Heroes Return!

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Ever since publisher Silver Empire unfortunately closed its doors, several very good projects from very talented writers sort of got waylaid and lost in the shuffle. One of these is the shared Heroes Unleashed line of books.

For those unaware, Heroes Unleashed was a planned universe centering around superheroes that focused on books where each individual hero shared their own tale. Yours truly wrote a trilogy around a pair known as the Gemini Man, which I will get around to addressing at the end of this post. First, I want to talk about another series that is currently making its comeback through crowdfunding as we speak. That would be Paula Richey's Penance.

Despite Heroes Unleashed ostensibly being about "Superheroes" every series was very different from the other, which a much different focus. Espionage, military-style action, interdimensional madness, and high adventure, were just some of the sampling of what the tragically cut short line offered. We tended to not really write "cape" stories but modern pulp adventures in a world where powers existed. Once such weirdness was Penance, the story of a henchwoman and . . . aliens? Yes, it is as bizarre as you might expect.

Now she is relaunching the series, starting with reprinting the first book. Obviously, since the authors involved no longer have publisher backing, we require your help, the readers, to helps us get it off the ground and running. Paula Richey has in fact done a Kickstarter for just this. Want to know more about Heroes Unleashed? This is a very good place to jump in.

You can find the description here:

Penance Copper won't be a tool for evil any longer!

For as long as she can remember, Penance has belonged to Acid, a criminal boss with his hands in everything from superpower-enhancing drugs to human trafficking. She's tried to escape before, but her ability to generate electrical frequencies with just a thought make her too valuable as an electronic lockpicker to let go. Now, she's gotten strong enough that there's a new use for her powers - as an assassin.

Penance doesn't want to be a murderer. But when she breaks away from Acid and tries to join up with the heroes she had been sent to target, she becomes embroiled in an intergalactic conflict.

Meanwhile...

Kail ip ibak, Supply Officer for the Emperor of Hylinek, has enough problems trying to overcome his low birth status and instill discipline in his newly assigned troop. His job is to make sure the upcoming invasion force has support and supplies to subjugate and civilize Earth. He had a great plan to get those supplies, until this upstart alien female stood in his way and challenged him in front of everyone. As he learns more about Penance Copper and her planet, however, he begins to wonder if he's really on the right side.

Here is why the Kickstarter is necessary to help get this project off the ground:

Around the beginning of this year, I discovered that if getting published was tough, staying published could be twice as difficult. The news of my publisher's closure hit me in the middle of a string of other, equally overwhelming events both professional and personal. It's a long story, but the result is that I've spent this year learning how to take over previously outsourced tasks and expenses for both Penance and my comic series SoulBound, as well as unrelated-to-publishing things such as how to file an appeal with an insurance company and a whole lot of other things I never expected to need to know.

So, Penance was put on the back burner.

Now, it's time to dust myself off and get back on the horse. Publishing is more accessible now than ever, but it's still a pricy endeavor. I've already poured my personal savings into getting everything ready, and I'm still a tad short of being able to print copies. I didn't want to run a Kickstarter without offering something new for my readers, but I was elbows-deep in a children's book commission on the art side and somewhat burnt out on the writing side. (Red tape will do that to you.)

Now that I'm done with the commission and the insurance paperwork and mentally adjusted somewhat to the other stuff, I'm ready to give Penance everything I wanted it to have from the beginning. Bit by bit, I have acquired the ISBNs, the software, and the contacts to publish Penance and my next books and comics entirely through my little studio. Why not cram in everything I, as a reader and artist, love?

She is working on getting print, audio and illustrated versions out there for readers. Be sure to check it out and see what interests you. She also needs the funs to help produce the complete trilogy she has in mind, so be sure to look over all the tiers and stretch goals.

Once again, you can back the Penance Copper campaign here!

As for me, older readers might be wondering where Gemini Man as, and newer readers might not even know what that is, so let me clarify.

Gemini Man was my entry in Heroes Unleashed. I wrote three books a few years ago before the pandemic even started, and two were completed, one was published, and one was almost out before Silver Empire shut down. The third I only recently got the edits back for and still need to go through it myself to finish. In other words, I'm basically sitting on three completed (more or less) books at this point.

