Wesley Snipes has a major following among comic book fans and the latest news about his upcoming project is sure to leave them excited – he is delivering an all-new graphic novel The Exiled, as first announced by Deadline.
The release of the book will embrace a crowdfunding model, allowing fans to either solely purchase the book or spring for a number of other limited-edition extras to share their love of the project, with the book’s Kickstarter campaign set to start on 21 June. While the book is set to be a complete journey, it could potentially ignite spinoffs or other continuations. After funding of the project is complete, the book will continue into publication via Lawson’s LA-based graphic novel and board game company, Gifted Rebels.
Gifted Rebels’ Adam Lawson is adapting the comic book script from a story he created with Snipes and PCB Entertainment president Keith Arem, with Gabriel ‘Eskivo’ Santos doing the art and Valentina Bianconi handling the colours. Among The Exiled‘s unique features are hidden codes, which will be interspersed throughout the graphic novel, offering access to digital collectibles and exclusive events.
“I’m thrilled to work with Wesley again. He is a fantastic creative partner, and Adam and I love collaborating with him,” said Arem. “The Exiled is a dark reflection of what is happening in the world, and a chance for us to explore new conspiracies and stories.”
“Comics let you explore big worlds. Since Blade, I have been attracted to origin stories and developing characters,” said Snipes. “Now, I get to build “Roach” as a character from the ground up and I dig that.”
The comic will follow Detective Niles “Roach” Washington as he pursues a serial killer in the aftermath of a deadly gas attack. As the killer rips the spines from his victims, using tools over 5,000 years old, the world outcasts Roach for his theories. But his instincts keep pushing him forward. With enemies on all sides, and within, he wades into the darkness to find the killer and uncovers Earth’s darkest secret.