Umbral

A dark fantasy series by Antony Johnston & Christopher Mitten, creators of the sci-fi epic WASTELAND Published by Image Comics BOOK ONE: ‘OUT OF THE SHADOWS’ NOW ON SALE   Diamond code: MAR140551   ISBN: 978-1607069843

[antonyjohnston]

An Announcement Concerning the Future of “UMBRAL”

Alas.

With great sadness, we must announce that UMBRAL is going on hiatus.

This isn’t a creative decision. We all love making UMBRAL, and we know there’s a small, loyal audience out there who love reading it. You’re our kind of people, and we love you all.

But the operative word there is “small”. UMBRAL no longer has enough monthly readers to continue — in fact, it hasn’t for some months, now. We persevered, hoping things might turn around, but they haven’t. (Before you ask about trade paperback sales; they’re respectable, but not enough to make up for the monthly shortfall.)

Some critics have suggested UMBRAL would have sold better if Rascal was a boy, or even a sexy adult woman, instead of a young girl. I sincerely believe that’s not true, but even if it is, I speak for the whole team when I say: fuck that noise. We won’t play that game.

So. Hiatus? Yes, truly. If there’s a way we can somehow return to continue Rascal’s story, we promise that we will. There’s so much you still haven’t seen! Her second encounter with Black Rojyr, on the high Azqari Sea; how she discovered the lost capital of Xulinor, and the secrets she found buried within; the Mistwalker’s long path to freedom and reconciliation; the tragedy of Dalone’s true history, and what really happened at Culin’s Calamity; and more, and more, and more.

For now, those stories must remain untold.

For now, we say au revoir (never goodbye) to Rascal and Dalone, Shayim and Munty, the Oculus, the Mistwalker, and of course, the bastard Umbral themselves.

For now, we retreat into the shadows.

— Antony, Chris, Jordan, Thomas

April 2015

[antonyjohnston]

And WASTELAND #60 — the final issue — is also solicited this month from Oni Press.

WASTELAND #60 “Before and After Science”

WRITER: ANTONY JOHNSTON ARTIST: CHRISTOPHER MITTEN

DOUBLE-SIZED EPILOGUE ISSUE! A young man called Marcus wanders the desert, following the call to A-Ree-Yass-I — but what he does there will echo through the world for years. And decades later, a familiar tale will begin…

Diamond Order Code: JAN151525

Let’s face it, the epilogue to a 60-issue epic isn’t exactly a great jumping-on point! But if you’ve followed the series, or read it in trades, or even just pick up one of the collections every so often, you might want to get this one, for sentimental value if nothing else.

One thing’s for sure, we ain’t going back to press. So tell your retailer!

And, of course, if you haven’t read WASTELAND yet I encourage you to go find Book 01 “Cities in Dust” and start there.

[theumbral]

Antony and Chris, finishing out how they always planned.

[antonyjohnston]

UMBRAL #11 ON SALE

UMBRAL #11, 'In Nobody We Trust', goes on sale this week.

Only Rascal can save… Shayim and Munty?! But not before she decides it’s time for a pretty drastic change. And that’s not even mentioning what she sees in the blade, or who follows her into the woods. It’s time to stand and fight!

We’re on the home stretch of Book Two, 'The Dark Path', with this issue. In fact, this is the penultimate issue of the story arc, and there are big changes and revelations in store for everyone.

There’s a six-page preview here on tumblr to whet your appetite.

UMBRAL #11 is available from all good comics stores with the order code SEP140759, or you can buy it digitally from Comixology and Image Comics.

[theumbral]

Trust no-one.

[antonyjohnston]

UMBRAL #11: “In Nobody We Trust”

HUGE things happening in this issue. Big changes and revelations for everyone!

On sale this Wednesday, published by Image Comics.

[antonyjohnston]

UMBRAL #11, “In Nobody We Trust”. On sale next week from @imagecomics

[theumbral]

BIG changes and revelations in this issue. HUGE.

[antonyjohnston]

Thought Experiment 2014

This weekend is the Thought Bubble Festival convention in Leeds, and as usual I’ll be there.

You can find me at Table 32 in New Dock Hall, on the back wall between Rufus Dayglo and Ian Edginton & Disraeli. Just look for the white banner, with my name in big red letters.

I’ll be there all weekend, except for when I’m appearing on the 'I is for Innovation' panel of Image writers, Saturday at 3.30pm. That’s in the Royal Armouries theatre, and you can find details of all the panels here.

