Volume 1: Release Date, March 16, 2012

EXP/RAT/ON DATE is a Sci-Fi Graphic Novel written by Robert Zappia (Halloween:H20, 5ive Days to Midnight) and illustrated by Lee Wiley. 

The Synopsis

Los Angeles, CA in the year 2496. Technology has extended the population's lifespan. Overpopulation is a critical concern. The solution is a single implant in the heart, known as a SY9 capsule which now controls a person's "Expiration Date." Their death is now randomly determined and they die peacefully in their sleep. But when a controversial Presidential candidate threatens to end the use of the SY9 capsule, suddenly his “Expiration Date” occurs. Coincidence or conspiracy? Our leading man Cutter is now on the trail of the SY9 corporation to find the truth. 

Phase 1

This first phase of the project is the creation of volume one of the Graphic Novel and its premiere at WonderCon. This first installment lays the foundation for this bold futuristic world, the advanced technologies, the crowded city life, and the conspiracy that will take us on an adventure to reveal the truth and ensure the safety of every citizen.

Time to Draw

The script for the whole story is complete and now it is for me time to illustrate it! I am gathering reference, roughing out pages, completing line work, coloring, and adding text. All these wonderful pieces will come together to form the first fantastic volume!

WonderCon 2012

WonderCon 2012 is being hosted at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA, March 16th-18th. The first volume will premiere there, where it will be sold to attendees and given to publishers/editors who may be interested in publishing the entire series. 

Funding and Rewards

Phase 1 of the project is going to require at least $6,000. In return for your Backer-ship, you will be handsomely rewarded. Your contribution will go towards the following.

• Completing the first volume
• Printing copies of the first volume in full color
• Table fees at WonderCon
• Passes for the Team to attend WonderCon
• Promotional merchandise and giveaways for WonderCon
• Continued Web hosting for the blog and new hosting for YourTimeIsRunningOut.com
  
• ISBN number

The Ball is Rolling

Development began in early 2011 with Robert approaching me about taking a Sci-Fi script he wrote as a movie and turning it into a Graphic Novel. Concept work, critique, revision, brainstorming, and a lot of late nights have helped to get the ball rolling for EXP/RAT/ON DATE! I have been able to complete line work for several pages, complete the full color cover for volume 1, and rough out many of the pages for the Graphic Novel. 

The Process

The process of this Graphic Novel has benefited from critique and input from other artists and collaborators. I began by posting my process at the Illopond and now thanks to Jonathan Zarco, I have an official blog, ProjectExpirationDate.com, where updates are posted weekly. Find out more about how the project came together and watch the process unfold; everyone is invited to participate in the process.

The Team

Robert Zappia is of course the creator and writer of this story, and I, Lee Wiley, am the illustrator of the Graphic Novel. We now have two more team members contributing to this project. Jonathan Zarco, a web designer, who is the brains behind our blog and a future Website, YourTimeIsRunningOut.com. Chey Rasmussen is our fourth team member, who helped develop the video for this campaign and is developing a "Graphic Novel Trailer" to promote the book and is slated for release on YourTimeIsRunningOut.com in December 2011.