The true story of the life and death of anarchist Buenaventura Durruti - as told by Ringo Award nominated Comic Creator Brenton Lengel
Latest Updates from Our Project:
A Chance to Help Save Ukrainian Lives (Durruti #2 Benefit for Razom)
over 1 year ago
– Wed, Mar 15, 2023 at 11:14:37 PM
Hey Comrades!
First off, thank-you to everyone who helped to make Durruti: Shadow of the People #2 such a huge success. I am popping my head up from production on Durruti #3 (and SWZA #5) to let you know about a serious opportunity to do sme real good in the world AND get a nifty exclusive variant cover for Durruti #2 AND a free high-quality Durruti patch and EXCLUSIVE print for your trouble. Here it is:
This was done by artist Evie Moore (I made the logo). This image is currently blowing up on Reddit. I've been reading my kid Calvin and Hobbes so they can grow up with one of the best artistic and philosophical influences that I benefitted from.
While doing it, this image just popped into my head and I couldn't stop laughing.
I'll be releasing a limited signed, numbered and embossed print run and YOU can get this, and the below 3 x 3 embroidered patch ABSOLUTELY FREE:
This cover pays homage to Makhno's struggle to free Ukriane and is based on classic Durruti propaganda posters put out by the CNT during the Spanish Civil War:
So, with the war still raging, I couldn't in good conscience put out a comic featuring Nestor Makhno without doing something for the people of his homeland. Enter Razom for Ukraine:
Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, is a 501c3 non-profit that believes deeply in the enormous potential of each and every human being to bring out the best possible results from the worst possible circumstances. Together, Razom seeks to unlock this potential and by so doing enable people of good will to meet, partner and work together to unlock the potential of Ukraine. They maintain a relentless focus on the needs on the ground to support Ukraine and on opportunities to amplify voices from Ukraine. They operate in Ukraine as Razom Dlia Ukraini (Разом Для України) and collaborate with organizations and individuals to deliver the highest impact possible.
So, by pledging to this indiegogo, you get a super cool issue #2 cover of Makhno doing what Makhno did best *obliterating the Russian White Army*
Not only that, but you'll get a chance to do something real to help people who are going through an ordeal that's more frightening and terrible than most of us can imagine:
Situation like these are exactly what Makhno fought and eventually gave his life trying to prevent.
Not only that, but you'll contribute to real, on the ground mutual aid that goes directly to Ukrainian civilians in the form of aid from one of the top-rated charities operating in the region.
If you're at all like me, this war has made you feel...powerless. But we're not powerless. We can do something. We can do it even now with Bakhmut now blasted to rubble and with continuing Russian attacks:
I've never run and indiegogo before, and I'm kinda terrified. Knowing you guys are behind me, and behind these relief efforts to people who have been through an incomprehensible nightmare will mean the world to me, and it'll mean even more to an injured or displaced person who can't go home because TheRussian State shelled their house into oblivion.
The campaign will run for thirty days, with an initial fixed goal of $1500, and will launch on Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 at the following URL:
This is rendered all the more pertinent when you consider that the quote from the patch is from a response that Durruti gave to the suggestion that the Spanish people give in to fascism because Franco--like Putin, would reduce the country to rubble and ruins, and likethe Ukrainians, this was his response.
Ultimately,Durruti was right. We doCarry a New World in Our Hearts.So let's take a small step towards making that world a reality.
Solidarity,
-Brent
*30% excluding shipping, taxes and fees.
Last Chance to Back Durruti #2 + FREE Crüxshadows Christmas Album
almost 2 years ago
– Tue, Dec 20, 2022 at 03:22:05 PM
Happy Holidays Comrades!
So, this will *probably* be one of if not my last update on this page...at least for a while.
The book is *incredible* (some of my best work yet), so if you haven't back, this is your last chance to jump on board before the Tachanka leaves the station:
If you are one of the 200 who has already backed the campaign, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you're waiting for the perfect time to jump on and get issue #2, this is it.
We have unlocked our first stretch goal, which will be a prequel ashcan similar to Los Errantes--AND if we can top $12,000 in the next two days before the close of the campaign, it will again be in FULL COLOR.
We have less than $500 to go, and to help with that, I'm adding some NEW premiums, and they're AMAZING:
Makhnovist Patch/Sticker
So first off, we have a BRAND NEW Woven Patch, and oh BOY does it ROCK:
This striking image is by Durruti #2 artist Juan Francisco Mota and is based after Anarchist and national hero of Ukraine Nestor Makhno's battle standard. It is available with TWO variations: a woven patch and a sticker.
Both will be high quality (in the case of the patch the quality will be similar to the Adelante! patch from this campaign) and 4 inches x 3.5 inches. (so it will fit easily on a shirt, jacket or ballcap) and the sticker will be a bit bigger 5 inches by 4.33 inches.
You'll be able to add the sticker for $3 and the Patch for $7 (or get both for $10) and NO additional shipping.
Also, I'm VERY strongly considering making this into a shirtand making a small Desk Flag. If you want me to do that, sound off in the comments!
There's also a TON of other great add-ons available:
And we still have ONE of the half-price signed Durruti printing plates. These are one-of-a-kind, never to be repeated printing plates (one for each page in black, red and blue) that were actually used to print Durruti #1. If you want it, grab it as fast as you can, because once those sell out the price returns to $50.
It comes with my signature and a certificate of authenticity. There is no, and will never be any rarer Durruti Merch, so snag 'em while you can. The best ones are going first.
Now, as it's the season of giving, here's my gift to you:
Free Crüxshadows Christmas Album!
As you know, I'm heavily inspired by music and I LOVE sharing it with you...and this holiday season is no exception. Here is a FREE download of a new christmas song (a version of Gloria) from my friend and writing partner Rogue of Crüxshadows.
