There is a lot at stake for the comic publisher Edition Moderne. With crowdfunding, the publisher hopes to save its continued existence.
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On 17 May, the Swiss comic book publisher Edition Moderne launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Internet. The goal was clear: 100,000 Swiss francs (around 102,000 euros) were to be achieved. About a week after the start of the campaign, around 90 percent of the sum was reached. A lot can still happen here until June 23, so the comic publisher does not have to worry about its continued existence.
The comic publisher Edition Moderne is trying to save its continued existence with crowdfunding. (Symbolic image) © Manja Elsässer/Imago
The publishing house Edition Moderne is considered a stroke of luck for the German-language comic scene. As the Tagesspiegel reports, the publishing house stands for an open society and is an indispensable part of European culture and the scene. Edition Moderne offered many comic artists the opportunity to publish their first works, which was a starting point for individual careers.
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For more than four decades, Edition Moderne has played an important role in the German-speaking comic scene. It was recently announced that the Zurich-based company is on the verge of bankruptcy, according to the management. Claudio Barandun, a member of the publishing team, told the Tagesspiegel: "If sales continue as before, Edition Moderne will run out of money in spring 2024."
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a funding method in which a large number of people contribute small amounts of money to support a project or business idea. In most cases, an online platform is used on which the project is presented and supporters can donate money. Through this collective financing, the project can be realized without the involvement of a single investor or bank.
Edition Moderne: Oldest independent comic book publisher
Since its foundation in 1981, Edition Moderne has described itself as the oldest independent comic publisher in the German-speaking world. The publisher has an impressive list of publications, including bestsellers such as Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel "Persepolis" (promotional link) as well as important works by international comic authors such as Jacques Tardi and Baru from France, as well as books by US comic reportage pioneer Joe Sacco, which have been translated into German.
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The Geschwister-Scholl-Literaturpreis 2021 goes to a comic author for the first time. Sacco's 10,000-euro award for his book "We belong to the country". © Daniel Mordzinski/picture alliance/dpa/Verlag Edition Moderne
Joe Sacco received the Geschwister Scholl Literature Prize, endowed with 2021,10 euros, in 000 for his comic "We belong to the country" (promotional link). In addition, Edition Moderne has provided a platform for many talented German-speaking illustrators, including Thomas Ott, Nicolas Mahler, Anke Feuchtenberger and the comic duo Katz and Goldt.
Last year, it became apparent that Edition Moderne was not doing well economically. As the book report reported in November 2022, the company informed about the acute and long-term threat to its existence in a dramatic circular email to publishing colleagues at the time.
Rising energy and transport costs, developments in the paper market and the disruption of supply chains have caused the production costs for the artistically sophisticated titles to rise dramatically. In this case, it is no longer possible to pass it on to the customer. For example, the crowdfunding campaign for the comic book publisher is a rescue operation that could work. If you still want to take part in the campaign, you will find the opportunity under love.editionmorderne.ch until June 23, 2023.