Mad Cave Studios has announced new series Junk Punch, and The Beat has all the details.
Junk Punch takes place in a near-future world where people cannot control their compulsions, some of which are incredibly peculiar. Some, for example, need to paint pigeons pink, while others can’t help telling the absolute truth on dating apps. The eponymously-known Clara Castanelle is addicted to—you guessed it—punching people in the junk.
The series reunites String writer Paul Tobin and artist Carlos Javier Olivares, with colors by Francesca Vivaldi and letters by Taylor Esposito for its main story. Each issue also features a standalone backup story with art, colors, and letters by Colleen Coover and a rotation of guest artists including Lin Visel, Christine Larsen, and Dani Strips.
Backup stories introduce new characters and their compulsions, expanding the world of Junk Punch and further examining what’s happening for its population.
Issue #1 features main cover art by Javier Olivares, as well as an open-order variant by Marguerite Sauvage and a retailer incentive variant by Mirka Andolfo. Check out the covers below.
“I suppose Junk Punch is a chaotic mix of editorial cartoons, English comics, Italian ero-fumetti, the things that got whispered to me by whatever it was in that old well, and my own brand of brain-sauce,” Tobin said in the announcement. “What I hope readers get out of it is the same thing I got out of writing it: an opportunity to stumble off the well-tread path of sanity and begin forging new paths.”
Main story artist Javier Olivares said, “Junk Punch is a real opportunity to experience something that will touch your heart. It’s a beautiful madness, full of small details and, as Paul says, a collision of genres and eras.
“With wild twists and constant surprises, the story centers on Clara, a protagonist whose strange brilliance pulls an equally strange cast of characters into her orbit. For me, working on this series with Paul feels like a true before and after,” Javier Olivares concludes.
“I was there when Paul came up with the title Junk Punch as a joke at a social gathering. Moments later, I saw ‘the look of inspiration’ cross over his face, and I knew the title would grow into a story,” added backup story artist, colorist, and letterer Coover. “When Carlos’ art started to come in, I knew the story had become a masterpiece.”
Junk Punch #1 will be available digitally and at your local comic shop on June 3. Final order cut-off is May 11.
