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EPHK’s “MAWRTH VALLIIS” Takes Readers to the Martian Frontier

By | April 23rd, 2021
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Cover by EPHK

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.


James Dowling

James Dowling is probably the last person on Earth who enjoyed the film Real Steel. He has other weird opinions about Hellboy, CHVRCHES, Squirrel Girl and the disappearance of Harold Holt. Follow him @James_Dow1ing on Twitter if you want to argue about Hugh Jackman's best film to date.

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