AfterShock Comics have announced a new series called “Silver City” by writer Olivia Cuartero-Briggs (“Mary Shelley: Monster Hunter”), artist and colorist Luca Merli (“Disney: Frankenstein, Starring Donald Duck”), and letterer Dave Sharpe (“Kaiju Score”). The first issue will feature a main cover by Roberta Ingranata and a variant by David Lopez.
The series will chronicle a young woman’s arrival in Silver City, a dark metropolis in the afterlife, and her ensuing quest to find out how and why she died. Her quest is disrupted when she discovers that she has kinetic powers, after preventing a recently deceased girl from being kidnapped.
In the press release, Cuartero-Briggs stated the series is “based on a dream I had over a decade ago. One of those dreams you just can’t shake or stop thinking about.” She described it as a “really fun exploration into the greater meaning of life, what happens after we die, and even a bit of what happens after that.” Cuartero-Briggs also revealed that the main characters of the series “are all from different periods in history: a ’50s kid from The Bronx, a punk rocker from the early 90s, and a modern-day misfit.” There’s also a dog called Snax, who “is actually my first dog and most beloved companion, who passed away shortly before I started writing book one.” Merli’s depiction of him is a personal favorite of Cuartero-Briggs, because “he nailed his spirit in the books so well, it’s been like having him back.”
“Silver City” #1 is scheduled for release on May 12.
Lopez’s variant cover, the out-of-sequence preview pages, and full press release are as follows.
Silver City #1 / $4.99 / 32 pages / Color / On Sale 5.12.2021
Writer: Olivia Cuartero-Briggs
Artist & Colorist: Luca Merli
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Cover: Roberta Ingranata w/ Bryan Valenza
Incentive Cover: David LopezWhen a young roughneck lands in Silver City, the gritty, purgatorial metropolis of the afterlife, she must adapt to her new existence, while attempting to uncover how and why she died. Her mission is derailed, however, when she rescues a newly dead girl from a mysterious kidnapping attempt, and discovers powerful, kinetic abilities.
Welcome to the Silver City, where the sun never rises and nothing ever changes…until now.
OLIVIA CUARTERO-BRIGGS ON WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT AND WHY SHE IS EXCITED FOR IT TO COME OUT:
“Silver City is about a troubled young woman’s posthumous quest to figure out who she is in a strange, purgatorial city, and in so doing, seize her destiny. I am so excited for readers to finally get to read this story for several reasons. 1. It’s a really fun exploration into the greater meaning of life, what happens after we die, and even a bit of what happens after that. These first five books are an introduction into an entirely new world, one that I had the time of my life building, and I can’t wait to share it. Another reason I can’t wait for readers to see this book, is the amazing artwork by Luca Merli. He is an incredible talent, and I felt like he was reading my mind throughout the entire illustrating process. He brings the city, the world, and the characters “to life” (no pun intended) in ways I could only dream of.”
OLIVIA CUARTERO-BRIGGS ON SOME OF HER INSPIRATIONS BEHIND CREATING THE BOOK:
“This story is based on a dream I had over a decade ago. One of those dreams you just can’t shake or stop thinking about. At the same time, I live across the street from Universal Studios, and would take my daughter to “Harry Potter World” often. It was so amazing to me that all of that existed – the movies, the rides, the endless amounts of toys, games, and paraphernalia – the entire Harry Potter phenomenon – came out of one woman who decided to write her dream. So, I thought, why not me?”
OLIVIA CUARTERO-BRIGGS ON IF SHE HAS A FAVORITE PAGE/PANEL/CHARACTER AND IF SO, WHO/WHAT IS IT AND WHY:
“I love all the characters and the life Luca brought to them. I also love his exteriors of Silver City itself. But my favorite has to be Snax. Snax is actually my first dog and most beloved companion, who passed away shortly before I started writing book one. I sent Luca pictures of him, and he nailed his spirit in the books so well, it’s. been like having him back.”
OLIVIA CUARTERO-BRIGGS ON (3) REASONS WHY COMIC READERS SHOULD PICK UP THIS BOOK:
“Well, I like to think there are LOADS of reasons readers should snatch this book of the shelves, but if I must list only three… 😉
1. The characters are all completely unique, and painstakingly developed. Also, they are all from different periods in history: A 50’s kid from The Bronx, a punk rocker from the early 90s, and a modern-day misfit. It’s a real challenge, writing in all those different voices, tones, and lingos, but put together, it makes for a very fun read, and a group of characters you won’t soon forget. There are also some dead celebrity cameos, and that’s always fun!
2. The world – This is a completely new world that has been created using fragments of history, various beliefs, and a whole lot of creativity. It’s entirely different from any world you’ve seen before – new philosophies, legends, villains, monsters, and heroes – and yet grounded by those basic desires that move us all: Acceptance, survival, and fear of the unknown.
3. The Story – Much like other big, world-building adventure stories, Silver City has a delicately complex and intricately designed story full of twists, turns, and massive revelations. The amazing editors at Aftershock and I have worked tirelessly to ensure there is literally never a dull moment, and I am endlessly proud of what we have accomplished. Lots more to come, I hope!”
