When Eric Morn signed up to beta test a new online game, he thought it would be nothing more than a fun distraction from the dregs of his everyday life -- bullies in school and mourning the loss of his twin brother. But what he didn't realize was that by activating his in-game character, he would transform into a god-like hero, ready to protect the world from impending disaster. Alongside co-players Rayne and Ruin, Eric must now face society's fear of their powers and race to prevent a global nuclear holocaust. But can Eric level up in time, or will it be game over? That's the central question of "Axcend," the new ongoing Image Comics series announced today at Image Expo by writer/artist Shane Davis, inker Michelle Delecki and colorist Morry Hollowell.

CBR News spoke exclusively with the husband and wife team of Davis & Delecki about the series, which debuts October 7. After roughly a decade drawing for DC Comics, Davis opens up on why he was ready to embrace creator-owned work, what the pair's working dynamic is like and how the challenge of translating a video game to comics is expanding their artistic horizons.

CBR News: Congratulations on "Axcend" -- what I've seen looks super cool. Before we get into the story itself, how did this book land at Image?

Shane Davis: Wow, that's a good question. If I actually pinpointed where this book started in my head it was back in 2007. I decided then I wanted to do a creator-owned book. At the time I was working on a lot of mainstream books, which I continued on that path. Still, with every new project I felt like I wanted to do something more genuine, say something that had depth. I loved drawing the superheroes when I worked on "Superman/Batman," "Green Lantern," or "Superman: Earth One," but I always felt like I wanted more out of a project than the chances I had. It's hard to explain, because when you get that bug, it will eventually run its course.

You and your wife Michelle are co-creators on this. How did you develop it?

Davis: Well, we're both artists and often work together. She is more of a painter. One day she wanted to ink something, so we started working together on a bunch of covers and so on.

Michelle Delecki: And then I signed on for something bigger! "Axcend." We had talked about working on a project together, something that was unique and deep in concept. We would push ourselves to make the interiors of the book look like cover quality. So then we got Mo on color duty and he's an absolute ace. Truly, Shane is such a creative and talented person. I literally get to see him create something out of nothing on a daily basis and it's inspiring. He helped mold me into the artist I am today.We work very well together and our studio is a happy creative place where magical stuff happens.

What is your working dynamic like?

Davis: We actually kill each other mid-day, every day, to be reborn again that night to only have to do it again tomorrow.

Delecki: [Laughs] True, true, but in all seriousness, we collaborate very well together. We both strive to produce elite artworks and we push each other to our limits. Our tables are literally side by side in the studio, so we can see each other's progress and provide constructive criticism. We both care very much about doing the best work that we can, and hopefully the fans take notice and appreciate our effort.

This is your first creator-owned work -- what was important for you to accomplish?

Davis: Producing the best story I can. I'm a storyteller, I have been... probably all my life, but working pro for twelve years. I feel like a lot of comics I have drawn are great reads, a lot of great writers are out there. At the end of the day, I always had the urge to do more creatively. I love making new characters and designing comics, but really don't feel like I could do that to my fullest where I was.

Delecki:Pushing ourselves to our limits. We wanted to create something genuine and not hold back. When I read the story for the first time I thought to myself, this is very deep stuff. I know people will be moved by it. To me, that's a testament of a great piece of art or story -- when it gives you an emotion after you read it. It's really refreshing to see risks being taken.

What have you discovered about yourselves as artists through the creator-owned process?

Davis: Well first thing's first, I learned that this isn't impossible. I have learned that my storytelling skills probably equaled a greater sum than I hadever given myself credit for in the past. I have worked on tons of comics before this, in different formats -- monthlies, OGNs, digital first, and a few times I made lemonade. I was surprised at how natural it was to write and draw a page. It's really a mind-blowing process that I don't see many people talking about. Sometimes I write a sequence in layouts. Sometimes I write out a scene that's dialogue driven, and I can pivot to what works best for the story. I'm able to understand and perform what's best for a scene, and flip hats at a moment, so to say.

I also discovered how awesome it is to make something brand new. I loved working at DC for over eight years, It was so much fun working on all those capes and chest symbols, but to make something brand new, that you have to turn a page to see a character/story for the first time -- there is nothing like it. I feel really confident doing that type of thing at Image.

