Tag Archives: zack kaplan

Zack Kaplan, John J. Pearson, and Vault’s Mindset is being adapted for television

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Mindset

Boat Rocker has announced it has partnered with Don Cheadle’s production company This Radicle Act to develop a scripted television adaptation of Mindset, an acclaimed science fiction mystery from Vault Comics.  

Created by writer Zack Kaplan and artist John J. Pearson, Mindset is a near-future science fiction story of a Silicon Valley startup that accidentally invents a mind control app, and unwittingly opens a Pandora’s Box of mind games and murder that will force them — and the audience — to question whether they are in control of their own actions.

Boat Rocker’s David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, and Nick Nantell will executive produce for Boat Rocker. This Radicle Act president, Karyn Smith-Forge, will oversee the project for Cheadle’s company. Smith-Forge and Cheadle will executive produce alongside Vault’s Damian Wassel and F.J. DeSanto. The co-creator of the comic, Zack Kaplan, will also executive produce. Anna Register will oversee the project for Boat Rocker. 

Welcome to the Dark Empty Void this September

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Mad Cave Studios has announced Dark Empty Void, the new 5-issue science fiction miniseries written by hit creator Zack Kaplan, with art by Chris Shehan, featuring colors by Francesco Segala, and letters by Justin Birch.

Scientists have created a stable, microscopic black hole in a secret underground compound, but when they lose control, the black hole spews out a cosmic maelstrom, strange dangerous creatures, and most surprisingly…a mysterious human teenage girl. Now, a depressed but brilliant psychologist must help her estranged husband and the other scientists solve the mystery and close the black hole before it consumes all of Earth.

Dare to witness a series that will amaze and terrify you. For fans of James Stokoe’s Alien: Dead Orbit and the film Ex Machina, this is the ultimate action-adventure laced with sci-fi tale and horror.

Featuring cover B by Christian Ward, Dark Empty Void #1 is in comic shops September 11th.

Exclusive Preview: Kill All Immortals #1 from Zack Kaplan, Fico Ossio, and Thiago Rocha

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Succession meets John Wick…with immortal Vikings. A thousand years ago, Viking explorer Erik the Red and his four adult children discovered a mysterious source of immortality. Now, in our modern world, they are an enigmatic billionaire family with a powerful banking empire. But when Erik’s only daughter, Frey Asvald, seeks to finally be free from her family’s influence, she must be prepared to reveal their supernatural secrets and confront her well-trained siblings in a deadly and epic struggle for power. Get ready for a bloodthirsty immortal fight like no other!

Kill All Immortals is from writer Zack Kaplan, art by Fico Ossio, color by Thiago Rocha, and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. It features a main cover by Oliver Barrett and variants by Vincenzo Riccardi and Rafael Albuquerque. It comes to shops July 10 from Dark Horse.

The Midnight: Shadows brings The Midnight’s lyrics to the comic page

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Dark Horse Comics presents The Midnight: Shadows, an electrifying, original sci-fi comic adventure inspired by the poetic storytelling of band The Midnight, composed of singer-songwriter Tyler Lyle and producer-songwriter Tim McEwan. Fans of the band’s retro sound and newcomers to the 1980s nostalgia-filled, cyberpunk-style aesthetic alike will enjoy an immersive universe that is engrossing and visually stunning. The Midnight: Shadows is an original graphic novel written by prolific comics creator Zack Kaplan with art by Stephen Thompson and artist Jahnoy Lindsay, vibrant synthwave colors by Thiago Rocha and lettering by DC Hopkins. Fans can also expect a limited deluxe edition, available through the band, which includes an alternate cover and gilded magenta edges along with bonus art, interviews, and behind-the-scenes at the book’s creation. The deluxe edition will be available through the band, in two bundles, with signed art prints and other special items.

Twenty-something young man Jason is on the precipice of parenthood with his childhood sweetheart. Struggling with the loss of his adolescence, Jason is sucked back into THE MIDNIGHT, a cyberpunk game from his childhood. As the helmeted hero who travels to the post-apocalyptic Neverland in the year 2085, he is the hero who once vanquished the shadow monsters, and they believe he has returned to his actual reality to do it again.

With two different realities beckoning him home, Jason must reconcile which world he belongs to and how he can embrace adulthood without losing himself.

