Bitcoin Comic Book Has A Story Beyond Its Pages
The authors and artist hide behind the comic book's cover.
Visitors to the Bitcoin Center Buenos Aires, home of Bitcoin Argentina and several bitcoin startups, are reminded of the dramatic saga of bitcoin’s elusive founder Satoshi Nakamoto when they get a glimpse of a comic book on display titled: “BITCOIN The Hunt For Satoshi Nakamoto.” But in addition to drawing attention to one of bitcoin’s greatest mysteries, the comic book has its own story beyond the one told in its pages.
The comic book, written by Josep Busquet and Alex Preukschat with graphics by Jose Angel Ares Garcia, was announced at the Coin Summit in London in 2014.
The story covers different perspectives of the cryptocurrency, in addition to the search for Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous inventor of bitcoin. Despite the title, the story does not attempt to determine the identity of bitcoin’s founder.
The Comic Book’s Real Story
The comic book’s bigger story is the support it has won from the cryptocurrency community from its inception and the support it continues to provide for bitcoin-related causes.
The writers began the project in October 2013. They crowdfunded 64 BTC to publish the book, surpassing their original target of 40 BTC. They received support from Bitstamp PLC, Chain Inc., Coinbase Inc. and Xapo Inc.
Preukschat said the mystery behind Satoshi Nakamoto has always intrigued cryptocurrency enthusiasts. He also believed a comic book was a good way to get younger people interested in the cryptocurrency. The comic book’s story is about three parties seeking people they believe to be Satoshi Nakamoto.
The Latin American Bitcoin Conference in 2014 in Rio de Janeiro auctioned the comic book and gifted back to Bitcoin Argentina by Rocelo Lopez, who won the auction.
In 2015, fintech advisor Juan Llamos had the comic book signed by bitcoin community members for the conference’s 2015 auction in Mexico City. Auction proceeds benefitted BitGive, a global charity that supports projects such as Team Rubicon, Save the Children, The Water Project, Medic Mobile, mental health home, and more. Less than 1 percent of the charity’s funds are for fees.
Bitcoin Pioneers Approve
More than 100 bitcoin pioneers worldwide signed the comic book for the 2015 auction, including Nick Szabo, Roger Ver, Patrick Byrne, and Vitalik Butterin. Viewers were able to place auction bids on the conference website.
Rodolfo Andragnes, the 2015 conference organizer, and Sebastian Wain won the auction together for 20.4 BTC.
“I like that the book is the first of its kind, signed by over 105 bitcoin pioneers committed to a cause and that it was the work of Spanish entrepreneurs,” Andragnes told CCN.com. “It was easy for me to support and the main reason we decided to use it as a part of the 2014 auction in Brazil and then as a unique collector’s piece in Mexico.”
“I have always been a supporter of the book, even during the crowdfunding campaign, as I am named in its hall of fame, too. Sebastian and I really wanted to support BitGive’s efforts and projects, and that is why we decided to share the book and pay the full bidding price of 10.2 BTC each.”
Andragnes said he was not aware of any other physical bitcoin comic books.
2015 Conference A Success
The conference, hosted by Bitcoin Argentina, a non-profit that promotes the cryptocurrency, with support from BitGive, raised a total of 25.4 BTC for bitcoin non-profits and the Latin American community.
Images from Bitcoin Comic.