Delecki: Image gave us the keys to the Corvette. We can basically do whatever we want in the studio and it's so liberating.I like freedom.

Tell me about the main character of "Axcend," Eric. Where is he at when we meet him?

Davis: Our lead character Eric Morn is half of a whole. We are introduced to this character a year after the tragic loss of his twin brother. We step into his shoes a bit as we see how the living constantly remind him of the dead. How everybody reminds him that he is supposed to mourning, and he is in his way.

Delecki: He's a very real and relatable character. Sadness and loss happen to everyone at some point in their lives. It's how much pain you can take before you hit your breaking point. You see the tragedy the kid went through at such a young age and his current situation of feeling isolated, bullied and depressed and you can't help but feel for him. He wants to fit in.

Eric is using gaming to escape from difficult things in his life -- what is he running from? And what does gaming provide for him?

Davis: He is running from today -- everyday! Eric is a very fragile character in a sense, because every time he looks in a mirror, or faces a conflict, he is reminded that he is alone. This is a big deal to him, because he was born into this world with a twin. Someone that understood him, that always accepted him, and he is alone for the first time in the world.

My theme for the series is not so much about gaming per se, but losing sense of what's real and what fantasy is, and how dangerous that is when a kid is a weapon. Or in the case of Axcend the game comes over into the real world. Do you stop playing and destroying for XP, does the player have a reason to even stop?

What was your approach to designing the in-story game?

Delecki: Axcend is a game that appears to three unique teens from separate places, and we will learn about the other two soon. They are approached by an A.I. called DOG to beta test this online world. They are fitted with new bodies and an energy core that can upgrade with kills and achievements. It has multiple modes of play, but the object of the game always boils down to the last person standing.

Video games are largely based on movement and pacing -- what was your approach to translating this into a comic, as Eric immerses himself into the world of the game?

Davis: As a storyteller, you want to lean on your reader's imagination a little. This isn't to work less, but rather to actually engage with your audience. So pulling them in and out of the game itself really is simple camera tricks of what you do and don't see, and the reader filling in the blanks. Each of the number players -- Morn, Rayne and Ruin -- all have unique power moves, and then there are their special moves, which is a lot of fun to play with in comics. Rayne, for instance, can stop time and we have a clever way of showing that in the panel gutters. So, I tried to use the comic panel medium in a way to depict their actual abilities. I don't think I have ever used actual gutters for something other than separating panels before this.

Delecki: For me the 'VS' covers are a huge treat. I've grown up playing video games -- fighters, shooters, RPGs -- you name it, I love it. The fighting games were always my personal favorite. So Shane goes, I'm going to do these covers and I want them to look like a VS screen. My eyes light up and I'm like, "Oh boy... like select your fighter screen? High five, Shane!" So, for each issue, you will have the option to select a variant cover which will feature one of the five main characters of the book. The best part is you can switch out the characters so they look like they're fighting each other on the screen. Pretty awesome sauce. Options are a good thing.

So far, what has been the most exciting part of this project and what are you looking forward to most?

Delecki: The whole experience is wonderful for me. It's a lot of work but it's fun! I get to do art, I get to work with Shane and see cats in the studio. But the best part is I know exactly what's going to happen with "Axcend" and you guys are in for some really unexpected stuff. I'm actually looking forward to seeing what people will think after issue #1 because just when you think you've got the story figured out, stuff changes on you. Shane did a fantastic job with the story and I just hope everyone likes it.I'm also stoked to seethe fanscosplay as our characters.

Davis: To this point... reading the PDF. Holding something in your hands that you worked so hard on. Reading it and being surprised. I have such a great team behind me all around. Eric Stephenson has been great and supportive, actually Image all around -- Kat [Salazar] and Drew [Gill]. Morry Hollowell has been insanely great on colors. [Letterer] Pat Brosseau has been a blessing. But, I could have never done this without the talented Michelle Delecki, She has been killing it on inks (don't get me started on zooming in) but it's more than that she has really given me the confidence to do this.

"Axcend" #1 is scheduled for release October 7 from Image Comics.