The download is free, the song is fully produced (by a goth/electronica band that beat out Madonna and Beyoncé for the #1 dance hit in the world in 2005) and REALLY good if I do say so myself.
I am absolutely beside myself. Once again you have shown up and made the next issue of "Durruti: Shadow of the People" happen. Thank you so much for helping me to tell Durruti's story to the world!
These are the *actual* aluminum plates from the first offset printing run of Durruti #1! That means that EACH PLATE is 100% unique and can never be replicated.
They exist for all 22 pages of Durruti #1 (66 in total) and come with my signature, a certificate of authenticity, and are available in Blue, Black, and Red:
These are available as add-ons for $50, but as a special one-time deal I'm letting exactly 10 go for $25 each:
As part of this promotion you will get a random plate of a random color. If you have already bought a plate at the $50 level I will allow you to choose your colorafter the campaign closes.
If you want a specific page and color message me and we'll work something out.
Note that as these are actual printing plates, the images themselves vary in quality (many have scratches and smudges left over from the process). I will be giving out the highest quality ones on a first-come first-served basis.
So, I always try to use these updates to boost other incredible kickstarters, and this one is no different. I don't know if you remember the last time I boosted fellow playwright Jeff Douglass Messer, but his series is super fun, and as one of the major draws of Durruti's life is the intrigue, you should really check out his work--as he's a playwright and an Eisner Nominee, the writing will definitely be a cut above the rest:
Los Errantes Download is HERE + Durruti #2 &
almost 2 years ago
– Mon, Nov 28, 2022 at 05:32:51 PM
Hey everyone,
First thing's first, after a long wait, your final digital stretch-goal reward is finally here!
Los Errantes Ashcan:
Los Errantes is a ten-page ashcan that chronicles Durruti's adventures before the Spanish Civil War. Specifically, his undercover efforts to organize plantation workers in Cuba. Can Liberty prevail in The Pearl of the Antilles?
Find out as "The Wanderers" navigate the bloodsoaked fields of Cuban sugar cane. This issue is drawn and colored by Ralf Singh, and inked by Christian Docolomansky.
Check you Kickstarter PM Box for the Download link and code.
The Impure
Did I mention Ralf Singh? Because he's also about to launch an incredible project you should also check out:
At long last Durruti #2 is about to launch on Kickstarter! Click below to pre-follow the campaign, which will go live at 7:00 AM this coming Tuesday 11/22/22! This issue is especially cool, because it's a REAL LIFE CROSSOVER between two historical legends: Buenaventura Durruti and Ukraininan national hero, "Anarchy's Cossack" Nestor Makhno:
"From these unfolding vistas of human misery, man must forge convictions, call other men his brothers, and fight for freedom...When love of oneself and others gains the ascendancy in life, man will become the authenticauthor of his own existence...We will leave the shadows behind and stride towards a common ideal: A life both free and fraternal."
- Nestor Makhno (November 8th, 1888 - July 25th, 1934)
Lovingly called "Batko" by the women and men who served under him, Nestor Ivanovich Makhno was one of the most colorful and compelling heroes of the Russian Revolution: a saber-weilding cossak at the head of a great peasant army perhapsa hundred thousand strong. Makhno was a born leader and "strategist of unsurpassed ability," whose Black Army (The Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine) possessed a "truly epic capacity for organization and battle."
In fact, some of you may have noticed the black flags being waved by the crowd in Durruti #1:
Those were actually french versions of Makhno's Battle Standard:
After defeating the Czarist White Army and virtually winning the war for the Reds, Makhno was instantly betrayed and forced to flee his own country. He eventually settled in France where during a clandestine meeting the aging anarchist became personally acquainted with public enemy #1: Buenaventura Durruti. And that's where Durruti: Shadow of the People #2 begins:
It was exhilarating to write this real-life meeting between two titans of history, and Spanish artist Juan Francisco Mota has rendered it in exquisite detail:
I am SO excited to be able to tell this story. Despite how cool all of this is, the sad fact is many people have never heard of either of these two men, let alone an IRL "crossover" between "The First Avenger" and a literal "Winter Soldier"...which has inspired some positively *incredible* pages:
And badass variant covers:
So, let's make sure this story explodes onto the scene with exactly the amount of gravitas these two real-life heroes deserve:
It takes a second and even if you decide you do n't want to get this issue, the more people we have pre-launch the better Kickstarter's algorithm will treat us.
Solidarity!
Brenton Lengel
Durruti #2 Artist Reveal + SWZA #0
about 2 years ago
– Tue, Sep 20, 2022 at 12:41:07 AM
Hey Comrades!
So, it's been a hot minute. Just wanted to catch you up on where everything is with Durruti: Shadow of the People and my other work.
Zoop is a new Crowdfunding Site, that Only Does Comics. I'm just now getting a foothold with them, so if you can, you can pop over there and secure your own special edition SWZA #0 with this badass cover by Durruti #2 artist Juan Francisco Mota:
If you could toss me some mutual aid, please click on the link and enter your email so you can get notified when we launch. This helps the site recognize that this is a comic people are interested in and therefore gets more eyeballs on the campaign. Also, you can celebrate the launch of the series with a special LIMITED EDITION cover before the series blows up in comic shops nationwide!
DURRUTI #2
So, I know things have been quiet on this front for a while. The reason why is that there's been a TON of work going into translating Durruti #1 into spanish and coordinating with the CNT for the European release! Also, I've been working diligently through the script for Durruti #3 while making sure Juan and Anna get Durruti #2 exactly right.
Might notice a familiar face or two among the Makhnovtsi
I couldn't believe it when I realized these two giants actually met. I'll be launching a campaign soon to publish this book, so keep your eyes on this kickstarter page!
