July 7, 2015, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Dynamite is proud to announce a collaborative agreement with Surge Licensing, Inc., Ian Parker, and Mark Mastrandrea to develop a comic book series based on the brand new property Cage Hero. The four-issue series will debut this November, released monthly as single-issue comics, both digitally and in print, and collected later into trade format. Cage Hero is an all-ages action-adventure series in the tradition of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teen Titans, and Karate Kid -- a youth-based Mixed Martial Arts property that inspires health, fitness, skill, and teamwork to become a real hero.

"Dynamite is excited to be bringing this property to the comic book world, and telling its first story with these compelling characters Ian and Kevin have created," says Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci. "Cage Hero taps into the continued rising popularity of Mixed Martial Arts, and we think it will find a great audience with those who are fans of the sport."

In Cage Hero, Ryder Stone, a small town middle school student and wrestling star raised by a strict grandfather, finds himself on a path to meet his true destiny when he is recruited to lead a super-powered team of mixed martial artists known as The Cage Heroes! Trained in their own unique martial art disciplines, all connected by a secret past, this new team will need to dig deep within themselves to protect the world from an international evil network known as The Shadow Empire. The race for control of the universe has begun, and evil has the upper hand. With only a handful of teenagers to stand in the way, can they find the hero within and stop them?

"It is time that this generation has its own group of heroes to look up to. We have created that," says Ian Parker. "With the sport of MMA on the rise and superheroes as popular as ever, we have found a fun and inspiring way to combine the two."

Cage Hero was created by MMA Manager/Personality Ian Parker and Mark Mastrandrea. Working closely with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman to craft the characters and world inspired by Ian's own fighting knowledge and experience, and his love for comics. The creative team on the comic book series will include Rik Hoskin scripting, Renato Rei providing the dynamic artwork, and Ross Campbell on colors, with Ian and Kevin personally overseeing all aspects of production.

MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world today. Each MMA event commonly reaches over one million viewers. In the early existence of MMA, it was only a sport that adults could participate in; in this day and age, MMA is taught to men, women, and children. It is primarily taught to children to find their inner strength and to become disciplined at a young age.

"We couldn't be more excited to launch an MMA-inspired comic series with an all-star cast of creators and content developers," says Elan Freedman, Surge Licensing's VP. "The world has seen the magic created through a partnership with Kevin Eastman. Add in the sporting knowledge of Ian and Mark with the publishing prowess of Dynamite, and you have a recipe for success."

Dynamite Entertainment's Cage Hero comic books and graphic novels will be available to consumers through the comic book specialty market, and the graphic novel collection will be available at major bookstore chains, online booksellers, and independent bookstores courtesy of Diamond Book Distributors. Cage Hero comics will also be available for purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, and Dark Horse Digital. Fans and retailers are encouraged to follow Dynamite Entertainment and Cage Hero's official social media channel for the latest updates regarding creative teams and release dates.

Dynamite on Facebook:

http://facebook.com/dynamitecomics

Dynamite on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/DynamiteComics

For art and more information, please visit: 

http://dynamite.com

CAGE HERO on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CAGEHERO

CAGE HERO on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/cagehero

CAGE HERO Site:

http://www.cagehero.net/

Cage Hero LLC was started in 2010 by two lifelong friends, Ian Parker and Mark Mastrandrea. With a deep passion for Mixed Martial Arts, comics, and sports, they established Cage Hero as an inspirational brand for MMA fans of all ages. Cage Hero LLC is dedicated to the idea that inner strength, self-reliance, and a healthy competitive attitude is what makes dreams come true. Cage Hero LLC has sponsored many UFC fighters including Chuck Lidell, Cung Le, Luke Rockhold, and UFC Champion Daniel Cormier, and thus the brand's mantra, "The Hero Comes from Within™," has been seen by millions of fans, in UFC rings. Simultaneously while developing Cage Hero, the principals have managed many UFC fighters, including champion Chris Weidman.

Surge is an IP incubator, which identifies IP and grows brands into multi-platformed entertainment and product licensing programs. Through simultaneous merchandise licensing and entertainment development, Surge nurtures brands while maintaining their core value and enhancement of the fan experience. Est. 1986, Surge is a pioneer in developing multi-media strategies to merchandising/licensing, through the targeted marketing of unique/compelling entertainment. Historically, Surge has challenged conventional practices by venturing into non-traditional areas, developing a number of pop culture's great iconic properties, namely Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®.