This one's an oldie! Sorta...
Presenting my newest, and oldest (??), comic book project on Kickstarter!
This book is over a decade in the making…
TEEN FORCE 5:
An Indiecomics Superhero Throwback Adventure
A general audience, high-action comic book bringing heart, humor, and heroics to the next generation of super-teams.
From creator Charlie McElvy and Blind Squirrel Comics, comes a bold new comic that fuses the classic superhero vibe of the 80s and 90s with the style, substance, and soul of today’s storytelling. If you grew up loving the X-Men, Young Justice, or Teen Titans, this one’s for you.
📖 THE STORY 📖
It all starts with a pursuit through the streets of Summit City, a confrontation that turns to chaos, and a battle against a rising metahuman gang threat. But that’s only just the beginning.
When a team of young metahumans—each with their own unique abilities and personalities—comes together in the face of danger, it’s not just about stopping the bad guys. It’s about learning to work together, balancing egos, discovering their strengths, and figuring out what it really means to be a hero.
As the fight intensifies, two new would-be heroes stumble into the scene looking to make their own marks. Will they rise to the occasion? Are they ready to be part of something bigger? And what happens when five young strangers with powers, problems, and attitude start fighting on the same side?
💥 Teen Force 5 is about friendship, found family, fierce battles, and forging your identity in the midst of the storm. 💥
🦸 MEET THE HEROES 🦸
No spoilers here—just a taste of who’s on this squad:
Bluechip – The strategic, confident leader with the power to multiply his abilities—one at a time.
Tempest – A hot-headed force of nature who can manipulate the weather and steal the scene with his spark.
Jupiter – A powerhouse of strength and style who brings grit, grace, and Latina pride to the team.
Vignette – A sharp, no-nonsense newcomer who’s got a unique form of mind-control…and some serious secrets.
Soundwave – Beat-dropping, sound-bending, and full of swagger, he brings rhythm and raw energy into every encounter.
These five teens are more than just super-powered misfits—they’re a team in the making. And the world isn’t ready for what’s coming next!
💙 WHAT YOU’LL LOVE 💙
Old-school superhero energy with new-school attitude!
✅ A clean, bold, and fun visual style that’s accessible for all readers
✅ Character-driven storytelling filled with heart, humor, and heroic vibes
✅ An inclusive, diverse cast that reflects the world we live in—without feeling forced
✅ Perfect for fans of team dynamics, coming-of-age stories, or just a good ol’ fashioned good-vs-evil showdown
This pilot issue is a 28-page, full-color comic that’s just the start of something bigger. The world of Teen Force 5 is vast, vibrant, and ready to explode. All it needs is you.
❓ WHY THIS MATTERS ❓
In an age of dark reboots and cynical storytelling, Teen Force 5 is something different.
It’s fun without being fluffy. It’s light-hearted but still emotionally grounded. It’s a comic that kids, teens, and adults can all enjoy together—and that’s rare these days.
Writer/Creator Charlie McElvy (that’s me) brings both passion and purpose to this series. As the mind behind Blind Squirrel Comics, I’ve years of experience crafting meaningful, character-driven stories—and this one might just be his boldest attempt yet. I’m attempting to bring a legacy-style comic to you, a modern audience.
🎁 WHAT YOU GET 🎁
Backing this project means more than just getting a comic in the mail. It means you’re joining the launch of a brand-new indiecomics universe.
Your support helps fund:
➕ High-quality print or digital copy of Issue #1
➕ Exclusive rewards and variant covers (print only)
➕ Behind-the-scenes access to the creative process (digital deluxe)
➕ Future expansion of the Teen Force 5 universe
And of course—you’ll be among the very first to meet the team, explore their world, and follow their journey from Day One.
📘 COVER ART 📘
🪩 LIMITED EDITION FULL RETROVARIANT 🪩
This one isn't just a variant cover! It's a fully "retro-ized" comicbook inside and out!
