ASCEND - SPECIAL EDITION with SLIPCASE

Hardcover Following its sold-out release in 2005, the graphic novel Ascend returns as an all-new Special Edition. The 200-page hardback features 70 additional pages and a completely rewritten story and new dialog, taking the reader deeper into post-apocalyptic Purgatory Wars, where a battle over "harvested" human souls has destroyed heaven and hell. An extended opening prologue and alternate ending expand the original story further, revealing Sebastian's unwilling draft into the war. All art panels have been re-mastered, with additional new border and text effects and an increased book size to 9"x13". Included are original story and research notes, along with a full leather cover, silver foiled embossing, and slip case. HC w/slipcase ? FC ? 9: x 13.125" ? 200 Pages ISBN 1-60010-138-0

Ascend creator, Keith Arem, is Creative Director of Los Angeles-based PCB Productions. Known for his music with Capitol recording artists Contagion,” and LA Underground industrialists Biohazard PCB,” Arem has been a leading creator and digital post-production supervisor for the interactive community, serving as Director of Audio for Virgin Interactive Entertainment and Electronic Arts Pacific. Arem holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Audio Engineering and Electronic Music Synthesis from California State University Dominguez Hills. Arem has produced and recorded over 500 commercial releases in the film, music, and interactive industries, including franchises for: Call of Duty series, Ghost Recon series, Spiderman series, X-Men series, Lord of the Rings, Tony Hawk Pro Skater series, Saint’s Row series, War/Fall of Cybertron, Prince of Persia series, Darksiders Series, Rainbow Six series, Hack//Sign, Ridge Racer series, Contagion’s Infectant, and Ascend. Arem’s clients include: Sony, Activision, Microsoft, UbiSoft, Universal, Disney, Nintendo, Boeing, THQ, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, and Fox.

Artist Christopher Shy is an illustrator, painter, and writer who has worked in comics, games, and film since 1993. President of Studio Ronin, Shy's recent work includes Dead Speed, X-Men, Black Panther (Marvel Comics), Resistance (DC Comics), and products for White Wolf, Arbor Sports, and Sims Snowboards.

Christopher Shy is the creator of Man to Leaves, Seven Leaves, Syndicate Has No Face, Hateful Youth, AunJnu, and Apokolpse Ant. Voted artist of the year at Origins, and Spot Lighted as Artist of the Year for White Wolf Games, Shy was chosen for the prestigious 2003 cover of the Wisconsin Review by the University of Wisconsin. Ronin’s clients include, Microsoft, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, LucasArts, White Wolf Productions, Russell Productions, Ubi Soft, Red Storm, among many others.

Art Director, Kristian K. Hedman oversees the visual aspects of PCB Production’s original content. Hedman created Ascend’s strong and consistent visual look and identity across multiple media. Hedman was responsible for the overall design, post-production, and finalizing of the panel artwork. He designed and created promotional assets, trailers, and the official website (preparetoascend.com).

Kristian K. Hedman is a veteran of the video game and design industries with a list of credits that spans over 15 years of creative innovation. As Creative Director & Art Director at PCB Productions, Hedman oversees visual aspects of PCB’s original content production. Hedman also heads acclaimed Los Angeles-based motion graphics and design studio Metaphor. Hedman’s clients include: Sony, Activision, Mattel, Virgin, Disney, Electronic Arts, Marvel, and Insomniac Games.