Comics ' newest action hero is a black-market spy namedThomas River . From the artist of Marvel’sBlack Pantherand the author ofThe Ride , Thomas Riveris a newly - announce original   series that publisher 12 Gauge Publishing bills as " John Wick meets James Bond " . The project ’s crowdfunding campaign is set off now , but ScreenRant has an exclusive look at a variant cover from superstar artist Frank Quietly below .

Thomas Riveris the creation of author / artist Brian Stelfreeze ( Gun Candy , Batman : Shadow of the Bat ) and writer Doug Wagner ( The Hard Place , Plastic ) . The series feature Stelfreeze ’s first national artistry since he relaunchedBlack Pantherwith author Ta - Nehisi Coates in 2016 . Color artist Michelle Poust ( ICE )   and letterer Ed Dukeshire ( Mighty Morphin ' Power Rangers )   round out the originative team .

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In the first issue ofThomas River , readers get together the title eccentric , a world - renowned engineering consultant whose luxuriously - power globe - hopping line is actually a cover for his literal study with the CIA . A co-ordinated terrorist attack come to major   city across America , shattering public club   and admit a personal toll on the embattled secret agent . Fueled by obligation and revenge , River dip into the aftermath look for targets , only to disclose a deeper fib behind the bombardment that   changes everything River knows about politics , magnate , and   corruption .

That first issue ( which   clocks in at 40 page ) islaunching through Kickstarterwith a   hunting expedition start today . Here ’s the variant   cover , drawn byAll - Star Superman ’s Frank Quitely , and depict the occult fibre anger :

Stelfreeze and Wagner ’s new undertaking is a   cinematic megahit on the pageboy , tapping into unsatisfied audience demand for a Bourne / Bond - style black activity hero . Whilerumors have simmered for yearsthat Idris Elba would become Agent 007 , Bond rephrasing is still years away , leave rooter to speculate on a broadrange of Black British actors .   However , Thomas River is a distinctly American action headliner , and his history is absorb in US government . The first issue engages with questions about American extraneous policy and post-9/11 international relations , with a plot that deliberately evokes the September 11th attacks in the wake of the event ’s 19th day of remembrance .

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From early materials , the   creative team is up to the labor ; Stelfreeze has demonstrate his   chop when it   comes to intense politically - charged thrillers , a fine coupling for Wagner ’s punchy writing manner . The variation Quitely ’s frenetic   and ultra - elaborate tune set the staring tone for the Word onward . Move over , Nick Fury — comic have a new star superspy now thatThomas River # 1is launching on Kickstarter .

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Thomas River

THOMAS RIVER 01 - QUITELY

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