I’m also DJing once again at the legendary mid-convention party, this year being held at Leeds Town Hall, along with usual spinning suspects Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Al Ewing, Boo Cook, and others. But I’m kicking things off this year, so put on your dancing shoes and prepare to get down.

[antonyjohnston]

UMBRAL #10 On Sale

Issue #10 of UMBRAL, 'There, in the Gleaming…' goes on sale this week.

Rascal gets in trouble. So what else is new?

…Well, the Mistwalker finally lives up to its name, Dalone finds something that shouldn’t exist in the darkness, and you won’t believe who’s in the cage. Stick that in your Oculus and smoke it.

This issue continues Book Two, 'The Dark Path', as Rascal and Dalone continue getting to know the Wodelings, and Rascal takes a shine to one of them in particular… just as everything starts to go wrong. Suffice to say, nobody comes out of this story arc unchanged.

UMBRAL #10 is available from all good comics stores with the order code AUG140688, or you can buy it digitally from Comixology and Image Comics.

You can also read a six-page preview here on tumblr.

[antonyjohnston]

UMBRAL #10: “There, in the Gleaming…”

On sale Wednesday, from Image Comics.

[theumbral]

He walks! He really does!

[antonyjohnston]

UMBRAL #10: “There, in the Gleaming…” Wherein the Mistwalker… walks! On sale next week from @imagecomics

[theumbral]

He really does.

[antonyjohnston]

NEW WORK, NEW WORK

New York Comic-Con starts in a week, and I’ll be there, as (is rapidly becoming) usual.

I’m also doing a couple of pre-convention events, if you’re in the area. So here’s my itinerary for the week:

MONDAY OCT 6

• 5-8pm: Signing at Escape Pod Comics in Huntington, on Long Island.

Part of Escape Pod’s Comictoberfest (née ‘New York Comic-Can’t’) event, which will also feature the likes of Becky Cloonan and Alex deCampi.

WEDNESDAY OCT 8

• 6-8pm: Image Comics signing at Forbidden Planet NYC.

This is the Image ‘Super Signing’ with a whole bunch of people, including Tim Seeley, Amy Reeder, Declan Shalvey, and lord knows who else. Big event.

FRIDAY OCT 10

“i” is for frIday, apparently:

• 12.15pm: Image Comics: I is for Infinite in Room 1A14.

A panel talking about creative freedom and suchlike, along with Kieron Gillen, Megan Levens, Scott Snyder, and more.

• 2-3pm: Image Comics signing at booth #1544.

This will be the first NYCC since I launched both THE FUSE and UMBRAL, so that should be interesting.

• 8pm-late: Image Comics / Multiversity / Hero Initiative Party.

Practically a New York tradition by now, held at Stitch on West 37th. Yes, you may buy me a drink. How kind.

SATURDAY OCT 11

Assuming I survive Friday.

• 12.30pm: Oni Press signing at booth #1928.

Signing WASTELAND, THE COLDEST CITY, and so on. Alas, neither Chris Mitten nor Justin Greenwood will be at the con this year. You’ll just have to make do with me.

• 3pm: Avatar Press signing at booth #1920.

Signing FASHION BEAST, THE HYPOTHETICAL LIZARD, YUGGOTH CREATURES, etc. I’m told this is going to clash with both Max Brooks and Garth Ennis, so be prepared to fight your way through the seething masses.

• And of course I’ll be propping up various bars, karaoke rooms, and what have you over the course of the weekend. Hope to see you there.

SIGNING PROTOCOL

• You can bring absolutely anything (of mine!) for me to sign, no matter how old, and no matter whose booth I’m sitting at.

• Yes, I will happily sign your videogame box inlays, too.

• I do not charge for signatures. But I really appreciate it when you buy a book.

• There’s no maximum item restriction, but if you bring lots of stuff and there’s a long line behind you, I may ask you to split your pile in half and stand on line twice.

[antonyjohnston]

UMBRAL #9 ON SALE

Issue #9 of UMBRAL, titled ‘Twisting the Knife’, goes on sale this week.

The Redguard are closing in, the Kin are on the trail, and the Wodelings aren’t letting their new prisoners out of their sight! But even a simple trip through the forest is anything but simple in the world of UMBRAL — as Rascal is about to find out!

