Fleamarket Friday: That's R.E.M. In The Spotlight...

R.E.M. Trailer (Graphic Novel) from Ryan Colucci on Vimeo.

Back in 2010, I reviewed Ryan Colucci's original werewolf graphic novel, Harbor Moon, and he is now working on his next book R.E.M.

Behind a series of locks lives Michael Letto, a brilliant but paranoid neuroscientist. Since his first and only love died, he’s become consumed with unlocking the mystery of sleep. Based on the principles of yoga, Michael invents a chair that enables one to attain a full nights sleep in a matter of minutes. His theories bring him to the attention of the military and a religious order that wants to use his research to attain enlightenment and a dangerous cat and mouse begins as Michael’s world deteriorates.

Drawn and inked by Hungarian artist Zsombor Huszka, Ryan plans for the 176-page graphic novel to be published in the Autumn.

It is currently the subject of an (already funded) Kickstarter, which expires next Friday (September 20). You can find out more about it here, and discover what incentives are on offer to investors.

Ryan explains that "it's a psychological thriller with elements of science fiction and film noir. The underpinnings were inspired by my own beliefs in (im)mortality, love and faith and personal research into a sleep chamber… while the framing and look of the story was inspired by film noir from the '50s."

Meanwhile, the short, live-action film 4.2.3 (below) depicts the events leading up to R.E.M.

While researching his sleep chair, named Soma, Michael not only faces mounting pressure from his colleagues, but also the crumbling mental state of Eva, the love of his life.