Backstreet Project Explained

1Shot:Y
Superhero:y
Publisher:Stan Lee Media
Date:August 27, 2000
Main Char Team:Cyber Crusaders (Backstreet Boys)
Writers:Nick Carter, Stan Lee, Bryce Zabel, Steve Gerber, Jim Salicrup
Artists:Nick Carter, Ruben Martinez
Pencillers:Ruben Martinez
Inkers:Scott Koblish, Andy Pearlman, Batt, Sean Parsons, Jessee Delperdong
Letterers:Fishbrain, Bongotone
Colorists:Fishbrain, Bongotone
Sort:Backstreet Project

Backstreet Project is an American comic book created by Nick Carter and Stan Lee. The comic features members of Carter's band the Backstreet Boys as themselves as well as a team of superheroes called "Cyber Crusaders". The book was available for purchase at their concerts and online stores in 2000–2001.

Publication history

Nick Carter, who was a comic fan, made an original concept of the comic planned as a six-issue series. In February 2000, he met Stan Lee through his manager from The Firm. Carter told him about his concept, and Lee was interested. However, they ultimately decided to make it into only one issue.[1]

Plot

It begins when the Backstreet Boys are in the midst of one of their concerts. As they are performing on stage, a spaceship crashes near the stadium. The members rush into the woods to the crash site and there they find an alien who was on the ship. The alien gives each of them an enchanted amulet embedded with mystic crystals and they learn that she is on a mission of protecting Earth from an alien invasion that would happen soon. When they wear the amulets their DNA gets twisted by a virtual genetic cyclone that gives each of them astonishing super powers.[2] The superhero form of the Backstreet Boys are called Cyber Crusaders.

Characters

Backstreet Boys/Cyber Crusaders
NameAlter egoAbilities and Superpowers
Ninja ManNick CarterMartial arts expert of any kind. Equipped with swords that can cut everything.
IllusioneerHowie DoroughProject three-dimensional illusions and mental telepathy.
OrdnanceAJ McLeanExcellent marksmanship with any weapon. Equipped with laser guns.
Top SpeedBrian LittrellAble to generate spheres of energy and jump great heights, for example from buildings to buildings.
Power LordKevin RichardsonSuper strength. Can lift a harrier jet.
Aliens
NameSuperpower
ZanellPsychokinesis
ZatorPsychokinesis

Other media

Burger King made action figures based on this comic book characters, they were sold in 2000[3] with the purchase of Burger King Big Kids Meal and Kids Meal. The Backstreet Boys and their cartoon characters also appeared in three Burger King TV commercials.[4]

A series of flash-based webisodes were released in 2000.[5] None of the characters were voiced by members of Backstreet Boys themselves. While twenty-two episodes were planned,[6] only seven were released prior to the collapse of Stan Lee Media:

  1. Larger Than Life
  2. Dead Heat
  3. Wild Ride
  4. Winner Takes All
  5. Freefall
  6. Zanell's Choice
  7. The Camera Hates You

Notes and References

  1. Book: Backstreet Project. 2000. Stan Lee Media. 30.
  2. Web site: Backstreet Project: Story Preview!. https://web.archive.org/web/20000817093928/http://www.backstreetproject.com/story.htm. 2000-08-17. 2012-06-19.
  3. Web site: 2000 – Backstreet Project « KFFT List Guide. 19 June 2012.
  4. Web site: Backstreet Boys Fans 'Have It Their Way' at Burger King(R) Burger King Corporation Launches Unprecedented CD and Video Promotion . PR Newswire . September 28, 2012 . August 18, 2000.
  5. Web site: Farber. Jim. Zap, pow, click! The Backstreet gang adds superpowered animation. New York Daily News. September 28, 2012. August 23, 2000.
  6. Web site: Stan Lee Media to Launch Backstreet Project. Ellie. Kieskowski. August 21, 2000. July 3, 2020. Streaming Media.