Arcana Set to Publish Graeme Base's Breather Graphic Novel

Arcana Comics has a ton of stuff; most of it of the graphic novel persuasion. In April, their graphic novel coffers will be a little fuller, as they're set to release the newest project from Graeme Base in Breather, written by Sean Patrick O'Reilly and illustrated by Asta Gunn.

“The idea was inspired by the true story of how the Australian Government took Aboriginal children from their families in the 1950s-thru-70s in order to 'educate' them into the ways of the Colonial British mindset," said Base This idea morphed into the concept of the invading Birshh Colonists and the indigenous Otarians... I could never have done this myself - the aesthetic of comic-book art is so different to my natural style - but I am deeply pleased that the story has been told and grateful to those who labored to bring it to life. I look forward enthusiastically to seeing what the comic-book reading public (and perhaps some older readers of my self-written-and-illustrated books) make of it!”

On the distant planet of Otarius, invaders from the Birshh Dynasty have captured and enslaved the native Otarans. Pushed on by the ruthless Governor, timid Dr. Bjrork conducts horrific experiments to create a superior breed of slave. Years later, Birshh-Otaran hybrids are raised in captivity, dependent on 'breathers' - life-saving gasmasks that filter the Otarian air they, as hybrids, cannot tolerate. Two siblings, Dhrmmn and Lilli, strive to prove worthy of the Dynasty, to earn privileges for their half-breed kind.

The book will be available April 17 as a 42-page graphic novel. It's available in the February 2013 issue of Diamond Previews (Diamond Order Code: FEB130718). Full press release below.

ARCANA TO DEBUT GRAEME BASE’S BREATHER GRAPHIC NOVEL IN APRIL Arcana Comics is excited to release the newest project from award winning writer and artist Graeme Base (Animalia, The Eleventh Hour,The Water Hole). The epic graphic novel, BREATHER, created by Graeme Base, written by Sean Patrick O’Reilly (Mighty Mighty Monsters, Clockwork Girl) and illustrated by Asta Gunn (Fafnir the Dragon), is available NOW in Diamond Previews' February issue for an April Release! On the distant planet of Otarius, invaders from the Birshh Dynasty have captured and enslaved the native Otarans. Pushed on by the ruthless Governor, timid Dr. Bjrork conducts horrific experiments to create a superior breed of slave. Years later, Birshh-Otaran hybrids are raised in captivity, dependent on 'breathers' - life-saving gasmasks that filter the Otarian air they, as hybrids, cannot tolerate. Two siblings, Dhrmmn and Lilli, strive to prove worthy of the Dynasty, to earn privileges for their half-breed kind. When asked about the graphic novel adaptation, Graeme Base stated, “The idea was inspired by the true story of how the Australian Government took Aboriginal children from their families in the 1950s-thru-70s in order to 'educate' them into the ways of the Colonial British mindset. This idea morphed into the concept of the invading Birshh Colonists and the indigenous Otarians... I could never have done this myself - the aesthetic of comic-book art is so different to my natural style - but I am deeply pleased that the story has been told and grateful to those who labored to bring it to life. I look forward enthusiastically to seeing what the comic-book reading public (and perhaps some older readers of my self-written-and-illustrated books) make of it!” BREATHER (Diamond Order Code: FEB130718, ISBN: 978-1-77135-064-8) is a 42-page, full color graphic novel and is available in the February 2013 issue of Diamond Preview Catalog, with a release date of April 17th, 2013. ABOUT ARCANA STUDIOS Arcana Studios, Inc. Arcana owns one of the world's largest libraries of graphic novels and comics, with over 200 original intellectual properties, 300 graphic novels, thousands of comic issues and an ever-growing character list. Arcana has begun to adapt this library into live action feature films, animated features and episodic television series. Taking a transmedia approach to brand building and the development of intellectual properties, Arcana publishes graphic novels for North America in print, and now digitally as well. Arcana has been published and distributed in dozens different countries and translated into just as many languages across the globe.