AfterShock is the new kid on the block. Launched in April by comics vet Joe Pruett, it first made headlines when it hired Mike Marts as editor in chief. And now their first four titles have been announced. And they are:
· Replica, debuting December 1 from writer Paul Jenkins (Batman: The Dark Knight, Spider-Man, Wolverine: Origin) and artist Andy Clarke (Batman, Judge Dredd);
· InSeXts, debuting December 9 from writer Marguerite Bennett (Batgirl, Sleepy Hollow, A-Force) and artist Ariela Kristantina (Wolverines, Deep State);
· SuperZero, debuting December 16 from writers Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn) and Jimmy Palmiotti (Deadpool, Jonah Hex, Daredevil), and artist Rafael de Latorre;
· Dreaming Eagles, debuting December 30 from Garth Ennis and Simon Coleby (2000 AD, The Authority).
Other creators lined up with AfterShock include Brian “100 Bullets” Azzarello and Adam Glass, Executive Producer of CBS’ Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders and Supernatural.
“With this first slate of AfterShock comics, we’re not only showcasing our quality of content, but also our commitment to deliver creator-owned comics that appeal to a diverse base of readers and fans,” said Marts in a statement. “From writers like Garth Ennis to Brian Azzarello and Adam Glass, we’re producing exciting, creative content with the best story tellers in the business – and this is just the beginning.”
Other writers and artists who recently inked deals with AfterShock include John Layman (Chew, Detective Comics, Batman Eternal), Szymon Kudranski (Penguin: Pride and Prejudice, Avengers), Sam Kieth (The Maxx, Sandman, Batman), Ray Fawkes (Constantine, Batman Eternal, Mnemnevore), David Hine (Batman, District X, Mutopia), Alberto Ponticelli (Unknown Soldier, Dark Knight) and Ryan Parrott (Batman: Gates of Gotham, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, and NBC’s Revolution).
As you can see, these guys are in it to win it.
In addition to Pruett and Mart, AfterShocks executive team includes Co-CEO Michael Richter (Facebook), Co-CEO Jon Kramer; President Lee Kramer and Senior VP of Investor Relations Jawad Qureshi, a team that has extensive experience in Hollywood and Silicon Valley.
Launching a new line of periodical comics isn’t easy and it’s going to take some marketing smarts — however with top level creators like this on board, it should be a bit easier. Seeing how this start-up does should be one of the more interesting industry stories of 2016.
