STRANGER COMICS TEAMS UP WITH STEPHANIE WILLIAMS AND TEE FRANKLIN

As picked up by Nerdist.

Los Angeles, CA (February 19, 2022) – Stranger Comics’ president and creator of its Asunda franchise Sebastian A. Jones (NIOBE) will be co-authoring two one-shots respectively with shooting stars Tee Franklin (HARLEY QUINN) and Stephanie Williams (NUBIA AND THE AMAZONS). Both will be part of Stranger’s Tales of Asunda series.



The stories can be described as beautiful but savage fantasy tales that honor BlPOC women as creators of worlds and the fierce relationships between elders and the young to whom they pass on history and culture as they carry on the tradition of being heroes.

Jones is no Stranger to co-authoring. Recently he partnered with filmmaker Prentice Penny (INSECURE) to release NIOBE & DURA on Kickstarter, which far surpassed the $100K mark. Jones met Penny while in development of Asunda at HBO and they recently announced their partnership of a new comic company to be distributed via Stranger Comics.

In 2015 Jones co-wrote NIOBE: She is Life with Amandla Stenberg. The comic made history by becoming the first internationally distributed comic series with a Black female author (Stenberg), artist (Ashley A. Woods), and hero (Niobe). Since then, Stranger Comics has published the sequel NIOBE: She is Death and several other volumes set in Asunda.

Jones, who first introduced the character of Niobe in the THE UNTAMED: A SINNER’S PRAYER, had this to say about working with both Franklin and Williams:

“I couldn’t be more excited to work with Tee and Stephanie. Both are such incredible authors who excel at creating a sense of intimacy with relatable characters while building upon the world the story inhabits. The brainstorming sessions have already been fire, and I can’t wait to share what we’re cooking up. When creating Asunda, my goal was to pass the torch to other creators, and I am honored that Tee and Stephanie will improve upon Asunda’s foundation in ways I couldn’t imagine.”

Tee Franklin shared her enthusiasm for the project:

“I am truly excited for this opportunity to create something amazing in the World of Asunda, to play in a world full of elves, assassins, ghosts and more is a dream come true! What Sebastian and I have planned for this one-shot is full of inclusion, love, hate, blood and guts -- all of my favorite things. Creating and writing IP stories for a company that focuses on BIPOC characters has always been on my bucket list and thanks to the people at Stranger Comics, I get to do just that and show off my sci-fi fantasy / supernatural writing chops. We hope you enjoy the dope things coming to Asunda!”

TALES OF ASUNDA: BLACK & SILVER by Jones and Franklin

What becomes of the forgotten child? Lani walks in Niobe’s shadow. Like Niobe, she is born of two worlds, only Lani is not celebrated as a world savior. She is seen as its enemy. A creature of the dark. For Lani’s mother is Ilenia, a Morkai (Silver Elf) assassin, the most hated race in Asunda. Lani has also just found out her father is not the man who raised her. Her father is the Stranger – Niobe’s guardian who has returned from hell to save a different family. As Lani comes into her own power, she must temper her rage, and learn to forgive before she kills everyone she loves. This is a story of Lani and Ilenia. A lesson that it’s never too late to be a better parent, if only the child will listen.

Stephanie Williams echoes the excitement for working in Asunda:

“It's quite an honor to be invited by Stranger Comics to play in the World of Asunda. For someone like Sebastian to feel so strongly that I would treat this world with care while hopefully adding something worthwhile to it is pretty humbling. I’m looking forward to giving a character like Nadami, Niobe’s mother, my best. There is so much to explore with her and Niobe through extension. It’s a great opportunity to give readers even more reason to get into this world.”

TALES OF ASUNDA: MOTHER’S HANDS by Jones and Williams

Niobe, would-be-savior to the world of Asunda, is thinking of throwing it all away for love. She is about to enter hell to save the one who has her heart. Before she can, Dura Ujella, world creator and one-time mentor offers her a cautionary tale – one of Niobe’s own mother Nadami Ayutami. Dura takes Niobe on a journey to the past, to witness the cost of true love. It is the first time Niobe has seen her mother other than in fractured dreams, and even as a vision, Nadami’s love will take Niobe’s hand and guide her on making the right decision.

RELEASE DATE

Both titles are slated to be released in the fall of 2022.

To stay connected:

Website:  www.strangercomics.com

Socials: @strangercomics

For media inquiries regarding the NIOBE comic book series or Stranger Comics, please contact stranger@strangercomics.com