Retail Price: $19.95
Page Count: 112 pages
Format: hardcover with dust jacket, 6” wide x 9” long, full color
On-sale Date: May 25, 2011
Written by Michael McMillian
Illustrated by Anna Wieszczyk
Cover by Anna Wieszczyk
Welcome to the world of LUCID, the action-packed pop-fantasy that draws inspiration from the spy genre, Arthurian legend and 21st-century folklore! Dark forces are conspiring to prevent humankind from reaching its true potential. Thankfully, as newly appointed “Protector of the Realm,” Agent Matthew Dee uses his skills as a covert spy and Combat Mage to ensure America’s freedom from the grip of evil. Written by “True Blood” actor Michael McMillian and illustrated by newcomer Anna Wieszczyk, LUCID is Archaia’s first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”) and his company, Before the Door. Collects the four-issue LUCID miniseries and includes a Foreword written by Alan Ball (creator of “True Blood”), cover gallery, sketchbook and a guide to the sigils in the book.
T +13 (Contains material suitable for teen readers age 13 and above)
And that’s a wrap for this first story arc of the series. Lucid #4 is a satisfying ending to the series, it has some faults, but generally it’s a solid ending and overall entertaining series. Writer Michael McMillian has pulled it off quite well in this strange mix of magic and the real world.
The first LUCID miniseries comes to a shocking climax as Agent Matthew Dee and Wren confront the New Pendragon! Can they stop his terrible kingdom from rising before it is too late? What insane new weapon threatens mage-kind? What does fate hold in store for President Monday? What horrible secret lurks in the bowels of Tintagel Castle? And just what is up with Matthew’s girlfriend? Don’t miss the spectacular conclusion!
The story was cool and there was definitely some cool stuff like the attempted assassination. The end has some twists to it (and a few seemed jammed in), and my only complaint was I got some characters mixed up and one’s recovery just happens with no explanation or mention. But, overall entertaining and fun.
I liked the series as a whole. The idea of the government having this agency of magic was cool, and overall I’d like the series turn more into a magic FBI or Secret Service. I think there’s lots of material to mine there and could make for a great follow up. But, for a first spin out, the work is solid fun.
Retail Price: $3.95
Page Count: 24 pages
Format: saddle bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
On-sale Date: March 2, 2011
Written by Michael McMillian
Illustrated by Anna Wieszczyk
Cover by Anna Wieszczyk
The first LUCID miniseries comes to a shocking climax as Agent Matthew Dee and Wren confront the New Pendragon! Can they stop his terrible kingdom from rising before it is too late? What insane new weapon threatens mage-kind? What does fate hold in store for President Monday? What horrible secret lurks in the bowels of Tintagel Castle? And just what is up with Matthew’s girlfriend? Don’t miss the spectacular conclusion!
T +13 (Contains material suitable for teen readers age 13 and above)
In Lucid #3 we get a good dose of history, who the bad guys are and what they want. It’s a lot to jam into 24 pages, but it works really well. I hate to say this four issue limited series is an example of packing a lot into a few pages, but writer Michael McMillian pulls it off without issues.
LUCID barrels toward an explosive climax as Agent Dee is pulled deeper into a dark conspiracy fraught with bold, unbridled evil! After a dangerous Magical Artifact created by Matthew’s infamous ancestor disappears from the archives of The School of Black, Matthew travels to London to team up with England’s Combat Mage, the beautiful and enchanting Wren, to hunt it down before all Hell breaks loose. LUCID is Archaia’s first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”) and his company, Before the Door.
There’s a lot here and the weaving of modern day with magic works quite well. There’s something I really like about this series as well as this issue. There’s action, evil, just tons to have fun with.
This limited series is only four issues, but I’m hoping we get a second volume that lasts for more. I’d like to see what McMillian could do with more.
FEEDING GROUND #5 (Of 6) Retail Price: $3.95 U.S.
Page Count: 64 pages
Format: saddle bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Created by Swifty Lang, Michael Lapinski and Chris Mangun
Written by Swifty Lang
Illustrated by Michael Lapinski
FEEDING GROUND is a horror tale set on the Mexico-Arizona border that launches an entirely new werewolf mythology! After the carnage of the previous issue, all are forced to pick through the bones. Salazar and the NACO forces team up to avenge the loss of their brethren. Bea and Miguel finally taste freedom only to discover the U.S. is more nightmarish than imagined. As Diego battles the Devil’s Highway itself, Alejandro Blackwell embraces the future of his empire. Tugged between her family and her newfound powers, which will Flaca choose?
Mature Readers (Contains adult content)
THE SECRET HISTORY BOOK SIXTEEN Retail Price: $5.95 U.S.
