Written by: Sam Santiago
Crowdfunding has become one of the most exciting places for horror fans to discover projects that might never survive the traditional publishing route, and the latest campaign to catch our attention comes from a creator who has been terrifying readers for decades.
Steve Niles, the co-creator of 30 Days of Night, has officially launched a new Zoop campaign for Heartbreak Manor, an original gothic horror graphic novel created alongside acclaimed artist Damien Worm.
For longtime readers, Niles needs little introduction. We had the pleasure of speaking with Steve years ago about everything from the enduring legacy of 30 Days of Night to his collaboration with horror icon John Carpenter on FEAR. We also welcomed him to Frank & Son Collectible Show for a signing event back in 2010, where fans lined up to meet one of the most influential horror comic creators of the modern era.
Now he’s turning his attention toward a classic ghost story.
Unlike many modern horror books that lean heavily into gore and shock value, Heartbreak Manor embraces old-fashioned gothic terror. Set in New York in 1912, the story follows Sally Madison, a young orphan adopted by a wealthy family and brought to live in a sprawling mansion filled with locked doors, forbidden rooms, and unsettling secrets. As Christmas approaches and strange events begin to unfold, Sally realizes she may have stumbled into something far darker than she ever imagined.
The project immediately stood out to us because it feels like a perfect match between creator and artist.
Niles has always excelled at building atmosphere and dread, while Damien Worm‘s artwork practically lives in the shadows. Horror fans will recognize Worm from October Faction, Monster & Madman, and numerous dark fantasy and horror adaptations. His distinctive style seems tailor made for a story centered around a mysterious manor and the ghosts that may be lurking inside it.
What makes this campaign especially unique is that it goes beyond simply funding a graphic novel.
The 100-page hardcover will also be accompanied by an original thirty-minute soundtrack created by Monica Richards of Faith and the Muse alongside darkwave artist Anthony Roumanis. The goal is to create a complete gothic horror experience that readers can immerse themselves in while exploring the pages of Heartbreak Manor.
LISTEN TO THE HEARTBREAK MANOR SOUNDTRACK BELOW
The Zoop campaign itself offers a variety of rewards for collectors and horror fans, including signed editions, exclusive Damien Worm art prints, soundtrack packages, original sketches, remarques, and even a premium tier that allows supporters to be illustrated directly into the graphic novel.
It’s exactly the kind of creator-driven project that crowdfunding platforms were built for.
Rather than waiting for a publisher to take a chance on an unconventional horror book, Niles and Worm are putting Heartbreak Manor directly in the hands of the fans who want to see it become a reality.
For anyone who grew up reading 30 Days of Night, followed October Faction, or simply loves atmospheric ghost stories drenched in gothic imagery, this is a campaign worth checking out.
The Heartbreak Manor campaign is live now through Zoop, where fans can help bring Niles and Worm’s latest nightmare to life.