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.

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.)

(More pages will be added to this link throughout the campaign!)

All pledges in the first 48 hours get a FREE digital download of the soundtrack as .mp3/.wav files! (Latecomers can add a download to their order from the Addons section!)

This new book picks up mere days after the events of ASTER OF PAN. Aster and the crew take refuge from the weather during their long walk back to Pan, only to stumble upon The Source -- a small community tasked with sheltering what little bits of knowledge could be recovered from before The Collapse. But little do they know they are being pursued by agents of Fortuna who are intent on keeping that knowledge, and the recovered technology, dormant so as not to cause another cultural disaster. Fortuna's overzealous agents invade The Source in search of a diskette that could be the key to political power throughout the region...

Filled with high-tension action, fast-paced chases, and the most imaginative take on the post-apocalypse, ASTER OF PAN: THE SOURCE is a roller coaster from beginning to end. This 164-page 8x11" hardcover features a rounded spine and curved corners, with one of two available covers: the original retail cover by Merwan and an exclusive variant by Peach Momoko that will only be available through this campaign, NOT at retail.

The first book in the series introduces the world of Pan and its surrounding neighbors, an assortment of villages and city-tribes each trying to rebuild society in their own way centuries after The Collapse -- an apocalypse of unknown and forgotten origin that left humanity with nothing but their inherent ingenuity, survival instinct, and the scraps of what can be salvaged to get by. With little in the way of weaponry, the neighboring city-nations have adopted a system known as "Celestial Mechanics" to determine the outcome of conflict... a glorified game of dodgeball that ultimately determines political might. When the tiny village of Pan is challenged to Celestial Mechanics by the invading nation of Fortuna, their fate rests in their ragtag team... and the outsider known only as Aster...

This 200-page hardcover features a rounded spine and curved corners, with original cover art by Merwan.

This ultimate collection features both hardcover books in a deluxe slipcase featuring artwork on both sides by Peach Momoko. (The books themselves feature Merwan's original cover artwork.) These sets will also include a numbered bookplate signed by Merwan.

These boxed sets will ONLY BE PRODUCED FOR THIS CAMPAIGN, and will NOT be available at retail!
(Empty slipcases are available as an Add-on for those who already have the first book and only wish to buy the second book to complete their own boxed set.)

In addition to ASTER OF PAN, we are also offering Merwan's other titles as Add-ons and as part of discounted bundles.

PISTOUVI is a mischievous fox who lives with his best friend Jeanne in a treehouse in a fairy tale countryside. Together they spend frolicking days without responsibility, throwing stones at the birds and chasing the grouchy tractor man. But soon, adulthood creeps into their lives…

This adorable, lyrical fable about growing up is DENIS THE MENACE meets WINNIE THE POOH as if scored by RADIOHEAD, written by Merwan and illustrated by Bertrand Gatignol (The Ogre Gods series). 192 page 6.5x11" softcover with curved corners, black and white.

2021 EISNER AWARD NOMINEE for Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team.

Young Mané is full of envy and strength, two essential qualities for someone who wishes to engage in Pankat, a brutal martial art and philosophy for those who practice it. Wandering the greatest Pankat schools in Irap, Mané will quickly prove himself to be a contender thanks to the advice of Eïam, one of the greatest masters of all time. But will he be able to resist the lure of Féssat, a former student who will try to lead the young man into a life of crime? The rules of life are not always as straightforward as those in a Pankat ring…

Set in an otherworldly fictional universe that straddles science-fiction and fantasy, FALSE GUARD is filled with action and animated, dimensional characters whose relationships and sense of responsibility make this less of a “martial arts” tale and more a tale of morality.

216 pages, 8.5x11" softcover with curved corners.

We also have an assortment of exclusive bonus items left over from the original ASTER OF PAN campaign -- extremely limited quantities of some lovely collectible Aster swag!  

These Add-ons are available to select when confirming your pledge!

Merwan has graciously offered to create original drawings for 30 lucky backers as part of a limited bundle tier! This tier includes an ASTER OF PAN Boxed Set and copies of both PISTOUVI and FALSE GUARD, as well as a single-character drawing (left to his imagination and inspiration). These will be on A5 art board (~ 5.5" x 8"), pencil and ink at minimum -- color will depend on style and subject matter.

 

One lucky backer can own the original cover art painting by Peach Momoko. This beautiful, original ink-and-watercolor piece is 11x15" and suitable for framing. This will certainly become a centerpiece of any collection as demand for Peach's work continues to rise daily.

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.

Here's an interview video we created with Merwan during the campaign for the first ASTER OF PAN:

The target goal of this campaign is meant to cover the costs of the campaign exclusive items being offered, specifically the Limited Edition Slipcase and variant cover by Peach Momoko, as well as any other bonus stretch goal incentives that are unlocked along the way.

A RETAILER DISCOUNT is available at a 50% wholesale discount. YOU MUST BE A VERIFIABLE RETAILER, WITH A BUSINESS ADDRESS/LINK AND TAX ID/EIN to qualify for this tier! Contact us directly and we will calculate and apply your discount to your adjusted pledge package in the pledge manager following the campaign.

NOTE: If you are a retailer and wish to order more or other titles for your store, please message us directly with your requests and we can manually configure your desired order at a discount through Backerkit after the campaign has ended.

In addition to your pledge tier rewards, ALL BACKERS WILL RECEIVE AN EQUIVALENT NUMBER OF AMBASSADOR POINTS AS THEIR TOTAL PLEDGE VALUE. If you aren't familiar with our Ambassador Point program, visit our webstore for more information.

Should we exceed our initial goal, we will reveal a series of stretch goals that will unlock material improvements to the books and bonus items that will be added to various pledge tier levels for FREE.

(ADDITIONAL BONUS REWARDS WILL BE REVEALED AS WE REACH EACH GOAL.)

This project ships worldwide. That means Customs-friendly delivery with VAT accounted for and paid before shipping. You should not be asked to pay anything more upon delivery!

IMPORTANT NOTE: The pledge prices listed DO NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING OR VAT, which will be calculated and applied when you fill out the final survey after the campaign. This helps us ensure sufficient postage is collected without overcharging you with unspecific estimates upfront. Trust us – with shipping rates fluctuating as rapidly as they have for the last 3 years, this is best for everyone!

Final rates will be calculated based on actual weights and current postage rates AT THE TIME OF CAMPAIGN CLOSURE, but as of today's estimates, you can expect a 4lb order (minimum shipping weights: ~1 book plus stretch goal bonuses) to be somewhere in these ballpark ranges:

Heavier packages may come in higher, but we will do our best to offer the most reasonable rates available at the time of fulfillment. Global conditions continue to make international shipping rates and delivery times somewhat steep and unpredictable. While we have built our schedule with what should be ample padding for unforeseen delays, things happen. We will do our best to be prepared for anything that could impact our shipping estimates.

The book is in final layout now and will be delivered to the printer before the campaign is over. The campaign-exclusive bonus items will be ordered immediately following the campaign. We aim to have all items in our hands in late September so that we can begin fulfilling orders in September/October. This estimate includes what we hope will be sufficient padding for any unexpected shipping delays that might arise. Who knows -- if things go well, we might even be able to start shipping sooner!

We are eternally grateful for your support and hope you enjoy reading ASTER OF PAN as much as Merwan had creating it!