Fresno is home to a wide range of creative voices — but did you know one of them writes for Sonic the Hedgehog? Local comic book writer Daniel Barnes, known for his work with IDW Publishing and Oni Press, is striking out with a project of his own: a new all-ages fantasy comic book series with a mission.

Barnes is currently crowdfunding Endless Fantasia, developed in partnership with Story Leaf, a California-based nonprofit that creates educational entertainment. With just days left on the Kickstarter, the campaign has already surpassed its initial $30,000 goal, raising over $36,000. Now, Barnes is hoping to bring the project even further with the support of his community.

Creating Something Personal — and Purposeful

“After years of writing scripts and stories for pre-established franchises, I really wanted to create something of my own — something personal, drawn from my childhood interests and passions,” Barnes explains. “On top of that creative freedom, it also gave me a chance to make something that gave back to my community in a real and tangible way, beyond just being entertaining.”

From Sonic to Literacy Advocacy

Barnes says his years working on Sonic the Hedgehog showed him just how powerful comics can be for young readers.

“Something I continually kept hearing from parents was, ‘It’s always so tough to get my kids to read, but they absolutely LOVE reading the Sonic comics.’ That was a real light bulb moment for me. I didn’t hate reading as a kid — I just needed something that hooked me. That’s the core idea at the heart of this project: to make something as cool and appealing as Sonic, but with the ulterior motive of getting kids excited about reading.”

Why Comics Work in the Classroom

For Barnes, comics are more than fun storytelling — they’re an accessible pathway into literacy.
“The mix of words and pictures makes reading more engaging and memorable. The artwork provides context for the text, which helps kids figure out tricky words. They’re also way less intimidating than big walls of text. Put that together with cool artwork and an engaging narrative, and reading becomes something kids want to do.”

What He Hopes Readers Take Away

Barnes envisions Endless Fantasia as a bridge between entertainment and education.

• For kids: “A newfound love of reading and comic books! I’d love for this to be a gateway into other comics and fantasy stories, the way Sonic and Jeff Smith’s Bone were for me.”
• For adults: “A refreshing, all-ages series that offers escapism in these trying times — but also something parents can share with their kids.”

How to Support

The Kickstarter campaign for Endless Fantasia closes Monday, October 13th at 10 AM PST. While the initial funding goal has been met, every additional pledge helps expand the project’s reach and impact.

👉 Learn more and support the campaign here: Endless Fantasia Kickstarter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danny8bit/
Twitter: https://x.com/Danny8bit