Worldwide leader in science fiction comics Heavy Metal has a new comic series by geeky icon Dan Folger, and we were lucky enough to chat with him about it. The first of three titles coming from “The Last Storm” shared universe, Brooklyn Gladiator is a frightening glimpse into a fictional future that feels all too possible if we’re not careful.
“This is a world of more crust than pizza, More filter than cigarette, more commercials than television. More lies than truth,” Folger says about this tale of a rough and ready badass living in Brooklyn 2033 who could outdrink the likes of Han Solo, Jack Burton, and John McClane- John Miller.
Preview page of “Brooklyn Gladiator #1” courtesy of Heavy Metal
“John Miller is public enemy number one, fighting nanite-enhanced maniacs in the underground gladiator circuit and selling bootleg drugs that undercut the government’s own brand,” Folger says. “Now John is developing uncanny psychic powers that allow him to bypass the state’s tech and tap into ancient knowledge. As he sets out to dismantle the machines that run his world, he’ll come to a completely new understanding of the concept of civilization.”
Sounds pretty freaking great, not gonna lie. And as our own Bill Watters says to Dan Folger on the most recent episode of Nerdbot Talks, “Brooklyn Gladiator #1” is almost darker than Judge Dredd.
Folger says he’s been kicking around the idea of this comic for several years, really sitting down to write it in 2016 following the events of a certain election. He’s using his time wisely right now, using the quarantine to focus on his numerous projects (stories, animated films, and oh yeah- Brooklyn Gladiator).
You can watch our exclusive interview with Dan below.
But really, we’re absolutely thrilled for Dan, and so is Heavy Metal.
“Dan Fogler’s stories are balls of crazy, emotional, wild, intelligent, futuristic and frightening tales all wrapped into one glorious narrative. The ability to weave current events into science fiction flows easily on every page Dan touches. I cannot wait for the world to dive deeper into this creative’s incredible mind and I am honored to have the right to publish his works” says Chief Executive Officer at Heavy Metal, Matthew Medney.
David Erwin, Publisher and Chief Creative Overlord at Heavy Metal says: “When I first saw Dan Fogler and Simon Bisley names on the same title, I knew it was going to be one hell of a ride like nothing before.”
“BROOKLYN GLADIATOR is our future, FISHKILL is our present and eventually we will present THE CHRONICLES of RAH which is our distant past,” Folger says of the three titles in his The Last Storm shared universe.
You can check out the cover and information for the first issue below:
“Brooklyn Gladiator #1”
Cover for Brooklyn Gladiator #1, courtesy of Heavy Metal
Author(s): Dan Fogler, Andrew Harrison, Ben McCool Artist(s): Simon Bisely (cover and interiors) Editor/Designer: Justin Mohlman Volume Number: 1 Volumes in Series: 4 Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action Format: 6.625 X 10.18, 32pp, Full Color, SoftCover
You can pre-order your copy of issue #1 here. The title is expected to ship July 1st 2020.
Mary Anne Butler (Mab) has been part of the fast-paced world of journalism since she was 15, getting her start in album reviews and live concert coverage for a nationally published (print) music magazine. She eventually transitioned to online media, writing for such sites as UGO/IGN, ComicsOnline, Geek Magazine, Ace of Geeks, Aggressive Comix (where she is still Editor-in-Chief), Bleeding Cool (where she was News Editor), and now NerdBot as News Editor.
Over the past 10 years, she’s built a reputation at conventions across the globe as a cosplayer (occasionally), photographer (constantly), panelist and moderator (mostly), and reporter (always). Interviews, reviews, observations, breaking news, and objective reporting are the name of the game for the founder of Harkonnen Knife Fight, a Dune-themed band with an international presence.
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