You’re going to be hearing a lot about this book over the week, I’d imagine. It’s our Pick of the Week, something we’ve been teasing for a while and discussing with series writer/creator Ales Kot extensively. It’s one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I’ve already had the opportunity to read the first issue three times now — cool brag, I know.
But the reason I think that “Zero” is worth so much attention and the added boost in coverage here with a Hype Machine article is because “Zero” is going to be something really different. I mean that. As far as I know, there is no other book like it on the market — there are no books that switch artists per issue as a legitimate narrative device; there are no books that balance this kind of social and political commentary within what is ostensibly a spy/thriller series; there are no books that perfectly capture the strange and twisted duality of the human beast quite like this.
It’s a book that is going to touch on some uncomfortable subjects. The first time I read the first issue, I e-mailed Ales to ask him about some of the underlying elements and to ask if he was at all worried about what he’s implying. His response? A fearless no.
It’s a book that’s going to repeatedly reinvent itself. The first issue is like something straight out of Metal Gear Solid, but the second seems more like a James Bond thriller. The third is a dark meditation on war Garth Ennis-style and the fourth — you’ll never believe — is actually rather touching. To say more would probably spoil more than I’m allowed to talk about, but I mean, you’ve seen the previews and excerpts so far, right? You know what this book is capable of; but then again, I’m not quite sure you do.
It’s a book that is going to swing wildly for the stars and damn the consequences. It’s that kind of book that I think is fully worth getting behind.
Ales Kot has proven himself an incredibly talented writer, whether it be his three issues of “Suicide Squad” or his current creator-owned body of work with “Wildchildren” and “Change.” He’s the kind of writer who knows how to write specifically for his collaborators, and with new artists coming on every issue to tell different parts of Zero’s story, I can’t wait to see some of the upcoming issues for the first arc, including:
- #2: Mateus Santolouco
- #3: Morgan Jeske
- #4: Tradd Moore
- #5: Will Tempest
- #6: Tonci Zonjic
Add to that the consistent presence of the fantastic Jordie Bellaire, the talented lettering of Clayton Cowles and the design aspect by Tom Muller, and “Zero” is being wrapped up in quite a pretty package.
“Zero” is going to show you the life and times of a man who deserves neither your applause nor praise. I very much believe you should sign up for the ride.
“Zero” goes on sale this week from all fine local comic book retailers. Here’s the preview for the first issue to get you excited if you aren’t already:
And the initial press release:
Image Press Release
“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.
Continued belowEach 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.