This is the midpoint of Book Two, 'The Dark Path', as Rascal and her band of unlikely companions encounter the Wodelings in the mysterious Bulaswode, and Rascal begins to wonder just who she can trust…

UMBRAL #9 is available from all good comics stores with the order code JUL140585, or you can buy it digitally from Comixology and Image Comics.

You can also read a six-page preview on tumblr.

[antonyjohnston]

UMBRAL #9: TWISTING THE KNIFE

In which Rascal and Dalone get themselves captured, Shayim and Munty learn a few things about each other, and the Umbral in the forest taunts Rascal with a tantalising home truth…

Published by Image Comics. On sale tomorrow.

[antonyjohnston]

UMBRAL #9: TWISTING THE KNIFE. On sale next week.

[antonyjohnston]

LONDON: Signing at Forbidden Planet Megastore, August 30

A reminder for anyone in or around London next weekend that I’ll be appearing at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Saturday August 30, between 3-4pm.

(That’s next Saturday, not this bank holiday weekend.)

Eagle-eyed readers will note the date is just three days after THE FUSE Vol 1: THE RUSSIA SHIFT goes on sale, which is of course no coincidence at all.

But UMBRAL readers shouldn’t feel left out, because we’ve produced exclusive, signed and numbered limited edition bookplates for both THE FUSE and UMBRAL, featuring original art by Justin Greenwood and Christopher Mitten, for the event. We’ll give one away with each of the first 150 copies of THE FUSE and UMBRAL trade paperbacks sold.

(That’s them in the main image, if you hadn’t guessed.)

If you can’t make it to the event, don’t worry — you can also order these “mini-print” editions online, although priority will be given to people actually buying in-store on the day. Nevertheless, if you want to order online, check the event page for details.

And of course readers of WASTELAND, THE COLDEST CITY, DAREDEVIL, whatever, are all welcome, too. Come one, come all. This will probably be the biggest signing I’ve yet done, so try and get there early, or at least on time, if you can.

Hope to see you there!

[antonyjohnston]

Forgot to mention that the Image November solicits — which include THE FUSE #7, kicking off the next arc — also features UMBRAL #11, "In Nobody We Trust":

Only Rascal can save…Shayim and Munty?! But not before she decides it’s time for a pretty drastic change. And that’s not even mentioning what she sees in the blade, or who follows her into the woods. It’s time to stand and fight!

That “drastic change” is going to have some people cursing, I suspect :D

On sale November 26.

[antonyjohnston]

UMBRAL #8 ON SALE

Isue #8 of UMBRAL goes on sale this week, with the enigmatic title 'What Whispers in a Wode':

What indeed! But don’t worry, you’ll find out soon enough — after some sword-fighting, horse-stealing, spooky-forest-riding, soldier-tracking, nightmare-enduring, and corpse-finding, of course!

Also: a teensy bit of Mistwalker. See how nice we are to you?

This latest chapter continues Book Two, 'The Dark Path', as Rascal and her band of unlikely companions enter the Bulaswode — a strange, fog-filled forest where shining yellow eyes watch from within the mists…

UMBRAL #8 is available from all good comics stores with the order code JUN140585, or you can buy it digitally from Comixology and Image Comics.

You can also read a six-page preview on tumblr.

[theumbral]

FIRE!

[antonyjohnston]

Signing at Forbidden Planet London Megastore, Aug 30

I’ll be appearing at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Saturday August 30, between 3-4pm.

(Don’t panic, British people — that’s the weekend after the August bank holiday.)

Eagle-eyed readers will note the date is just three days after THE FUSE Vol 1: THE RUSSIA SHIFT goes on sale, which is of course no coincidence at all.

But UMBRAL readers shouldn’t feel left out, because we’ve produced exclusive, signed and numbered limited edition bookplates for both THE FUSE and UMBRAL, featuring original art by Justin Greenwood and Christopher Mitten, for the event. We’ll give one away with each of the first 150 copies of THE FUSE and UMBRAL trade paperbacks sold.

(That’s them in the main image, if you hadn’t guessed.)

If you can’t make it to the event, don’t worry — you can also order these “mini-print” editions online, although priority will be given to people actually buying in-store on the day. Nevertheless, if you want to order online, check the event page for details.

And of course readers of WASTELAND, THE COLDEST CITY, DAREDEVIL, whatever, are all welcome, too. Come one, come all. This will probably be the biggest signing I’ve yet done, so try and get there early, or at least on time, if you can.

Hope to see you there!