ABLAZE AND ARANCIA STUDIO BLEND ADVENTURE AND IRONY FOR THE LAUNCH OF EISNER AWARD WINNING WRITER MARK RUSSELL’S NEW SCI-FI SERIES TRAVELING TO MARS-ON SALE THIS WEEK!
By Staff Reports
Comics and graphic novel publisher ABLAZE takes readers on an out of this
world journey to the Red Planet, led by an unlikely astronaut anti-hero, as it launches the new
series, TRAVELING TO MARS, with issue 1 on sale November 9th, in-print and digitally.
Eisner Award winning writer, Mark Russell, and rising star Italian artist, Roberto Meli, ponder
ego, mortality, and man’s place in the universe and his relationship with technology in this witty
series, which is being published by ABLAZE in cooperation with Arancia Studio.
The opening issue will feature variant covers by artists including Roberto Meli, acclaimed artist
Mirka Andolfo, Zulema Scotto Lavina, and Brent McKee, with future issues releasing monthly,
and featuring other notable cover artists.
TRAVELING TO MARS is also the first ABLAZE title to be offered as returnable to the direct
market. With a no risk guarantee, ABLAZE is looking to get this compelling new series on to
retailer’s shelves and into the hands of as many new readers as possible. Check Diamond
Previews for further details!
TRAVELING TO MARS, Issue 1, written by Mark Russell, artwork by Roberto Meli MSRP:
$3.99 Available November 9th
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.
“TRAVELING TO MARS is an intimate story about the end of days,” says Mark Russell. “Both
Roy’s and ours. But Mars is as good a place as any to bow out of existence, I suppose.”
“When an extraordinary writer like Mark Russell meets a crystal-clear talent like Roberto Meli,
an author who has already gained accolades in the European market, the result can only be
something unique,” says Davide G.G. Caci, CEO of Arancia Studio, “Creating creative
bridges between Europe and the United States are among our objectives, and we believe that
TRAVELING TO MARS has enormous potential. We couldn’t be happier to be working with
ABLAZE, the perfect publishing partner for this journey.”
“TRAVELING TO MARS is an extraordinary story that invites readers to explore and reflect upon
some complex philosophical questions and presents a compelling adventure with a relatable, if
unlikely, hero,” says Rich Young, co-founder of ABLAZE. “We are excited to partner with
Arancia Studio to bring this series to English readers and look forward to them joining us for this
out of this world adventure.”
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.