Dynamite announces an exciting new Kickstarter campaign to offer fans special editions and collector’s items from the Alliances universe, one of the final creative contributions from the legendary Stan Lee. Alliances: Orphans is a full length original graphic novel from the mind of Stan Lee, co-creators and co-writers Luke Lieberman and Ryan Silbert, as well as critically acclaimed artists Bill Sienkiewicz and Syzmon Kudranski. This cosmic epic is available to order right now on the Kickstarter page!
Alliances: Orphans features 184 stunning full color pages, kicked off by the “Traitor’s Revenge” prelude by Lee. This was one of the first pieces created alongside Lieberman and Silbert for the Alliances universe. The prelude is drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz, one of the most heralded luminaries of the comics medium. His work on Moon Knight, New Mutants, Elektra, and many more comics have resulted in multiple Eisner Awards. The title pays homage to Lee’s comic book debut in Captain America Comics #3.
With this Kickstarter, “Traitor’s Revenge” will be offered for the first time as a special edition collectible comic book. The story features the first appearances of over a dozen new characters created by Lee, Lieberman, and Silbert.
The core Orphans story by Lee, Lieberman (Red Sonja), Silbert (The Coldest Case), and Szymon Kudranski (Superman Action Comics, Spawn, Punisher) introduces fans to a diverse cast of characters hurtling through a new saga. William Ackerson is a man lost in space on a quest to find the source of his uncanny abilities. He’s joined by a crew wherein each member is the last of their kind, with the evil alien Hive having wiped out all their kin. Little Boy is the giant childlike leader of the Orphans. Haze is a caustic creature of pure vapor. Rascal is a self-loathing zealot with dark secrets. Critter is a monster with a puppy-like demeanor. Lastly, the mysterious stowaway Samsi is the fearsome survivor of a civilization that once ruled the galaxy.
With the squad assembled, they will journey across the cosmos in a fast-paced treasure hunt. Gravity waves ripple across the galaxy, warping the time and space around the adventurers, and the Orphans must band together as a found family to save reality itself!
A core question and principle from the dearly departed Stan “The Man” that fostered the creation of the Alliances franchise was, “What is more real, the world we are born into or the one we create ourselves?” This idea is explored throughout the tales in the Alliances universe, including the New York Times best-selling Audible Original A Trick of Light and its hit prequel A New Reality, in addition to the newly released Orphans graphic novel.
Alliances universe co-creators and co-writers Luke Lieberman and Ryan Silbert stated: “When we would discuss cosmic storytelling with Stan, he would often look up, point toward the sky and then, when the idea came to him he would wave his hand like a magician. Bringing Orphans to life in this new project, and expanding Alliancesinto the stars, is something we know fans have been anticipating for years. This is that moment.”
While the Kickstarter campaign offers the standard hardcover edition of the book, fans can also get a limited edition logo-free “virgin” edition of the book, exclusively available as part of the Kickstarter. A digital edition is available as well for readers who prefer that format and experience. Editions signed jointly by Sienkiewicz, Lieberman, and Silbert can be pledged for too.
A wide range of exclusive add-ons and extras are also available as part of the Kickstarter campaign. The aforementioned limited edition ashcan comic book featuring the “Traitor’s Revenge” prelude with stunning art by Bill Sienkiewicz is a comic collector’s dream item, with 16 jaw-dropping pages from one of the medium’s hall of famers and written by Stan Lee himself. An 11 x 17 inch art print of the Sienkiewicz “virgin” book cover is also available for purchase. Additionally, both the ashcan and print can be signed by Sienkiewicz. A limited edition set of six trading cards can also be added on to any pledge. Additionally, some goodies from Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, like bobbleheads, the sold out Stan Lee Story XXL hardcover, and more are available too, in addition to premium options for high-end collectors.