Page Count: 48 pages
Format: perfect bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Written by Jean-Pierre Pécau
Illustrated by Igor Kordey
Colors by Leonard O’Grady
Cover by Manchu & Olivier Vatine
Zion. 1946. The Navarro woman Nimue gives birth to a baby girl she names Pandora. 1948. The United Nations votes to create the modern state of Israel, sowing the seeds of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In Jordan, Curtis Hawk crashes his old Messerschmitt and runs across an odd group of confederates destined to seek the archaeological site of Qumran: Joachim, an Ashkenazi Jew; Moshe Dayan, in the service of the Zionist Haganah paramilitaries; and Reka, who reveals secrets of divided Jerusalem.
Mature Readers (series contains Nudity, Graphic Violence and Adult Content)
BLEEDOUT Original Graphic Novel Hardcover Retail Price: $14.95
Page Count: 96 pages
Format: hardcover with dust jacket, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Written by Mike Kennedy
Illustrated by Tim Bradstreet, Howard Chaykin, Gary Erskine, Glenn Fabry, Nathan Fox, Zach Howard, Sanford Greene, Trevor Hairsine, Vince Proce, Ben Templesmith and David Williams
Cover by Tim Bradstreet
Eight years ago, every oil well on the planet ran dry, utterly dissolving the cornerstone of modern civilization. Global economies withered and nations fell like bone-dry dominoes, including the seemingly impervious United States. Caught in a zenith of chaos, Sunrise City now lies in the hands of a criminal cabal who may or may not hold the key to the future and the secrets behind the planet’s tragic ruin. BLEEDOUT tells the frighteningly plausible tale of a world destroyed by its own greed and shortsightedness. Based on the Massively Multiplayer Online Shooter video game from Vogster Entertainment, this deluxe hardcover volume collects chapters drawn by some of the comic industry’s hottest superstars. Written by Mike Kennedy (AEON FLUX, GHOST), this graphic novel presents the world of BLEEDOUT in all of its grim, pulp noir glory, with page after page of supplemental graphic and story material that further explores this tragic future, and the frighteningly familiar current events that led there in the first place.
Mature Readers (series contains Graphic Violence and Adult Content)
FRAGGLE ROCK VOL. 2 Collected Edition Hardcover Retail Price: $19.95
Page Count: 112 pages
Written by Tim Beedle, Jason M. Burns, Katie Cook, Jake Forbes, Joe LeFavi, Paul Morrissey, Grace Randolph and Katie Strickland
Illustrated by Heidi Arnhold, Nichol Ashworth, Ross Campbell, Lindsay Cibos, Katie Cook, Chandra Free, Cory Godbey, Chris Lie and Mark Simmons
Cover by David Petersen
Get ready to rock—Fraggle style! Archaia and The Jim Henson Company follow up their highly acclaimed FRAGGLE ROCK anthology series with a brand-new collection of stories, featuring the antics of Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober and Red! Worry is indeed for another day, as this new series features a stellar lineup of talent, including: Grace Randolph (MUPPET PETER PAN, MARVEL HER-OES), Chris Lie (RETURN TO LABYRINTH), Jake Forbes (RETURN TO LABYRINTH) and Ross Campbell (WET MOON, SHADOWEYES)! Featuring a cover by MOUSE GUARD’s David Petersen and activity pages from fan-favorite writer and artist Katie Cook!
All ages
LUCID Collected Edition Hardcover Retail Price: $19.95
Page Count: 112 pages
Format: hardcover with dust jacket, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Written by Michael McMillian
Illustrated by Anna Wieszczyk
Cover by Anna Wieszczyk
Welcome to the world of LUCID, the action-packed pop-fantasy that draws inspiration from the spy genre, Arthurian legend and 21st-century folklore! Dark forces are conspiring to prevent humankind from reaching its true potential. Thankfully, as newly appointed “Protector of the Realm,” Agent Matthew Dee uses his skills as a covert spy and Combat Mage to ensure America’s freedom from the grip of evil. Written by “True Blood” actor Michael McMillian and illustrated by newcomer Anna Wieszczyk, LUCID is Archaia’s first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”) and his company, Before the Door. Features a Foreword written by Alan Ball (“TRUE BLOOD,” “SIX FEET UNDER”). Collects LUCID #1-4.
T +13 (Contains material suitable for teen readers age 13 and above)
Retail Price: $3.95 U.S.
Page Count: 24 pages
Format: saddle bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
On-sale Date: Jan. 19, 2011
Written by Michael McMillian
Illustrated by Anna Wieszczyk
Cover by Anna Wieszczyk
LUCID barrels toward an explosive climax as Agent Dee is pulled deeper into a dark conspiracy fraught with bold, unbridled evil! After a dangerous Magical Artifact created by Matthew’s infamous ancestor disappears from the archives of The School of Black, Matthew travels to London to team up with England’s Combat Mage, the beautiful and enchanting Wren, to hunt it down before all Hell breaks loose. LUCID is Archaia’s first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”) and his company, Before the Door.