The Midnight: Shadows arrives in trade paperback (136 pages, 6.625″ x 10.1875″) on bookstore shelves on October 1, 2024, and comic shops on October 2, 2024. Pre-order at your local comic shop, bookstore, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble for $19.99. The Midnight: Shadows Deluxe edition from The Midnight is available for pre-order.

The Midnight: Shadows

Preview: Beyond Real #1

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Beyond Real #1

(W) Zack Kaplan (A) Jorge Corona, Dennis Menheere, Vincenzo Riccardi, Toni Fejzula, Liana Kangas (A/CA) Fabiana Mascolo
In Shops: Dec 13, 2023

An artist’s discovery. When struggling artist June is injured in a severe car accident that leaves her boyfriend in a coma, she begins to experience strange visual phenomena. Soon, she’s able to see that we are all actually living in a computer simulation. June must set out on a journey of possibility and peril into the metaphysical layers of the simulation to reach the world’s creator and save her true love from death.

Beyond Real #1

Beyond Real #1 takes us down the rabbit hole and questions existence

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Beyond Real #1

An artist’s discovery. When struggling artist June is injured in a severe car accident that leaves her boyfriend in a coma, she begins to experience strange visual phenomena. Soon, she’s able to see that we are all actually living in a computer simulation. June must set out on a journey of possibility and peril into the metaphysical layers of the simulation to reach the world’s creator and save her true love from death. Beyond Real #1 takes the philosophical debate and delivers a visual treat.

Do we live in a simulation? It’s a debate that rages not just in pot filled rooms but in scientific communities and everywhere in-between. It’s a question we may never answer but Zack Kaplan with Beyond Real #1 gives us steps to discover in one woman’s journey.

Beyond Real #1 might feel like The Matrix focused on its more philosophical heart but it’s a story of loss, letting go, fate, and faith. Yes, faith. Beyond her reality, June has discovered there might be someone out there that’s determining her life. That person could save her boyfriend. And, she wants to get answers and do what she can to make things the way they were. If that’s not a journey to find “god,” I don’t know what is.

Taking us along the journey with Kaplan are Fabiana Mascolo and Toni Fejzula whose art is magical and more amazing as the comic progresses. Visually, it feels like a slide build until the rollercoaster really gets moving. They’re joined by Jordie Bellaire on color along with Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou on lettering. The visuals just become more fantastic the longer the comic goes on and it uses its concept to deliver real mind bending visuals that become otherworldly.

Beyond Real #1 is a story about discovering a higher power and then getting answer for that “divine being’s” wisdom and choices in your life. It’s delivery along with beautiful art will get you to pause long after reading and ponder your own role in the greater world and ask if there’s something out there guiding it. As part of Vault’s program where the first issue is given away to retailers, this is one to get and then make sure to order the second.

Story: Zack Kaplan Art: Fabiana Mascolo, Toni Fejzula
Color: Jordie Bellaire, Toni Fejzula Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.6 Recommendation: Buy

Vault Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Kindle

Vault Announces Beyond Real #1 Received Over 100,000 Orders

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Vault has announced that Beyond Real #1 has received over 100,000 orders at FOC. This makes it the second Vault title to break 100,000 units ordered in 2023 as part of their industry changing Free-to-Retailers model that debuted to astonishing success with November’s Unnatural Order #1.   

Beyond Real sees Zack Kaplan return to Vault after his recent celebrated series Mindset, joined by a slate of phenomenal artists including Fabiana Mascolo, Toni Fejzula, Vincenzo Riccardi, Dennis Menheere, Jorge Corona, Luana Vecchio, and Liana Kangas. Each issue of this ambitious series will see these seven artists working in tandem, handing off scenes back and forth to each other as part of the narrative structure of this mind-bending story about simulation theory, the creative spirit, and the struggle for self-determination.

Much of Beyond Real will be colored by the legendary Eisner-winning artist Jordie Bellaire alongside series artists who will color their own work. The series’ lettering will be crafted by Eisner-winner Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and every issue will be designed by the inimitable Tim Daniel. Each issue will have a main cover painted by Mindset co-creator and Eisner-winning artist John J. Pearson.      

The series follows the struggling artist June after a severe accident leaves her boyfriend in a coma and causes her to experience bizarre visual phenomena. When she discovers that the world she considers “reality” may in fact be a computer simulation, she must set out on a perilous journey through metaphysical layers of the simulation to reach the true creator and save her love from death.

Beyond Real #1 hits store shelves on 12/13/2023, and will feature gorgeous variants from Jorge Corona,  Luana Vecchio, and Fabiana Mascolo.

