Publisher Fanbase Press Helps Bring Representation to Invisible Illnesses and Disabilities
Publisher Fanbase Press and custom car builder Projekt Cars will be debuting a brand-new custom car
at SEMA 2024, featuring the artwork of the critically acclaimed comic book series, RIPPLE EFFECTS, to support a family with cystic fibrosis needs.
Established in 1994, Projekt Cars has long been combining comics-themed artwork with its custom car builds, having previously built a Spawn-themed Ford Mustang GT in partnership with creator Todd McFarlane and Guy Caldwell of Garage FX, as well as over 300 other builds featuring the artwork of Spider-Man, Deadpool, Thor, Ghostbusters, and more.
Ripple Effects follows the adventures of a superhero whose invincibility is offset by an acute case of type 1 diabetes and a defective pancreas that must be monitored and treated daily. The gripping and inspirational story about living with an invisible illness is inspired by writer Jordan Hart's own lived experience with thrombophilia, an incurable blood-clotting disease.
When Carlos Molina, Business Development Director of Projekt Cars, learned of the challenges the Allen family of Bakersfield, CA, underwent to create a a traditional camping experience for their son, Devland, while supporting his cystic fibrosis health needs, Molina wanted to equip the family’s 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 for overlanding, allowing them to enjoy travel to remote destinations while supporting Devland’s health requirements. Among its enhanced features, the vehicle will include an Ironman 4x4™ portable off-road fridge to keep the nebulized medication refrigerated and camp awnings to create a private space for administering treatments. The vehicle features artwork from the critically acclaimed series, Ripple Effects, by Jordan Hart and cover artist Justin C. Harder (CLAUS Studios),
Brendan Allen, Devland's Father, said, “Devland’s equipment and medication needs have completely changed the way our family vacations, as they require more power than my truck can provide, and we don’t have a way to keep his nebulized medication refrigerated.”
The custom truck build falls in conjunction with Fanbase Press’ first-ever Kickstarter campaign to fund an expanded deluxe hardcover edition of Ripple Effects, which explores life as a superhero with an invisible illness, and features all-new contributions from some of the biggest names in comics.
Devland Allen’s artwork will also be featured in the deluxe edition of Ripple Effects.
Ripple Effects was created, written, and colored by Jordan Hart (The Cabinet, Terminarch, Doppelgänger), illustrated by Bruno Chiroleu (El Borde, Mara and Samu), flatted by Shane Kadlecik, lettered by Oceano Ransford (Eisner Award-nominated Rikki, The Sequels, Haphaven), and features cover art by Justin C. Harder (CLAUS Studios) and a foreword by Matthew Noe (librarian, Harvard Medical School).
“Ripple Effects reminds those with invisible illnesses and disabilities, and their loved ones, that they are not alone, that they're unique, and that they're special,” said creator Jordan Hart. “Watching the impact this story has on others has been the highlight of my career.”
Striving to increase awareness and representation for individuals with invisible illnesses and disabilities, Ripple Effects: The Deluxe Edition will feature new forewords by Eisner and Harvey Awards-winning writer Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Batgirl, Uncanny X-Men) and actor/writer Todd Stashwick (Star Trek: Picard, 12 Monkeys), study guides by Eisner Award nominee and educator Tim Smyth (Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels) and comics literacy advocate Creators, Assemble!, and an art gallery which pairs youth artists who have invisible disabilities and illnesses ranging from deafness to Autism Spectrum Disorder with superstar artists including Drew Zucker (Canto), Liana Kangas (Mariko, Between Worlds), Ray-Anthony Height (Midnight Tiger), Don Aguillo (Spawn), and Manuel Martinez (DC, Marvel). The deluxe hardcover also features "Unseen Ripples" essays written by individuals with invisible disabilities and illnesses who relate Ripple Effects' events to their own lived experience, ranging in topic from paranoid schizophrenia to diabetes.
Ripple Effects was the winner of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics in 2023, as well as being nominated for an Eisner Award and a Harvey Award. The series was included in the American Library Association's (Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table) 2022 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List and was named the winner of the 25th annual Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in the Graphic Novels & Comics category.
Projekt Cars’ main sponsor at SEMA this year is Air Design USA who will be providing and purchasing the designated spot for the vehicle at SEMA 2024, and will take place in Las Vegas, NV, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 through Friday, Nov. 8th.
The Kickstarter for Ripple Effects ends Tuesday, Oct. 1st.
