Contact: Jodi Phillip, A. Larry Ross Communications, 972-267-1111

YORBA LINDA, Calif., Feb. 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- The new graphic novel, "Armageddon Now: World War 3," uses fresh and captivating illustrations from renowned comic book artist Rob Liefeld to paint a story tying biblical prophecy to relevant headline news.

"We've incorporated bold, engaging graphics and a compelling story to entertain and inform readers of the coming days as described in the Scriptures," said Liefeld, who is well-known for his work with Marvel Comics and Image Comics, Inc., where he debuted the popular Youngblood franchise. "The book merges Scripture, a team of heroes and current events to provide audiences with a heightened sense of awareness regarding the end times."

"Armageddon Now: World War 3" is the first of seven books in the "Armageddon Now" graphic novel series, created by 12 Gates Productions and published by Image Comics. With stories written by Phil Hotsenpiller, a teaching pastor at Yorba Linda Friends Church and a theologically trained expert on interpreting biblical prophecies, each book in the series is designed to be one more piece in the apocalyptic puzzle.

The first book takes readers on a catastrophic ride of terrorist attacks and combat, ending with the introduction of a British political leader that readers are led to identify as the Antichrist. Readers meet. Lt. Col. John Corbin, a military investigator who is dispatched to the Middle East in order to bring the conspirators of the U.S. terror attacks to justice. He arrives in Jerusalem and very quickly realizes that there are familiar forces at play working to bring about a change in the world order. Some of the players in the game have personal ties to him and his past. Corbin is also a part of the select team of heroes who, throughout the entire series, searches for and discovers the mystery of the constellation Orion as it relates to the future of mankind.

"With war in the Middle East, climate change, suspicions of countries testing nuclear weapons and an increased occurrence of natural disasters, many people are speculating if the apocalypse is drawing near," said Hotsenpiller. "The fictional story of this book is based on these same current events that are in our headline news and correlate so greatly with the biblical text."

Graphic novels have been steadily rising in familiarity and popularity among audiences thanks to the movie industry's frequent adaptations of stories rooted in new and classic comic books. Numerous epic superhero and villain movies like "The Dark Knight," "Spider-Man," "The Incredibles," "Men in Black" and the upcoming "Watchmen," originated from these picture books.

"There couldn't be a better approach of depicting the biblical apocalypse than the graphic novel, a genre of literature distinctive for its visually stimulating and extreme art fused with text," said Hotsenpiller. "This style parallels many of the detailed, intense and unusual images found in the book of Revelation where the end times are prophesized."

"Armageddon Now: World War 3," a 120-page hard-cover book, is available at all specialty comic book stores for a suggested retail price of $24.99. The second book in the "Armageddon Now" series is expected to release in the summer of 2009. For information, visit www.armageddonnow.net.

12 Gates Productions is a cutting-edge, Christian entertainment company that creates and produces a full line of graphic novels, lithographs, DVDs, movies and video games. Located in Orange County, Calif., 12 Gates Productions was founded by Hotsenpiller and Liefeld, along with Michael Gadd to portray the end times as foretold by scripture in a fresh, contemporary manner.

The company's name originates from the biblical passage of Revelation 21:10-12 where the apostle John describes the 12 gates he sees in the Holy City of Jerusalem following the apocalypse. For more information on 12 Gates Productions, please visit www.twelvegp.com.