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SDCC ’18: Calloway and Shibao Start “The Last Space Race” at AfterShock

By | July 12th, 2018
Posted in News | % Comments

Humanity’s focus turns to the sky when “a massive object — the size of Manhattan — enters the solar system” and starts “The Last Space Race.”

Coming to Aftershock Comics later this year, “The Last Space Race” is the newest comic book series from writer Peter Calloway (Cloak and Dagger, Legion) and artist Alex Shibao (“Independence Day: Dark Fathom”). It follows Sasha Balodis, a “tech billionaire turned aerospace titan” whose life has been affected by recent tragedy, in a space race against his arch-rival, Roger Freeman.

After the anomaly is detected, further investigation reveals that the object, having not been affected by its proximity to Saturn, is a huge alien space ship that remains silent in response to humanity. This leads to the population begging the questions of “Who built it? Why is it here? What does it want? And perhaps most importantly: how many technological secrets can be learned by the first ones that get there.” It is that final question that both Sasha and Roger are determined to answer first.

When asked about the book, Calloway describes the inspiration for the series being rooted in the fact that the United States of America seems “to have given up” on space exploration with the only investments being made by figures such as Elon Musk, the “private citizens.” They the ones who have taken on the “quest” of space exploration, hence the reflection in the book. Finally, Calloway added that the book should be sought out by comic book readers because “the mystery that unfolds — and the secrets within the space ship — will change the course of humanity.”

“The Last Space Race” #1 will be in stores October 9.

Cover by Alex Shibao
Artwork by Alex Shibao
Artwork by Alex Shibao
Artwork by Alex Shibao
Artwork by Alex Shibao
Variant Cover by Juan Doe

The full press release follows below:

THE LAST SPACE RACE #1 / $3.99 / 32 pages / color / on sale 10.09.18

Writer: Peter Calloway

Artist: Alex Shibao

Colorist: Natalia Marques

Letterer: Marshall Dillon

Cover A: Alex Shibao w/ Natalia Marques

Cover B: Juan Doe

NEW SERIES!

It started as an anomaly. An outlier in the noise that’s so common in astronomical data. But the truth sends the United States—and the world—careening into what will become humanity’s LAST SPACE RACE.

Leading the effort for the United States is one man, Sasha Balodis. A fun-loving tech billionaire turned aerospace titan, Sasha’s seemingly perfect life has been gripped by recent tragedy. Building and launching the most expensive, most ambitious and most important project in history—well, it gives him something to live for again.

There’s only one thing standing in his way: his arch-rival and chief aerospace competitor, Roger Freeman.

Written by Peter Calloway (TV’s Legion, Cloak & Dagger, Under the Dome) and drawn by Alex Shibao (Independence Day), THE LAST SPACE RACE is an imaginative investigation into wonder, hope and humanity’s grandest purpose—a truly original story AfterShock couldn’t be more fired up to tell.

PETER CALLOWAY ON WHAT THE LAST SPACE RACE IS ABOUT AND WHY HE’S EXCITED FOR IT TO COME OUT:

“A massive object — the size of Manhattan — enters the solar system. It isn’t a threat, going to harmlessly sail in and out near orbit of Saturn. But then the mysteries begin to pile up. Its trajectory isn’t effected by Saturn. Its infrared signature is brighter than it should be. When Hubble is turned toward it to get a high resolution picture, the truth comes out. It is a massive alien space ship. But, oddly, it’s not responding to any hails. Who built it? Why is it here? What does it want? And perhaps most importantly: how many technological secrets can be learned by the first ones that get there. Thus launches humanity’s LAST SPACE RACE.

I’m excited for this book to come out because I’m a science nerd. I believe humans are — at our core — explorers. Whether that’s in art, history, entertainment or in science, the best possible versions of ourselves are asking questions and trying to dig deeper, learn more. There is no place more unexplored or more important to our long term survival than space. And yet — as a country — we seem to have given up.

Well, that’s not entirely true. While the US government has given up (see: the end of Space Shuttle missions), there are several people who haven’t. Elon Musk. Jeff Bezos. Richard Branson. It’s private citizens that have taken over the quest for space exploration. And THE LAST SPACE RACE reflects that: they are ones who are racing to get there. If, of course, they ever do.”

PETER CALLOWAY ON HOW HIS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN SO FAR WORKING WITH AFTERSHOCK:

“AfterShock is a dream come true for a writer. It’s a place willing to take a chance and give stories the freedom to be what they want to be. And that’s all because of Mike and Lee. They aren’t afraid to try something, or explore an idea. I hope to work with them for as long as they’ll have me!”

PETER CALLOWAY ON (3) REASONS WHY COMIC BOOK FANS SHOULD ADD THIS TITLE TO THEIR PULL LIST:

1) Because you love the science fiction of Arthur C. Clarke, Issac Asimov and Stanley Kubrick.

2) Because you think the exploration of space is really an exploration of ourselves

3) Because the mystery that unfolds — and the secrets within the space ship — will change the course of humanity.


//TAGS | SDCC 2018

Luke Cornelius

Luke is an English and American Literature and Creative Writing graduate. He likes spending his time reading comics (obviously), going out on long walks and watching films/TV series.

EMAIL | ARTICLES


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