Hey, you all know Blake, right? She interviews all those great comic book artists and personalities for us. Well now she’s written a superhero story of her own (prose, with illustrations by some of the best artists in comics). Below you’ll find an exclusive preview of the book’s character designs.

by Blake Northcott

Arena Mode is a sci-fi superhero novel that includes original artwork from Marvel and DC alumni, and it has generated some impressive buzz in a very short timeframe. The project tripled its goal on Kickstarter within two weeks, and caught the attention of Wanted creator Mark Millar, who gave it a rare personal endorsement on his official website’s forum.

Author Blake Northcott

Written by Blake Northcott (the Vs. Reality series), Arena Mode mixes genres, and blurs the line a little between traditional novels and graphic novels:

For over a century superheroes have battled across comic book panels, animated films, and CGI-enhanced action sequences. But thanks to billionaire Cameron Frost, the world is about to witness the real thing.

In 2041 Frost takes his increasingly-violent series of sporting events to the next level. A tournament will be held on the recently renovated island of Manhattan, where thirteen competitors fight each other ‘Arena Mode’ – no-holds-barred, every man for himself – with the winner taking home the largest cash prize ever awarded.

There’s just one caveat: to participate, you have to be a superhuman.

Twenty-nine-year-old Matthew Moxon, a brilliant but reclusive underachiever, finds himself tossed into the urban battleground, forced to fight for his life against the most dangerous human beings the planet has ever seen. When the games begin his only chance of survival is to outwit the competition, all while trying to unlock the mysteries buried within The Arena itself.  Read the prologue, or listen to the audio version on YouTube.

The book will feature a 30+ page art section in the back, with profiles and character designs by some of the comic industry’s top contributors; Barry Kitson (The Incredible Hulk), Dan Panosian (X-Force), Dave Johnson (Deadpool) and Mark McKenna (Star Wars: The Old Republic) are some of the notable artists lending their talents.

More creators are being added as the popularity of the project increases; Shi creator Billy Tucci was announced as a contributor on February 18, and Natasha Allegri (Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake) recently completed a character design. Arena Mode is available now exclusively through Kickstarter, and will be released in June.  

Cover of ‘Arena Mode’, by Blake Northcott

Artwork Reveal

The main character, Matthew ‘Mox’ Moxon, by Derek Laufman (Marvel vs. Capcom, World of Warcraft: Pearl of Pandaria).

Dwayne ‘Sledge’ Lewis, by Derek Laufman

Original character design by Comic Book Girl 19

Illustration by Dave Johnson (100 Bullets, Punisher: War Zone, Deadpool).

‘Brynja’, by Natasha Allegri (Adventure Time with Fiona and Cake).

List of  Marvel and DC Artists Contributing

• BARRY KITSON (Incredible Hulk, Amazing Spider-Man, Fables, Fairest)
• BILLY TUCCI (Shi, Sgt. Rock, The Wolverine: Weapon X 100 Project)
• DAN PANOSIAN (Spawn, X-Men, Green Lantern)
• DAVE JOHNSON (Deadpool, Punisher, Superman: Red Son)
• DEREK LAUFMAN (Marvel vs. Capcom, World of Warcraft: Pearl of Pandaria)
• MARK McKENNA (Star Wars, Justice League, Combat Jacks)

Plus:

• COMICBOOKGIRL19 (The Comic Book Girl 19 Show)
• NATASHA ALLEGRI (Adventure Time)
• THOR MANGILA (Iron Age Animation, Advent Comics)

Learn more at ArenaMode.com

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