‘On Mars’ Kickstarter Late Pledges Opening Soon!
by Austin Gorton
Described as Total Recall meets Prison Break, the campaign for the deluxe graphic novel set On Mars is fully funded on Kickstarter, but will be opening Late Pledge opportunities soon. Additionally, the first of eight stretch goals have been unlocked.
Illustrated by artist Grun, this sci-fi prison drama by writer Sylvain Runberg (Warship Jolly Roger, The Millennium Saga) is available on Kickstarter in three premium formats including a trade paperback, a campaign-exclusive hardcover, and a limited die-cut slipcase set complete with an exclusive art book.
From the publisher:
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 Deluxe Limited Edition Slipcase Set is exclusive to the Kickstarter campaign. It contains the premium hardcover edition with an exclusive, limited-edition 64-page hardcover art book featuring design sketches and concept art by Grun, produced in the making of On Mars. Part art book and part in-world sketchbook diary kept by one of the prisoners, the hardcover reveals features and corners of the universe unseen in the main graphic novel.
The premium hardcover and trade paperback will also be available in shops in Summer of 2025.