Help bring Swords of Swashbucklers back to print! The graphic novel was an incredible pirate adventure that took readers onto interstellar seas. It was created by Bill Mantlo - one of Marvel Comics’ most prolific writers and the co-creator of Guardians of the Galaxy’s, Rocket Raccoon. The beloved series, which featured illustrations by Jackson "Butch" Guice, has not seen print in over 25 years. But now, through a Kickstarter campaign, fans have the chance to help produce a completely remastered trade paperback. Pledges of support will also generate much-needed royalty income for Mantlo, who suffered a tragic accident and needs continued medical care.

Mantlo and Guice first set sail with Swords of the Swashbucklers in October 1984, published in Marvel Graphic Novel #14. The success of their debut eventually led to a bi-monthly Swashbucklers series. This Guardians of the Galaxy meets Pirates of the Caribbean tale followed spirited teenager Domino Blackthorne Drake, her cat Cap’n Kidd, and the motley crew of the Starshadow. Domino then embarks on a cosmic odyssey to save her kidnapped parents and overthrow the evil Colonizer Empire.

During the 1970s, Mantlo rose through the Marvel Comics ranks to become one of their Bullpen’s most boisterous, visionary, and dependable writers. His big break came in 1974 when he delivered a fill-in script for Deadly Hands of Kung Fu.

Over the next 18 years, Mantlo would write over 500 comic books for Marvel Comics, including work on mainstays like The Spectacular Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Micronauts and Rom: SpaceKnight. His penchant for cosmic storytelling led to the creation of Rocket Raccoon and, of course, Swords of the Swashbucklers.

On July 17, 1992, Mantlo was rollerblading on the streets of New York City when he was the victim of a terrible hit-and-run accident. He suffered a closed-head brain injury that severely impaired his mobility and fine motor skills. For the past 20 years, he has resided in a Queens rehabilitation center, where he communicates in simple, labored sentences, and staff must assist with nearly all his physical activities. He survives a daily struggle with severe cognitive and memory impairment.

This Kickstarter will see Dynamite Entertainment publish Swords of the Swashbucklers as a full-color, fully remastered volume over 400 pages in length, containing the complete story from all 13 issues. This high quality, durable format collection will preserve one of Mantlo’s greatest creative achievements, for the first time in its entirety.

“I had the enormous pleasure of working with Bill Mantlo at the beginning of my own career – and I know from personal experience the vibrant infectious enthusiasm and joy Bill had for The Swords of the Swashbucklers, and the stories we told together. This project is a wonderful way to honor Bill Mantlo's creative legacy. I hope fans – both old and new – support this effort, and I for one very much look forward to seeing the swashbuckling crew of the Starshadow fly once more,” Guice said.

If this campaign reaches $20,000, everyone who pledges at the print level and above ($40) will receive a set of three Swords of the Swashbucklers collectible throwback stickers. Whereas if they reach $30,000, everyone who pledges at the print level and above will receive a set of four Swords of the Swashbucklers collectible temporary tattoos. Should the campaign reach $50,000, everyone who pledges at the print level and above will receive a huge surprise!

By pledging $5 or more, you will receive the digital PDF of the 64-page Swords of the Swashbucklers original graphic novel and subscription to the Dynamite Newsletter. Pledge $20 or more and you will receive a digital copy of the 400-page remastered Swords of the Swashbucklers graphic novel. As a special thank you, fans at this level will also be listed on the “Supporters of the Swashbucklers” thank you page in the printed edition of the collection, and will receive the prizes from the previous level. If you pledge $40 or more you’ll receive a print edition of the Swords of the Swashbucklers softcover graphic novel edition, along with the prizes from the previous levels.

Pledge $50 or more to receive an 8-1/2” x 11” full color limited edition Swashbucklers lithograph, along with the prizes form the previous levels. By pledging $70 or more you’ll receive vibrant logo screen-printed Swashbucklers t-shirts, along with the prizes from the previous levels. Pledge $85 or more to receive 12 vibrant 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” Swashbucklers mini-prints featuring the art of Guice, along with the prizes from the previous levels. If you pledge $100 or more you’ll receive the Swords of the Swashbucklers hardcover edition graphic novel, along with all the prizes from the previous levels. A pledge of $120 or more will get you a limited edition foil dust jacket hardcover, along with all the prizes from the previous levels.

By pledging $175 or more you’ll receive an autographed hardcover edition by Guice, along with all the prizes from the previous levels. Pledging $250 or more will get you a Guice remarked sketch edition, along with all the prizes from the previous levels. If you pledge $350 or more you’ll receive an 8-1/2” x 11” original Guice hand-drawn Swashbucklers sketch, along with all the prizes from the previous levels. By pledging $650 or more you’ll receive an 11” x 17” cardstock Guice hand-drawn Swashbucklers sketch, along with all the prizes from the previous levels. Finally, by pledging $750 or more you’ll receive a special hand-print signature from Mantlo, along with all the prizes from the previous levels.

Dynamite Entertainment is working very hard with some fantastic artists to get the painstaking remastering done of this vital series. Their plan to bring this wonderful story back to print and digital in a way that honors the creators and original vision are paramount to this process. They are aiming to have the book printed and shipping to customers by October and in your hands in time for the holidays. With your help they can do justice to a seminal piece of comics history.

Visit them at dynamite.com and on Twitter for updates and the latest on Swords of the Swashbucklers. The campaign is currently live on Kickstarter, so head over to get pledging!