Laddertop #1

Laddertop #1, released in 2010, originated from a unique collaborative project between Orson Scott Card and Emily Janice Card, with illustrations by Nathan Edmondson. The series was designed as a young adult science fiction narrative centered on a futuristic society where the educational path of a child determines their societal role. The creative team aimed to blend traditional graphic novel storytelling with the high-concept world-building typical of Orson Scott Card's broader science fiction catalog.

Upon its release, the issue served as the introduction to the inhabitants of the titular Laddertop, a space-based habitat. The design choices, particularly the clean, accessible art style, were intended to appeal to younger readers and those new to the graphic novel format. While the series was met with interest from fans of Card's work, it remained a niche entry within the speculative fiction market, noted primarily for its distinct social stratification premise and its contribution to the niche educational sci-fi subgenre.