Grammy-nominated international producer and DJ Steve Aoki is teaming up with Eisner Award-winner Jim Krueger, Impact Theory’s Tom Bilyeu and artists Neil Edwards and Jheremy Raapack for a new original comic book series. Titled Neon Future, the series will send readers to a world where advanced technology is illegal, sparking a war between those augmented by tech and those who are not.
According to the series’ official description,
Nearly thirty years from now, in response to a global economic crisis, the U.S. has enacted Article 10, commonly known as “The Return,” which made all advanced technologies illegal. The Return promised to create jobs by eliminating the technology that had displaced so many workers through automation. But the lasting result has been an increase in the class divide, blatant bigotry, and a war between the Augmented, who have chosen to integrate technology into their bodies, and the Authentic, who have not. Out of the systematic oppression of the techno-class, a resistance movement known as Neon Future was born.
Led by the mysterious Kita Sovee (inspired by Steve Aoki), they strive to bring peace by showing the world a brighter future in harmony with technology. When Neon Future brings TV star, Clay Campbell, back from the dead with a rare technology, the uneasy balance between the government and the techno-class is threatened. Clay learns from the elusive rebels about the true nature of his past and his unexpected role in a brewing civil war. From Steve Aoki, and Eisner Award-Winning writer Jim Krueger, comes an innovative and compelling story of the dangers of unchecked power and the limitless nature of human potential.
RELATED: NYCC: Under-the-Radar Panels You’ll Want To Catch
“My obsession with mixing science and tech all started when I was a kid reading comic books. It took me on a ride to see how far the imagination can go, seeing ideas crossing the threshold from science fiction to fact,” Aoki said in a statement. “That’s the foundation of Neon Future, where we’re headed as we evolve, our downfalls, our victories and breakthroughs to find a way to survive and thrive through it all.”
RELATED: NYCC: The Biggest Comics Panels You Can’t Afford To Miss
“I’m so excited to be part of Neon Future,” Krueger added. “It has all the elements of a dynamic story, with compelling characters who evolve into true heroes by overcoming suffering. Working closely with Steve Aoki’s extraordinary imagination our team has built something really special.”
The first issue of the series boasts a main cover by Jheremy Raapack and variants from several artists, including Kim Jung Gi and Mau Lencinas. CBR can exclusively reveal the Lencinas variant, which is included in the gallery below. Concept artist Maciej Kuciara, whose past work includes Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy, provided key art.
RELATED: NYCC: The Biggest Television Panels You Don’t Want To Miss
The comic series has been timed to release with Aoki’s “Lie to Me” music video and “Be Somebody” single with DJ/producer Nicky Romero ft. Kiiara. Together, Aoki’s creations form “the overarching visionary world of Neon Future, which strives toward the singularity in a utopian convergence of technology and humanity.”
Aoki, Krueger, Bilyeu, Edwards and Raapack’s Neon Future #1 will be available for free Thursday, October 4 at Impact Theory’s New York Comic Con booth. Free digital copies will be provided to those who sign up for the newsletter. The first issue is currently available for pre-order.