In 2009, Spike Trotman launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for Iron Circus Comics’ Poorcraft graphic novel. Over the course of the next twelve years, Spike Trotman and Iron Circus Comics have completely transformed the indie publishing landscape, crowdfunding nearly 2.5 million dollars over the course of more than 30 projects. Now Trotman is poised to shake up the publishing industry again with the launch of Iron Circus Comics’ first-ever completely independently run crowdfunding campaign, which will be hosted on the Iron Circus Comics’ website: https://ironcircus.com/
Since the the Iron Circus campaign is almost done is almost done, I got a chance to send a few questions to the artist, Nero, about the Poorcraft Cookbook.
Where did the idea for the Poorcraft Cookbook come from?
It’s something fans have been asking Spike about since the very first one was published! There’s a few recipes in there, but people were really hankering for an expanded version. Spike was actually the one who brought up the idea of the Poorcraft Cookbook to me while talking during a particularly quiet convention. I was originally doing a zine series about two gay men living on a sheep farm, where each issue would have a recipe of something the characters made in the end notes.
When and how did you get involved?
Late 2017! I typed up a pitch email almost as soon as I got back from aforementioned convention and we got to working pretty quickly.
Why keep the art black and white?
Why not? I know people often view black and white art as being ‘unfinished’ or less eye catching than full color work, especially in comics, but it’s got it’s own range of expression and ways of rendering detail that would be muddied by adding color. I honestly prefer it! Plus, as someone who’s printed a lot of small comics and zines in my time, it’s massively cheaper and less fussy on the pre-press side of things.
What are you planning to do next?
I actually have another graphic novel publishing through Iron Circus Comics in 2026! It’s about two trans men in rural Pennsylvania and their very, very messy relationship. Adult webcomics are my bread and butter though- Split Check on Slipshine (gay cooking drama, written with Iris Jay!) and more short stories for Filthy Figments are what I’m focusing on now in the short term. Check ‘em out!”
