Controversy Ignites WILDFIRE in December

Graphic novel’s adventure draws from real-life GMO debate

WILDFIRE is the new graphic novel from Image Comics/Top Cow exploring the politically charged topic of genetically modified food in a tense, thought-provoking thriller by Matt Hawkins (THINK TANK, APHRODITE IX) and Linda Sejic that leaves it to readers to make up their own minds about the controversy.

Ending hunger is the goal of genetic researchers at megacorporation Biogenesis like Dr. Beth Silva, but an accident during a media demonstration illustrates the unintended consequences that may result from experimenting on an organism’s DNA. Los Angeles is choked with rapidly growing plants, returning the city that is home to 3.8 million people to a state of nature. Dan Miller, a young scientist who worked on Dr. Silva’s project, must race against time to stop the growth, before L.A. is completely obliterated.

Artist Sejic, creator of the popular webcomic Blood Stain, imbues this story with science at its center with heart and humanity with her expressive characterizations while writer Hawkins, who is also the President of Top Cow, balances points of view with character development in writing a story that revolves around a controversial topic.

"When I started researching the polarizing reactions to GMO I quickly discovered that both ends of the argument were exaggerating and making specious claims," said Hawkins. "In writing Wildfire I attempted an even-handed approach to the material explaining both the pros and cons in the background of the character's stories without preaching at anyone."

The trade paperback also includes a “Science Class” feature, in which Hawkins, who has a Master’s degree in physics, lays out the science and debate around genetically modified organisms (GMO).

WILDFIRE will be in comic book stores on December 3 and in bookstores on December 16. It is available for pre-order now. Part two of WILDFIRE is slated to start in Fall 2015.

WILDFIRE VOLUME 1 by Matt Hawkins and Linda Sejic
ISBN 978-1-63215-024-0
Diamond Comic order code SEP140690
128 pages, paperback, full color
$14.99
In comic book stores December 3, bookstores December 16
Rated Teen Plus
Collects WILDFIRE #1-4
Retailers, librarians, and reviewers may request a PDF galley from Jennifer de Guzman, Director of Trade Book Sales, jenniferdeguzman@imagecomics.com

Praise for WILDFIRE:

“This is the genius of Matt Hawkins, to take very real science and extrapolate it into an exciting and very readable narrative, something he’s been carving out quite the niche with Aphrodite IX and Think Tank previously and now with Wildfire. One thing his stories inspire, which not many others do, is a chain reaction of interest in the science laid out on the page with helpful starting points just waiting for you in the Science Class portion at the end.” Chris, Comic Hype