ABLAZE ANNOUNCES A KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN FOR MARK RUSSELL’S TRAVELING TO MARS

Eisner nominated sci-fi series to be presented in a Kickstarter campaign for an Exclusive Limited Hardcover Edition that includes an introduction by Patton Oswalt, extra content, and bonus premiums

Comics and graphic novel publisher ABLAZE focuses fresh attention on the acclaimed sci-fi series TRAVELING TO MARS as it announces the release of a new Hardcover edition on Kickstarter that collects the 11-issue series plus a cover gallery and bonus material.

ABLAZE will also be releasing a standard softcover TP edition of TRAVELING TO MARS through its normal distribution channels to the direct market and bookstore market. The TRAVELING TO MARS TP and HC editions will feature an introduction by renowned comic book writer, comedian, and actor, Patton Oswalt.

Eisner Award winning writer, Mark Russell, and rising star artist, Roberto Meli, ponder ego, mortality, man’s place in the universe, and his relationship with technology in TRAVELING TO MARS, which is being published by ABLAZE in cooperation with Arancia Studio. The series has been widely acclaimed by critics and readers and was nominated for two Eisner Awards in 2023 for Best New Series, as well as Best Writer for Mark Russell.

The Kickstarter pre-launch page for TRAVELING TO MARS may be found at:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ablazepub/mark-russells-traveling-to-mars-exclusive-hardcover-edition

Sign up now to get notified about the Early Bird Specials!

The campaign launches on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

A variety of pledge levels and premiums are available that include digital and hardcover print editions of the graphic novel, a TRAVELING TO MARS slipcase set, a creator signed and/or personalized book plate, an original art sketch by Roberto Meli, a T-Shirt, and other items. European pledgers also can secure Italian and French language editions of TRAVELING TO MARS.

TRAVELING TO MARS TP Edition, Story by Mark Russell and Art by Robert Meli • SRP: $29.99 • 256 Pages • ISBN: 978-1684971893 • Suitable for Readers 16+

TRAVELING TO MARS tells the story of former pet store manager Roy Livingston, the first human to ever set foot on Mars. Roy was chosen for the unlikely mission for one simple reason: he is terminally ill and has no expectation of returning. Roy is joined on his mission by Leopold and Albert, two Mars rovers equipped with artificial intelligence, who look upon the dying pet store manager as a sort of God. Against the backdrop of not only his waning days but those of human civilization as well, Roy has ample time to think about where things went wrong for both and what it means to be a dying god. A riveting story of planetary exploration and of finding meaning in your final days.

About Mark Russell:

In 2015, writer Mark Russell made his debut in comics with his critically acclaimed reboot of the 1973-74 comic Prez (Issues 1-6, DC Comics), drawn by Ben Caldwell, in which a teenager is elected and serves as President of the United States. Following Prez, Russell wrote The Flintstones comic book series for DC Comics, drawn by Steve Pugh. The Flintstones was nominated for two Eisner Awards, including Best Limited Series and Best Humor Publication, as well as being nominated for a Harvey Award for Book of the Year. In 2018, Russell’s comic Exit, Stage Left!: The Snagglepuss Chronicles reinvented the titular Hanna Barbera character as a gay southern gothic playwright living in 1950s New York and won the 2019 GLAAD Award for Outstanding Comic. The series was also nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Limited Series and Russell was nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Writer. February 2019 saw the publication of Russell’s The Wonder Twins with artist Stephen Byrne. 2019 also saw the publication of Russell’s controversial comic, Second Coming, by AHOY Comics. He also wrote Killing Red Sonja, a spin-off of his Red Sonja series for Dynamite Comics. In 2022 he won an Eisner Award for his comic satire, Not All Robots (with Mike Deodato Jr). Russell also penned 2023’s release of Superman: Space Age and the upcoming release of Batman: Dark Age. The sci-fi series, TRAVELING TO MARS, is the first Mark Russell title to be published by ABLAZE.

About Roberto Meli:

Illustrator and comic artist Roberto “Dakar” Meli was born in Parma, Italy. After several collaborations with companies, publishing houses, and newspapers, including Rai (the Italian national television), Meli made his comic book debut in 2013, illustrating some books for the Italian market. Two years later, he drew his first album for the Franco-Belgian market. He has illustrated several historical books for Éditions Glénat, and a couple of upcoming western stories. In 2020, he drew the science fiction limited series Hard Rescue for Les Humanoïdes Associés. TRAVELING TO MARS marks his debut as a comic artist for the American market.

ABLAZE titles are distributed in-print worldwide by Diamond Comic and Diamond Book Distributors. Digital versions of ABLAZE titles are available via most major digital platforms.

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ABOUT ABLAZE:

ABLAZE is a publishing company releasing a variety of titles—in different formats, genres, and age ranges—original material, crowdfunded titles, reprints, art books, including international titles from Europe, Asia (manga, manhwa), Webtoons and more.

The mantra of ABLAZE is quality first, with the goals of giving creators a platform, bringing new voices into the conversation, serving as diverse an audience as possible, and growing the company’s publishing schedule sustainably over time.

Author Profile

Al Mega

I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!