Hey, it’s Zack.
So, I’m a parent of two young elementary kids, so I just can’t talk about what’s going on without getting too upset. I’m heartbroken and outraged, I’m sure you are too, and I’m sorry that we are all going through this. But, I do this newsletter to share news about my comics, so that’s what I’m going to do. I can’t just shut down. It doesn’t mean we’re all not hurting, but we all wake up and go to work. We move forward anyway we can. So despite the world ongoings, I am gonna try to continue making and talking about comics.
We're all time travelers, and we’re all traveling through time, hoping desperately that things will get better. Will these sorts of things every get better? An emotional question, now more than ever. We’d like to think so, but I’m not so sure. I’m searching for answers, trying to make sense of our forever-changing future, and struggling with how to cope with the ups and downs in our lives. This is the inspiration for my new comic Forever Forward.
Announcing Scout Comics FOREVER FORWARD!
Scout Comics is expanding its slate this August, and I'm joining the journey with the August 24th release of our new sci-fi adventure series that explores time travel through "the future" as an Odyssey-style mythic journey, with stunning art from artist Arjuna Susini (Heist, Replacer), colors from Brad Simpson (Stray Dogs, Join the Future), letters from Jim Campbell (Giant Days, Break Out) and logo/designs from Tim Daniel. This spectacular Cover A from Eisner nominated Jacob Phillips (That Texas Blood, New Burn), Cover B from new Last Days of Black Hammer artist Stefano Simeone, Cover C from DC Round Robin winner and DC Superboy artist Jahnoy Lindsay and Cover D from superstar cover artist Ivan Tao.
SYNOPSIS:
When brilliant young scientist Dr. Lewis Moody accidentally launches himself, his secret longtime crush and three best friends 33 years into the future with his unproven quantum time machine, they find a mysterious message from their future selves: THE ONLY WAY BACK IS FORWARD. Now, as they jump again and again through strange future times, will they one day find the technology to time-travel back, or are they doomed to hopelessly travel forward…forever?
I'm hoping that FOREVER FORWARD follows in the footsteps of great sci-fi action adventures like BLACK SCIENCE or WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEY'RE DEAD.
You know, I used to believe that our world was getting better each day, and some time in the future, we might live in a perfect resolution of our challenges. Sadly, now, time seems to be a never-ending series of fleeting ups and heart-breaking downs, and the truth is that we don’t know what the future holds. That's really why I wrote this series. FOREVER FORWARD is a epic sci-fi adventure with action and thrills that takes us into a cascade of future eras from a Russian invasion of America to fascist robots to post-apocalyptic steampunk wars, as times go from bad to worse, and ultimately remind us of the importance of cherishing the present and those we love.
Artist Arjuna Susini shared “As a science fiction enthusiast, I was thrilled to collaborate with Zack on FOREVER FORWARD, and I could not have been more fortunate than to have the chance to contribute to a story which, in addition to revisiting the concept of time travel in a creative and dynamic way, inserts engaging and innovative elements about the vision of human nature in both small manners (in its individual relationships, friendship, love, etc.) and in the large ways, as culture and society (how we evolve and involve in a chaotic and dynamic way). It’s very fun!”
And I may be biased, but I think artist Arjuna Susini’s Moebius-level detail and fantastic world-building is some of his best ever. We're bringing an all-star creative team with colorist Brad Simpson’s sizzling and dynamic palette, Jim Campbell’s crisp and smooth letters and Tim Daniel’s beautiful design on the series. we are thrilled to partner with Scout Comics, who has been a rising force in comics and so passionate and supportive on this book. We're all bringing a ton of passion to this series and we can’t wait to take you on this ride into the future.
Just check out this FOREVER FORWARD sneak peek from Issue #1 -->
Vault Comics’ MIDNSET with John J Pearson and Hassan Otsmane Elhaou is in its final week before May 29th FOC, and wow, we are getting some pretty exciting early reviews. So I’m just gonna share them because this book is feeling really special and it’s really rewarding to see this. If you are feeling this book, and you do not normally pre-order, please make an exception, call your shop and pre-order this book!
Anyway, thanks for indulging me while I make comics. I’m gonna just leave it there this week.
I hugged my kids extra tight last night. If you have loved ones, be extra kind to them this week and kind to yourself.
And thanks for reading.
May 25, 2022
Zack Kaplan