Friends, Readers, Colleagues: I NEED HELP.

GOFUNDME

Hello!

Let me first introduce myself. My name is Tyler Jenkins. Most of you will likely know me from the comic books and artwork I have created over the last 18 years. Some of you may know me from Peter Panzerfaust and some of you may know me from Grass Kings. Some of you may know me from the other 13 series I have worked on. I have never made a lot of money doing this, but I have always managed somehow. Money has, obviously, never motivated me, but the connection with the reader, touching people with my work; that is what I’m here for, that is why I show up to my desk.

The problem with barely managing is that when a whole bunch of things come crashing in all at the same time, barely making it isn’t good enough. And I, like so many in our industry, have suffered a litany of challenges these last few years.

Maybe the hardest part of all is that I am struggling heavily with managing to meet all the needs of my kids. I have three, under 15, and seeing them go without everything I want for them is the worst feeling. Not being able to provide proper clothing for even this winter has really been awful.

Contributing factors that have slowly eroded my ability to make ends meet include:

1. Covid. Contributing directly to at least 3 projects being cancelled or indefinitely postponed. (this would have been enough to live on for 2 years)

2. The SAG strikes postponed payments for works sold prior to the strikes.

3. Erosion of rates for work. (covid, world politics, etc)

4. I was let go from my teaching job at Alberta University of the Arts, which I loved. I did not work full time as a teacher, but it covered my rent for the year.

5. The Canada post strike has also delayed paperwork that I need.

I have run up against a wall and I need help. I have applied for government assistance and support from charities in my area, and a little has come through, but, the bills have piled up, and I have fallen behind on many payments. My rent is more than 2 months behind, and only due to the generosity of my landlord do we still have a roof over us. My car was repossessed and my electricity is on a limiter. Death by a million cuts.

I would like to acknowledge that none of this reflects badly on any of the publishers I have worked with. I am finishing up a couple of projects right now, but I have already been paid for them and that money is part of what’s kept me going until now. But it has run out.

I recognize that many folks are trying to navigate their own financial crises currently, and I sympathize with anyone who is feeling the impact of trying to survive through debt and a mountain of bills. The impact of this on a persons sense of self worth and on their mental health cannot be understated.

I am grateful to everyone for any and all support you folks are able to offer me and my family.

I am free to sign on to new projects, so anyone seeing this, I would prefer to work for the money.

I am asking for $5000 cdn to help me get back on my feet and out of this hole.

Thank you.