Legendary NBA Star Joins Forces with Tezuka Productions for an Epic Graphic Novel

Highlights

Former NBA player and pop artist Johnny O'Brynt III has teamed up with Osamu Tezuka Productions to offer a fresh perspective on Tezuka's beloved work ALABASTER.

O'Brynt, owner of Noir Caesar Entertainment, is dedicated to empowering creators from marginalized communities. Their company has successfully produced diverse content across various mediums such as film, television, comics, and merchandise.

ALABASTER, their latest project, has already generated more than $1,000 through their Kickstarter campaign. Backers have the opportunity to select from a range of rewards, including both digital and physical editions of the comic.

Former NBA player and pop artist, Johnny O'Brynt III, has recently collaborated with Osamu Tezuka Productions to offer a fresh perspective on Tezuka's beloved work, ALABASTER. O'Brynt founded Noir Caeser Entertainment and, together with a diverse team, has ventured into producing content for film, TV, comics, and merchandising.

Their main objective is to curate and support artwork from underrepresented communities in mainstream media. Among their creations, one can find The Evolution of Autumn Walters, Soul x Search, and Gale Runners. Furthermore, they are open to collaborations with individuals who wish to embark on their own creative projects.

ALABASTER

The Cast and Crew

Alabaster follows the original storyline, but with a few changes to the narrative. It revolves around James Block, a former Black athlete who is betrayed by his girlfriend and falsely imprisoned. During his time in prison, he encounters a mysterious mad scientist who reveals the existence of a peculiar gun. The scientist explains to James that this unique weapon has the power to either kill its targets or render them invisible.

Upon his release, James stumbles upon the gun and decides to experiment with it. Unfortunately, his attempt to use it on himself results in his skin becoming translucent, giving him a sickly appearance. Undeterred by his altered appearance, James embraces his new identity as "Alabaster" and becomes a vigilante. His mission is to track down and confront those who deceive others and commit unjust acts.

In charge of crafting the story's narrative, Chuck Brown, renowned for his work with Marvel and Dark Horse Comics, brings his expertise to the table. With 18 years of experience and a strong presence in South Carolina, Brown has made significant contributions to the comic industry, including co-creating and writing for Rotten, Zenescope Entertainment, and 12-Gauge Comics. Due to his remarkable achievements, Legendary Entertainment has slated Brown's latest novel, Bitter Root, for an exciting film adaptation.

Anna Weiszczyk, a talented Polish artist, has been chosen to handle the illustrations for ALABASTER. Her impressive portfolio includes notable contributions to Alterna Comics, Image, Archaia, Black Mask Studios, and Strange Circus.

The Kickstarter

The ALABASTER kickstarter has currently achieved $1,379 out of its $30,000 pledge goal. Interested individuals can purchase various rewards, ranging from $15 to $2,500. These rewards include options like a digital PDF, a deluxe digital version with exclusive artwork and interviews, the physical edition, two separate physical copies with alternate artwork, a digital collection featuring all of Noir Caesar Entertainment's works published by Tokyo Pop, including ALABASTER, and a physical collection of these works as well. There are also bundles available, such as one with three cover variants of ALABASTER, another with one item from each of the previous rewards, a bundle with a signed edition, original artwork, and behind the scenes content, as well as a comprehensive bundle containing all rewards, along with a rare and high-quality copy of one of the original pages illustrated by Osamu Tezuka himself. The estimated delivery time for all rewards is 2024, and the campaign will run until November 3rd of the current year.

The Legacy

Osamu Tezuka, famously known as the "godfather of anime," has left a lasting impact on Japanese animation and Western media alike. His iconic stories continue to resonate nearly a century after his debut in 1946 with Diary of Ma-chan. Yoshimi Suzuki, the Head of International Partnerships at Tezuka Productions Co., expressed excitement about their collaboration with Noir Caesar on a new and thrilling project. Suzuki stated that if Tezuka were alive today, he would have been fascinated by the opportunity to work with a team of talented and diverse artists who share a deep appreciation for Japanese anime and manga. Suzuki eagerly anticipates the synergy that will be generated as Alabaster embarks on this project, showcasing the creative abilities of Noir Caesar and their team.

Support the kickstarter campaign here

Sources: Noir Caeser, Kickstarter, TezukaOsamu.net