T +13 (Contains material suitable for teen readers age 13 and above
I really enjoyed the first issue of the series and Lucid #2 upped my enjoyment. The entire issue focuses on an assassination attempt on the President, and when magic gets involved things get pretty interesting.
Things are heating up at the House at Dupont Circle! What is the Prophecy of the Pendragon? What Occult weapon threatens the fate the United States…for the second time? And what exactly is an Astral Amplifier?! LUCID #2 takes you one more giant leap into the strange world of Matthew Dee as the novice Combat Mage races against the clock to prevent President’s Day from becoming a National Day of Mourning! Written by “True Blood” actor Michael McMillian and illustrated by newcomer Anna Wieszczyk, LUCID is Archaia’s first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”) and his company, Before the Door.
The series written by Michael McMillian is entertaining. The pacing is good and action solid. There’s nothing too deep here, but it’s just an action movie you can check your mind at the door and just read and enjoy. That’s not a bad thing at all.
Anna Wieszcyk‘s art is pretty cool with an interesting anime feel to it. My only complaint is the faces of the men are all pretty similar, though each character is distinguishable.
This was In the Line of Fire with magic thrown in. Pretty simple really, but very entertaining. This is a series I look forward to reading each time I see it hit the releases.
Retail Price: $3.95 U.S.
Page Count: 24 pages
Format: saddle bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
On-sale date: November 10, 2010
Written by Michael McMillian
Illustrated by Anna Wieszczyk
Cover by Anna Wieszczyk
Things are heating up at the House at Dupont Circle! What is the Prophecy of the Pendragon? What Occult weapon threatens the fate the United States…for the second time? And what exactly is an Astral Amplifier?! LUCID #2 takes you one more giant leap into the strange world of Matthew Dee as the novice Combat Mage races against the clock to prevent President’s Day from becoming a National Day of Mourning! Written by “True Blood” actor Michael McMillian and illustrated by newcomer Anna Wieszczyk, LUCID is Archaia’s first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”) and his company, Before the Door.
T +13 (Contains material suitable for teen readers age 13 and above)
Lucid was a comic that I thought sounded interested, and as usual with most of the Archaia comics I read, it meets and exceeds my expectations. Lucid #1 is a fun, interesting and creative read.
Written by Michael McMillian with art by Anna Wieszczyk the story follows a clandestine government agency which mixes technology and magic to protect the world. This is James Bond, but with magic.
Welcome to the world of LUCID, the highly anticipated, action-packed, pop-fantasy, four-issue miniseries that draws inspiration from the spy genre, Arthurian legend and 21st-century folklore! Dark forces are conspiring to prevent humankind from reaching its true potential. Thankfully, as newly appointed “Protector of the Realm,” Agent Matthew Dee uses his skills as a covert spy and Combat Mage to ensure America’s freedom from the grip of evil. In the debut issue: Who is Waylan Gheely, and what forbidden power has he stolen? What ancient evil, banished two millennia ago by Merlin himself, threatens to consume our dimension? What presence lurks in the shadows behind it all? And just who is The Secretary of Secrets? Written by “True Blood” actor Michael McMillian and illustrated by newcomer Anna Wieszczyk, LUCID is Archaia’s first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”) and his company, Before the Door.
The story is very cool, immediately throwing you into the action. I loved the magic versus aspect of the series and it’s a great mash-up of so many different things that’ve come before. It’s Men in Black, James Bond and Arthurian Legend all rolled into one.
Retail Price: $3.95
Page Count: 24 pages
Format: saddle bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
On-Sale Date: September 9, 2010
Written by Michael McMillian
Illustrated by Anna Wieszczyk
Cover by Anna Wieszczyk Welcome to the world of LUCID, the highly anticipated, action-packed, pop-fantasy, four-issue miniseries that draws inspiration from the spy genre, Arthurian legend and 21st-century folklore! Dark forces are conspiring to prevent humankind from reaching its true potential. Thankfully, as newly appointed “Protector of the Realm,” Agent Matthew Dee uses his skills as a covert spy and Combat Mage to ensure America’s freedom from the grip of evil. In the debut issue: Who is Waylan Gheely, and what forbidden power has he stolen? What ancient evil, banished two millennia ago by Merlin himself, threatens to consume our dimension? What presence lurks in the shadows behind it all? And just who is The Secretary of Secrets? Written by “True Blood” actor Michael McMillian and illustrated by newcomer Anna Wieszczyk, LUCID is Archaia’s first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”) and his company, Before the Door.
T +13 (Contains material suitable for teen readers age 13 and above)
Official Press Release
