Ever the businessman, Gene Simmons—besides being a legendary rock star, comic book creator, movie producer, reality TV star, etc., etc.—is a partner with Mr. Rich Abramson in a marketing venture known as Simmons/Abramson Marketing. One of Simmons/Abramson Marketing's biggest clients is the Indy Racing League (indycar.com), and marketing mastermind Simmons saw Simmons Comics Group as an excellent opportunity to kill two birds with one stone—the creation of a comic book called INDY—RACE OF THE GALAXIES that is both a kick-butt sci-fi/action tale, as well as a fantastic marketing tool for the IRL to reach out to fans of all ages.
"Our Simmons/Abramson Marketing venture does the worldwide branding/marketing for the Indy Racing League," explains Simmons. "Come to the races—they rock! Or, catch us on ESPN/ABC."
About the new comic book, Gene says, "I wanted to do an INDY-themed comic book, for obvious reasons. But just doing a new version of Speed Racer didn't appeal. And then it hit me. What would happen if a sentient alien group (a la the Guardians of Oa in Green Lantern) wanted to test the mettle of different life forms? What would happen if there was an Indy—Race of the Galaxies? Our Indy Racers in their Indy cars and various aliens in their vehicles race against each other on a virtual Yellow Brick Road to the Galaxies, of sorts. The pit stops are on different worlds. All the cars/spaceships, like an Indy race, have to have an equal chance of winning—same speed for all cars. It's really about maneuverability and long-range planning and just plain great athleticism.
"What are the stakes? What is the prize? Why are the Oa-type aliens having the race in the first place? Check it out in INDY—RACE OF THE GALAXIES."
The action starts fast and furious in INDY—RACE OF THE GALAXIES, and Planet Earth is well represented in this cosmic challenge. Let's meet the racers:
- CAMERON "ROCK 'N ROLL" WHEELER – Age: 26. Height: 5'10". Weight: 165 lbs. Hometown: Clinton, Michigan, USA. Team: Simmons Abramson Racing.
- MARTINA "SPARKPLUG" STONEBRIDGE – Age: 23. Height: 5'2". Weight: 110 lbs. Hometown: South Bend, Indiana, USA. Team: Bon Johnson Racing.
- JAN "CAPE TOWN KID" WAGNER – Age: 21. Height: 5'11". Weight: 170 lbs. Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa. Team: David Matthews Enterprises.
- COLIN "BRITISH STEEL" STEELE – Age: 27. Height: 5'7". Weight: 150 lbs. Hometown: London, England. Team: Wayne Kent Enterprises
- FREDERICO "READY FREDDY" TAVARES – Age: 30. Height: 5'9". Weight: 155 lbs. Hometown: San Paulo, Brazil. Team: Team Carina.
- ANTONIO "LITTLE ITALY" BASSO – Age: 25. Height: 5'5". Weight: 155 lbs. Hometown: Florence, Italy. Team: Simmons Abramson Racing.
- YURIKO "SAMURAI SPEEDSTER" YAMAGUCHI – Age: 22. Height: 5'0". Weight: 90 lbs. Hometown: Tokyo, Japan. Team: Mitsusony Racing.
- JAMES "HOTROD HOSER" MARTIN – Age: 28. Height: 5'6". Weight: 145 lbs. Hometown: Toronto, Canada. Team: B.D. McKenzie Racing.
