slam!, Jem & the Holograms). It also features letterist Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Strip Panel Naked, PanelXPanel). “It really is an amazing team and I’m still stunned I was able to convince them to all do this book,” Clark said.
Clark is looking like he can be a break-out star in the medium. After meeting Eisner-nominated writer Kelly Sue DeConnick (Pretty Deadly, Bitch Planet) in a store signing/writer’s workshop, Clark was inspired to begin self-publishing. He met her again in 2016 at Heroes Con where he impressed her with his work. “We talked a bit more during the show, but I left thinking I’d never see her again. A few weeks later the Milkfed team hit me up about doing something for the Bitch Planet: Triple Feature and I almost dropped my phone in the street,” says Clark.
The 64-page graphic novel will have parallels to American society today. Clark expressed how he has observed communities turning on those that have been a part of their society all of their lives. He notes the constant fear-mongering and how it can tear a community apart. “The most famous superhero ever, Superman, is an immigrant. So exploring what his story would be like updated for 2018 was something that I couldn’t get out of my head.”
The graphic novel is currently on Kickstarter, hoping to raise $9,000 by Monday, June 11th. If successfully backed, Elk Mountain is expecting a July 2018 release. The creators are offering a variety of tiered awards for backers, including physical copies, postcards, commissions, and even creative lessons. “Our main goal is to be able to make enough books so that we’ll be able to get some into schools and libraries across the country as well as have books on hand to sell to raise some profits for various immigrant organizations across the country doing great work that helps so many in need.”
“I think we’ve got something that can compete with anything being released at your local shop,” says Clark.
You can check out the Kickstarter for Elk Mountain here, where a pledge of at least $3 will secure a digital copy.
