Tales of Asunda V1 SDCC David Mack Exclusive Paperback

Limited to 100 copies.

Description

This anthology series contains 4 stand alone stories set in Niobe's World of Asunda. Niobe and the Stranger tells the story of Niobe's First Kill in between volumes of The Untamed series. Waso and Dusu explores the relationship between the adopted brothers when they were young as they vie for the affections of young Uun-Sil. Monsters is a traditional dungeon crawl that is a love letter to Asunda's gaming roots and asks the question who is truly the monster? Mother's Hands introduces us to Niobe's mother Nadami as Dura shows Niobe a glimpse into the past to inspire her future.

About the Author

Sebastian A. Jones is the Founder and President of Stranger Comics and is the creator of the world of Asunda. Asunda has been a labor of love for Jones for over three decades. Growing up as a mixed kid in England, Jones developed the inclusive fantasy world through tabletop gaming and live action role-playing. Years later, having relocated to the US, he started the comic world of Asunda where the character Niobe Ayutami rests firmly at the center. His first Asunda release, The Untamed: A Sinner's Prayer, was acclaimed by Bleeding Cool who called Jones "the Robert E. Howard of our generation" and master storyteller Clive Barker who dubbed it "an epic tale, conceived and crafted not only with a great love of comics, but also a profound understanding of the power of visionary storytelling." Jones has published 6 collected Asunda volumes and has 6 more currently in production. Jones has also written and published 4 children's books including the popular I Am Mixed.

Credits

COVER ARTIST - Iga Oliwiak

Issue #1 - NIOBE & THE STRANGER: FIRST KILL

WRITER - Sebastian A. Jones    
ARTIST - Julio Brilha    
LAYOUT ARTIST - Darrell May
COLORIST - Blond    
COVER - Iga Oliwiak   
EDITOR, LETTERER & DESIGNER - Joshua Cozine  

This tale begins long after NIOBE: SHE IS DEATH but quickly flashes back to a time between THE UNTAMED Volumes 1 and 2 to tell the story of young Niobe’s first kill.

Niobe is the child of prophecy, born of both the devil Arukas and Arnuminel, the goddess of healing and light. The two sides war for control of her soul, both in the figurative sense and the literal. In fact, her father’s lies and propaganda have even caused Arnuminel’s followers to take up arms against her. Misguided children desperate to kill their own savior.

In the calm that follows battle, Niobe reflects upon the first time she took a life and what it says about whose child she truly is.

Issue #2 - WASO & DUSU

WRITER - Sebastian A. Jones    
ARTIST - Matteo Illuminati    
LAYOUT ARTIST - Darrell May
COLORIST - Arianna Pisani    
COVER - David Mack    
EDITOR, LETTERER & DESIGNER - Joshua Cozine  

A prequel story to DUSU: PATH OF THE ANCIENT, this tale is set when Waso and Dusu are boys growing up in Ugoma. Waso is the son of the Galemren chief, Powlorre. Dusu is Ancunarim, an “ancient,” a being of great power blessed by the god of nature, Powisienne, and connected to an animal species. Dusu is the Ancunarim of the cougar. 

Some years ago, Waso’s mother, Nadami, was abducted by the human King of Isintarre. Later, Waso’s father adopted Dusu, and Waso was resentful. For Dusu was not only competition for his father’s attention, he was something much worse… human. A constant reminder of everything he had lost.

Now they are both young men, and Dusu has begun to show an interest in Uun-Sil, the girl who has his brother’s heart. Waso will not stand idle while history repeats.

Issue #3 - MONSTERS

WRITER - Sebastian A. Jones    
ARTIST - Antonello Cosentino    
LAYOUT ARTIST - Darrell May
COLORTIST - Elisa Bisignano    
COVER - Jae Lee    
EDITOR, LETTERER & DESIGNER - Joshua Cozine  

This tale introduces new characters to the world while paying homage to the game origins of Asunda. It is a familiar situation, perhaps, for those who have placed themselves at the mercy of a roll of the dice.

Deep within an underground dungeon, a group of adventurers search for treasure and the monster that guards it. Many before them have tried, but none have returned.

As the presence of danger peels back the facade each of them struggles to maintain, the question must be asked, who is the real monster?

Issue #4 - MOTHER'S HANDS

WRITER - Sebastian A. Jones    
STORY - Sebastian A. Jones & Stephanie Williams
ARTIST - Matteo Illuminati    
LAYOUT ARTIST - Darrell May    
COLORIST - Arianna Pisani
COVER - Tehani Farr    
EDITOR, LETTERER & DESIGNER - Joshua Cozine  

Following the events in the ERATHUNE book, a character that has been ever-present but never seen makes her debut in this tale, and the connections between major characters in our world continue to build. 

Nadami Ayutami, Queen of the Galemren, wife of Powlorre, mother of Waso, was a wonder to behold, so much so that a human king abducted her, robbing her of all she had known, most importantly, her family. However, from his cruelty came a light... Niobe.

Born in a prison with a dwarven king for a midwife, and sent away for her own safety, Niobe never knew Nadami. Now at a crossroads, Niobe needs the guidance and love only a mother can provide, and so Dura, the mother of Asunda, will take her back...