The Comic Watchers - Episode 327: Travis Hymel Challenges Readers To Start Your Engines Now On Kickstarter

By Chad Burdette

on July 20, 2026

Start Your Engines #1 is a ROARING adventure 48-page comic following Dare Darrington, a former stunt driver turned race car driver facing rivals, saboteurs and dinosaurs across two action-packed 24-page stories:

Travis Hymel has worked as a comic book artist professionally for over 6 years. His recent credits include the Dark Horse Comics’ title, The Legend of Vox Machina: Whitestone Chronicles vol. 2 as well as a story for Speed Racer at Mad Cave Studios.

He has worked for other comic book publishers such as: Titan Comics (The Loose End), Oni Press (Nacelleverse), Image/SkyBound (G.I. Joe), Massive Comics, IDW, Devil’s Due Comics, Boom Studios, and Comixtribe

Travis joined The Comic Watchers to chat about the Kickstarter, his career, and more:

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Start Your Engines —Series Overview & Format

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Start Your Engines – The Inspirations Behind Start Your Engines

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Start Your Engines – Making a Tire Blowout Pop: Using Panels as Sound Effects

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Start Your Engines – Why I Chose Kickstarter For My First Campaign

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Start Your Engines – Kickstarter Money Goal: Printing &Team Help

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Start Your Engines – How Phil Hester Shaped My Inking And Use Of Shadows

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Start Your Engines – Adding Behind-the-Scenes Like Invincible’s Bonus Material

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Current Funding: $2,781
Funding Goal: $5,000
Days Left: 24
Link: Start Your Engines #1: A 48-page Action-Adventure

Story 1 “If it Ain’t Broke…FIX-IT?!”: Dare and his team are fighting to stay afloat as an independent team in the National Toth Racing League. However, plots are in motion to sabotage the race on AND off the track.
Story 2 “The Choices We Make”: After the events in the prior story, Dare is exploring his new training facility. During a joy ride in his car, he comes across a new friend and some unfriendly “neighbors”. (SPOILERS: they’re mutant dinosaurs!)

The book itself will be a 60-page square-bound book that will have full color interior pages.