THE FUTURE OF DYSTOPIA IN BLACKACRE

New series explores society post-collapse

Born out of the extremes of economic inequality and the collapse of a civilization, the dystopian world of the Image Comics series BLACKACRE, starting in December, is one where the elite live in gleaming high-rises, while outside the walls of their city, others struggle for survival and freedom.

BlackAcre is a community built on privilege and power, topics of conversation in our political climate, but writer Duffy Boudreau explained that our concerns are only a starting point. "The story is definitely inspired by current events, but those are just foundation," he said. "In the world of BlackAcre, our politics are a thing of the past. Most characters in this new world wouldn't have the slightest idea about any of that."

Auxiliary Captain Hull doesn't know about the machinations of power in the walled community of BlackAcre, either. When he's recruited for a rescue mission, he doesn't hesitate to accept, having been raised in military service with utmost loyalty to his brothers-at-arms. But as Hull ventures into the Hinterlands outside of the walls, he will discover the treachery behind the trust placed in him.

The stripping away of society as we know it allowed Boudreau to examine how people act from a new perspective, he said. "I've always been fascinated with dystopian stories because they give us a look at human nature through a completely different lens — whether it's a society taken to its extreme or a landscape where the trappings of the civilized world have fallen away. These two types of worlds coexist in BlackAcre, and Hull's journey from one to the other is the spark that sets everything in motion."

Artist on BLACKACRE, Wendell Cavalcanti, said the series gives him the opportunity to apply his skill to genres that have always attracted him. "I love sci-fi, dystopian future, war, and spy films, with all those diabolical characters and their sordid plans. And BlackAcre is a mix of all that," he said.

The first issue has already earned rave reviews from some of comics' top creators:

"The key to creating a great story about the future isn't making it seem possible, but probable. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to a little tale called BlackAcre."
    - Jonathan Hickman (THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS, Fantastic Four)

"An amazing new book from an amazing new writer. This book rules."
    - Matt Fraction (Hawkeye, Invincible Iron Man, Casanova)

"BlackAcre is the perfect new comic for our times. Like some bizarre cross between Mad Max and Judge Dredd that I can't wait to read more of."
    - Ed Brubaker (FATALE, Criminal, Winter Soldier)

BLACKACRE is an ongoing series, with the first issue, which features a cover by Michael Avon Oeming, in stores on December 5.

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Blackacre #1

Story by: Duffy Boudreau
Art By: Wendell Cavalcanti
Cover By: Michael Avon Oeming
Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: OCT120457

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

ABOUT ROBERT KIRKMAN
Robert Kirkman's success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company's inception twenty years ago and he formed his own imprint there, Skybound, in 2010.  Kirkman is the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, The Astounding Wolf-Man, and new title Thief of Thieves, among many others. Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011 and in April 2012, he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists. He's the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 120 countries and 250 million households. AMC is developing Thief of Thieves as a  potential series with Kirkman serving as creator/executive producer and writer.  www.Skybound.com is your destination for all news and merchandise for Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles.