Just announced at Image Expo, “Batman” artist Becky Cloonan and “Kill Shakespeare” illustrator Andy Belanger are teaming up for “Southern Cross”: a horror story that has its eyes set on the sci-fi genre.
After Alex Braith’s sister is reported dead on a Saturn’s moon Titan, Braith boards the ship Southern Cross to collect her remains and discover what happened. As is true with most stories, dire complications ensue as Braith endures the journey on the claustrophobic Southern Cross.
Both Cloonan and Belanger seem to be well-suited for a horror driven series and are no doubt passionate about the project. Says Belanger, “I’ve waited years to draw a story like Southern Cross. I think the scariest stories, the most successful thrillers are the ones that start as a subtle tease, then build to bloody crescendo. Becky has tapped directly into that vein with her chilling mini comics—anyone who has read them knows she can weave a nail-biting story. We’ve wanted to join forces for a long time, and this book is a chance for us to really get under your skin.”
Indeed, if “Southern Cross” is half as tense as Cloonan’s mini comics than it’s sure to make the Best of 2014 lists when it debuts this winter. In the meantime, check out the full press release from Image and the creepy cover from Cloonan above. Given a few months time, we’ll likely be hugging this comic the same way that creepy Cthulu thing is hugging Braith. He’s just so happy!
For the full press release from Image, please see below.
Image Press Release
Becky Cloonan (Batman) and Andy Belanger (Kill Shakespeare, Swamp Thing) join forces for the all-new, ongoing science fiction thriller series SOUTHERN CROSS.
Now boarding: Southern Cross, tanker flight 73 to Titan. Alex Braith is on board retracing her sister’s steps to the refinery moon, hoping to collect her remains and find some answers. The questions keep coming though—How did her sister die? Where did her cabin mate disappear to? Who is that creep across the hall? And why does she always feel like she’s being watched?
“Jumping into the writer’s seat this year has been a little scary, but a lot of fun,” said Cloonan. “I’m also really psyched to be working with Andy Belanger on this book—We’ve wanted to work together for a while, but never found the right book until now. He asked me to write him a science fiction horror story—tell me, how could I resist that offer? Southern Cross has a lot of the same sensibilities as my mini comics, but in a longer format. And with Andy drawing the story, it’s become bigger and more realized than I could ever have imagined on my own.”
Andy Belanger is a huge fan of the horror genre and has a particular interest in it when it blends with science fiction. “I’ve waited years to draw a story like Southern Cross,” said Belanger. “I think the scariest stories, the most successful thrillers are the ones that start as a subtle tease, then build to bloody crescendo. Becky has tapped directly into that vein with her chilling mini comics—anyone who has read them knows she can weave a nail-biting story. We’ve wanted to join forces for a long time, and this book is a chance for us to really get under your skin. So strap in and prepare to experience another dimension in terror.”
“Becky’s development from amazing artist to all-around awesome storyteller has been really fun to watch over the last few years, and we’re really proud to be showcasing her growing talent as a writer,” said Eric Stephenson, Publisher at Image Comics. “She and Andy make a fantastic team, and it’s going to incredibly exciting watching this series come together. Readers are in for a real treat!”
Inspired by classic mysteries and weird fiction, SOUTHERN CROSS bares a crucible of creeping anxiety and fear as the main character Braith struggles with the ghosts of her past on board a ship that holds secrets best kept buried. Coming to Image Comics in Winter 2014.
