While I enjoy superhero comics as much as the next fan, it's the world of creator-owned comics that is truly near and dear to my heart. Some fans may not know that creator-owned comics are an investment from the creators themselves into their work -- they fund the project out of their own pockets and often times don't even recoup the expenses.

Fairy+Quest

The+Graphic+Textbook

<a+class='autolink'+href='https://comics.ign.com/objects/126/126005.html'>Foster</a>+Anthology

The+Monarchy

Retrovirus

Reincar(Nate)

This means that, unfortunately, there are many unique projects out there that never see the light of day if the chance of profitability isn't high. People don't get rich in comics, and creators have mouths to feed just like the rest of us. But with Kickstarter, an interesting opportunity has risen for established pros and newcomers alike.Kickstarter offers a chance for passion projects to be funded by the community, letting creators focus on the work and take (most) financial worry out of the equation. That's why I want to spotlight -- perhaps monthly -- the most noteworthy projects from creators you know and some you don't. Not only that, but Kickstarter is changing the way we can purchase comics, effectively putting our money up front and declaring that we are passionate about something to be produced. It's the ultimate example of voting with your wallet. Even $1 helps, and of course, the higher you pledge, the more rewards you get.And rest assured, I'm putting my money where my mouth is. Anything that I feature here is something I've financially pledged to myself.$15 - Fairy Quest Mug and 48-page digital download of the comicThis is a prime example of a passion project by two established creators that is relying on readers for support. Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos have created a vast fantasy world where all of the greatest stories ever told live side-by-side. Of course, a sinister force threatens to destroy all they know and they must band together to stop it.Ramos' style is perfectly suited to this kind of story, and Jenkins' knack for otherworldly narratives will surely shine here. If you're a fantasy and fairy tales fan, this is one worth taking a look at.Reading With Pictures$40 - The hardcover book plus the actual trading card game from one of the stories Reading With Pictures is a non-profit organization that I've talked about before; it's a group devoted to fighting illiteracy through the use of comic books in classrooms. This is actually their second Kickstarter campaign -- their first project was an all-ages anthology, and actually how I discovered Kickstarter in the first place.The idea here is to create a textbook that covers the basic grade 3-6 topics (math, science, social studies, etc.) from stellar creators that can get kids enthusiastic about reading and learning. Some of the talent involved in The Graphic Textbook includes Fred Van Lente , Roger Langridge, Amy Reeder, Katie Cook, and Janet K. Lee.Brian Buccellatto$30 - Brian will throw a game of Words with Friends and accept defeat. And oh yeah, a signed copy of the bookKnown best as a prolific color artist and the current co-writer of The Flash at DC Comics, Brian Buccellatto launched a stellar self-published book called Foster earlier this year. I've reveiewed issues #1 and #2 , and talked at length with Brian about the project.Now, he's brought fellow comic pros Mike Johnson, Kyle Higgins Sterling Gates , Eric Wallace and more to create an anthology based in the world of Foster. That's a whole lot of great talent for a completely self-published work, which should be commended in a hard market like we have today. Tyler Kirkham , Amanda McMurray & M. Oracle$10 - PDF download of the 150 page book with your name printed on the 'thank you' pageGreen Lantern: The New Guardians artist takes up writing with The Monarchy, a story of myth and magic that centers on the last of an ancient race of guardians that are the line of defense between unstoppable evil and the rest of the world.The book features completely digital artwork from up-and-comer M. Oracle, and honestly doesn't look like anything else out there at the moment. And, if you're really generous, there's even a reward that will earn a 5-page Monarchy short story of your creation a place in the backmatter of the book. Jimmy Palmiotti & Norberto Fernandez$5 - PDF download of the completed project (plus a boatload of good karma)Currently handling the continuing misadventures of Jonah Hex in All-Star Western for DC Comics, Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray have teamed again for this Kickstarter project with their Tattered Man artist Norberto Fernandez. Retrovirus is about a pandemic that is unleashed upon the world from a preserved Neanderthal and the scientist racing to stop it.Palmiotti was successful with a Kickstarter project last year with Queen Crab, and it seems the writing duo is taking full advantage of the crowdfunding system to fuel more passion projects.Michael Moreci & Keith Burns$50 - Get a signed hard copy of the book, a PDF, a print, AND a Reincar(Nate) shotglass!The co-writer of Image Comics' Hoax Hunters, Michael Moreci, is trying to fund his upcoming graphic novel through Kickstarter, a crime story with a bit of a sci-fi twist; the lead character is a private investigator that can interact with previous incarnations of himself and use them to solve cases.You can even read the first chapter of the book here before you decide to pledge. As I write this, the campaign is ending in just a few days, so if it sounds like something that you're interested in, get on board now!Sound off below if this feature was helpful to you, if you'd like to see it monthly, or suggestions on what could be added. Go kickstart some stuff!

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. He funded his last comic book on Kickstarter and thinks other people should too. Follow Joey on Twitter , or find him on IGN