Sequel to the all-ages hit ‘Rust Vol. 1: Visitor in the Field’ rockets to new heights

With a feature film in the works at 20th Century Fox, a free interactive app on the Apple iPad, and now news that it has won a 2011 Book of the Year Award from ForeWord Reviews, things continue to look good for Royden Lepp’s graphic novel, Rust Vol. 1: Visitor in the Field, an all-ages book published by Archaia Entertainment about a mysterious boy with a jet pack. So it is with much excitement that Archaia is happy to announce that the next installment, Rust Vol. 2: Secrets of the Cell, is zooming into book stores and comic shops this Fall!

Rust transports readers to a struggling farm in an alternate history where the fatherless Taylor family comes to terms with the aftermath of a destructive war. When Jet Jones, a mysterious boy wearing a jet pack, crashes into their barn with a hulking, antique robot soldier from “Dad’s War” at his heels, life at the Taylor farm is forever changed. Jet eventually proves to be a reliable farmhand, working like a well-oiled machine while giving up very few answers about his mysterious origin.

In Rust Vol 2: Secrets of the Cell, the story continues as the oldest son, Roman Taylor, eager for reprieve from the stress of running the farm, becomes preoccupied with gaining a new workforce in the form of reprogrammed war robots. Distracted by his work and his childhood friend, Jesse, Roman doesn’t see the effect Jet is having on the rest of the family, particularly his younger brother, Oswald. Everything falls apart as the Taylors discover they aren’t prepared for what it may cost them to learn the “secrets of the cell.”

Rust is currently being developed as a feature film at 20th Century Fox with Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class) attached to produce and Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) attached to write. A digital iOS app, Royden Lepp’s Rust, is available now for free download on the iPad, featuring behind-the-scenes content and exclusive production materials. This month, Rust Vol. 1: Visitor in the Field took Silver in the Graphic Novels and Comics category in ForeWord Reviews’ 2011 Book of the Year Awards.

“I was totally overwhelmed by the response to Rust this year. I’m so excited that people have picked up this story and invested themselves in these characters,” said Lepp. “I’ve been working on Secrets of the Cell like crazy trying to make sure it’s the best follow-up possible to Visitor in the Field. We’re going to learn a bit more about Jet and the war and we’re going to meet a new character who’s incredibly important.”

“Royden really ups the ante in Secrets of the Cell, answering some of the burning questions readers had at the end of Visitor and raising a bunch more,” said Associate Editor Rebecca Taylor. “The world of Rust gets richer with each volume, and the characters spill even more of their hearts onto the page for readers to see. Secrets is a gut-wrenching and action-packed installment that will leave readers both satisfied and eager for the final two volumes in the series!”

Rust Vol. 2: Secrets of the Cell will include the short story “Oswald’s Letter” that was featured in Archaia’s 2012 Free Comic Book Day hardcover, and it will bear a striking, blue, cloth cover and sepia-toned interiors. It is scheduled for release this Fall and is available for pre-order now through comic book shops (Diamond Order Code JUN12 0795) and wherever books are sold, including Amazon.com.

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