Eau Claire Coalition Assemble!

Eric Koeppel |

A still from the Kickstarter video.
A still from The Eau Claire Coalition's Kickstarter video.

How does a comic book about four superheroes based on each of the primary downtown Eau Claire districts sound? You’re right; it does sound fantastic! And Gnome City Productions, a new enterprise started by Eli Bremer, is trying to make it happen. Here, check out their Kickstarter page; it’s a long way to the top ($25,000), but the payout for the community sounds pretty great.

The art-promoting Barstow Man, the University-advocating Water Woman, the crime-fighting Wes Grandéll, and the environmentally friendly E.C. Phoenix are the four superheroes that make up the Eau Claire Coalition (ECC). And a 36-page comic book is just the beginning. Gnome City Productions hopes to eventually bring these characters to life as mascots for parades, tours, and other community entertainment purposes. And to top it off, citizens (that’s us!) will have the opportunity to help design each mascot’s uniform.

Involved in the project is the prolific comic book artist Mark A. Lone from Augusta. Lone has done work for MGM Studios and has a style in line with Marvel comics. He and his team will be creating the designs and illustrations for each character and their mascot.

Sound awesome? Check out the ECC Kickstarter page for a video and donation information. The donation period ends on August 30, so pitch in while you can.