"The Utopian" returns for second round of teen angst

Dec. 29, 2009 - PRLog -- James Douglas – as well as his trench coat and bangs – is back in the second issue of the comic book that took Las Vegas by storm this past fall, The Utopian. Debuting at the 2009 Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival, The Utopian brought to print the previously web-only story of a high school senior who decides to take action to end the injustice he perceives around him – by creating the identity of "The Utopian."

At the end of last issue, James' secret was uncovered by nosy but alluring school reporter Michelle Matterson. Now James must not only deal with that new development, but also with the witch hunt started by school principal Richard Praglin and the abusive behavior of the school football hero, Nate Aguila. The issue builds to a dramatic ending sure to leave readers asking for more.

"Although billed as 'America’s Most Emo Comic Strip,' The Utopian doesn’t read anything like a My Chemical Romance lyrics sheet," writes CityLife's Jarret Keene. "It owes more to teen adventure series like The Bloodhound Gang, Buffy the Vampire Slayer or early issues of Amazing Spider-Man."

Two versions of the 24-page comic, a "deluxe," full-color edition ($5) and a "standard," black-and-white edition ($3) will be released on Jan. 13, featuring respective covers by Hernan Valencia and Perez with Steve Downer. The comic is available for direct purchase online at www.theutopiancomic.com, and local shops can order Pop! Goes the Icon's titles through Haven Distributors (www.havendistro.com).

Review copies are available upon request.

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Pop! Goes the Icon is a boutique print and online publishing house, specializing in sequential art — both in pamphlet form (comic books) and as online presentations (webcomics) — as well as books, posters, prints and other art collectibles. In February, PGTI launches Omega Comics Presents, a quarterly, black-and-white comic book anthology series showcasing unknown and underexposed writers and artists.