You may remember a little indie short that lit the internet up back in 2003 entitled BATMAN: DEAD END. Directed by Sandy Collora and featuring effects from some of the industry’s most talented creatives (and on-the-money performances by Clark Bartram and the late Andrew Koenig as Batman and Joker), DEAD END set the benchmark for ‘fan films’ infinitesimally high with fanboy supremo Kevin Smith calling it, “Possibly the truest, best Batman movie ever made”.

Over ten years on and the legacy of Collora’s ‘classic’ piece of fan film history has been immortalized in a documentary, funded largely though Kickstarter.

“I chose Kickstarter and support it 100% because it gives the independent artist a forum and an outlet to showcase and produce his or her work,” Sandy explained, “It’s a brilliant idea.”

While Collora is largely known for his turn behind the camera on DEAD END, it is perhaps less well known that he is also an accomplished concept designer and sculptor. Having served under Stan Winston in the late ‘90s, Collora has leant his talents to a plethora of films including JURASSIC PARK, MEN IN BLACK, THE CROW and PREDATOR 2. Now, as he readies his next feature as director (entitled SHALLOW WATER), Sandy has once again turned to Kickstarter, but it isn’t to fund the film.

“THE ART OF CREATURE AND CHARACTER DESIGN is a project I have been wanting to do for quite some time now,” Collora explains. “It’s a very informative, comprehensive, lavishly illustrated volume on the art and aesthetics of creature and character design for film, video games and toys. It will explore the style, approach, technique, and inspiration of some of the best creature and character designers in the world.”

At present the book (which will also feature concepts and designs from SHALLOW WATER) has already surpassed its original target and was riding high as Kickstarter’s Project of the Day earlier this week, and with just one week to go, it’s about to pass Stretch Goal number two (awarding every pledger with two uniquely sculpted head magnets).

You can back Collora’s book here.

Oh, and if for some absurd reason you’ve never seen the stunning BATMAN: DEAD END, this is what you’ve been missing out on:

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