Kickstarter Names DEEP DOWN “Project We Love”

New Graphic Novel Police Thriller Rises to the Top at Kickstarter

The new graphic novel Deep Down has been heralded by Kickstarter as a “Project We Love,” their highest honor and rarely conferred to a prelaunch project. DEEP DOWN #1 SDCC Exclusive Preview Edition, set to launch during the week of June 1, 2026, will be featured across all Kickstarter platforms and has been anointed with the elite “Projects We Love” status badge. The honor is Kickstarter’s way of highlighting “brilliant examples of creativity.”

Deep Down reunites Jeff Gomez, co-creator of the Deep Down storyworld and CEO of Starlight Runner Entertainment, with legendary comics writer Fabian Nicieza (X-Men, Deadpool). The acclaimed creative team includes co-writer Steele Filipek, artist Felix Ruiz, and art director and colorist Chrysoula Artemis. Covers are by Ruiz, Andrea Errico, and industry superstar Tim Seeley (X-Force, X-Men: Age of Revelation – World of Revelation).

Created by Jeff Gomez, Kay Rothman, Dana Kuznetzkoff, and Mark Pensavalle, Deep Down will launch in serialized form as a three-issue comic book series in print and digital formats beginning this summer, before being collected as a single graphic novel next year. The series will be published by Dren Productions under DREN Prestige—a new literary imprint overseen by Michael Dolce and James Mascia, in partnership with Starlight Runner.

Deep Down is a gripping urban crime thriller with occult undertones set within the hidden underworld of New York City’s vast subway system.

Kickstarter’s “Projects We Love” criteria includes innovation, social impact and inclusivity, and authentic storytelling. Human-curated, the editorial team also values high-quality graphics and presentation materials when considering projects for the honor, which can provide a strong boost to the recipient’s fundraising goals.