Shane Davis' Axcend: Level Up Vol 1
Axcend: Level Up is a 50+ pages graphic novel by Shane Davis. When a group of gamers mistakenly set loose a virtual reality game into the real world, they risk everything to save an existence they always sought to escape. Gamers Morn and Rayne will need to team up against fellow gamer Ruin whose goal is to take over the world, and he will stop at nothing to achieve it.
Featuring never-before-seen BRAND NEW pages, new inks, new colors and new letters, and selected remastered artwork, this is a completely new look at Shane Davis’ creator-owned series.
The Perks
Axcend: Level Up Vol 1
Shane Davis' cover to volume 1 featuring Morn, Rayne and Ruin in their video game forms.
Mark Texeira Level Up Vol 1 Glow-In-The-Dark Cover
Mark Texeira homages his Ghost Rider cover in his pencils featuring Ruin. Inks by Shane Davis. The flames and Ruin's chest piece will have a glow-in-the-dark effect when this cover prints.
Jon Malin Respawn Vol 1 Cover
Rayne, Ruin, Dog and Eric are featured in this virgin cover to Respawn by Jon Malin.
Axcend: Respawn Vol 1
Axcend: Respawn is a brand new story set in the world of Axcend. This is one single story split amongst 4 artists, each offering their own unique style and take on these characters, all cumulating in a single epic ending!
We have pages here from Anthony Gonzales-Clark, Kelsey Shannon, Donal DeLay and Monika Maccagni respectively:
24 Hours Limited Edition Cover
Available only during the first 24 hours! This cover of elite gamer Rayne is only available on the first day of the campaign, and MAY randomly become available whenever Shane Davis is livestreaming. To avoid missing out on this very exclusive cover, back it on day 1!
CGC Signature Series - Axcend: Level Up #1
If you are a fan of graded comics, 9 Lives Comics is now offering CGC Signature Series copies of Axcend: Level Up 1. You can also add-on CGC Signature Series copies of our previous books: Inglorious Rex 1, Inglorious Rex 2 and Starlight Cats 1.
CGC Signature series books ship separately from all other items.
The Art of Shane Davis Sketch Book
Compiling the now out-of-print Shane Davis sketch books volume 1 and 2, this is a B&W collection of his artwork spanning 2 decades of his professional work both in and outside of the comic industry.
Character Ink Sketch
Get an Inked Character Head Sketch from Shane Davis! You can choose which character you want from Axcend: Morn, Rayne or Ruin. Your sketch will be done on a 5x7 bristol board in inks that will be shipped to you in pristine condition!
9 Lives Comics Catch-Up Pack
If you missed out on any of our previous campaigns, you can pick up all previous 9 Lives Comics titles in this campaign. Get Starlight Cats Vol 1 (reprint edition), Inglorious Rex Vol 1 (reprint edition), Inglorious Rex Vol 2 (1st print) and both Axcend comics in one single bundle!
9 Lives Comics Logo T-Shirt
This 100% cotton 9 Lives Comics T-shirt comes in sizes S to 3XL. The 9 Lives Comics logo is printed in white on a black T-shirt. Shirt is available on the add-ons page.
Original Pages
If collecting original art is more your speed, we have a limited number of original inked pages available for purchase! First come first served. Backer #1 for original art will get to choose the page they want first, then Backer #2, etc.
Original ONE-OF-A-KIND Covers
Here is your chance to own the original inked covers - available only for this campaign! We will ship the covers worldwide safely in plastic toploaders.
Stretch Goals
UNLOCKED $60,000: Every book backer gets an Exclusive Morn Trading Card. One card per book backer!
UNLOCKED $70,000: Fanart contest! Winner will get $500 and will be printed at the back of the main Graphic Novel! Use #Axcend and link to the campaign to enter. Entries must be submitted before mid-Dec 2023.
UNLOCKED $80,000: All Graphic Novels will now be SIGNED by both Shane Davis & Yanzi Lin!
$90,000: The interior pages for both the main Graphic Novel and Supplemental will have a heavier, better quality paper stock, better quality cover stock and all Graphic Novels will now be perfect-bound!
$100,000: Every book backer gets an Exclusive Rayne Trading Card. One card per book backer!
* All product images are not final and subjected to changes.
FAQ
Are my credit card details safe on 9LivesComics.com?
