Image Comics will release “Burnouts,” a series described as a mash-up of They Live and Freaks and Geeks. The series is written by Dennis Culver, with art from Geoffo and Lauren Perry and letters by Dave Dwonch. The comic follows a group of teenagers who, after taking part in an anti-drug program, take the most logical next step and decide to smoke some pot. Instead mellowing out in stoner heaven, these high school kids discover that they are not alone in the universe and that the world is being taken over by aliens they can only see while getting high.
Culver told io9 he came up with this high concept when thinking “every high school has that group of kids we call ‘Burnouts,’ one day I was staring at the ceiling thinking about story ideas and I had this notion of their drunk and high antics having a purpose. What if they were actually fighting something only they could see. From there the idea took off.” When asked about his art, Geoffo said “Dennis had a very specific idea about how the aliens should look and I think it’s awesome. They are floating a bit like a balloon with the tentacles waving randomly and with their neutral faces. They look inoffensive. But, you don’t want to go near them! The challenge is to make them both threatening and beautiful. A bit like a jellyfish. Beautiful, but from far away.” He then added “That’s why I love to draw them and their tentacles waving, it’s almost a zen thing to draw. Before they possess you, I mean.”
Get ready for “Burnouts” #1 in comic book stores September 19, 2018. Until then, you can find Image’s official press release and some interior art down below.
Writer Dennis Culver (E Is for Extinction) and artist Geoffo (layout artist for Marvel Rising) join forces for a new ongoing series in BURNOUTS launching this September. “Think John Carpenter’s They Live meets Freaks & Geeks,” said Geoffo. “This is how Dennis pitched me the series, and once I heard that, I couldn’t wait to draw this crazy fun thing! I’m so eager to share it with the world. You’re gonna love it, and you don’t even have to get high to enjoy the ride!” To save their friends and families, a group of high school teenagers must fight off an attack on their town by a secret alien invasion… but they can only see the aliens if they’re completely wasted. “The Burnouts are the wrong crowd that your parents always worried you’d fall in with at school—and they’re mankind’s last hope,” said Culver. “I can’t wait for people to read this book! Geoffo and I have cooked up a great comic filled with teen angst, violence, and dark humor.” The Burnouts are saving the world one puff at a time. BURNOUTS #1 (Diamond Code JUL180118) hits stores on Wednesday, September 19th. The final order cutoff for retailers is Monday, August 27th. – See more at: https://imagecomics.com/content/view/get-high-on-burnouts-this-september#sthash.MjcRPrGj.dpuf
