ISRAEL IDONIJE SOFT LAUNCHED HIS COMIC BOOK THE PROTECTORS AT NEW YORK COMIC CON
CHICAGO, IL OCTOBER 15, 2012 – Players on the Chicago Bears team had a variety of things they did during their bye week, but only Israel Idonije was at Comic Con in New York City soft launching “The Protectors,” a comic book he created.
As a child Idonije was a fan of comic books, and today he still has his favorite superheroes. At training camp in 2007 he started Athleta Comics because he had an idea for a superhero story he felt would appeal to both die-hard sports fans and comic book enthusiasts alike. He began writing The Protectors at that time and is looking forward to its full launch April 26-28 at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo.
“This is a project of love and one of the most exciting things in which I’ve been involved,” said Idonije. “To hold the actual graphic novel in my hands has been my dream since 2007 when I literally sat down with the concept in my head and began writing it on my notepad.”
The Protectors is set in the future and is based on a group of super athletes, their real origin, how they became super heroes, and why they are needed in the future world. Each of the main characters has their distinct extraordinary abilities to which readers will be introduced throughout the 100-plus-page story.
To move the project along, Idonije eventually hired writer Will Watkins to help fine-tune the story line. Watkins introduced him to Mark D. Bright who joined the project along with David Uslan, Ron Marz, and other comic book industry well knowns Bart Sears, Aaron Feuer and Mark Pennington. They each have a passion for comic books and believe in The Protectors’ unique story line and great message Idonije created.
“I know the messages contained in The Protectors will really connect with people, as well as entertain them,” said Idonije. “I also hope this project will be an inspiration to anyone who desires to achieve something. Regardless of who you are, if you have an idea, you can achieve it.”
Saturday night Idonije sat on a panel, moderated by Michael Uslan a producer of the Batman movies, in room 1A14 at the Javits Center to discuss The Protectors and field questions from the public.
For the past 10 years Idonije has been known for his excellent defense on the football field, but he works hard off the field too. He is passionate about the Israel Idonije Foundation, the charitable organization he started in 2007 that offers several programs to help children in underserved communities in Chicago, Winnipeg and Africa. He also has several business endeavors, which include Athleta Comics – also started in 2007, Blessed Communion, and other enterprises that he created to achieve his goals of making the world a better place and giving back to the community.
Please see http://athletacomics.com or the Athleta Comics Facebook page for more information.
Israel Idonije should be recognized for his off-field lifestyle. I am both a comic book collector/fan and a life long Chicago Bears fan. For me, the Chicago Bears are a team at the top of their game. They show a lot of class on and off the field. Im excited about Idonije’s graphic novel and comic company, I hope that I can meet him at a Chicago Comic Convention and have him sign a copy of his new book. I’m also a fan of the Green Lantern, Ron Marz did a fine job on that series. Go Idonije, win Chicago a Super-Bowl and show the rest of the NFL how players should behave on and off the field. Da Bears!