Discover OneNation: Stronghold on Kickstarter – A Groundbreaking Superhero Story Championing Inclusivity
The fight for representation and inclusivity is more critical than ever. Thankfully, OneNation: Stronghold emerges from the deep crowdfunding seas as a powerful retort to those who would see us kept in smaller, more easily managed sects that fear one another. The first three issues of OneNation: Stronghold offer readers a thrilling journey into the life of superhero Damian Strong, aka Stronghold, as he navigates the complexities of both his past and his presence in the evolving world around him.
Co-created by Glyph award-winning writer Jason Reeves (Pax Samson, Spidey, and His Amazing Friends: Sounds Like Trouble) and YALSA and ITM Book award-winner Greg Anderson Elysée (Is’nana the Were-Spider, Dreamer), OneNation: Stronghold is not just another superhero comic. It’s a revolutionary origin story unafraid to expose the struggles of growing up in rural Louisiana, confronting family legacies of racism, and coming to terms with one’s sexuality.
. . . at 133art we fight the good fight with a pen or a stylus, using the medium we fell in love with as kids to be our activism.
The narrative picks up in the aftermath of the LA Riots, where the Keramats of the Tenth Foundation, the world’s first superheroes, find themselves thrust into the global spotlight. However, unlike traditional caped crusaders, the Keramats aren’t here to maintain the status quo. They’re on a mission to tip the scales of justice, challenging societal norms and fighting for their culture.
In discussing the project, co-creator Jason Reeves goes full-on geek while touting the importance of using the comic medium as a form of activism: “I’ve always loved the aesthetic of artwork intertwined with words: comics, storytelling, and I get to do it for a living.
“While some get into Good Trouble in these streets (word to John Lewis),” continues Reeves, “at 133art we fight the good fight with a pen or a stylus, using the medium we fell in love with as kids to be our activism.
“The team and I get to reimagine our world and populate it with the kind of heroes that will stand up to the ones that would divide us by race, gender, sexual orientation, religion—the goal is to put into the world the idea of people that would use their power toward building a system that allows individuals to thrive as themselves.”
Everyone deserves to be represented with great stories and great adventures.
Co-creator Greg Anderson Elysée echoes with his own rich experience in comic book creation, exclaiming, “OneNation: Stronghold is one of the projects I never imagined I’d write, never planned to, but am grateful for and can’t imagine not having written.”
“It captures some of my finest work in terms of characterization and humanizing characters, so much so that a few scenes made me emotional while putting them down on paper. I’ve also had readers reach out to me telling me how much the story thus far has meant and how they related to a lot of moments they felt I was writing for them. Like a lot of my work, Stronghold represents diversity; what makes us all celebrated and unique. Everyone deserves to be represented with great stories and great adventures.”
The art by Antonello Cosentino (Over the Ropes) brings this powerful narrative roaring to life, making OneNation: Stronghold’s action a must-read for fans of explosive titles like X-Men, The Authority, and Invincible. With the campaign ending on September 5th, now is the time to support this groundbreaking project championing inclusivity and representation in the superhero genre.
Get to Kickstarter and check out OneNation: Stronghold before the campaign ends. Let’s continue the fight off the page and push for a world where everyone can see themselves in the heroes who protect it.
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