Ascendant: Star-Spangled Squadron
Here is a press release from my pal and old boss Alexander Macris that may interest my dear readers. Spread the word and boost the signal. He is a top notch game designer, and this graphic novel is set in the superhero gameworld of ASCENDANT.
Ascendant: Star-Spangled Squadron Launches on IndieGoGo
Experience an original 96-page graphic novel set in an all-new universe of iconic superheroes from the #1 bestselling RPG
When firefighter Bill Goddard raced into a blazing building to rescue trapped children, he expected to die. Instead he became something more than human – the nation’s first ascendant. Now known as American Eagle, Bill must assemble a team of other ascended heroes to defend the country from villainous forces intent on wreaking chaos and destruction. But the process of ascension is fraught with peril, and not everyone emerges with their mind and morality unscathed. In America’s hour of need, who will answer his call? And can they do what it takes to protect the nation without sacrificing the values they’ve sworn to uphold? Find out in Ascendant: Star-Spangled Squadron. Heroes must ascend!
Ascendant, the superpowered role-playing game of infinite possibilities, was released on December 14th 2021 on DriveThruRPG. The game immediately soared to the top of the charts, climbing to #1 bestseller on January 4th 2022 and spending a total of 12 weeks on the bestseller list.
Now Ascendant Comics is crowdfunding an electrifying graphic novel, Ascendant: Star-Spangled Squadron, set in the universe of the bestselling RPG. Ascendant: Star-Spangled Squadron tells the origin story of the first generation of superheroes and supervillains. The 96-page graphic novel is being launched on IndieGoGo (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ascendant-star-spangled-squadron) and with the help of supporters, the Star-Spangled Squadron will take flight. Interested fans can check out the trailer for the graphic novel on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB_QMDQKxFk).
“In Star-Spangled Squadron, we are telling not just the origin story of two iconic characters, not just the origin story of the Squadron, but the origin of the setting itself. It’s Day Zero for the Ascendant universe and readers will witness the first ascension of the modern era, the first battle between superhero and supervillain, and the first conflict between rival teams,” explained creator Alexander Macris.
The graphic novel features interior art by Mel Joy San Juan colored by Jay David Ramos and Rohvel Yumul. There are three full-color covers available, by Will Conrad, Jinky Coronado, Mel Joy San Juan, and one cosplay cover featuring model Elisa Albrich as Stiletto. IndieGoGo backers can also select an exclusive foil cover or sketch cover option.
“To bring the universe to life, our art team fused the iconic heroism of the Silver Age with the heavy metal art of the Iron Age to create a unique aesthetic we call ‘Iridium Age’,” said Macris. “It’s heroic, it’s philosophical, it’s sexy, it’s violent. Imagine if Christopher Reeves’ Superman and Pamela Anderson’s Barb Wire teamed up to fight Nietzsche.”
Ascendant: Star-Spangled Squadron began crowdfunding at 12 Noon Eastern Time on March 15th 2022. The campaign will last for 30 days. The Early-Bird Special allows backers to pledge to receive all four variant covers for just $85. Other pledge options include a digital comic for $10, a set of trading cards for $20, and an Ultimate Gamer Bundle that includes all of the material for the graphic novel and the accompanying role-playing game. Special comic book and distributor pledges are also available.
For more information, https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ascendant-star-spangled-squadron.
About Ascendant Comics LLC
Ascendant Comics is an independent publisher of graphic novels and comic books. Founded in 2020, we are dedicated to ushering in an “Iridium Age” of comics that fuses the extreme aesthetics of heavy metal with the iconic mythology of superheroes. With the assistance of our friends at Glass House Studios, we’ve assembled an all-star team of artists from around the world to bring this new vision to life. For more information, follow Ascendant Comics at https://www.facebook.com/AscendantComics and https://twitter.com/AscendantComics or support them on Patreon at https://patreon.com/ascendantcomics.
About Ascendant Role-Playing Game
Ascendant is the superpowered role-playing game of infinite possibilities. In this 496-page standalone rulebook, you get:
- Elegant game mechanics that swiftly simulate the physics of a comic-book world using easy-to-reference real-life benchmarks
- Color-coded challenge action resolution tables that resolve complex actions with superspeed
- Infinitely scalable system lets you play heroes of any power level, from streetfighters to living gods – and replicate virtually any character from your favorite anime, comic, manga, or movie settings
- Countless powers all customizable with an easy-to-use system of modifier tags that lets you match your power’s specifics to your character concept
- Comprehensive detective mechanics for investigating crimes, interviewing witnesses, and finding clues
- Detailed options for super-geniuses to create inventions, cure diseases, and even bring their outlandish devices into mass production
- Extensive rules for responding to emergencies such as asteroid strikes, avalanches, disease outbreaks, earthquakes, fires, nuclear disasters, tornados, tsunamis, and volcanoes
- A huge catalog of pre-built characters and objects including major military vehicles such as aircraft carriers, attack submarines, and ballistic missiles
- A dynamic mission generation system to help you create challenges for your heroes
- An optional campaign setting with ready-to-use heroes, villains, and organizations
- Spectacular artwork by industry-leading pencilers, inkers, and colorists
Who will you become when you ascend? Don your cape and mask and find out in Ascendant.
About John C Wright
John C. Wright is a practicing philosopher, a retired attorney, newspaperman, and newspaper editor, and a published author of science fiction. Once a Houyhnhnm, he was expelled from the august ranks of purely rational beings when he fell in love; but retains an honorary title.
