Home Publishers AfterShock Thompson, Hickman team on new book, LONELY RECEIVER

Thompson, Hickman team on new book, LONELY RECEIVER

A woman reels from the loss of her holographic wife...

02/18/2020 9:45 am

Lonely Receiver, a new comic from writer Zac Thompson and artist Jen Hickman, is due out from AfterShock Comics this May, the publisher announced Tuesday.

Check out the (excellent) cover here. At the center of this book is a lonely video producer who for the first time in 10 years is faced with the prospect of living without her holographic wife. In other words, this premise is fantastic. Equally fantastic are the preview pages and character designs from Hickman, which you can find below after the official solicit text from AfterShock. Finally, rounding out the team on the book — which will drop its debut issue in shops on May 6 – is letterer Simon Bowland.

Anyway, here’s a quote Thompson shared about the book as part of its initial announcement.

Lonely Receiver is a horrific breakup story. Except it’s a breakup story about a person and their phone. The book takes place in the near future where relationships with simulated Artificial Intelligence partners are now the norm. A person can download, create, and marry a digital being that also occupies physical space. They can touch, kiss, and even make love to this digital persona.

They had me at “it’s a breakup story about a person and their phone.” Check out the official solicit, followed by the preview artwork below. Enjoy!

Lonely Receiver #1 / $4.99 / 32 pages / Color / On Sale 05.06.20
Writer: Zac Thompson
Artist & Colorist: Jen Hickman
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Cover: Jen Hickman
Incentive Cover: Elizabeth Torque

Catrin Vander, a lonely video producer, buys an Artificial Intelligence partner that’s meant to bond for life. After ten years together, her holographic wife suddenly disconnects without a warning. The breakup drives Catrin to the point of near insanity. She’s alone for the first time in years and reeling from a loss she can’t comprehend.

Set in the new future, drenched in pastels and sunshine, LONELY RECEIVER is a horror/breakup story in five parts. Written by Zac Thompson (UNDONE BY BLOOD, THE REPLACER, HER INFERNAL DESCENT, No One’s Rose, X-Men) and illustrated in color by Jen Hickman (MOTH & WHISPER, Test).