Full Retro interior art (early sample screenshot -- we are working on reducing saturation and increasing luminosity to better match traditional newsprint output):
For comparison:
For the Full-Retro Edition we will take the extra time to intentionally recreate a moiré print pattern on three of the four print channels (CMY but not K). This will give the book a classic, old school feel without sacrificing readability. We'll use our same lettering layers to ensure the experience is limited to color and not affect the line work or letters.
Most likely print outcome for Full-Retro print edition:
🚀 JOIN THE FORCE! 🚀
Teen Force 5 is more than a comic—it’s a love letter to heroism, hope, and the joy of discovering your place in the world.
If you’ve ever wanted to be there when something big starts… now is your chance.
BACK IT HERE: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blindsquirrelcomix/teen-force-5-a-superhero-throwback-adventure
🔙 Back Teen Force 5 on Kickstarter Now 🔙
And help us launch a new generation of heroes.
🥅 STRETCH GOALS – UNLOCK THE ACTION 🥅
Let’s make this comic even more epic!
The more we raise, the more content and extras we’ll unlock for all backers:
$3000 – UNLOCKS High-quality, heavier weight cover upgrade
$4500 – UNLOCKS Bonus art print from Ray-Anthony Height signed by Charlie McElvy
$5000 – UNLOCKS Exclusive Teen Force 5 character trading cards (5)for all Physical Rewards Backers
Your pledge doesn’t just get you cool stuff—it helps grow this new universe.
👨🎨 ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM 👨🎨
Charlie McElvy (me, again!) is a comic book creator, world-builder, and founder of Blind Squirrel Comics, a publisher committed to telling stories with heart, humor, and heroics. With past credits including Spider-Squirrel & Trash Panda, I’m bringing a love of superhero storytelling that spans generations.
I’m passionate about creating fun, inclusive, character-driven storiesthat readers of all ages can enjoy. Teen Force 5 is my love letter to the comics I grew up with—while forging something entirely new for the next generation.
When I’m not building worlds or scripting showdowns, I’m usually hanging out with my wife & kids, drawing inspiration from real-life superheroes.
Oliver Castañeda is a dynamic storyteller and visual creative whose work spans comics, illustration, and graphic design. Known for his richly detailed art and sharp narrative instincts, Oliver brings a cinematic flair to every panel he touches. You may recognize his name from most main covers for Spider-Squirrel & Trash Panda comics, but this is the first full-issue assignment for Blind Squirrel Comics & Xion Studios. Oli is a dedicated father and a fantastic human, so if you ever come across him at a convention make sure you stop by and say, "hi!"
Matt James of Snakebit Studios is a colorist and visual storyteller based in Australia who's works have graced many an indiecomics production. Matt's clean colours and pace have made him a Blind Squirrel Comics-favorite colourist whose name you'll be seeing more of from our production house. Watch this space!
HdE is our choice letterer for books like Spider-Squirrel & Trash Panda, Alpha-Elite, and now Teen Force 5! Hailing from the original colonialist country in the UK, HdE's works can be found all over the indiecomics world and more! He's as ubiquitous as that extra "u" in words like "colour", "savour", and "flavour." WE LOVE THIS DUDE!!
Suzanne McElvy is not only Charlie’s wife, she’s our amazing Associate Editor!! Suzanne is a mom, first, to seven amazing kids but she’s also their teacher having graduated five of the seven from the high school ranks. When she’s not mommying or teaching or reminding Charlie how wrong he usually is, she’s an aerialist specializing in aerial silks and hoop (lyra). She’s also really, really fun to be around.
Vito Delsante is a comic book writer/graphic novelist and, as Editor-in-Chief and a fellow writer, our anchor! He’s written for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, AdHouse Books, and Simon & Schuster, among others and his stories have been reprinted in other countries. He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife, Michelle, their daughter, Sadie, son, James, and their pit bull, Kirby. Find him if you can and say, “Hello.”