The thing is, I'm just one author with limited resources and time. The reason I agreed to do Heroes Unleashed originally was because things like the editing, cover art, and promotion, could be done while others while I could simultaneously put out more work. Unfortunately, it clearly didn't work out that way.

Gemini Man as it stands is basically a complete story as far as the main characters go. the first three books tell their story. However, that doesn't close off the entire shebang. In order to do that, I plan on combining all my ideas for one final book that I will work on after re-releasing the trilogy in full. But I can't do it alone.

So next year I will most likely be running a crowdfund of my own for the trilogy. I'm still figuring out what to do--this sort of thing is new to me and I'm not a very number-minded person. Nonetheless, it will probably involve an omnibus of the original three, and all funding will go towards a fresh cover and editing for the (big) final book. It won't be for some time--I still have other projects and obligations to work out, but I think I've let down readers of the original book for far too long. I apologize. You will get to read more! I promise!

Anyway, that is all for today and this special post. Heroes Unleashed is very much still alive, just in a different form. Don't count us out yet!

Enjoy the controversial work that tells the truth about the genre wars of the 20th century!

The Heroes Are Unleashed!

Find it Here!

Today, the next series in the Heroes Unleashed universe has begun! I know you've been waiting for this. The next series is the Teen Heroes Unleashed series by Paula Richey!

In case you are unaware, Heroes Unleashed is a franchise of multiple different series that takes place in the same universe and tend to crossover with each other. So far we have had the original, Morgon Newquist's Serenity City, followed by Kai Wai Cheah's Song of Karma, Jon Mollison's The Phoenix Ring, and Richard W. Watts' Atlantean Knights. And of course there is my own Gemini Man series (book 2 and 3 on the way this year!), as well as more surprises on the way. Teen Heroes Unleashed is the newest addition to the group, and it's a welcome one.

The description:

Penance Copper is tired of being a tool for evil.

She’s been working for Acid ever since she was small. She had no other choice, he owned her. Even with her superpowers, she’s never been able to escape. But at least he only has her steal. Never anything worse than that.

Until he orders her to use her powers to kill the superhero Justice for investigating trafficked girls.

Penance doesn’t want to be a murderer. She uses the opportunity to run away from Acid and make a new life. One where she can make up for everything she did on Acid’s orders.

But events larger than Penance are spinning into action, and soon she is embroiled in an intergalactic encounter with an alien boy named Kail, who is perhaps as lonely and broken as she is. Even if he is infuriatingly arrogant.

The first young adult series in the shared Heroes Unleashed universe launches with the Teen Heroes Unleashed series. Readers will love hardworking, sassy Penance as she tries to learn to use her superpowers to save the world instead of to steal.

Can Penance and Kail find the missing girls and save the Earth from an alien invasion? Or will Acid find her again and punish her for running away?

Read Penance today to find out!

This has been quite the project so far, so if you enjoy stories of heroes, fantasy, and pure action, then you will want to dive in today. While the OldPub has lost sight of the magic of heroism, we in NewPub very much have not. We're still putting it out there.

Check out Penance here.

Also, be sure to check out one of the author's other projects with IndieGen.XYZ, a way to unite NewPub creators and their audience under one banner for easy access.

Signal Boost ~ "Hollow City" by Kai Wai Cheah

We've got a live one for you. The next Heroes Unleashed book is here! This is the first in a new series by a Dragon Award nominee and it's quite the story. Hollow City is the story of Adam Song, a superhero cop with a score to settle.

You can get your hands on it here.

The description is as follows:

Six kills in six years.
Super powered cop Adam Song has dedicated his life to the law. In the military and the police force, Adam ruthlessly protects the innocent. 

But this time he’s killed the wrong bad guy. Now the local drug lord’s son is dead, and the boss is out for Adam’s blood. Even his secret identity won’t keep him safe. The police department hangs him out to dry, his years of exemplary service forgotten. Adam must take justice into his own hands to keep his family safe. 

