Zero Delves Into War Image Style

Violence begets violence...there's no questioning that. Whether or not that violence is required remains to be seen, but it does make for interesting storytelling. Image Comics is all about interesting storytelling, in that it's offering up a brand new series called Zero, written by Ales Kot.

“War is a disease,” said Kot, “and it seems that a large part of humanity is obsessed with it.” The writer of comics that range from the stream-of-consciousness apocalyptic tale CHANGE to DC Comics’ Suicide Squad draws on this point of view, developed in his native Czech Republic, for his new series ZERO, out from Image Comics in September. “I’ve seen, first-hand, what kind of damage war inflicts on people, and how often the wounds become obscured as the decades progress,” he said.

Zero is named for its main character, secret agent Edward Zero, a sociopath who solves problems with violence, a perfect execution machine. He’s built his life around certain principles, but Zero is the story of what happens when his carefully maintained systems break down and Zero must fight not just a war out in the world but one within himself as well. Each issue will end with this internal struggle producing an indelible change in Zero, and so each issue will be drawn by a different artist. The first issue, in which Zero encounters a bioengineered terrorist whose body is a bomb, is drawn by Michael Walsh. Subsequent issues will be drawn by comics stars like Mateus Santolouco, Morgan Jeske, Tradd Moore and Tonci Zonjic. Kot will write each issue based on the strengths of the artist, and the series will be colored by Jordie Bellaire.

Zero #1 is available for pre-order in the July issue of Previews (Diamond code JUL130415). Variant covers by Becky Cloonan (JUL130416) and Chris Burnham (JUL130417) are also available for pre-order. Full press release below.

ZERO DELVES INTO THE EFFECTS OF WAR IN SEPTEMBER New Image Comics series by Ales Kot will feature a new artist with each issue “War is a disease,” Ales Kot said in an interview with Multiversity Comics, “and it seems that a large part of humanity is obsessed with it.” The writer of comics that range from the stream-of-consciousness apocalyptic tale CHANGE to DC Comics’ Suicide Squad draws on this point of view, developed in his native Czech Republic, for his new series ZERO, out from Image Comics in September. “I’ve seen, first-hand, what kind of damage war inflicts on people, and how often the wounds become obscured as the decades progress,” he said. ZERO is named for its main character, secret agent Edward Zero, a sociopath who solves problems with violence, a perfect execution machine. He’s built his life around certain principles, but ZERO is the story of what happens when his carefully maintained systems break down and Zero must fight not just a war out in the world but one within himself as well. Each issue will end with this internal struggle producing an indelible change in Zero, and so each issue will be drawn by a different artist. The first issue, in which Zero encounters a bioengineered terrorist whose body is a bomb, is drawn by Michael Walsh, who previously worked on the critically-acclaimed time travel Image series COMEBACK, written by Ed Brisson.  Subsequent issues will be drawn by comics stars like Mateus Santolouco (Dial H, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Morgan Jeske (CHANGE), Tradd Moore (THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE), and Tonci Zonjic (WHERE IS JAKE ELLIS?). Kot will write each issue based on the strengths of the artist, and the series will be colored by Jordie Bellaire (THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS, NOWHERE MEN). Kot has also spoken about ZERO to iFanboy, PreviewsWorld, Technoccult, and Den of Geek. Advance praise for ZERO has begun rolling in, as well, including these accolades from two of the biggest writers in comics: "With Zero, Kot continues to push boundaries of both form and content to stunning and inspiring effect. A new kind of spy thriller written with scope, intelligence and flat out gripping storytelling, Zero is easily one of my favorite reads of the year." —Scott Snyder (SEVERED, American Vampire, Batman: Zero Year) "A first issue is the buy-in of the great game, story. This is Zero, and it's where all the action is. Have a seat." —Jonathan Hickman (EAST OF WEST, MANHATTAN PROJECTS, Avengers) ZERO #1 is available for pre-order in the July issue of Previews (Diamond code JUL130415). Variant covers by Becky Cloonan (JUL130416) and Chris Burnham (JUL130417) are also available for pre-order. 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, fantasy, 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.