Diversity in Comics: Television Director Eric Dean Seaton Launches Graphic Novel Series featuring African American Leads and Diverse Character Lineup
Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) October 02, 2014 -- Diversity in comics is a hot media and fan topic with fans demanding better cultural and gender representation in comics and superhero films. Available nationwide on October 8, 2014, ERIC DEAN SEATON’S debut graphic novel, "LEGEND OF THE MANTAMAJI: BOOK ONE," features a diverse cast of characters, including two African-American leads. The epic series tells the story of Elijah Alexander -- an arrogant, media-hungry assistant district attorney, who is about to learn something shocking: he is not even human. He is the last of the Mantamaji, a long-lost race of warriors who once protected humanity when the world was young. Book One is the first episode of the three book series that features fast-paced, heart-stopping action combined with a layered, thoughtful story that is full of hair-raising plot twists. The series is available for pre-order at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble stores and Nook, local comic book shops; digitally at iTunes, GooglePlay, Kobo and at the Legend of the Mantamaji website.
A two-time NAACP Image Award nominated, episodic director of such shows as Nickelodeon's "The Haunted Hathaways," "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn;" and Disney's "Austin and Ally," Seaton said there is a great need for new characters of color in the comics world.
"Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” is still the number one African-American animated franchise---and it’s over 44 years old," he said. "The most prominent and famous black Marvel characters, “Black Panther” and “Storm,” are 48 and 39 years old. DC Entertainment’s black character, “Cyborg,” is 34 years-old. Recent changes to Captain America's race and Thor's gender are great, but what about characters with their own rich origin stories?”
“LEGEND OF THE MANTAMAJI,” a 2014 San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive, is perfect for comic and graphic novel enthusiasts from ages 9 and up. Book One of this three book series is set for release on October 8th, with release dates for book two and three scheduled for December 10, 2014 and February 11, 2015, respectively.
The book features artwork by Brandon Palas, colorist Andrew Dalhouse, who has worked with From Boom, Dark Horse, Image, Marvel and DC and lettering by Deron Bennett, who was nominated for an Eisner Award two years ago for his work on titles like Jim Hensons Dark Crystal, Jim Hensons Tale of Sand and Helldorado, among others.
"Fans who bemoan the 'big two' for a lack of vision, or effort, to create bold new characters and franchises, should learn that innovation can often be found elsewhere. 'LEGEND OF THE MANTAMAJI' has all of the excitement, imagination and suspense to be a TV or film series on its own, but instead it is here as a comic to be enjoyed by the masses who crave them. 'LEGEND OF THE MANTAMAJI' volume one is a must read for those who crave all of the spectacle and action of superhero comics, yet want a comic which offers creative new ideas and a progressive storyline with real weight behind it," Alex Widen, Brooklyn Comic Book Examiner.
About Eric Dean Seaton:
As an episodic director, ERIC DEAN SEATON has helmed 38 different shows, 195 television episodes, 18 music videos and two pilots for Nickelodeon, as well as two pilots for Disney XD. He has also directed episodes of the NBC/Warner Bros. comedy “Undateable,” BET’s “Let’s Stay Together” and “Reed Between the Lines.” He is a Cleveland, Ohio native and attended The Ohio State University. Eric, his wife, son and daughter live in California. “LEGEND OF THE MANTAMAJI” is his first graphic novel.
About Legend of the Mantamaji:
Legend of the Mantamaji: Book 1 Paperback October 8, 2014
Eric Dean Seaton (Author)
David Ellis Dickerson (Editor)
Brandon Palas(Illustrator)
Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: And... Action! Entertainment; 1 edition (October 8, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1930315341
ISBN-13: 978-1930315341
Terreece M. Clarke, LifeSlice Media, http://LegendoftheMantamaji.com, +1 6144670361, [email protected]
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