Yes! Your credit card information is passed directly to our processor through 128-bit SSL encryption and NEVER stored on our servers!
Can I change a reward after I paid?
Yes. Just use the contact form to message us your order ID and the item(s) you want to exchange for. You will be sent an invoice if the exchanged item(s) costs more, or a refund if it costs less.
Can I request a refund?
Yes. However, you will receive a refund less the transaction fee charged to us by the credit card company. So please be absolutely certain on the rewards you choose to back!
How do I get the cheapest shipping rate possible?
Unlike on Indiegogo, you can return to the project page for this campaign after you have picked out your first rewards, add as many rewards as you want to a single order, and our website automatically calculates the cheapest shipping available for your order!
If you want to add more items to your order after you have placed an order for the campaign on our site, just head to the Add-Ons section for the campaign directly to get a lower shipping rate compared if you back the campaign again.
Apparel on the project page and add-ons can be ordered with books and still ship for one flat rate, so you do not need to place separate orders for books and apparel.
Updates
21st July 2023: Axcend: Level Up Stretch Goals Reveal
Hello 9 Lives Comics Supporters!
Thank you for an amazing launch! In less than a week, we have raised over $61k on this project, and that would not have been possible without you!
The stretch goals for the Axcend: Level Up campaign are now live, and the first of which has been unlocked - every book backer will now get an exclusive Morn trading card
Our next stretch goal is going to be a fanart contest. Winner will get a cash prize and be printed at the back of the main book, so start getting those pencils ready! The contest will run until mid-December and a winner will be announced closer to the print date.
To enter, simply post your art on Twitter (or X.com if you prefer to call it that), and tag it with #Axcend and a link to either campaign page. Be sure to tag @shanedavisart and @linyanzi as well! Yanzi will reach out to you to get the high-res file.
We appreciate your continued support for us here at 9 Lives Comics, and look forward to bringing you more awesome projects!
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) 24 Hours Exclusive Cover PLUS (1) The Art of Shane Davis sketch book. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- 24 Hours Exclusive Cover
- The Art of Shane Davis Sketch Book
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) The Art of Shane Davis sketch book. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- The Art of Shane Davis Sketch Book
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Head Sketch. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
Please leave a comment for your order about your choice of character for the sketch:
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Head Sketch - choice of Morn, Ruin or Rayne
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) 24 Hours Exclusive Cover. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- 24 Hours Exclusive Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) The Art of Shane Davis sketch book. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- The Art of Shane Davis Sketch Book
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Glow-in-the-Dark Mark Texeira Cover. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Mark Texeira Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Respawn Jon Malin Cover. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Jon Malin Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Mark Texeira Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Jon Malin Cover PLUS (1) Exclusive Dog "Chews" trading card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Mark Texeira Cover
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Jon Malin Cover
- Exclusive Dog "Chews" Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) CGC Signature Series Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis cover. This book will be CGC graded and signed by both Shane Davis and Yanzi Lin. CGC books ship separately from all other items.
- CGC Signature Series Axcend: Level Up Vol 1
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Starlight Cats Vol 1 Kelsey Shannon Cover PLUS (1) Inglorious Rex Vol 1 Reprint Edition PLUS (1) Inglorious Rex Vol 2 Shane Davis Cover. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Starlight Cats Vol 1 Kelsey Shannon Cover
- Inglorious Rex Vol 1 Reprint Edition
- Inglorious Rex Vol 2 Shane Davis Cover Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
Retailer special! (10) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a sturdy shipping box.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover x10
(1) Ink sketch of a character from Axcend: Level Up on a 5x7 bristol board. Your sketch will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
Please leave a comment for your order about your choice of character for the sketch:
- Morn
- Ruin
- Rayne
You will get (1) page of interior art inks on bristol board from Axcend: Level Up Vol 1. First come first served for page choice. The page will be sent packed in a plastic toploader.
- Original Art Page
You will get the original inked Shane Davis Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 cover art. The art will be sent packed in a plastic toploader.
- Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover Original Art
You will get the original inked Shane Davis Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 cover art. The art will be sent packed in a plastic toploader.
- Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover Original Art
(1) 24 Hours Exclusive Cover PLUS (1) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- 24 Hours Exclusive Cover
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Mark Texeira Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Jon Malin Cover PLUS (1) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Mark Texeira Cover
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Jon Malin Cover
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) 24 Hours Exclusive Cover PLUS (1) The Art of Shane Davis sketch book PLUS (1) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
Please leave a comment for your order about your choice of character for the sketch:
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- 24 Hours Exclusive Cover
- The Art of Shane Davis Sketch Book
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Starlight Cats Vol 1 Kelsey Shannon Cover PLUS (1) Inglorious Rex Vol 1 Reprint Edition PLUS (1) Inglorious Rex Vol 2 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Starlight Cats Vol 1 Kelsey Shannon Cover
- Inglorious Rex Vol 1 Reprint Edition
- Inglorious Rex Vol 2 Shane Davis Cover Cover
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
Retailer special! (10) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (10) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a sturdy shipping box.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover x10
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card x10
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) 24 Hours Exclusive Cover PLUS (1) The Art of Shane Davis sketch book. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- 24 Hours Exclusive Cover
- The Art of Shane Davis Sketch Book
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) The Art of Shane Davis sketch book. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- The Art of Shane Davis Sketch Book
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Head Sketch. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
Please leave a comment for your order about your choice of character for the sketch:
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Head Sketch - choice of Morn, Ruin or Rayne
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) 24 Hours Exclusive Cover. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- 24 Hours Exclusive Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) The Art of Shane Davis sketch book. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- The Art of Shane Davis Sketch Book
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Glow-in-the-Dark Mark Texeira Cover. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Mark Texeira Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Respawn Jon Malin Cover. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Jon Malin Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Mark Texeira Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Jon Malin Cover PLUS (1) Exclusive Dog "Chews" trading card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Mark Texeira Cover
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Jon Malin Cover
- Exclusive Dog "Chews" Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) CGC Signature Series Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis cover. This book will be CGC graded and signed by both Shane Davis and Yanzi Lin. CGC books ship separately from all other items.
- CGC Signature Series Axcend: Level Up Vol 1
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Starlight Cats Vol 1 Kelsey Shannon Cover PLUS (1) Inglorious Rex Vol 1 Reprint Edition PLUS (1) Inglorious Rex Vol 2 Shane Davis Cover. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Starlight Cats Vol 1 Kelsey Shannon Cover
- Inglorious Rex Vol 1 Reprint Edition
- Inglorious Rex Vol 2 Shane Davis Cover Cover
Shipping date: July 2024
Retailer special! (10) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a sturdy shipping box.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover x10
(1) Ink sketch of a character from Axcend: Level Up on a 5x7 bristol board. Your sketch will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
Please leave a comment for your order about your choice of character for the sketch:
- Morn
- Ruin
- Rayne
You will get (1) page of interior art inks on bristol board from Axcend: Level Up Vol 1. First come first served for page choice. The page will be sent packed in a plastic toploader.
- Original Art Page
You will get the original inked Shane Davis Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 cover art. The art will be sent packed in a plastic toploader.
- Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover Original Art
You will get the original inked Shane Davis Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 cover art. The art will be sent packed in a plastic toploader.
- Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover Original Art
(1) 24 Hours Exclusive Cover PLUS (1) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your book will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- 24 Hours Exclusive Cover
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Mark Texeira Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Jon Malin Cover PLUS (1) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Mark Texeira Cover
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Jon Malin Cover
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) 24 Hours Exclusive Cover PLUS (1) The Art of Shane Davis sketch book PLUS (1) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
Please leave a comment for your order about your choice of character for the sketch:
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- 24 Hours Exclusive Cover
- The Art of Shane Davis Sketch Book
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
(1) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Starlight Cats Vol 1 Kelsey Shannon Cover PLUS (1) Inglorious Rex Vol 1 Reprint Edition PLUS (1) Inglorious Rex Vol 2 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (1) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a Gemini mailer.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Axcend: Respawn Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover
- Starlight Cats Vol 1 Kelsey Shannon Cover
- Inglorious Rex Vol 1 Reprint Edition
- Inglorious Rex Vol 2 Shane Davis Cover Cover
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card
Shipping date: July 2024
Retailer special! (10) Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover PLUS (10) Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card. Your books will be bagged and boarded, then shipped in a sturdy shipping box.
- Axcend: Level Up Vol 1 Shane Davis Cover x10
- Pre-Launch Exclusive Trading Card x10