Because Adam is a Song. And Songs take care of their own. No matter the cost. 

When does justice become murder? And just how far will he go to protect his clan? 

Dragon and Hugo Award nominated author Kai Wai Cheah steps onto the superhero scene with his debut Heroes Unleashed novel. His characteristic fast-paced action and attention to detail brings Adam Song and the Chinatown of Hollow City vividly to life. 

What makes a straight-laced hero cop go rogue? Buy the book or read it in Kindle Unlimited today to find out!

You read that right, this is a good 'ol fashion vigilante story. And if you know the author then you know he can deliver on it and then some. Heroes Unleashed is not like any other book universe you've seen, and this book is proof.

From what I've seen the author plans to take this one to some very cool places. You're definitely going to want to follow along.

Have a ball with this one, folks. It's well worth your time.

The Heroes Unleashed!

Find it Here!

After a busy 2018 of planning, writing, editing, and effort, on the part of many different parties, I can now reveal what I've been dying to tell you about Heroes Unleashed.

It's finally here!

The first book in a new series (and overall universe!) is now out in kindle and physical forms. Inspired by a love of superheroes and a craving for more books in the genre, publisher Silver Empire got a few writers together to help cobble a whole universe worth of stories for you to dig in and heroes and villains to follow. And it starts here. Heroes Fall is the premiere book in both the greater Heroes Unleashed universe as well as the first in the Serenity City sub-series. A story about a battle between heroes and villains, and good and evil, is about to begin.

Morgon Newquist wrote this one so you know it's gonna be good. I hope you like your heroes, because you're about to get a heaping hot plate of 'em!

Here's what Heroes Fall is about:

He wanted to be a good man. Instead he became a hero. 

Twenty years ago, Serenity City's great Triumvirate of heroes - Achilles, the Banshee, and Pendragon - maintained a golden age of peace and prosperity. Then, in an instant, it all went wrong. The city's mightiest champion, Achilles, lost his mind during a showdown with the enigmatic supervillain Thanatos and went on a rampage across the city, leaving the Banshee dead and a swath of destruction in his wake before Pendragon could stop him. 

Today, as Achilles rots in solitary confinement, Victoria Westerdale investigates a new mystery. Why are young and forgotten heroes disappearing off the streets? Why doesn't anybody else care? And how is it tied in to those infamous events that brought the city's greatest heroes to ruin? 

And what's going to happen to them all after Achilles escapes?

I was fortunate enough to read Heroes Fall before its release and I can tell you that is exactly the type of hero story that's been missing from pop culture for awhile (aside from certain Marvel movies) and is exactly what you've been waiting for. It has everything you expect from a good hero story. Interesting characters, crackling action, and intriguing worldbuilding, are all here.

There are a few twists in this one, and some fantastic heroics an diabolical villainy. If you've been craving a good hero story then this is the one for you.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't point out my involvement in the project, but I wanted to post about this project beyond my obvious bias. This is a project that excites me regardless.

My involvement can be seen at the tail-end of the description:

The first of a new wave of superhero novels! Coming soon: 

Hollow City from Dragon Award nominee Kai Wai Cheah
The Phoenix Ring from Jon Mollison
Gemini Man from J.D. Cowan
Atlantean Archons from Richard W Watts

That's quite the lineup of authors (and there's more to come!), but I am humbled to be included among them.

Gemini Man is the series I'm working on, and the first book is called Gemini Warrior. It's a story about two reluctant heroes who get thrown into another world and have to fight their way back home. I don't want to take up space talking about my work, though, so I will just leave it at that for now. Suffice to say, you are going to be seeing even more fun from Heroes Unleashed after this initial offering, as good as it is on its own.

My involvement aside, this is a project that would excite me either way. With the comic industry imploding, and the dearth of original IPs coming out of Hollywood and the big companies, we've been needing more projects such as this. For those of us that crave hero stories, Heroes Unleashed is what you've been needing and Heroes Fall is the perfect place to begin.

We're just getting started! 2019 is gonna be great.

Heroes Unleashed is Here!

