Epic Space Opera Blends East of West and Dune in Free Planet Preview

IGN is thrilled to unveil Image Comics' latest venture, an epic space opera titled Free Planet. This series is described as a unique fusion of East Meets West and Dune, positioning it as a must-read for sci-fi enthusiasts. Dive into our exclusive slideshow gallery below for a first look at Free Planet #1:

Free Planet #1: Exclusive Comic Book Preview

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Free Planet is crafted by writer Aubrey Sitterson, known for No One Left to Fight, and illustrated by Jed Dougherty of Savage Hearts fame. The debut issue boasts covers by Dougherty and Fico Ossio. Here's the official synopsis from Image Comics:

The first completely free planet in human history has won its independence. Now, a group of revolutionary heroes must defend the planet’s unique energy source from a pair of hostile intergalactic powers while determining what complete freedom actually entails. AUBREY SITTERSON (No One Left to Fight, The Comic Book Story of Professional Wrestling) and JED DOUGHERTY (Savage Hearts, Worlds’ Finest) blend the intricate future history of EAST OF WEST with the emotional space opera stylings of SAGA in a story about freedom and the sacrifices it demands.

"Free Planet is the shape of comics to come, Jed and my effort to elevate our craft and chosen medium with a truly literary comic, its rich complexity presented visually," Sitterson shares with IGN. "Whether its intense military action, intricate geopolitical machinations, or heart-rending soap opera, every page of Free Planet contains an overwhelming amount of visual information; we're giving you your money's worth, with a book meant to be read slowly, again and again. It's a complex rumination on what everyone – no matter where they fall on the political spectrum – truly wants: Freedom. In light of this, it's fitting that Free Planet has found a home at Image Comics, a publisher founded for the express purpose of affording comics creators the freedom to make their best, most personal works, completely unfettered."

"Aubrey and I have collaborated on several comics with fantasy and comedic tones," Dougherty adds. "Free Planet is our foray into a more serious work: An internally conflicted force of revolutionaries defending their planet’s resources from the depredations of interstellar powers. In keeping with the rich, involved script, I’ve modified my artwork with grittier tonal rendering as well as experiments with page layouts and graphical elements. In the course of drawing this book, the wide cast of characters has come alive for me as they battle on land and in space, as they rebuild a society from the wreckage of revolution, and as they seek out vengeance, justice and even love."

Free Planet #1 is set to hit the shelves on Wednesday, May 7.

For more insights into the world of comics, don't miss out on what Marvel has in store for 2025 and what to expect from DC in 2025.