(August 29, 2023) In 2021, an explosively successful Kickstarter campaign helped writer Mat Groom (Marvel Comics’ ULTRAMAN and Image’s ULTRAMASSIVE) and artist Erica D’Urso (CAPTAIN MARVEL and XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS) deliver the 125-page graphic novel INFERNO GIRL RED: BOOK ONE–– which combined the high school super-heroic drama of INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE with the dynamic storytelling and world-building of Japanese tokusatsu superheroes, and the intrigue and relationship drama of British boarding school fiction. Now, they’re returning to Kickstarter to tell the next chapter in the story of legendary hero INFERNO GIRL RED in INFERNO GIRL RED: BOOK TWO. Groom and D’Urso will be joined by the entire original creative team, including colorist Igor Monti (RADIANT BLACK, DEEP CUTS), letterer Becca Carey (ROGUE SUN, REDLANDS), editor Kyle Higgins (RADIANT BLACK, NIGHTWING, MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS) and design agency FOR THE PEOPLE. The new campaign invites readers into the world already loved by thousands, with an opportunity to access both INFERNO GIRL RED: BOOK ONE and BOOK TWO in either digital or deluxe, oversized hardcover forms.
“I’m beyond excited to return to the world of INFERNO GIRL RED,” said writer Mat Groom. “In many ways it’s an allegory for the modern teenage experience – coming of age in a world with cataclysmic disaster looming, being told by older generations that it’s up to them to solve the problems they didn’t create. What does it take to succeed despite this pressure? And how can you embrace the radical belief needed to achieve the seemingly impossible without falling into dangerous self-delusion?”
“Two years ago when Mat and I launched the INFERNO GIRL RED Kickstarter, we couldn’t have imagined the reception we’d receive,” said artist Erica D’Urso. “Not only was our campaign funded on the first day, we were fortunate enough to have Image Comics (publisher of THE WALKING DEAD, SAGA and so much more) bring INFERNO GIRL RED to comic and book stores. The amazing response of the Kickstarter and comic-reading community confirmed what we already believed: this is a story worth telling, and a world that’s worth diving into.”
When her new home of Apex City was ripped out of existence and cast into darkness, Cássia Costa had to embrace an ancient power to become the legendary hero INFERNO GIRL RED. She rose to the challenge, pushing herself farther than she ever thought possible – but though Cássia protected the city from its first major threat, it cost her dearly. Now, still reeling from a heartbreaking loss, Cássia must forge a relationship with a new mentor, and expand an unlikely team – because the consequences of her previous “victory” have come back to haunt her, and a villainous duo is on the rise! A fraught potential romance beckons, a long-held secret threatens to be revealed, and an unimaginable choice could see Apex City left defenseless! Can Cássia navigate it all… or even survive it all?
The Kickstarter edition of INFERNO GIRL RED: BOOK TWO will be the perfect accompaniment to the Kickstarter edition of BOOK ONE, with the same oversized, deluxe hardcover format, and a new, exclusive Kickstarter-only cover with Kickstarter exclusive behind-the-scenes materials. This edition will feature 120 pages of story (with behind-the-scenes materials and informational pages additional to this page count).
“When Marcelo and I created RADIANT BLACK, the mission we gave ourselves was to redefine what superhero comics could be – to try and create something genuinely new, that could make superheroes feel fresh and modern again,” said RADIANT BLACK co-creator and INFERNO GIRL RED editor Kyle Higgins. “Then, as I looked to expand its world and create The Massive-Verse, I was looking for the same thing, but expressed in different ways. Right away, INFERNO GIRL RED fit that bill – it has an electric, passionate energy, and it genuinely speaks to the modern teenage experience. Because of this, I wasn’t surprised that so many people responded to INFERNO GIRL RED: BOOK ONE… and I can’t wait for readers to see how Mat, Erica and the team have expanded and pushed the world in INFERNO GIRL RED: BOOK TWO.”
Here’s what critics have said about INFERNO GIRL RED:
“The take on superhero tropes is abundantly fun and over-the-top exciting, with an inclusive cast… panels are punctuated with dazzling, psychedelically hued scenes, nearly blazing the action off the page.” – Kirkus Reviews
“A great sense of comforting familiarity with some fresh twists and wonderfully crafted characters makes for one of the most enjoyable new comics this year.” – Multiversity Comics
“With terrific art, refreshing characters, an intriguing mystery and great action, INFERNO GIRL RED is a knock-out debut.” – AIPT Comics
“A must-read for comic fans who’ve been eager for a new hero.” – Comic Book Resources
“A must-have story of hope versus darkness.” – Nerd Initiative
To follow the INFERNO GIRL RED campaign, visit Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2129645662/inferno-girl-red-books-one-and-two-by-mat-groom-erica-durso?ref=4ut8zu
For updates, follow INFERNO GIRL RED on Twitter.
About the creative team:
Mat Groom is a writer from Sydney, Australia. He’s the co-creator and writer of SELF/MADE from Image Comics, is a co-writer on the ULTRAMAN series for Marvel Comics, and written for DC Comics projects including the CRIMES OF PASSION anthology and the TALES FROM THE DARK MULTIVERSE series.
Erica D’Urso is a native Italian illustrator and comics creator, who has worked with some of the biggest characters and brands in all of fiction– including IAN FLEMING’S JAMES BOND and XENA: WARRIOR PRINCES for Dynamite Entertainment, as well as THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN MARVEL for Marvel Comics.
Igor MontiIgor Monti is a colorist from Treviso, Italy, known for this ultra-modern and vivid style. His recent hits include MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS and MEGA MAN: FULLY CHARGED, both from Boom! Studios.
Kyle Higgins is a #1 New York Times Best Selling author whose past work includes RADIANT BLACK, MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS, NIGHTWING, BATMAN ETERNAL, ULTRAMAN, THE WINTER SOLDIER, HADRIAN’S WALL and THE DEAD HAND. Kyle made his debut as a comics editor in 2018, with SELF/MADE from Image Comics.
Becca Carey is a letterer, designer and illustrator with a penchant for the handmade approach. Her lettering work ranges from household name characters (WONDER WOMAN, BATGIRL and HARLEY QUINN for DC Comics) to creator-owned sensations including RADIANT BLACK from Image Comics.
For The People is an Australian design, strategy and storytelling agency. In 2019, they became the first Australian agency ever to crack the top 10 in D&AD’s global ‘Design Agency of the Year’ annual review, sitting alongside the in-house design teams of Apple and the New York Times Magazine, as well as multinational industry giants like Jones Knowles Ritchie and Serviceplan Group.
