Brighton-based cartoonists Modern Toss celebrate tenth birthday in style – thanks to generous fans

A Brighton-based cartoon company will mark its tenth anniversary in style – after members of the public helped them smash a £20,000 target to fund a new book.

Describing themselves as a “scurrilous, global cult comic”, Modern Toss has come a long way since it formed in 2004.

Since their first publication, which relied on funding by friends and fans, the group have created a host of sketches and animated clips for books and television.

As well as scooping a host of awards, their work also regularly features in The Guardian and Private Eye.

To mark their tenth anniversary, the duo of Jon Link and Mick Bunnage launched an appeal on crowd funding website kickstarter.

Within hours over half the £20,000 target had been pledged.

Within two days, it had been smashed.

The project now has more than 700 backers pledging more than £26,000.

Jon told The Latest: “It’s our tenth anniversary, what better way to celebrate than by asking some people for some money to make a book about it.

“We didn’t expect it to go that fast, we can hopefully get some other stuff done with any left overs.”

Kickstarter is an online platform to raise money for creative projects.

It allows those with ideas to gain financial backing from a wide range of people in return for incentives, such as being part of the project or exclusive access to shows.

Since the USA-based website launched in 2009, more than $1 billion has been pledged by more than 5 million people, funding more than 50,000 creative projects.

Jon said: “It means we can get a book made without anyone sticking their oar in.”

The book will be out in September.

Anyone who pre-orders it can get their name in the back as a ‘Friend of Modern Toss’, as well as other goodies.

For more details, visit www.moderntoss.com.