Sci-Fi Graphic Novel Upgrade Soul Redefines Comic Book Publishing
November 1, 2012
In my preview of the app yesterday, I notified you of the potential of Upgrade Soul in "upgrading" your idea of what the graphic novel form can accomplish on the iOS platform. Well, the app has been released in the App Store today, so you can now also realize that for yourself.
Upgrade Soul is a new science fiction graphic novel written and illustrated by Ezra Claytan Daniels and scored by Alexis Gideon. It is ...
... the story of Hank and Molly Nonnar, wealthy science buffs who decide to fund a risky, experimental therapy to rejuvenate the human body, with only one condition: that they be first in line to receive it. When dangerous complications develop, a battle for psychological dominance begins.Upgrade Soul is developed by Erik Loyer of Opertoon, the studio responsible for Ruben & Lullaby and Strange Rain. As I've pointed out in my preview post, it's actually the first title to use Opertoonity, a new technology that blends the visual language of comic books and the popular Unity game engine. If you can't see the video embedded above, please click here. Opertoonity works with Daniels' compelling story and illustrations and Gideon's forceful score to make Upgrade Soul one of the best reading experiences you can ever have on any medium. That's no exaggeration, mind you. I've read the first chapter of Upgrade Soul three times, and it still manages to delight me to no end. Upgrade Soul is indeed a uniquely immersive graphic novel, where even a lone speech bubble amid a plain background can mean a lot to the flow of the story. Here the panels are dynamic, and they even exhibit neat tilt-driven 3-D effects. Upgrade Soul is really something you have to see for yourself. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and already optimized with iPhone 5 support, Upgrade Soul is available now in the App Store for free. Chapters 1 and 2 of the graphic novel are out now, with the former offered for free and the latter available via in-app purchase. Chapters 3 to 18 will be released episodically via in-app purchase. Note that you can avail of a special 30-percent-off promo whereby you can buy and preorder chapters 2 to 6 for only $6.99. [gallery link="file" order="DESC"]
