Editor's note: Tom Mandrake reached out to us last week, and we had to take a look at his request. A dream project from the creative team that did the best and longest-running run on The Spectre (now being collected by DC)? Written by the man behind one of the most influential comics of the 80s and 90s, Suicide Squad? It's not just worth a look. It's worth a pledge.

From John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake:

Kros: Hallowed Ground began over 10 years ago as a tale of horror set during the Battle of Gettysburg. A dream project for us both, it waited silently, like a vampire in the shadows... The story was written, some pages were drawn--atmospheric, dark murky landscapes, the dimly lit surgeon's tent, a figure swirling from the smoke of battle...

It's time to hear the wolf's howl; to watch the undead descend like buzzards to the feast.  It's time to unleash the vampires...

All wars are horror stories.

Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. The blood soaked battlefields of the Civil War draw Vampires who descend to feed on the wounded and dying as Blood calls to Blood. One man, a Vampire Hunter named Kros, stands against them, waging a battle at night as fearful and horrific as the battles fought during the day.

KROS: HALLOWED GROUND is a 128 page horror graphic novel by John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake. Kros is a dream project and Kros' story is one we have been wanting to tell for a long time.

Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War, KROS: HALLOWED GROUND is a tale of horror that follows the story of Vampire hunter, Major Kros, who fights two wars. During the day, Kros fights the battle history remembers. At night, he fights a secret battle against supernatural forces. 

Kros himself is an enigmatic character. He’s a dampyr – a vampire hunter – and has some of the vampire’s abilities. Long lived, Kros cares nothing for the politics of ordinary mortals. The Civil War means nothing to him. Kros is on the trail of the undead. 

There are considerable dangers to Kros as well--and death is not the worst of them. Blood calls to Blood and there is always the danger that could be turned and become that which he hates. 

Around Kros are ordinary people, civilians and soldiers from both the North and South in the midst of a cauldron called Gettysburg. They have faced the conflict and horror of the battlefield and now must face an even greater horror.

Vampires have followed the armies and come at night to feast on the fallen.

A second battle is fought at Gettysburg of which the history books know nothing. That’s the tale we want to tell. We’ve waited a long time to tell it. With your help, it will happen.

The KROS: HALLOWED GROUND 128 page graphic novel will include character and production artwork by Tom Mandrake, cover/poster art, as well as a short KROS story by John Ostrander.

Join the Kickstarter Campaign here.

Let us know what you think, via email, Facebook, or Twitter @FanboyPlanet.

Derek McCaw