Well, almost. But the Kickstarter is! Are you ready for a new shared superhero universe full of good guys, villains, and over the top battles betwixt them? Then this is the project for you.

Here's the official synopsis:

"Here at Silver Empire, we've been waiting nearly a year to bring you the exciting Heroes Unleashed project! We've collected the best up and coming authors to bring you this amazing, first of its kind collection of new, interlinked superhero novels! No, these aren't comicbooks or graphic novels, these are straight up novels, packed with all the superhuman action and goodness you could ever ask for! 

"Authors Morgon Newquist, J.D. Cowan, Kai Wai Cheah, Jon Mollison, and Richard Watts bring the Heroes Unleashed universe to life with their five Phase I novels. Each novel will begin a series of its own that will continue for at least three books."

Yes, that's me. I'm one of the authors involved in this project. My series is called Gemini Man, and the first book is entitled Gemini Warrior. It's been an idea broiling in the back of my head for a long time, and Heroes Unleashed is the place where I can finally let it become a reality.

Matthew White is a young and cynical man, and Jason Vermilion is an idealistic teenager with hopes for the world. When they volunteer for an experiment, they get more than they bargained for: a set of bracelets that bestow each of them a different power! But they also become tethered to each other in the process. Before they can even get used to that, they are thrown into a whole new world of swords, lizard men, and a malignant force beyond what either of them have ever seen. Now not only do they have to get used to their new powers, but also make it out of this strange world before they are swallowed whole by it. Here they will become warriors.

If you've read any of my stories before, then you should know to expect lots of action and a blistering fast pace. This was a lot of fun to write, and I hope you will decide to give it a try yourself!

But that's my work. In case you noticed, there are other authors involved. First up is Serenity City by Morgon Newquist. This is the one that laid the groundwork for this whole project. The description is as follows:

"He wanted to be a good man. Instead, he became a hero

"Imagine Serenity City, a beachfront city on the east coast. For years, the city has been protected by the Triumvirate - three of the most powerful, and certainly the most famous, heroes in the world. Achilles with his super strength. His wife, The Banshee, master of deception and guile. And their best friend Pendragon in his shining armor. No serious threat lasts long in Serenity City under their watch! 

"Until the Rampage - the infamous day when Achilles lost his mind, leaving a half-destroyed city and the body of the Banshee in his wake. 

"Twenty years later, Serenity City is completely changed. Pendragon still reigns as the world's most famous hero, but he reigns alone. Banshee still lies in her grave, and Achilles rots in solitary confinement. Young Victoria, an up and coming hero, finds herself investigating a new mystery. Why are young and forgotten heroes disappearing off the streets? Why doesn't anybody else care? And how is it tied in to those infamous events that brought the city's greatest heroes to ruin? 

"And when Achilles escapes, it throws a wrench in everything! 

"But nothing is as it seems in Serenity City: Heroes Fall by Morgon Newquist. Serenity City will continue after Phase I to be four books total."

I have read this one, and yes, it is as good as you think! Villain onslaughts and desperate hero battles aplenty. There's also a few curve-balls that will take you by surprise and engaging characters to guide you along. If you like your fiction fun and action packed then this is the series for you.

And those are just two of the works in this project!

Kai Wai Cheah lets us follow a vigilante against the whole world (or city) in Hollow City. Jon Mollison contributes a super-spy piece with plenty of conspiracies to go around in The Phoenix Ring. And Richard Watts goes mystical with the last knight of Atlantis attempting to stop the plot to raise a chaos god in Atlantean Archons: Apprentice.

No matter what type of superhero style you like Heroes Unleashed has you covered.

Not to mention, that is only Phase I. There are other authors coming on board, not to mention sequels to the above that will keep your eyes on the page (or screen!) for hours and hours.

Should you want to jump on this train today is the day. The campaign will be running for a hair under three weeks, and has more than enough tiers to choose from in order to pick what suits you just right.

As I've said many time before on this blog: things are turning around. Heroes are returning to the forefront again to beat back the darkness. And now is the chance to show just what we are made of and what it is we really want.

Check out the campaign here!