Creator of the MCU Returns with a Timely New Epic Adventure

David Maisel — the executive who helped launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008 — is now spearheading a new effort to assemble a shared mythology around characters created by Michael Turner (co-creator of Witchblade and cofounder of Aspen Comics) and Geoff Johns (later president of DC Comics). The next move in that plan is a Kickstarter campaign, launching on October 21, for Ekos Volume 2. The campaign seeks to expand Turner’s world for a contemporary audience while funding new creative covers and editions for backers. View the Kickstarter.

Ekos began life as a six-page piece Turner and Johns serialized in Wizard magazine in 2004, introducing Grell — a gliding, feline humanoid whose homeland is threatened by human invaders. While the setup recalls other planetary-conflict tales (James Cameron was a longtime admirer of Turner’s work and at one point had interest in adapting Turner’s ocean-centered series Fathom), Ekos charted its own path. After the Wizard piece ran, readers were asked to vote on which preview the creators should develop next; the electorate narrowly selected Soulfire, a far-future saga about magic fading from the world.

Turner died in 2008 at age 37. In the years since, Maisel — working with Aspen co-owner Peter Steigerwald — has been cultivating Turner’s characters and bringing new collaborators on board to reimagine and expand the canon.

“Michael was such a beloved figure,” Maisel told Polygon. “He obviously passed away way too soon, so people are really excited about something that has Michael’s heritage.”