A 240-Page Deluxe Collection of Rare Zen Stories Launching Soon on Kickstarter
Los Angeles—(3/1/26) This summer, 1First Comics and Studio Chikara will co-publish Zen Intergalactic Ninja: Alternate Visions, a massive 240-page deluxe collection showcasing the rarest, most unusual, and never-before-collected Zen stories from nearly four decades of publishing history.
Edited by Robert V. Conte, Alternate Visions is the definitive archival deep dive into one of independent comics’ most enduring characters. Featuring never-before-published material alongside rare stories long out of print, the collection brings together Zen’s most experimental and hard-to-find appearances in one comprehensive volume.
If readers think they’ve experienced every Zen adventure, they haven’t. This landmark edition includes:
Zen stories originally published in Heavy Metal
Rare material from TokyoPop’s Mixx Magazine
Selections from Studio Chikara’s cult anthology This Is Sick
Previously unseen material from the Zen vaults
The volume also features an extraordinary lineup of talent spanning Zen’s nearly 40-year history, including:
Dan Cote (Zen co-creator)
L’Amour Supreme
David Bircham
Jim Fletcher
Bill Maus
Legendary team Ross Andru & Mike Esposito
And many more celebrated creators
The collection is crowned by an iconic cover illustration from Mike Mignola, bringing a bold, unmistakable visual stamp to this historic release.
Created by Steve Stern and Dan Cote, Zen Intergalactic Ninja debuted in 1987 and spawned highly regarded NES and Gameboy video games from Konami, as well as a line of Just Toys action figures and many other licensed items, including a vinyl model kit, collectible chromium cards, and much more.
Alternate Visions celebrates the character’s creative evolution through rare interpretations and boundary-pushing stories that expand the Zen mythology in surprising ways.
Steve Stern said, “Zen has always been a character that invites reinvention. Over the decades, incredible artists and writers have brought their own energy and perspective to the mythology. Alternate Visions celebrates that creative freedom. It’s both a historical document and a bold artistic statement — a curated journey through nearly forty years of independent comics innovation.”
The project will launch soon via Kickstarter, allowing fans to secure exclusive editions and collectible rewards.
More details, including campaign dates and special incentives, will be announced shortly.
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