Image Comics will be publishing German artist EPHK’s original graphic novel “MAWRTH VALLIIS” this July. The comic plunges readers headfirst into a Martian civil war, that begins following a fighter pilot’s journey of defiance.
The 128-page OGN is fully immersed in EPHK’s space opera version of the Red Planet, with the dialogue being rendered entirely in a Martian language created by the cartoonist. The novel is centered on a pilot who strays from a skirmish to chase down a fleeing enemy, leading her on a trip through the valleys of Mars.
“The never-ending wars to control the surface of the red planet are slowly coming to an end. The two last surviving factions are getting desperate,” said EPHK, describing the plot. “During a routine defensive operation an elite pilot decides, against her orders, to pursue a fleeing foe leading her into a chase that will take her to the heart of a forbidden area known as Mawrth Valliis. There, she will be led deep beneath the surface and discover Mars’ darkest secret.”
EPHK (also known as Electric Pick) is a Berlin underground artist known for their pin-ups and digital comic “Magda Gamma.” “MAWRTH VALLIIS” was originally published through Kickstarter last year. The story was penciled, colored and lettered digitally, and it will be released as a pocket-size soft cover comic.
“[‘MAWRTH VALLIS’ is] inspired by my new found love for the storytelling format of Mexican historietas and my never ending adoration of classic ’70s European sci-fi narratives,” EPHK added. “I think anyone who’s into classic sci-fi adventure but also interested in new ways to discover it, would enjoy reading MV.”
“MAWRTH VALLIIS” releases July 21 with a cover by EPHK. Check below for an eight-page preview.
