Dean Haspiel Launches ANTIMATTER Kickstarter: A One-Man Anthology Comic Starring The Red Hook, Billy Dogma & More
Emmy Award-winning cartoonist Dean Haspiel has launched a Kickstarter campaign for ANTIMATTER, an innovative one-man anthology comic book that unites his diverse pantheon of creator-owned characters under one title. The campaign, which runs through November 3, 2025, represents a bold new chapter in the veteran artist’s three-decade career.
Brooklyn cartoonist’s ambitious new project brings together his entire roster of creator-owned characters in a groundbreaking anthology format!
What Is ANTIMATTER?
ANTIMATTER is Haspiel’s answer to a tantalizing “what if” scenario: What if legendary creator Jack Kirby had owned all the characters he created for Marvel and DC Comics? The anthology brings together fan-favorite Haspiel creations, including The Red Hook (his award-winning superhero), Billy Dogma + Jane Legit, Chest Face, COVID Cop, and AI Joe, in a single, mature-readers comic book series.
“Imagine picking up an issue featuring The Thing, Captain Victory, Mister Miracle and Big Barda. How cool would that be?” Haspiel explains, drawing a parallel to his own concept of character-crossing.
Debut Issue: “COVID Cop Insurrection”
The first issue of ANTIMATTER features “Covid Cop Insurrection,” an ambitious story that follows Lincoln Bio and Fate Majeure as they battle Admiral Amok’s twisted hybrids of America’s most iconic symbols in Times Square. The narrative escalates as they recruit survivors—including two people immune to a deadly virus—to storm the U.S. Capitol and end President Pestilence’s tyrannical rule, only to discover an unexpected twist.
The debut issue will also feature new adventures of AI Joe and The Red Hook, along with other characters from Haspiel’s creative universe.
Drawing Inspiration from Indie Comics Legends
ANTIMATTER draws inspiration from groundbreaking single-creator anthologies like Dan Clowes’ EIGHTBALL, Jessica Abel’s ARTBABE, and Adrian Tomine’s OPTIC NERVE—but with Haspiel’s superhero-infused twist. The series flexes between genres, from superhero action to semi-autobiographical storytelling, showcasing Haspiel’s versatile sequential art style.
About Dean Haspiel
For those unfamiliar with Haspiel’s work, the Brooklyn-based cartoonist has built an impressive resume over 30 years. He’s best known for creating The Red Hook and Billy Dogma, collaborating with literary legend Harvey Pekar and author Jonathan Ames, and illustrating for HBO’s Bored to Death. His portfolio includes work for major publishers such as Marvel, DC/Vertigo, Archie Comics, Image, and Webtoon.
Kickstarter Rewards and Tiers
The ANTIMATTER Kickstarter campaign offers multiple reward tiers for backers, including:
- Print and digital editions of the comic
- Signed prints
- Red Hook head sketches
- Complete collection of all five Dean Haspiel Deep Cut books
- Guest appearance on the VITO x DINO podcast
- One-on-one virtual comics consultation
- Original art commissions
2026 will launch an exciting new publishing era for me as I navigate the retail waters,” Haspiel stated, “while delivering fresh new tales to your front door and in-person events near you.”
The campaign represents Haspiel’s move toward direct-to-reader publishing while maintaining his creative independence and control over his characters—something that eluded many of comics’ greatest creators in previous generations.
How to Support ANTIMATTER
The Kickstarter campaign for ANTIMATTER runs through November 3, 2025. Interested readers can back the project at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/deanhaspiel/antimatter
