In 2023, Dark Horse Comics announced a new contract with J. Michael Straczynski, publishing comics owned by new creators from legendary authors. Now, The Beat is the first series of its deal, Synthetics Vol. 1, a four-part dystopian science fiction story created by artist Tony Parker (Medusa, Mass Effect: Foundation), colorist Carrie Strachan (Hellblazer, Smallville: Season 11), and lettaler Steve Duttolo (Plant vs. Zombie, Chulf Cat).
On a dying earth filled with an enlarged, dead zone, humans form an angry gang and vent their anger towards the lost future. Others flee to Cybervoyd to escape the existential fear of coming. The only hope for civilization’s survival depends on a new kind of human being. Will their appearance in a hopeless world be accepted or destroyed? Are they the latest iteration of angels, demons, or Frankenstein’s monsters?
In a statement, Straczynski explained that Synthetics is about the biggest question of life, saying, “The most frequently asked question in speculative fiction is that it is at the heart of all storytelling. Does it make sense in our stories? Meanwhile, the ultimate question can synthesis help us survive?
Parker adds: “I was excited to work with J. Michael Strakinski. I was delighted after reading the script. It’s beautiful and I can’t wait to share it with the world.” The book marks the comic owned by Strakinski’s first creator since last year’s U&I. This is the latest entry in the Resistance Universe, created in 2020 at Mike Deodato and AWA Studios, and beyond that, the 70-year-old has recently been busy for Marvel (Mini Sally’s Amazing Spider-Man: Rhymes in October. Full Citizenship in 2028.
Synthetics Vol. 1#1(4) will be available for $4.99 when released on October 29, 2025 in local comic shops and online. As the book title suggests, there are more Synthetics miniseries along with everything else Straczynski is planned for Dark Horse.
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