I am thrilled to be hosting a spot
on the BEYOND REAL: The Complete Series by Zack Kaplan Blog Tour hosted
by Rockstar
Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Authors: Zack Kaplan
& Fabiana Mascolo, Toni Fejzula, Dennis Menheere, Vincenzo Riccardi, Jorge
Corona, Liana Kangas, Luana Vecchio, and Jordie Bellaire (Illustrators)
Pub. Date: September
10, 2024
Publisher: Vault
Comics
Formats:
Paperback, eBook
Pages: 160
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/BEYOND-REAL
The Matrix meets The Wizard of Oz in BEYOND REAL: The
Complete Series, a mind-bending psychedelic journey through the nature
of reality – and who we really are.
QUESTION REALITY.
When struggling artist June is injured in a severe car accident that leaves her
boyfriend in a coma, she begins to experience strange visual phenomena. When
June discovers that the world she considers “reality” may be a computer
simulation, she must set out on a journey of possibility and peril into the
metaphysical layers of the simulation to reach the world’s creator and save her
true love from death.
Beyond Real explores simulation theory, the creative spirit,
the nature of reality, and the struggle for self-determination.
Are we real – or are we living in a computer simulation?
What is reality? Is death an illusion?
Enter the world that is … Beyond Real.
Beyond Real, written by Zack Kaplan (MINDSET from
Vault Comics) is joined by a slate of spectacular artists including Fabiana
Mascolo, Toni Fejzula, Jordie Bellaire, Vincenzo Riccardi, Dennis Menheere,
Jorge Corona, and Liana Kangas.
Collects the entire six-issue mind-altering and acclaimed series!
For fans of: Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Matrix, Alice In
Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, What Dreams May Come (Richard Matheson), Promethea (Alan
Moore & J.H. Williams III), The Invisibles (Grant Morrison), Flex
Mentallo (Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely), Ghost in the Shell,
Nonplayer (Nate Simpson),Permutation City (Greg
Egan), Sea of Tranquility (Emily St. John Mandel), The
Restoration Game (Kevin MacLeod), The Peripheral , Agency,and Neuromancer (William
Gibson) ,Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow (Gabrielle Zevin),
and Neil Gaiman,
"Visually arresting. Unlike anything ... seen before. 10/10" - Kabooooom!
"As close to perfect as my be possible. 10/10" - The
Pullbox
"A visual feast. 9.5/10" - AIPT
"Mind-blowing and visually stunning. 9/10" - Capes and
Tights
"A sci-fi mindf*uck in the best possible way. 9/10" - Derry
Comics
BEYOND REAL Virtual Tour Q&A
Okay, Zack!
You know that Elon Musk believes we’re living in a simulation as
do some physicists, scientists, and philosophers (as Swedish philosopher Nick
Bostrom hypothesized this theory in 2003), while other scientists,
cosmologists, philosophers argue that NO, we aren’t “living in the
Matrix.” What do YOU think – and why?
This question was absolutely the inspiration of the
series, but to find the answer, I took a bit of a step back. I don’t know if
there are aliens or robots playing the “human” simulation, but what if we frame
the question differently – is our path in life our choice or is some of it
pre-determined? Artists create out of free will and whimsy, but science
discovers the rules behind how all life works and operates. So, which is it:
rules or free will. Personally, I think it is a combination of both. But yes, I
do believe there is some pre-determination to life. Electrons spin, DNA splits,
and gravity pulls. All life on Earth follows some pre-ordainment or
programming. I have to think we are no different. And that implies some
simulation.
What movies/television/books/video games inspired BEYOND REAL?
I think the most accurate combination is The Matrix and the Robin
Williams film What Dreams May Come, which of course is a retelling of the Greek
myth Orpheus, in which one lover goes into the layers of the Underworld to
rescue their partner. But we really charted our own path on this one, and I
think readers will find this story as unique as they come. It follows a young
woman on a strange journey to the center of the “simulation”, so in the
broadest sense, it’s very Wizard of Oz. Welcome to the crazy sci-fi journey
down the surreal and artistic yellow brick road.
Who/what in the scientific or other fields inspired BEYOND REAL?
I’ve spoken a bit about determinism and simulation theory, but I
think that’s where the research ends. Instead, this story really focuses more
on the experience of a creative person going through the emotional trials of
finding one self’s voice as an artist and creator. Learning to break the rules,
learning to identify one’s own voice, learning to create for the love of it,
learning to overcome doubt – all those challenges that we face as human beings
when we take on endeavors to create. But in those challenges, then we layer on
top that question – are we pre-determined to struggle, to be in pain, to
question, on our journey towards creation. Perhaps.
