Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Artist: Tony Parker Colorist: Carrie Strachen Letterer: Steve Dutro Cover artist: Tony Parker
In this riveting sci-fi series, the Earth is dying, and humanity has less than twenty years left! Dr. Hernando Montoya, owner of the labs at Vita Nova, is trying to avoid extinction and save Earth by creating the world’s first synthetic human life. “We are now crossing the Rubicon in the quest to create synthetic humans . . . and officially felons in the eyes of the law,” Montoya admits. Will he be able to save life on this planet?
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Artist: Tony Parker Colorist: Carrie Strachan Letterer: Steve Dutro Cover artist: Tony Parker
Nick and Denny found the facility that was leaking neural slices to the black market, but with the employee responsible dead on arrival, they may need to dig deeper to find a new lead. Meanwhile, indie journalist Blake Wohl blackmails Dr. Hernando Montoya with an ultimatum: Either give Blake exclusive rights to livestream the birth of the Synthetics or spend what time remains on this Earth in prison.
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Artist: Tony Parker Colorist: Carrie Strachan Letterer: Steve Dutro Cover artist: Tony Parker
A new apocalyptic sci-fi epic from J. Michael Straczynski and Tony Parker!
Nick and Denny finally have a thin lead in their case, but following this trail of breadcrumbs could lead them somewhere unexpected. Meanwhile, Blake Wohl has their own lead on what could possibly be the story of a lifetime. And as Hernando and Yuri feel danger closing in and the fate of the world at stake, they must accelerate the Synthetics timeline and simply hope that their hard work isn’t undone!
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Artist: Tony Parker Colorist: Carrie Strachan Letterer: Steve Dutro Cover Artist: Tony Parker
A new apocalyptic sci-fi epic from Joseph Michael Straczynski!
On a dying Earth filled with expanding dead zones, humans form rage gangs to vent their anger at futures lost or escape into the cyber-void to avoid thinking about what’s coming. Our only hope of survival rests with a new kind of human. Will their appearance in a desperate world be met with acceptance—or destruction? Are they angels, devils, or the latest iteration of a Frankenstein’s monster?
On a dying Earth filled with expanding dead zones, humans form rage gangs to vent their anger at futures lost or escape into the cyber-void to avoid thinking about what’s coming. Our only hope of survival rests with a new kind of human. Will their appearance in a desperate world be met with acceptance—or destruction? Are they angels, devils, or the latest iteration of a Frankenstein’s monster? Synthetics Volume One #1 is an intriguing sci-fi series that feels like it’s a reflection on issues technology has today.
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, Synthetics Volume One #1 is a bleak debut. Set far in the future, the world only has a decade left before humanity is gone. The comic teases the calamity but doesn’t dwell on the reality, as the “how” of it all doesn’t really impact the story. Instead, Straczynski focuses on what individuals do, especially the rich and powerful tech oligarchy, when faced with the situation.
Where Synthetics Volume One #1 really shines is the debate it has about the use of technology, especially new technology. The comic’s true center is on the ability to regrow human body parts. Arms, legs, organs, this is an ability that exists in this world. And, with the ability to grow so much, it isn’t a stretch to grow full human bodies. What are the ethical boundaries of that? Where do humans become and synthetic beings begin? How much of your body needs to be replaced? Add in the dealing of memories like it was a drug, and it’s an interesting combination of moral lines and how far those with power will cross it. If you invent it, they will abuse it seems to be the mantra Straczynski is going for.
Tony Parker provides the art with Carrie Strachan on color and Steve Dutro lettering. The art is interesting as it has a sense of being both futuristic but also a little worn down in a way as well. It’s an interesting design choice. What’s nice is it all feels lived in and while futuristic, still realistic and doesn’t distract with the wonders of the future. The look of Synthetics Volume One #1 teases a world with technology far beyond our own but at the same time it hasn’t really improved things. There’s this sadness about the world design, a drab, ominous tone about it all. It works and works really well to set the feel of the comic and the world.
Synthetics Volume One #1 is a solid debut that throws out some ethical debate while also pondering the end of it all. It’s a different apocalyptic disaster with humanity either resigned to what will happen or scrambling in an attempt to survive what’s to come. But, through it’s entertaining premise and concepts, it feels like it has something to say about our state of the world, the present and what we’re denying is our future.
