Screenwriter Gary Whitta (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Book Of Eli) and artist Darick Robertson (Transmetropolitan, The Boys) are launching a new comic called Oliver, due in January from Image.
In a press release, Whitta describes the series as a dystopian take on the classic Charles Dicken’s novel, Oliver Twist, wherein the titular orphan is re-imagined as a superhero simultaneously battling to liberate a war-torn future England while also figuring out his own back story. Whitta also notes that the story has been gestating with him for 15 years and that he’s thrilled to be working with Robertson, whose work on Transmetropolitan makes him a great fit.
Oliver #1 is due out Jan. 23 from Image Comics. The full press release and some interior art follow:
Award-winning screenwriter Gary Whitta (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Book Of Eli) teams with celebrated artist Darick Robertson (HAPPY!, Transmetropolitan, The Boys) for the highly anticipated new dystopian series OLIVER—coming this January from Image Comics.
“OLIVER has been more than 15 years in the making, so it’s a particular thrill to finally see it on its way to a comics store near you, and at a time when it feels more relevant than ever,” said Whitta. “I couldn’t be more excited to be working with my long-time friend Darick Robertson, whose artwork I’ve admired ever since his groundbreaking work on Transmetropolitan.”
In this totally new take on a literary classic, Charles Dickens’ most famous orphan is reimagined as a post-apocalyptic superhero fighting to liberate a war-ravaged England while searching for the truth about his own mysterious origins.
“This project has been a long labor of love for me,” said Robertson. “Co-creating OLIVER has been an opportunity to bring my level best work, with support from Eric Stephenson and Image. It is the essence of what brings me passion for comics and visual storytelling. With OLIVER, I have been able to co-create a rich, emotionally engaging story by my (very patient) friend Gary Whitta, whose career has just surged in the time we have been creating this book. For me, this is what indie comics are all about. I am thrilled to have it scheduled for its January launch at long last.”
OLIVER #1 (Diamond code: NOV180029) will be available in comic book stores on Wednesday, January 23rd. The final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, December 31st.
Advance praise for OLIVER:
“Gary Whitta slips effortlessly from movies into comics with a terrific story and career-best art from Darick Robertson.” —Mark Millar
“This is compelling and masterful storytelling, vividly set in a world that is both familiar and startling.” —Dave Gibbons
Great art.
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