RAINBOW BRIDGE is an original graphic novel from Steve Foxe and Steve
Orlando - the first to be published under AfterShock's new YA imprint: SEISMIC
PRESS.

What if the Rainbow Bridge was the Bifrost?

ANDY's parents
rescued ROCKET when Andy was just a toddler, and they grew up together, with
Rocket serving as Andy's guardian through every one of childhood's ups and
downs. So when Rocket passes away right before Andy's 14th birthday, he's
rudderless. High school is coming soon and he can't imagine making that
transition without Rocket at his side. The day before school starts, when Andy
is at his lowest, he visits Rocket's grave, and unexpectedly summons the RAINBOW
BRIDGE, a gateway to a fantasy world where pets discover their
afterlife.

One part heaven and one part limbo, this is a final resting
place for pets - but also a realm where any unfinished business must be
completed, before restless pet souls twist into bizarre, seemingly malevolent
wraiths that haunt the periphery of this otherwise splendid paradise. It's
extremely rare for a human to visit this realm, but Rocket and Andy find each
other again in this wondrous pet Valhalla to go on one last epic adventure to
help Rocket reunite with his lost littermate, fulfilling Rocket's last wishes.
Here, the roles are reversed, as Andy has to be the strong one and support
Rocket in his quest for closure. By adventure's end, Andy finally gains the
confidence to let go of his childhood and enter the next phase of his life,
starting his first day of high school.

RAINBOW BRIDGE is aimed primarily
at younger readers, on the border of middle grade and YA, but should resonate
with anyone who has ever had to say goodbye to a beloved pet - or anyone who
greeted growing up with nervousness and anxiety. Like JOE THE BARBARIAN before
it, RAINBOW BRIDGE can address the lines between reality and fantasy (although
everything in the book is portrayed as actually happening), wish fulfillment and
personal growth, childhood and young adulthood. There are also themes of
overcoming trauma, and of compassion for animals. The Realm Beyond the Rainbow
Bridge is shaped by its inhabitants, and contains vast fantasy vistas inspired
by the adventures pets and their owners, especially kids, imagine for
themselves.

Visual artist(s): Valentina Bianconi