Religious scholars, philosophers, physicists, and others have –for years – argued about and contemplated the nature of reality. That our minds create our situations/reality. And, to a certain degree, this is true. However, to what degree do you think that we’re creating our own reality, is it happening outside of us or … is it a combo of both? Why?
Beyond Real focuses a lot on this question. “Perception is
reality”- the book says. You can walk down the same path, and one person can
see it as a terrible and tragic tale, while another can see it as a testing
moment of endurance and triumph. We decide through our minds how to view our
own reality, and we are the only one’s experiencing our story fully. Our
perceptions of our lives are our lives. And our protagonist, June Ward, is on
that journey to discover just how to face her own life, her grief, her doubt
and her pain, and how to make sense of it all. She’s creating her reality, and
it’s a very moving thing to watch.
BEYOND REAL relies heavily on the base reality theory (For readers: “A base reality is the idea that there are multiple layers of reality, that progressively go deeper, until you get what reality actually is. Instead, what you experience is a very watered down version of real reality.” – which is the basis for Musk’s endorsement). Each layer of reality is represented by a different artist – which is brilliant. What made you want to create/write BEYOND REAL – beyond the above inspirations? What in YOU wanted to bring this forward?
Ever since I became a comic creator, I’ve been
amazed how many distinct artistic styles are out there. It seems never-ending.
Humans have created for centuries, and we still come up with so many different
ways to see reality. And yet, when we think about simulation theory, it’s
always very computer-based and Matrix-like. If reality is a layered simulation,
why would it not reflect human creation more? It was this sort of exploration,
combined with the idea of having different artists showcase different styles
for each layer - that was why I really first took on this story. And that’s
what makes it a true love letter to artists and creatives.
Any thoughts on how humankind transcends our current reality?
Why would we want to do that? Remember, our current reality is perception-based. Our reality will always be beautiful and horrible at the same time. You can’t have beauty without horror. You can’t have hope without fear. Life will always be complex and full of duality, but there’s no changing it or transcending it – we can only change our perceptions of it. I guess we transcend by loving the dark moments, because only with those tragedies can we have appreciation for the joyous moments.
Talk about your favorite (and least favorite) type of character to create/write.
Oh, I absolutely love characters like Beyond Real’s June Ward. This is my favorite. A strong-willed, complex character who has deep ideals about how life should be, who faces a world gone mad and a world that fails to live up to their ideals, and a quest or journey that gives them the opportunity to take on the world. The kind of character that says “screw you” and I’ll do this my way. A character who taps into their pain and anger and gets messy in it. A character that dares to question everything.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with
readers/tour participants about BEYOND REAL?
I would just say that the artists of Beyond Real
deserve so much praise and love. Fabiana Mascolo, Liana Kangas, Jorge Corona,
Vincenzo Riccardi, Toni Fejzula, Dennis Menheere and Luana Vecchio, and Jordie
Bellaire, Mattia Iacono and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. These artists are amazing
and they’ve crafted one of the most beautiful stunning graphic novels of the
year. We are truly experiencing this powerful story through their eyes and
their voices and I could not be prouder of the work they have done. Visionary.
Excerpts:
About Zack Kaplan:
Zack Kaplan
is a break-out science fiction comic writer and creator of such comics and
graphic novels as ECLIPSE, PORT OF EARTH, THE LOST CITY EXPLORERS, JOIN THE
FUTURE, BREAK OUT, METAL SOCIETY, FOREVER FORWARD and MINDSET. He has worked
with publishers such as Image/Top Cow, Dark Horse, Aftershock, Vault,
Humanoids, Scout Comics and DC Comics. His first three series were all optioned
for TV adaptation, with PORT OF EARTH currently being developed by Robert
Kirkman’s Skybound Entertainment and Amazon TV Studios. Zack has
taught screenwriting and storytelling at the International Academy of Film
and TV, located in the Philippines. He currently lives in Los Angeles.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads
| Amazon | BookBub
Giveaway Details:
2 winners
will receive finished copies of BEYOND REAL: The Complete Series, US Only.
Ends October 8th, midnight EST.
a Rafflecopter giveawayTour Schedule:
Week One:
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9/9/2024 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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9/10/2024 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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9/11/2024 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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9/12/2024 |
Excerpt |
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9/13/2024 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
Week Two:
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9/16/2024 |
Excerpt |
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9/17/2024 |
IG Review |
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9/18/2024 |
IG Review |
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9/19/2024 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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9/20/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
Week Three:
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9/22/2024 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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9/23/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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9/24/2024 |
IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post |
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9/25/2024 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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9/26/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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9/27/2024 |
IG Review |
Week Four:
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9/30/2024 |
Review |
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10/1/2024 |
IG Post/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post |
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10/2/2024 |
IG Review |
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10/3/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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10/4/2024 |
Review |
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