Story: J. Michael Straczynski Art: Tony Parker Color: Carrie Strachan Letterer: Steve Dutro Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Artist: Tony Parker Colorist: Carrie Strachan Letterer: Steve Dutro Cover Artist: Tony Parker
A new apocalyptic sci-fi epic from Joseph Michael Straczynski!
On a dying Earth filled with expanding dead zones, humans form rage gangs to vent their anger at futures lost or escape into the cyber-void to avoid thinking about what’s coming. Our only hope of survival rests with a new kind of human. Will their appearance in a desperate world be met with acceptance—or destruction? Are they angels, devils, or the latest iteration of a Frankenstein’s monster?
Dark Horse Comics brings together a stellar group of talent for an original, creator-owned series that bends genres. Creator of Babylon 5 and Marvel and DC modern legend J. Michael Straczynski, artist Tony Parker, colorist Carrie Strachan, and letterer Steve Dutro invite fans to dive into a new dystopian scenario where the meaning of life is only as important as the definition of life. Synthetics Volume 1 arrives in October 2025 as a four-issue comic mini-series.
On a dying Earth filled with expanding dead zones, humans form rage gangs to vent their anger at futures lost. Others escape into the cyber-void to escape the existential dread of what’s coming. The only hope for civilization’s survival rests with a new kind of human. Will their appearance in a desperate world be met with acceptance—or destruction? Are they angels, devils, or the latest iteration of Frankenstein’s monster?
Focus on the future when Synthetics Volume 1#1 (of 4) arrives in comic shops on October 29, 2025, for $4.99.
Dark Horse Books presents Medusa, a new graphic novel that twists the original Greek myth into an action-packed story. Eisner Award-nominated artist Tony Parker will write and illustrate the paperback graphic novel with Tamra Bonvillain joining the project as colorist. MedusaTPB will arrive in October 2024.
Everything you know about Medusa is a lie. Forever cursed to be remembered as a monster, this ageless yet very mortal hero has spent millennia saving humanity from the horrors of legend. But now, in Scotland, she has met a foe that makes even the gods hide in fear. Armed with unwavering resolve, will the mighty Medusa be able to save mankind one last time?
Medusa(88 pages, 10.1875” x 6.625”, paperback) will be available in bookstores on October 1, 2024 and comic shops on October 2, 2024. It is now available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and your local comic shop or bookstore.
In 1973, the Supreme Court gave women the right to make decisions over the care of their own bodies. A mere fifty years later, a rogue Supreme Court has taken that right away. Today, over 32 states have banned or severely restricted abortion.
We’re fighting back as best we can, with pens and brushes, paper and ink, and have produced a pro-choice anthology: Won’t Back Down, featuring the work of over 30 artists, writers, inkers, and colorists, and profits are being given to Planned Parenthood.
With Won’t Back Down, Trina Robbins has created an important anthology that celebrates women who fight for justice – for anyone interested in women’s rights, free speech, or simply great comics.
In addition to Robbins, contributors to the anthology include Lee Marrs, Alison Sampson, Steve Leialoha, Ken Steacy, Barbara Randall Kesel, Yanick Paquette, Signe Wilkinson, Christopher Golden, Marguerite Sauvage, Gene Ha, Carrie Tupper, Todd Klein, Twyla Dawn Weixl, Sabrina Jones, Stephanie Cooke, Leeann Hamilton, Jennifer Camper, Sydney Heifler, Kate Charlesworth, Dave McCaig, Deanna Soukiasian, Grace Gordon, Joelle Barreto, Isabelle Struble, Grace Desmarais, Tony Parker, Bridgit Connell, Michelle Madsen, Janice Chiang, Jessica Balboni, Perl Barry, Jennifer Camper, Eve Furchgott, Sharon Rudahl, Dee Cunniffe, Sayra Begum, Sofie Dodgson, Robert Triptow, Lisa Sharkey, Wesley Wong, Dominike “Domo” Stanton, Tom Orzechowski, Emily Bowen Cohen, Amy Chase, Dani Coleman, and Rori!
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.
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That’s right, Alex de Campi, Tony Parker,and Blond are back with the fifth and final installment of their spy action thriller The Brandenburg School for Boys!
Showdown in West Berlin as the Red Army Brigade strikes! Jack struggles against both the literal time bombs scattered across the city, as well as the mystery of the KGB’s assassination target. Petra finally gets her moment, and Felix takes a shot. Things are about to go BOOM!
Don’t miss the high stakes finale to this action packed limited series, available now at Panel Syndicate for whatever price you want to pay, including zero!
