B-Sides and Other Things: is this $5 stack worth it for Writing & Publishing?
If you follow indie comics, you know the pain of the “lost minicomic.” Those zines that sold out at a con in 2014, the fan art for a niche horror series, or the experimental one-pagers that only ever existed in a stapled stack on a table. For years, that work was gone unless you had a copy or a friend who did. Kyle Starks, the two-time Eisner-nominated cartoonist known for Sexcastle and his work on Rick and Morty, has finally pulled the thread on his own back catalog. B-Sides and Other Things is a 125-page digital collection that resurrects 13 distinct stories, including his earliest “super rate” works and fan comics for WILD DOG and FRANKENSTEIN. It’s not a new comic; it’s an archive. And at $5, it’s the kind of low-stakes, high-value grab that makes sense if you’ve been waiting for a specific piece of his career to become accessible.
Quick answer
| Best for | Indie comic readers who want a curated archive of a specific artist’s early and fan-work output in one file. |
| Skip if | You are looking for a new, ongoing series or a fully polished, lettered trade paperback experience. |
| Price | $5 |
| Format | 125-page digital PDF (86.3 MB) containing 13 stories |
| One-line take | A $5 digital vault for Starks’ minicomic era, including rare fan art and early experimental work. |
What you’re actually buying
At first glance, a 125-page PDF might look like a thin snack, but the value here is in the rarity of the content, not the page count. You aren’t just buying a comic; you are buying access to work that has likely never been digitized before. The collection includes Punch Captain 1 & 2, which serves as a window into Starks’ early voice, alongside fan comics for WILD DOG and FRANKENSTEIN—titles that are deeply specific to a certain era of indie horror and action. If you are a fan of the WILD DOG aesthetic or the FRANKENSTEIN revival, seeing Starks’ take on those characters is a niche treat that won’t be reprinted in a major trade. (B-Sides and Other Things)
The package also includes Special Agent Toddler In A Man’s Body, a title that suggests the kind of absurdist, character-driven humor that often defines a cartoonist’s “B-sides.” More importantly, the listing notes contributions seen in publications like Boo!, 2299, and The Atomic Elbow. These are not mainstream anthology spots; they are the indie underground where the real experimentation happens. By bundling these together, Starks is offering a complete picture of his development from the “super rate” days to his more established Eisner-nominated phase. For $5, you get a 86.3 MB file that acts as a personal archive of a specific creative period, something that is increasingly rare in an era where digital distribution usually favors new releases over back-catalog preservation. (B-Sides and Other Things)
Why it’s on our radar
This is on our radar because it solves a specific problem for indie comic collectors: the fragmentation of early work. Most artists release their back catalog as expensive physical reprints or leave it lost to time. Starks is making his minicomic era available digitally for the first time, which is a significant shift for a creator of his caliber. The inclusion of “possibly never seen” earliest works makes this a historical document as much as a reading experience. If you have been following Starks since the Sexcastle days, you know that his early work has a distinct, raw energy that his later, more polished output doesn’t quite replicate. This $5 bundle is the only way to get that energy in a format that fits on your tablet or phone, without hunting down out-of-print zines on eBay. (B-Sides and Other Things)
What actually matters
Before you hit checkout, keep in mind that this is a digital download, not a physical book. The file is 86.3 MB, which is manageable for most devices, but you will be reading 125 pages of minicomic-style layouts. This means the art style is likely denser, more experimental, and less “clean” than a standard trade paperback. If you are looking for a seamless, lettered reading experience, this might feel a bit rough around the edges—which is exactly the point. The “B-sides” are the rough edges. Also, note that this is a collection of 13 separate stories. It is not a single narrative arc. You are buying a sampler of Starks’ range, from horror fan art to absurdist humor. If you want a continuous plot, this isn’t it. If you want a snapshot of an artist’s creative playground, it’s a strong pick. You can check the file details and current price to ensure the download format matches your preferred reading device.
Mid-check
If you’ve been waiting for a way to collect Starks’ early, experimental work without the premium price of a physical reprint, this is the moment. The $5 price point makes it an easy add to your digital library, especially if you are already a fan of his Rick and Morty or Sexcastle work. (B-Sides and Other Things)
FAQ
Is this a new comic series? No, B-Sides and Other Things is a collection of previously published minicomics and fan works. It includes 13 stories, such as Punch Captain and fan comics for WILD DOG, that are being made available digitally for the first time. It is an archive of past work, not a new ongoing series.
What is included in the 125 pages? The file contains 13 distinct stories. This includes Punch Captain 1 & 2, Special Agent Toddler In A Man’s Body, and fan comics for WILD DOG and FRANKENSTEIN. It also features contributions from publications like Boo! and The Atomic Elbow, as well as some of Starks’ earliest “super rate” works. You can view the full list of stories on the product page.
Is this suitable for readers who only follow mainstream comics? Starks is known for his work on Rick and Morty, so there is a crossover appeal. However, the content here is heavily rooted in the indie minicomic scene. If you enjoy experimental, low-budget, and highly personal storytelling, this will resonate. If you prefer polished, studio-produced superhero narratives, you might find the minicomic aesthetic too raw. (B-Sides and Other Things)
Bottom line
B-Sides and Other Things is a smart, low-cost way to own a piece of Kyle Starks’ creative history. It’s not a blockbuster release, but it’s a valuable archive for anyone who appreciates the indie comics ecosystem and wants to see how a two-time Eisner nominee built their style. For $5, you get 125 pages of rare, early, and fan-driven work that is otherwise hard to find. If you’re a fan of Starks or just like digging through indie back catalogs, this is a no-brainer.