The son of a former professional basketball player, J Leonard Costner stands at 6′ 6″. Many thought the New Jersey-born, Europe-raised Costner would follow in his father’s footsteps as a pro. However, injuries derailed his hoop dreams but those were not his only aspirations.
Recalling that time, Costner said, “While I was recovering from having my pelvis reconstructed due to a basketball injury, I had a recurring dream every night for a month. I started to jot down what I was seeing, and eventually that turned into my first book, which was published in 2012.”
From those nights, the “Legacy” series and universe were born.
Costner shared that while books are a different medium compared to studio art, the series evolved to become something like an art gallery, but in book form.
“Having evolved and not really having an outlet at the time while being bedridden from having surgery, typing and words kind of became an outlet for me, and as I’m writing the first book, it’s kind of just cathartic to have emotions be released, and as I’m seeing the words, I’m painting a picture,” said Costner, who received a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design from Saint Peter’s University.
Combining historic events with fantasy, “Legacy,” written and illustrated by Costner, tells the coming-of-age saga of a young man named Luke Hart. “He is the modern reincarnation of Spartacus as he is thrust into a clandestine institution that has continued the gladiator spectacle since antiquity,” he said. “The institution, known only to those of privilege and wealth, is called Legacy. A hub of secrets and influence, the quarterly events of Legacy are where money is exchanged and the world shaped.”
While the book performs best among teens and young adults, Costner emphasizes that Legacy is written for everyone. “There is a diverse range of readers who enjoy Legacy for many reasons,” he said. “Perhaps it’s my writing style or how the historical timeline seamlessly weaves into a believable saga. Maybe it’s the protagonist’s love story. I am usually surprised to hear the reception, as the tale is derived from my catharsis.”
The first four books of the series — “Legacy,” “Legacy: The Echoes of Fate,” “Legacy: Resurrection,” and “Legacy: Sarene” — are available at Amazon.com and where books are sold. The fifth, sixth, and seventh are forthcoming, and a short film about the series is also in the works.
Keep up with Costner at .legacyuniverse.io, on Instagram at @thelegacyxii, or via email at aureliusuniverse@gmail.com.
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