Comic to comic shops August 31st, a sci-fi world will be explored in The Concrete World where illegal virtual reality tech DREAMtech is uncovered. From Rebel Sidekick Studios, The Concrete World is an OGN by Gavin Highnight, with art by Jetilla Lewis and James Emmett. It explores a story of three lost souls that’ll do everything possible to escape into a virtual one.
“Cyberpunk inspired me when I was young and full of angst, medicating myself with comics— science fiction and counterculture music—like Bladerunner, Videodrome, William Gibson’s Neuromancer, Aeon Flux, even the short-lived Max Headroom TV series,” said Gavin Highnight.
So what’s The Concrete World about?
Felix, Paulie and Sera form an unlikely friendship. Their use of the mind-altering device leads the three on a quest for the ultimate high…A mythical virtual reality program nicknamed BLACK IVORY, which is rumored to be digital nirvana. Without money to acquire the elusive software, the three turn to a crime spree that puts them on a collision course with authoritarian law enforcement, technology-dealing gangsters and ultimately themselves.
Wander the forever night of this neon-soaked world along with Felix, Paulie and Sera as they search for the ultimate escape and discover that ultimately… Freedom is the new drug.
Highnight added, “Sadly, all these years later, not that much has changed in the world; our planet is crying out in distress and technology plus humanity. There’s nothing more dangerous than creating technology that we don’t have the capacity to control or handle. Science fiction can be a reflection and it can be a warning, a cautionary tale, that entertains yes but should also inform. This is why I chose to share my version of a cyberpunk story with others. Something inside had to tell the story of these three characters who came to me in the middle of the night at a very dark time in my life.”
Check out a preview below.
For more on this news, read the official press release below.
JUNE 14, 2022, (SEATTLE, WA) — A dark future is realized, and it’s an addiction to the illegal virtual reality technology, DREAMtech. From Rebel Sidekick Studios comes The Concrete World, written by Gavin Highnight (Transformers: War For Cybertron, Star Wars: Resistance) with art by Jetilla Lewis (Motor City) and James Emmett (The Commitee). A story of three lost souls, so disillusioned with the real world, they’ll do everything possible to escape into a virtual one.
Felix, Paulie and Sera form an unlikely friendship. Their use of the mind-altering device leads the three on a quest for the ultimate high…A mythical virtual reality program nicknamed BLACK IVORY, which is rumored to be digital nirvana. Without money to acquire the elusive software, the three turn to a crime spree that puts them on a collision course with authoritarian law enforcement, technology-dealing gangsters and ultimately themselves.
Wander the forever night of this neon-soaked world along with Felix, Paulie and Sera as they search for the ultimate escape and discover that ultimately… Freedom is the new drug.
“Cyberpunk inspired me when I was young and full of angst, medicating myself with comics— science fiction and counterculture music—like Bladerunner, Videodrome, William Gibson’s Neuromancer, Aeon Flux, even the short lived Max Headroom TV series,” said Gavin Highnight. “Sadly, all these years later, not that much has changed in the world; our planet is crying out in distress and technology plus humanity. There’s nothing more dangerous than creating technology that we don’t have the capacity to control or handle. Science fiction can be a reflection and it can be a warning, a cautionary tale, that entertains yes, but should also inform. This is why I chose to share my version of a cyberpunk story with others. Something inside had to tell the story of these three characters who came to me in the middle of the night at a very dark time in my life.”
The Concrete World is a beautifully illustrated 256-page OGN with foil-stamping and a wraparound cover band. The title hits shops Aug. 31. Colors by Jose Macasocol Jr., Junyol Baik and Timmar Jones, and letters by Nathan Kempf. Cover by Jenny Moore.
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