Author: Newsroom
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SEPT. 3, 2024, (PORTLAND, OR) — Who is really in control? And can anyone truly claim a planet on the verge of forced evolution?
From celebrated graphic novel publisher , comes the campaign for ON MARS, now live on Kickstarter.
Brilliantly visualized by artist Grun, this explosive sci-fi prison drama by writer Sylvain Runberg (Warship Jolly Roger, The Millennium Saga) is available in three premium formats including a trade paperback, a campaign-exclusive hardcover, and a limited die-cut slipcase set complete with a gorgeously illustrated exclusive art book.
In 2132, Life on Earth has reached the limits of sustainability. Colonizing Mars has become our only option, and the construction of such a significant enterprise has required massive resources and manpower. The most cost-efficient solution to this requirement is conscripted labor provided by convicted felons – early access to humanity’s future homeworld, but in exchange for the back-breaking and perilous work of constructing the damn thing.
Officer Jasmine Stenford is sent to Mars and sentenced to conscripted labor for a wrongful death committed on her watch. With little defense against the corruption on Earth, she has no idea what sort of nightmare awaits her on the red planet…
“Grun and I are very inspired by American science fiction, from Philip K. Dick to Ray Bradbury and William Gibson,” said Sylvain Runberg. “On Mars allows us to talk about the past, the present and a possible – but not really desirable – future, and that’s what science fiction is about: exciting imaginary tales that also open doors to reflection on our future, and to perhaps allow us to exorcize our fears.”
The Premium Hardcover Edition will be printed on 120gsm matte coated paper and bound section-sewn between two 3mm cover boards with Magnetic Press’s signature curved corners.
Exclusive to the campaign, The Deluxe Limited Edition Slipcase Set will contain the premium hardcover edition with an exclusive, limited-edition 64-page hardcover art book featuring a wealth of design sketches and concept art by Grun, produced in the making of On Mars. Presented as a combination of an art book and an in-world sketchbook diary kept by one of the prisoners, this unique hardcover reveals features and corners of this universe unseen in the main graphic novel.
The premium hardcover and trade paperback will also be available in shops in Summer of 2025.
Where Total Recall meets Prison Break, don’t miss the Kickstarter for On Mars, which ends Sept. 26th.
Magnetic Press has demonstrated much success at the helm of crowdfunding and is excited to offer these high-quality English language graphic novel collections to collectors and readers alike.