PUG-W Launches “THE RUPERT WARS: WORLD WAR RUPERT” Crowdfunding Campaign on Kickstarter
The Thrilling New WWII Sci-Fi Comic Book Miniseries Delivers High Stakes for a Small Machine on a Big Mission
[San Diego, March 10] – Pan-Universal Galactic Worldwide (PUG-W) is proud to announce the launch of a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for its latest groundbreaking comic book miniseries, THE RUPERT WARS: WORLD WAR RUPERT.
THE RUPERT WARS is a genre-blending WWII epic that merges real-life history with a heart-wrenching sci-fi adventure. Created by Livio Ramondelli (The Kill Lock, Transformers) and Yuri Ramondelli (Joker: Put on a Happy Face), with art by Livio and lettering by Shawn Lee (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars Adventures), THE RUPERT WARS delivers action, emotion, and unforgettable stakes—all through the eyes of a three-foot-tall war machine on a mission of destiny.
Inspired by real-life “Rupert” decoy paratroopers used during World War II, this series reimagines one of these military mannequins as something much more: a walking, talking, gasoline-drinking prototype war machine—a secret weapon in the fight against the Axis powers.
When Rupert drops behind enemy lines, his pre-programmed phrases—“Buy War Bonds!” and “Freedom Will Prevail!”—signal hope to Allied troops and terror to enemy forces. But as he fights his way across the battlefields of Europe, encountering Nazi superweapons and witnessing the devastation of war firsthand, Rupert begins to question everything.
Can he be more than just a weapon? And if he can, will it cost him the mission?
“All four of our grandparents served or were seriously impacted by WWII, so from an early age we had an understanding of its importance, and were always fascinated by it,” says Yuri Ramondelli. “What really pushed us over the edge to create THE RUPERT WARS was a documentary about ‘Operation Bodyguard’—the launching of dummy paratroopers (called ‘Ruperts’) aimed to confuse the German military. I think Livio and I literally turned to each other at the same moment and said ‘There’s a story there…”
Livio Ramondelli adds, “We knew we wanted to feature as many largely unknown elements from the war as possible. The weapons, battles, locations, characters, and general moments in THE RUPERT WARS are based in (ridiculous) truth. It became a story about overcoming obstacles, resilience, and how the smallest act (or being) could have a huge impact.”
PUG-W Editor-In-Chief John Barber says, “When the Ramondelli brothers came to us with this pitch, I was thrilled. They’ve been talking about it for years, and I know the story really means something to them. Plus, I’m always happy to have more of my old Transformers pals joining the PUG-W comic book lineup alongside Andrew Griffith and myself on SIGNA!”
Fans of Wall-E and Saving Private Ryan alike will find THE RUPERT WARS an unforgettable read—a thrilling, high-octane war story infused with sci-fi and soul.
The Kickstarter campaign launches today and will be live through April 3, 2026. To back the project, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pugcomics/621740288?ref=9o8ooj&token=bae88451
Publisher: Pan-Universal Galactic Worldwide
Writers: Livio Ramondelli & Yuri Ramondelli
Artist: Livio Ramondelli
Letterer: Shawn Lee
Format: Comic Book Miniseries
Release Date: Summer 2025
