Tag Archives: saul williams

Martyr Loser King is a really interesting concept but doesn’t quite deliver on it

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Can you name the ghost in your machine? The precious ore coltan can be found in every cell phone and computer on earth. And in a small East African country, both the Black population and the land are exploited for this precious resource―the people as a source of cheap, expendable labor; the land as a mining site and international dumping ground for defunct technology.

Yet from the rubble, creativity and rebellion rise. An encounter between a miner and an otherworldly stranger named Neptune results in the birth of a hacker named MartyrLoserKing, and the launch of a global cyberattack. Their plan will rock the world to its foundations, upend centuries of institutional abuse, and, perhaps, usher in a new age of understanding.

Steeped in mythology and history and inspired by present-day events, this cyberpunk fable from visionary poet, musician, and director Saul Williams is both a cautionary tale and a hopeful vision of the future.

Story: Saul Williams
Art: Morgan Sorne

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

23rd Street provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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First Second gets a new sister imprint, 23rd Street Books

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Macmillan Publishers has announced the launch of a new imprint dedicated to publishing graphic novels for adults, 23rd Street Books, to be helmed by Mark Siegel as Vice President, Executive Editorial & Creative Director for both First Second and 23rd St. Editorial Director Calista Brill, who joined First Second in 2008, will work closely with Siegel on the direction of both imprints.

Mirroring the same passion for great voices and unique talents that make First Second so distinctive, 23rd Street intends to serve as a home for the very best creators in the comics field, and to deliver graphic novels that span styles and genres, from the hilarious to the serious, from the escapist to the realest, from high-octane fiction in every genre to groundbreaking nonfiction—with a trademark commitment to aesthetics and editorial excellence.

23rd Street is launching in 2025 with an impressive roster of projects. These include new publications from legendary First Second creators like Gene Luen Yang and Ben Hatke; pulling in great talents from many fields including actor/comedian Damon Wayans, Jr., and poet/performer Saul Williams,  as well as projects from new talents Jesse Lonergan, Anna Meyer, and Laurel and Mia Boulton; with more to be announced. First Second’s existing collection of graphic novels for adults, including the bestselling The Adventure Zone series, will join the 23rd Street list moving forward. 

First Second will continue to publish and acquire acclaimed and groundbreaking graphic novels for children and teens, and Brill and Siegel will be working closely on both. Creative Director Kirk Benshoff will oversee both art departments. Siegel, Brill, and Benshoff will continue to report to Allison Verost, SVP and Publisher. Tess Banta has joined 23rd Street Books as Editor, with additional new hires to come.