Radical Publishing has announced it will kick off its largest series to date with an 18-issue, three-series tale called Shrapnel.
SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING, created by Mark Long (president of Zombie Studios) and Nick Sagan (Everfree), unfolds in a dystopian future in which imperialism has laid siege to the Solar System and Venus stands as the last free colony of humanity. Caught in the middle of this interplanetary war is Samantha “Sam†Vijaya, a soldier in self-imposed exile recovering from her service in the military. When the battle once again crashes into Sam’s life, she must choose to either remain on the sidelines and watch a colony destroyed, or risk her physical and psychological well-being to intervene. The first story arc revolves around Venus, while the second arc rages across Mars and the final climax carries over onto Earth itself.
“It’s a story about choices,†says Radical President and Publisher Barry Levine in a prepared statement. “When Mark first brought the project to my attention, of course I marveled at the beautiful artwork and the grandeur of his vision, but what compelled me to publish SHRAPNEL was the journey of Sam through all three stories, and the impact of the choices she must make. Deciding to support a planned trilogy was a large commitment on our part, but Mark and Nick’s powerful imagination and creative dedication far outweighed the risks. I’m happy to be a part of Sam, her world, and this provocative, exciting and challenging narrative.â€
To promote the series, Radical Publishing is releasing the first issue as a 48-page special for the low price of $1.99. Other issues will be the regular 28-page/$2.99 format.
The first issue arrives in January 2009.
