Via The Beat, Ablaze Publishing, in collaboration with Italy’s Arancia Studio, will release “Traveling to Mars,” a sci-fi comedy from writer Mark Russell, and artist Roberto Meli. The book tells the story of Roy Livingston, a terminally ill pet store manager, who is chosen to become the first man on Mars, in case the mission goes south.
Livingston safely arrives on the red planet, with only Leopold and Albert, two A.I. rovers who worship him for company. There, “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.”
Rich Young, co-founder of Ablaze, says “‘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. 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.” Russell himself states, “‘Traveling to Mars’ is an intimate story about the end of days. Both Roy’s and ours. But Mars is as good a place as any to bow out of existence, I suppose.”
Davide G.G. Caci, CEO of Arancia Studio, adds, “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. Creating creative bridges between Europe and the United States are among our objectives, and we believe that ‘Traveling to Mars’ has enormous potential.”
“Traveling to Mars” #1 will be released on November 9, and will be the first returnable title from Ablaze since the publisher launched in 2019. It will have covers by Meli, Mirka Andolfo, Zulema Scotto Lavina, and Brent McKee, which you can all check out, along with a preview, at The Beat.
