LIBERTY — The Arms Smugglers Who Helped Win the Revolution
Created by Neurobellum Productions
A graphic novel about the Parisian playwright and American agent who teamed up in a covert op to save the Revolution in 1776.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Locking orders this weekend! And advance photos from the factories!
13 days ago
– Wed, Sep 02, 2026 at 10:10:33 AM
Hi Everyone!
We hope you have been having a nice summer and haven't suffered too much from the heat!
We received some color-proof dummies (unprinted books with fully treated cover and packaging) of the slipcased edition from the printer recently, and they look great!
Each slipcase will come shrink-wrapped with corner protectors.
The slipcase and book cover will be textured like this example, though we are working with the printer on different "graining patterns" to find the right texture and depth.
The books are still printing, so this sample is full of blank white pages, but we're excited to get our hands on printed advances once they're ready! We'll be sure to share photos once it arrives.
We also received photos of the "contraband crate" from the manufacturer making these limited-edition boxes. They're also turning out great!
Unlike the photoshopped mockup in the campaign, these actual crates will be hinged with metal latches and rope handles, so the crate can be used to store all sorts of things!
We've also ordered the replica items that are included in those special crates, and will post photos once we've received some from the respective manufacturers.
We are locking the orders on the Pledge Manager this week. You may have already received an email notification from BackerKit informing you of this. You will have 48 hours to make any adjustments to your Pledge -- to add items or alter your tier configuration, address, or payment method. If you don't get that email from BackerKit in the next 24 hours, you can log into the Pledge Manager directly at https://liberty.backerkit.com/ using your Kickstarter-associated email address.
If you still have trouble accessing the pledge manager, please email [email protected] for assistance.
Once the orders lock automatically after that 48-hour window, BackerKit will run credit card charges for any outstanding balance -- shipping, new add-ons, etc. We will likely run these charges on Monday, so please be sure your payment method is current and functional by then. If BackerKit isn't able to complete the charge, your Pledge will remain "unlocked" and unable to be fulfilled. BackerKit will re-attempt the charge every few days, but if you receive a notice from them that there has been a payment error, please look into it and perhaps provide them with an alternate card or payment information as soon as you're able.
Things are moving right along! We're still hoping to ship everything in November! Stay tuned for more updates as things develop!
Pledge Manager Surveys going out this weekend
about 2 months ago
– Fri, Jul 31, 2026 at 03:34:58 PM
Hi everyone!
We just wanted to let you know that Smoke Test surveys have been sent from the Pledge Manager as of this afternoon! If you're not familiar with the Smoke Test process: a randomly selected ~5% of you will receive your surveys in advance of the others in order to ferret out any hidden bugs in the pledge manager that should be fixed before the larger batch of surveys is sent to the wider audience. That smoke test usually takes about 24 hours, or until ~75% of those test surveys are completed. If you get one of the early survey links, please respond promptly if possible! Be on the lookout for an email from Backerkit on behalf of Neurobellum Productions.
If you don't see an email with a link, you may not be in that initial test group. Once the smoke test is complete (hopefully by Sunday), we'll send the rest of the surveys. We expect everyone should get their survey links by Monday or Tuesday.
If you have any questions or haven't received your links by early next week, send us a DM here on Kickstarter or email [email protected], and we'll help you out!
Thanks, everyone!
Woot! Thank you!
about 2 months ago
– Wed, Jul 22, 2026 at 05:06:08 PM
Hi everyone!
Thank you for supporting this campaign! We wrapped strong, and the book looks great! We’re hard at work with the printer getting finished files to them for both special editions, as well as finalizing the design for the “contraband crate”. We’ll share some pix as soon as we get them!
We’ll start building the pledge manager next week (after a quick weekend trip to San Diego Comic-Con). There’s a lot going on this week but this conclusion has been a great start to the weekend!
Thanks again, everyone. You’re the best!
Spotlight on colorist Elvire de Cock
2 months ago
– Fri, Jul 10, 2026 at 02:57:12 PM
Hi everyone!
Things continue to grow -- thanks for your support so far and for spreading the word! We've unlocked two more stretch goals since the last update, with the next one right around the corner!
