A femme-focused mythological fantasy collaborative anthology exploring how feminine figures are portrayed in myths, legends, and folklore through art, comics, and prose/poetry.
MCC Zines started in 2022 with the launch of our first zine anthology, Constellations in Flux. This will be our fourth annual anthology printed into reality with the support of backers like you. For this project, over 30 creators are bringing art and stories to life that delve into the duality of femme figures in mythology.
This year’s anthology focuses on the women of myth, legend, and fairytale—figures who have long been cast in dual roles. They are praised as maidens, mothers, and muses, yet feared as temptresses, witches, and ruin-bringers. In these stories, femininity is often painted in contradictions: radiant and perilous, nurturing and destructive, sacred and profane.
Golden Apples and Poisoned Chalices draws its name from this enduring tension. The golden apple promises beauty, desire, and destiny, while the poisoned chalice warns of deception, danger, and downfall. Together, they capture the paradox of how women have been remembered and reimagined through centuries of storytelling.
Book Specs:
Softcover, perfect bound 6.625" x 10.25" approx. 100* pages Colored ink printed on high quality paper
**This project is in progress, so details in the book and add-ons may change**
We will be offering the following rewards (early bird deals not listed), and we will also havea digital bundle available with the previous MCC Zines anthologies, Constellations in Flux,Re-Spun Threads, and Ephemeral Moments available as an add-on.
Thank you ($2+) - Thank you for your donation!
Sticker pack ($5+) - Receive a set of unlocked designs (excludes incentive stickers)
Digital Anthology ($10+) - Receive a PDF copy of Golden Apples & Poisoned Chalices
Physical Book ($20+) - Receive a paperback copy of Golden Apples & Poisoned Chalices, plus a PDF copy.
Physical Book + Print ($25+) - Receive all previous rewards plus an 8 x 10 in. metallic print of the cover art by Maegan Cook
Physical Book + Merch Bundle ($50+) - Receive a physical and ebook version of Golden Apples & Poisoned Chalices, plus any unlocked extra goodies.
Add-ons
Button pins Bookmarks Acrylic keychain(s) 4 x 6 Sticker sheet Stickers 5x7 Art prints
**This project is in progress, so details in the book and add-ons may change**
Returning Backers who've supported other MCC Zines anthologies will receive an exclusive golden apple sticker with gold foil detail.
Golden Apple Sticker mockup
Early bird Backers who pledge before launch or in the first 48 hours of the campaign will receive a golden apple pin, I've sketched up a concept for it:
Golden Apple Pin Mockup
This pin is also available as an add-on for backers who would like an extra pin or miss the EB window.
We’re pairing up with "D" is for Derpy Dragons, if you pledge to both campaigns for a physical reward tier before Printopia ends, you'll receive an exclusive, free sticker from each campaign that will be added to your order after the campaign ends.
(Check out the Community tab for a special quest to make the stickers larger)
Duskmelt Group Collaboration
Printopia exclusive: Unlock our group zine!
Black Hearted Crone WIP
Comic page by Zach Tallent
Illustration WIP
Art by Soph, an illustration of Artemis welcoming Iphigenia into the celestial/divine realm after she’s been sacrificed by Agamemnon.
Illustration by CSYKO
A digital illustration by CYSKO based on the Korean creation myth.
illustration WIP
An illustration by MEW: There's a story of Y Ladi Wen and her skeletal cow. People leave stones with their names overnight in a fire. The next day, those that remained will be blessed. Any missing stones have been taken by Y Ladi Wen and those will die that year.
Illustration by RaptorKizzie
A digital illustration by RaptorKizzie, Medusa as a patron figure for women, unbothered by her curse to turn men to stone.
🔓UNLOCKED! Chibi Keychains- at $1200, unlock two pearl keychain designs featuring Purity and Poison
Pearl Keychain examples
🔓 UNLOCKED! Hair accessories- at $1500, unlock two acrylic hair clips, designs decided by vote. Poll coming soon!
🔓 UNLOCKED! Trading cards- at $1800, unlock foil embossed art trading cards featuring art from the anthology and prints, designs by vote.
🔓 UNLOCKED! The Golden apple tree enamel pin-at $2000, unlock an enamel pin design featuring a tree with golden apples, glitter or stained glass effect.
🔓 UNLOCKED! Gold foil cover- at $2800, unlock gold foil detailing to the book cover.
Bonus comic- at $3000, Project coordinator Maegan Cook will add an original fairytale comic to the anthology.
Shipping is not included with pledges, it will be invoiced with backer surveys. Shipping costs start at $5 for a book in the US, and international starts at $12. Everything is calculated by weight and will be invoiced post-campaign.
September 9th | Preorders open through Printopia on Backerkit October 5th | Creation period for the anthology ends December/January | Production Early February 2026 | Estimated shipping window
*Subject to change, if the shipping window moves I'll post an update.
In the add-ons, you may notice we have limited copies of the last anthology we published, Ephemeral Moments, and an option to add digital copies of all of our past anthologies as well.
Here is a highlight of what you can find in the other books:
2024
Ephemeral Moments is a zine anthology showcasing poetry, prose, art, and comics celebrating the beauty found in fleeting moments.
2023
Sample
Re-Spun Threads: A Comic Anthology of Reimagined Fairytales is the second annual zine anthology from MCC Zines. This book features 16 original color comics by a group of talented artists, writers, and comic creators exploring culture-bent fairytales and folklore.
2022
Constellations in Flux is a collaborative zine full of art and literature focused on romantic stories with a space or celestial theme.
(All print anthologies are rated PG-13 and may include LGBTQ+ content)
This project is participating in the BackerKit event Printopia 2025 📚 A celebration of books, comics, and graphic novels featuring an all-star lineup of creators crowdfunding together from September 9–30, 2025.
🧭 Explore the 4 Printopia Groups — Every project belongs to one of four unique groups helping you discover stories you’ll love and creators to follow:
Dawnrise | Uplifting, imaginative tales for all ages.
Suncrest | Bold, hopeful adventures for middle grade readers.
Duskmelt| Emotionally rich stories for teens & adults.
Nightfall | Complex, mature narratives for older teens & adults.
⚔️ Introducing Crowd Quest — a backer-powered community game running during Printopia! Every project belongs to a group, and when you interact, you earn points that help unlock group-wide rewards. Learn more about it in our freebies section below!
🎁 Printopia Freebies Overview — Check out all the different ways you can get freebies in addition to your pledge rewards!
Cross-Collab Freebies — Back both projects in a Cross-Collab pair and get 1 freebie from each creator (see individual project pages for unlock requirements).
Crowd Quest Digital Zine Freebie — Help each of the 4 groups unlock their achievement to earn their digital zine freebie, filled with art, stories, and bonus content from that group’s participants. Collect up to 4 digital zines — one from each group.
Duskmelt zine
Printopia Bookmark Freebie — Back 10+ projects across any group to get the Limited Edition Printopia 2025 bookmark (fulfilled by BackerKit).
*Only pledges to physical reward tiers or main digital offerings (if no physical items are offered) qualify towards earning the limited Printopia 2025 Bookmark.
