JUPITER INVINCIBLE

JUPITER INVINCIBLE is an augmented reality comic book series about an African-American enslaved person, Jupiter, who is suddenly given the power of immortality. The story takes place on a Southern plantation near Baltimore before the U.S. Civil War. The project is a mixture of pop-culture, history, innovative technology, and dynamic storytelling to address structural racism. We believe bold new stories and narratives are needed to create a cultural shift and challenge perceptions about race in America. The comic is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and written by Pulitzer Prize winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa.  Illustrated by Ashley A. Woods, Syd Fini and Neda Kazemifar.

Story Synopsis: Jupiter is a horse-breaker and coach driver, and was born into slavery. During a freak electrical storm, he is struck by lighting which gives him the power of immortality, and makes his scars translucent. Jupiter escapes to the North and finds the abolitionist and former slave, Harriet Tubman. Together, they plot to smuggle run-away slaves through the underground railroad. Jupiter continually puts his life on the line to help others knowing he cannot be killed. Eventually, Jupiter outlives everyone and experiences dramatic changes in America from the Civil War to modern times. Can Jupiter use his powers and wisdom to change the course of history to rectify racial injustice and inequality?

A major part of our book is the use of augmented reality (AR). By scanning the pages with the AR APP, readers will view animation, real-life stories, and other interactive elements pop-out of the pages. Learn more at https://www.priyashakti.com/jupiter

JUPITER INVINCIBLE & HARRIET TUBMAN is a live performance of a new radio play and comic book by Pulitzer Prize winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa in collaboration with Stella Adler Center for the Arts. Audience members will see the comic book come to life through a dynamic radio play performed by the cast and directed by Melissa Maxwell.  Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. Stella Adler Center for the Arts, 65 Broadway, New York City, NY 10006. $10 general admission / $5 for Stella Adler Acting Studio Students. Tickets: jupiter.eventbrite.com

Featuring in order of appearance: De’Marcus Woods, Steve Maurice Jones, Barry-Suzanne Collins, Pete McElligott, Mary Cavett, Shawn Williams, Serena Phillip, and Ian Hersey. With Joanne Edelmann, Curator, Harold Clurman Poetry Reading Series.

Part of the Harold Clurman Poetry Reading Series. Producer Ram Devineni with Rattapallax, Inc. “Jupiter Invincible & Harriet Tubman” is made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Art in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America — America250. Additional support from New York State Council on the Arts with the support of New York State Governor and the New York State Legislature, and support from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

“Jupiter Invincible” is made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Art and New York State Council on the Arts with the support of New York State Governor and the New York State Legislature. The events are funded in part by Creative Engagement supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. The workshops are funded by the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund for U.S. Alumni, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by Partners of the Americas. Past support from LMCC.