Alterna Comics is proud to announce on this World Down Syndrome Awareness Day (3/21/13), the release of a 10 page teaser issue for the upcoming graphic novel METAPHASE to be released on ComiXology, the number one digital comic reader! Break out writer Chip Reece’s creation is visually realized by the mega talents of artist Kelly Williams (THE CABINET) to give you a taste of what’s to come! METAPHASE is a story about self discovery and living with Down Syndrome, wrapped in an exciting super-hero shell!

Jeremy Whitley, three time Glyph award winner and Eisner nominee for his book PRINCELESS, writes, “Reece is writing a story that’s equal parts head and heart, and that’s hard to come by. I can’t wait to see where it goes!”

Alterna’s publisher, Peter Simeti, had this to say, “I’m really honored that Chip wants to partner with Alterna in bringing his book to people across the world. It has a fantastic message and is also just incredibly fun to read. Chip’s writing is witty and poignant and Kelly’s art is in a league of its own – just a perfect team-up!”

THE STORY

What happens when a son’s quest for power leads to the destruction of his father, the world’s strongest superhero? METAPHASE is a graphic novel about Ollie, a boy with Down Syndrome who just wants to be “super” too. If it wasn’t hard enough sizing himself up with the most average of human strength, Ollie has grown up with a front row seat to the upper extreme of the physical spectrum! Incredibly, an opportunity may exist that could get him the power he desires…
Powers, Inc. is a company looking for volunteers to test their controversial and experimental chromosome treatment. This process promises to give super powers to anyone who wants them…or so it seems. As with any scheme that sounds too good to be true, there are sinister motives…ones that directly involve destroying the greatest superhero of all time, Ollie’s dad!

BACKGROUND

In 2010 Chip’s son Oliver was born with Down Syndrome as well as two congenital heart defects. Besides the monumental achievement of surviving three open heart surgeries, this little fella also spent over seven months in the hospital, and had a tracheotomy and feeding tube inserted to improve his chances of survival. Inspired by his son’s strength despite these odds, seeds were planted in this long time comic book fan’s mind to spin a tale that would spotlight just how spectacular individual’s with Down Syndrome are!

CHIP REECE

Chip has been an active supporter of the comic book community through his work as a writer, interviewer, and admin through the website StashMyComics.com. The majority of that support has been through his weekly column, Crowd Funding Flash, a feature that spotlights crowd funding comic book projects using sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. It’s through his work on this front that he met artist Kelly Williams via his talents on the successfully crowd funded graphic novel, THE CABINET. You can find Chip actively promoting other projects on Twitter (@ChipReece)

KELLY WILLIAMS

Kelly is a seasoned veteran in the world of comics. He’s done work for publishers Alterna, Grayhaven, Topshelf, and on the recently successfully Kickstarted book THE CABINET with writer Christian Sager. You can find Kelly on Twitter (@TreeBeerd) or his Facebook fan page here.

StashMyComics.com Joins the World in Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day

From www.ndss.org – March 21, 2013 marks the eighth annual World Down Syndrome Day, the second official date since it was recognized by the United Nations last year. People with Down syndrome, their families, friends, teachers, coworkers and supporters will be celebrating across the globe. Celebrated on the 21st day of the third month of the year, the date is symbolic of the third copy of the 21st chromosome that characterizes Down syndrome.

“It is important to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21 because there should be a day to celebrate the needs of people with Down syndrome. We are able to do things that other people can and can’t do – just like anybody from around the world,” says National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Goodwill Ambassador Chris Burke. “No matter who we are or where we live, give us a chance to do something with our lives so we can look forward to the future.”

There are over 400,000 Americans living with Down syndrome. It is the most common chromosomal condition. Join StashMyComics.com and the NDSS today in celebrating the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome.

About NDSS

The National Down Syndrome Society is a nonprofit organization with more than 350 affiliates nationwide representing over 400,000 Americans who have Down syndrome. The mission of NDSS is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. NDSS envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities. For more information visit www.ndss.org.

About World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day was established in 2006 by Down Syndrome International, with the goal of raising awareness and mobilizing support and recognition of the dignity, rights and well-being of people with Down syndrome across the world. For more information visit http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/.