Rise: A Lantern City Illustrated Novel
Lantern City is a richly imagined Steampunk universe born from an ambitious creative vision. Before it became an expansive comic book series or an Illustrated Novel called „Rise“, Bruce Boxleitner didn’t just star in iconic sci-fi worlds—he helped build them. As one of the original creators and driving forces behind Lantern City, Bruce co-created a rich, gritty dystopian saga that captured the imagination of fans worldwide. He wanted to deliver a fresh take on the Steampunk genre, combining advanced steam-powered technology with deep, character-driven political intrigue.
The Vision: An Epic Steampunk Universe
The story of Lantern City dives deep into a massive, walled metropolis controlled by the iron fist of the Grey Empire. This dark world deals with massive social divides, underground rebellions, and dangerous secrets that threaten the safety of everyone inside. The narrative focuses on the struggle of the working class against their elite oppressors. The world is richly developed, exploring how the city isolates itself from the outside world while maintaining a brutal internal order.
While the ultimate dream was to bring this world to television as a premium sci-fi drama series—with Bruce heavily involved both behind the scenes and in front of the camera—the TV show unfortunately never made it to production. The creative team worked tirelessly on concept art, scripts, and worldbuilding elements to pitch a high-end show. However, the world they built was far too vast to be contained or forgotten, leading to the creation of „Rise: A Lantern City Illustrated Novel“ and a subsequent comic book series published by BOOM! Studios.
The Story and Characters of Rise
In the illustrated novel „Rise“, we get a profound look at the origins of this divided society. The plot introduces us to vital characters who shape the destiny of the entire metropolis. We see the rise of the Guard, the complex motivations of the ruling class, and the sparks of resistance that will eventually ignite a full-scale revolution.
The artwork complements the story by bringing Lantern City’s architecture, steam-powered technology and distinctive visual identity to life. It is not just a standard book; it is a visual journey that allows readers to immerse themselves entirely in the atmosphere of a dystopian Steampunk frontier. Bruce Boxleitner and his co-creators ensured that every page felt alive, heavy, and consequential.
Exploring the World of Lantern City
What makes Lantern City so special for collectors and fans today is that the universe is very much alive and accessible if you know where to look.
- The Audiobook (Narrated by Bruce!): Bruce also narrated the official audiobook edition of Rise, allowing listeners to experience the story through his own distinctive voice.
- The Comics & Expanded Lore: Following the illustrated novel, the world expanded into a spectacular multi-issue comic series. These comics dive even deeper into the underground rebellion against the Greys, offering incredible artwork and expanding on the history of the world.
- Still Online: Even though the television series wasn’t realized, The Official Website are still active today! Fans can still visit the official channels to dive into old concept art, production notes, and find out where to grab the digital comics and the spectacular audio production.
While tracking down a physical print edition of the original illustrated novel can feel like a modern-day treasure hunt, holding a copy in your hands is a true collector’s dream.