Escape Into the Fantasy of Nonplayer

That guy? He's just riding what looks to be some sort of dinosaur while some fairies look on cautiously from the bushes. Does it make him a legitimate badass? Yes. Yes it does. Who is that character you ask? Just a little something writer Nate Simpson created in his new six issue series Nonplayer.

Nonplayer is the story of Dana Stevens, a young woman with a penchant for escaping the doldrums of the rat race into the digital fantasy realm of Jarvath, where she's a fearless warrior. Inevitably, the space-time continuum does not agree with her exploits as she begins to volley back and forth between reality and digital reality.

"It's always a pleasure to link up with a creator as well-rounded and imaginative as Nate. Every aspect of NONPLAYER is so well-considered, it's like working with an old pro. As first timers go, Nate is one of the most impressive I've ever seen," said Image Publisher Eric Stephenson.

The "draw" to Nonplayer is primarily the sequential art form used, where each page boasts more detail than the previous page. The style has been likened to the style found in European comics, but of course Simpson has his own twist on it.

“A comic book is just about the most elaborate thing a person can create without assistance, which sounds like heaven to somebody who's spent fourteen years in video game development,” Simpson explained. "I've had a lot of fun putting all the nuts and bolts of this story together and figuring out how best to approach everything in terms of production, and I can't wait to share this story with people."

European comics definitely do have their own distinctive voice and I really hope Simpson is successful with Nonplayer. I could see the sci-fi/fantasy comic seeming a little Matrix-y at times, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The first issue hits stores April 6 for the intrigued and the press release is after the jump.

ESCAPE INTO THE FANTASY OF NONPLAYER
Newcomer Nate Simpson Makes Monumental Debut at Image

Berkeley, CA - 25 January 2011 –

Image Comics carries on its tradition of introducing the best new talent with an all-new title from rising star Nate Simpson. Combining references to massively multi-player online roleplaying games and science fiction/fantasy mainstays with exquisite illustration, Simpson's NONPLAYER is planned as a six-issue miniseries, with the first installment out in April.

NONPLAYER is the story of Dana Stevens, a young woman who retreats from the dismal workaday world of the future into the digital fantasy realm of Jarvath, where she's a fearless warrior. Dana is not alone in her pursuits, however, and before long, her adventures begin to cat-and-mouse back and forth between the two worlds.

Prior to NONPLAYER, Simpson made video games come to life for their players in his previous job as a concept artist. After taking a year off to "learn how to make comics," though, he is quickly establishing himself as not only as a gifted illustrator, but as a storyteller with a wonderfully unique voice as well.

“A comic book is just about the most elaborate thing a person can create without assistance, which sounds like heaven to somebody who's spent fourteen years in video game development,” Simpson explained. "I've had a lot of fun putting all the nuts and bolts of this story together and figuring out how best to approach everything in terms of production, and I can't wait to share this story with people."

Added Image Publisher Eric Stephenson, "It's always a pleasure to link up with a creator as well-rounded and imaginative as Nate. Every aspect of NONPLAYER is so well-considered, it's like working with an old pro. As first timers go, Nate is one of the most impressive I've ever seen."

Indeed, Simpson has built a panoramic world through sequential art, with each interior page more lovingly executed than the last. The dual worlds of NONPLAYER are depicted with detailed rendering, whether in Dana's real world or in the lavishly real game world. The overall effect is not dissimilar to the lush artwork found in some of Europe's best and most loved comics, but with a distinct flavor all Simpson's own.

NONPLAYER, a 32-page full-color science fiction and fantasy comic will be in stores April 6, 2011, for $2.99. For more information, visit www.nonplayercomic.com.

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