Real-life dog rescuer Matt Miner's tale of idealistic young vigilantes going above the law to rescue tortured animals, LIBERATOR volume 1: RAGE IGNITION, comes together this week in a nearly 200-page book that collects the original 4-issue series and also features a dream team of some of the coolest comics creators around joining forces to tell brand-new Liberator stories.

The more than 50 pages of previously unreleased, animal-avenging stories arrive courtesy of Tim Seeley (REVIVAL, HACK/SLASH), Ales Kot (IRON PATRIOT, ZERO), Ed Brisson (SECRET AVENGERS, SHELTERED), Alex de Campi (GRINDHOUSE), Frank Barbiere (FIVE GHOSTS), Megan Hutchison (WILL O THE WISP), Morgan Jeske (CHANGE), Tess Fowler (THE RASCALS), Matthew Rosenberg (12 REASONS TO DIE), Adam Egypt Mortimer (BALLISTIC), and more!

"Matt Miner has done a pretty incredible thing here, fusing radical activism with the iconography of traditional comics heroism. Just one look at the collected book's roster of writers and artists supporting Liberator with their own creativity should be really heartening for anyone who believes comics can (and should) deliver powerful messages."
-Matt Pizzolo (Co-Founder Black Mask Studios, organizer OCCUPY COMICS)

LIBERATOR volume 1: RAGE IGNITION hits comics shops on Wednesday 4/9 and specialty retail/bookstores on Tuesday 4/15.

PREVIEW: As a special preview, we're debuting the brand-new Liberator short story "WHAT'S A HERO, ANYWAY?" (by Frank Barbiere, Matthew Marks, and Lauren Affe) right here, please feel free to share it!

Liberator v.1 collected book cover: Tim Seeley

Sneak Peek: Frank Barbiere, Matthew Marks, & Lauren Affe's "What's A Hero, Anyway?" pg 1 of 5

Sneak Peek: Frank Barbiere, Matthew Marks, & Lauren Affe's "What's A Hero, Anyway?" pg 2 of 5

Sneak Peek: Frank Barbiere, Matthew Marks, & Lauren Affe's "What's A Hero, Anyway?" pg 3 of 5

Sneak Peek: Frank Barbiere, Matthew Marks, & Lauren Affe's "What's A Hero, Anyway?" pg 4 of 5

Sneak Peek: Frank Barbiere, Matthew Marks, & Lauren Affe's "What's A Hero, Anyway?" pg 5 of 5

Why it's awesome: Acclaimed from the establishment media of the NY Post to the activist trenches of Earth First, Liberator brings real-world vigilante-heroism to comics for the first time--demonstrated by its hook "Real heroes don't wear capes, they wear ski-masks."

This book collects Liberator issues 1-4 into a single volume for the first time.

"Debut Of The Year... Unmissable."
(-Comics Beat)

Synopsis: Whether it's vicious dog-fighting clubs or fur-farms electrocuting and skinning minks, Jeanette Francis and Damon Guerrero have had enough. Using any and all means available to them, Jeanette and Damon not only rescue the animals but also avenge them - delivering harsh retribution to the animals' captors and tormentors.

BRAND NEW STORIES!
This nearly 200-page volume includes over 50 pages of brand-new, previously unreleased comic stories taking place in the world of Liberator featuring:
- Tim Seeley (REVIVAL, HACK/SLASH),
- Ales Kot (IRON PATRIOT, ZERO),
- Ed Brisson (SECRET AVENGERS, SHELTERED),
- Alex de Campi (GRINDHOUSE),
- Frank Barbiere (FIVE GHOSTS),
- Megan Hutchison (WILL O THE WISP),
- Morgan Jeske (CHANGE),
- Fabian Rangel Jr (DOC UNKNOWN),
- Sally Jane Thompson (ATOMIC SHEEP),
- Sean Von Gorman (PAWN SHOP),
- Tess Fowler (THE RASCALS),
- Jonathan Brandon Sawyer (IN THE DARK),
- Matthew Rosenberg (12 REASONS TO DIE), and
- Adam Egypt Mortimer (BALLISTIC).

"I'm really psyched and honored that so many crazy talented creators have come together, played in the Liberator world, and made all these amazing stories."
-Matt Miner (creator LIBERATOR)

"I've always been an advocate of animal rights and a life long dog owner -- the majority of which were rescue dogs. I've volunteered with animal rescue organizations, so this seemed like a good way to bring attention to the issue."
-Ed Brisson (SECRET AVENGERS, SHELTERED)

"Miner's Liberator world gave me a chance to write a story straight from the heart, entirely fueled by an emotion, stripped down, sharing the points of view of an alienated young man and his dog. There's something very beautiful and intense in particular in the relationship I've witnessed between people and their rescued animals - I wanted to do a story particular for those people, for people who've rescued an animal and who sometimes might feel that the rescue might be the only good thing in their life, the only right choice they've made; I wanted to share that magical feeling you sometimes get when everything is chaos and darkness, when the world seems to be exploding with molotov cocktails all around you, and then your non-human friend nuzzles into your hand and everything is alright again."
-Adam Egypt Mortimer (BALLISTIC)

"I was honored to be asked to contribute to a comic series that could inspire true change. I did it for the bunnies... all the fuzzy bunnies."
-Tess Fowler (THE RASCALS)"

Creative Team:

"Liberator v1 Rage Ignition"
Creator/Writer: Matt Miner
Illustrator: Javier Aranda
Colorist: Joaquin Pereyra
Cover: Tim Seeley

New Stories:

"This Is You"
Written by Tim Seeley
Illustrated by Tim Seeley
Colored by K. Michael Russell

"Broken"
Written by Ed Brisson
Illustrated by Brian Level

"Misercordia"
Written by Ales Kot
Illustrated by Morgan Jeske
Lettered by Ed Brisson

"Small Things"
Written by Alex de Campi
Illustrated by Sally Jane Thompson
Colored by Jenn Manley Lee

"What's A Hero, Anyway?"
Written by Frank Barbiere
Illustrated by Matthew Marks
Colored by Lauren Affe

"Liberation"
Written & Illustrated by Megan Hutchison

"Anchor Point"
Written by Matt Miner
Illustrated by Tess Fowler
Colored by Joaquin Pereyra
Lettered by CRANK!

"Unlocking"
Written by Fabian Rangel, Jr.
Illustrated by Jonathan Brandon Sawyer
Colored by Doug Garbark
Lettered by CRANK!

"We Are What We Are"
Written by Matthew Rosenberg and Patrick Kindlon
Illustrated by Ariela Kristantina
Colored by Jen Hickman
Lettered by Jim Campbell

"A Boy And His Rage"
Written by Adam Egypt Mortimer
Illustrated by Ryan Lee
Lettered by CRANK!

1/3 of Liberator profits will go to animal rescue initiatives.