Vault Makes Beyond Real #1 Free For Retailers

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Vault has announced they will make Beyond Real #1 completely free to retailers. Beyond Real sees Zack Kaplan return to Vault after his recent celebrated series Mindset, joined by a slate of phenomenal artists including Fabiana Mascolo, Toni Fejzula, Vincenzo Riccardi, Dennis Menheere, Jorge Corona, Luana Vecchio, and Liana Kangas. Each issue of this ambitious series will see these artists working in tandem, handing off scenes back and forth to each other as part of the narrative structure of this mind-bending story about simulation theory, the creative spirit, and the struggle for self-determination.

In September Vault offered Christopher Yost and Val Rodrigues’ comic Unnatural Order#1 using the free-to-retailer model and the smash-hit book received over 137,000 orders, making it one of the highest-ordered comics of the past ten years.   

Much of Beyond Real will be colored by the legendary Eisner-winning artist Jordie Bellaire alongside series artists who will color their own work. The series’ lettering will be crafted by Eisner-winner Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and every issue will be designed by the inimitable Tim Daniel. Each issue will have a main cover painted by Mindset co-creator and Eisner-winning artist John J. Pearson.      

The series follows the struggling artist June after a severe accident leaves her boyfriend in a coma and causes her to experience bizarre visual phenomena. When she discovers that the world she considers “reality” may in fact be a computer simulation, she must set out on a perilous journey through metaphysical layers of the simulation to reach the true creator and save her love from death.

The standard cover of Beyond Real #1 will be offered to retailers in free bundles of 25 copies. The issue will retain its $4.99 SRP, and retailers will be free to sell, discount, or freely distribute copies to their customers. In addition to the standard cover, Vault will offer net-priced, open order premium variants from Jorge Corona, Luana Vecchio, and Fabiana Mascolo.

Beyond Real #1 will hit store shelves on December 13th, 2023. 

SDCC 2023: Vault announces Beyond Real featuring an all-star lineup

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Vault Comics showed up at Comic Con International with their biggest slate of programming to date and an exclusive pre-release of one of the year’s most anticipated series. The company has announced Beyond Real, an ambitious and psychedelic series from Zack Kaplan and a lineup of seven spectacular artists whose works will weave together through each issue. 

Beyond Real sees Zack Kaplan return to Vault after his recent celebrated series Mindset, joined by a slate of phenomenal artists including Fabiana Mascolo, Toni Fejzula, Vincenzo Riccardi, Dennis Menheere, Jorge Corona, and Liana Kangas. Each issue of this cerebral and ambitious series will see these artists working in tandem, handing off scenes back and forth to each other as part of the narrative structure of this mind-bending story about simulation theory, the creative spirit, and the struggle for self-determination.

Much of Beyond Real will be colored by the legendary Eisner-winning artist Jordie Bellaire alongside the series artists who will color their own work. The series’ lettering will be crafted by Eisner-winner Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and every issue will be designed by the inimitable Tim Daniel. Each issue will have a main cover painted by Mindset co-creator and Eisner-winning artist John J. Pearson.      

The series follows the struggling artist June following a severe accident which leaves her boyfriend in a coma and causes her to experience bizarre visual phenomena. When she discovers that the world she considers “reality” may in fact be a computer simulation, she must set out on a perilous journey through metaphysical layers of the simulation to reach the true creator and save her love from death.

Beyond Real #1 hits store shelves in October 2023, and is available to preorder through your favorite retailer beginning today.

Dark Horse heads to the 2023 American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition

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Dark Horse Comics logo

Dark Horse Comics will be exhibiting at the 2023 American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition. If you are attending ALA Annual you can visit them and say hello to some of the talented authors and artists appearing at the booth.

SATURDAY – 06/24

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
ZACK KAPLAN Break Out

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
CHAD CORRIE The Shadow Regent; Sons of Ashgard: Ill Met in Elmgard

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
AMY CHU Carmilla: The First Vampire

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
CECIL CASTELLUCCI Shifting Earth; Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories Volume 1 – Rebels and Resistance

SUNDAY – 06/25

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
CHAD CORRIE The Shadow Regent; Sons of Ashgard: Ill Met in Elmgard

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
CECIL CASTELLUCCI Shifting Earth; Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories Volume 1 – Rebels and Resistance

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
ZACK KAPLAN Break Out

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
RAFER ROBERTS AND MIKE NORTON The Rock Gods of Jackson, Tennessee

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