Cartography and strange new worlds combine in artist Richard Blake's debut comic, arriving in September.
1st July 2023
By Paul Dunne
We always love the news that another terrific comic creator may be about to break out into the industry. So you can imagine how thrilled we are to hear about the debut of Richard Blake's five-issue series Hexagon Bridge in September!
Blake's beautiful art style, seen in our preview, has developed over years of study and practice. He's been part of group exhibitions and solo shows, as well as a career as a storyboard artist for commercial and film companies. In 2019, he was a finalist for the Creators for Creators grant – a catalyst for the creation of Hexagon Bridge, then planned as a graphic novel. Now it's a series and I have to say, we're excited!
Eric Stephenson, Image's Chief Creative Officer enthuses about Blake and his upcoming book: “One of the great things about Image is that we’re often able to showcase stunning new work by exceptional new talent, and Richard Blake is a prime example of that. Jonathan Hickman actually brought Richard to my attention a few years back, and it’s watching Richard develop this series has been a genuine thrill. I’m excited for everyone to experience this work for the first time—finally sharing this stunning new work with comics fans is one of the highlights of 2023 for me!”
Hexagon Bridge is a sci-fi adventure, taking place in a parallel dimension, where explorers Jacob and Elena Armlen are trapped – and at the mercy of elusive landscapes and shifting architecture that is inhabited by mischievous entities. Their clairvoyant daughter, Adley, and a sentient robot known as Straden must rescue them!
The book touches on sentient AI and cartography, and Blake's work is inspired by Jorge Luis Borges and Italo Calvino. Blake had this to say on his comics debut: "Creating this book was a journey that took me, and ultimately the characters, to some very strange worlds and unpredictable places and I am very excited readers can finally share in the journey, and perhaps make some discoveries of their own."
Hexagon Bridge #1 (of 5) arrives in comic shops on 13th September 2023.