We've made a few adjustments to the campaign page, specifically to correct a horrible omission on our part -- we forgot to include colorist Elvire de Cock as one of the authors! (And we feel TERRIBLE about it!)
Anyone who sees the artwork in LIBERTY! must agree that the painted coloring is astounding, and an aspect of the overall experience that cannot and should not be overlooked. Colorists rarely get proper recognition, even when the work is as painterly as Elvire's, and we're remiss in unintentionally perpetuating that notion. THIS MUST CHANGE! This book is a breathtaking example of how colors, lighting, and texture can elevate a narrative experience far beyond the other contributions alone.
Elvire De Cock is a prominent Belgian comic book artist, illustrator, and colorist born in 1979. She is held in high regard within the Franco-Belgian industry for her distinct ability to "sculpt with light" through digital coloring. After shifting her academic focus from architecture to visual arts, she graduated from the comic strip department of ESA Saint-Luc de Bruxelles, while she drew and colored her own early projects, such as the two-volume fantasy series Tir Nan Og with writer Fabrice Colin, transitioning into a sought-after colorist for major publishers. Now operating out of a shared studio in France, she has brought vibrant color palettes to notable titles including the feminist western Ladies with Guns, the fantasy spin-off The Youth of Thorgal, and this very historical graphic novel Liberty!.
Keep the home fires burning and keep spreading the word on this intriguing and historical graphic tale! We've got almost 2 weeks left! How many stretch goal bonuses can we unlock before the final bell? We're excited to find out!
A great way to ring in the holiday weekend!
2 months ago
– Fri, Jul 03, 2026 at 10:29:46 AM
Hi everyone!
What a great start to a fantastic, exciting, and historical campaign! You've already unlocked the first upgrade Stretch Goal, and we're almost at the next goal target!
People are talking about this book all over the internet -- it's great to see this unspoken true story get the attention it deserves!
“A stunning new graphic novel commemorating America's Semiquincentennial is on the way for eager collectors and patriots alike!... Capture[s] the underrepresented and oftentimes thrilling nuances of what went into winning American Independence, focusing on the secret arms smugglers who helped make it happen.” —SCREENRANT
“Spies during the Revolutionary War? LFGO.... Jordan Mechner has spent decades chasing the same dream that inspired him to create Prince of Persia in 1989: telling cinematic adventure stories. ....Liberty.... brings his research-meets-entertainment storyteller brain to the timely subject of America's fight for independence.” — POLYGON
“Liberty!” marks a striking new chapter for creator Jordan Mechner, a storyteller whose work has shaped how generations experience narrative—whether through the rotoscoped elegance of Prince of Persia, the real‑time tension of The Last Express, or the deeply personal graphic memoir Replay. With Liberty!, Mechner returns to the comics page with an international art team to create a political thriller that feels both timeless and urgently relevant. The book’s blend of historical resonance, human vulnerability, and systemic pressure showcases a creator who understands how to make a world feel alive—whether it’s rendered in pixels or ink.” — GEEK VIBES NATION
“Jordan Mechner… is shining a light on the unsung heroes of the war effort…. Each page is also filled with gorgeous artwork that's highly detailed and evokes classic artistic depictions of the era.” — COLLIDER
“Liberty!" puts words and pictures to the illicit arms shipments that helped America become a country.” — WE ARE THE MIGHTY
Those are just some of the sites talking about this book, in addition to GRAPHIC POLICY, FIRST COMIC NEWS, and FANBOY FACTOR! Several of those sites include interviews with Jordan Mechner diving into his research and writing process, so check them out!
Maybe it's just us getting into the July 4th celebration zone lately, but we've also been playing a lot of Assassin's Creed III and watching the excellent John Adams miniseries on HBO. A lot of the latter paints a bit of what was going on around this covert mission to France. It's truly inspiring to realize everything that had to fall into place for America to become the nation it is today (warts and all). We've come so far, and we have so many more new challenges ahead of us to tackle together as a nation... The struggles never end, but tenacity and brotherhood will persevere...
But enough of our philosophizing... We have several more weeks left in this campaign, so please tell everyone you know to check out this (duly non-partisan) inspirational true tale!
