The CAN’T MISS sequel to Aster of Pan!

War. Plague. Famine. Death. The metaphorical horsemen had a field day with humanity, driving civilization to ruin before we could even make it to the next century. The post-apocalyptic society of Pan now survives by growing rice and scavenging the wreckage of their destroyed civilization. But their precarious existence comes under threat when the powerful, technologically advanced Federation of Fortuna forces them into a dangerous choice—submit to Fortuna’s rule or best them in a competitive sport known as “Celestial Mechanics”. Pan’s only hope? A hot-headed outcast they’d rejected for being too “un-Pan”: a girl named Aster.

ASTER OF PAN: THE SOURCE is the sequel to ASTER OF PAN, the lushly watercolored, award-winning graphic novel by acclaimed writer/artist/animator MERWAN. We’re offering this brand new volume along with a new reprinting of the original 200-page hardcover, both books packed end-to-end with high-octane action sequences mixed with gripping character drama and a moving spirit of determination and hope. Like the best high-concept YA summer blockbusters, ASTER OF PAN will have you poised at the edge of your seat till the end credits roll.

Themes of family, teamwork, belonging, betrayal, and justice play out on battlefield-like arenas created in the middle of the wastelands. ASTER OF PAN can be described as THE HUNGER GAMES meets DODGE BALL as if animated in the style of AKIRA — fast-paced and pulse-pounding action mixed with moments of character relationship that will have you coming back to the pages over and over again.

The original book was an Official Selection of the 2020 Angoulême International Comics Festival (Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d’Angoulême) in the Young Adult category.

Merwan’s distinct visual style is a mix of anime-inspired dynamics in the tradition of classic designers such as Katsuhiro Otomo and Naoki Urasawa but rendered with a varying line weight reminiscent of Tim Sale and a water-colored palette that is uniquely his own.

These gallery-quality 8.5″x11” hardcover editions include a campaign-exclusive variant cover by celebrated illustrator PEACH MOMOKO (@peachmomoko60). This variant and any additional stretch goal items will only be available through this campaign! (The standard edition featuring Merwan’s original cover will eventually be sold at retail.)

Written and Illustrated by: Merwan

MERWAN CHABANE is a graduate of the Ecole Nationale des Arts Décoratifs. After graduating from the prestigious animation academy Ecole des Gobelins, he entered the world of video games and animation as a storyboard artist. In 2002, his first animated short film “Biotope” gained critical attention and praise, winning at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival. He followed that up with his second animated short film “Clichés de soirée,” which was selected for the Cartoon d’or prize in 2009.

Merwan’s shift into comics began with the 200-page martial arts graphic novel Fausse Garde in 2009, followed by L’Or et le sang (“Gold and Blood”) created with Fabien Nury and Maurin Defrance. In 2010, he began work on the trilogy For the Empire with Bastian Vives which gained them both much attention. In the years that followed, he released many critically acclaimed original titles including Pistouvi, Glory Days, Shadow Play, and the kids’ book Clemence Evidence.

ASTER OF PAN (originally released in France as Mécanique Celeste) was an Official Selection of the 2020 Angoulême International Comics Festival (Festival international de la bande dessinée d’Angoulême) in the Young Adult category. ASTER OF PAN: THE SOURCE is the direct sequel, and Merwan’s most recent work.