Heart Attack: Skybound’s New Sci-Fi Graphic Novel Puts Human Rights in the Limelight

Heart Attack: Skybound’s New Sci-Fi Graphic Novel Puts Human Rights in the Limelight

Skybound has announced an upcoming graphic novel titled Heart Attack. The sci-fi graphic novel will combine the power of romance, truth, and the importance of human rights in the spotlight in a new and unique story that sees variants being birthed as a result of disease-ridding gene therapy. But what happens when these variants are neglected the same human rights as others? Charlie North and Jill Kearney’s instant connection might unlock answers as a rebellion begins to form. 

The series comes from writer Shawn Kittelsen who co-created Heart Attack alongside artist Eric Zawadzki. The graphic novel collects issues 1-6 of Heart Attack and includes six additional chapters that will give the epic dystopian tale a conclusion. 

Skybound’s description of Heart Attack reads: 

“Gene therapy has saved Americans from disease—only to give birth to Variants: people with powers so unique, the government denies their human rights. But a new rebellion begins when Charlie North and Jill Kearney learn their instant attraction unlocks powers of mass destruction and forces them to question how far they should go to topple the system.” 

Kittelsen touched on what has gone into developing this story and the real-life events that fueled his creativity, saying:

“Heart Attack began 10 years ago as a story about young lovers fighting for equal rights in a post-pandemic future. But with every year since 2013, that future became disturbingly present, from videos of police killings to mass protests to authoritarian politicians, to a real pandemic in 2020.

To cap things off, I survived an actual heart attack in 2022. So I feel an urgency to tell this story, and I’m grateful to be here with Eric. Not just to hold up a mirror to the problems of today, but to imagine a way forward for tomorrow. This book is about fighting injustice with the best weapons we have, truth and love.” 

Zawadzki added: 

“I am beyond thrilled to have the never-before-seen entire 12-chapter story of Heart Attack presented in one big collection. Everyone on the team put their all into this project and I couldn’t be more excited to share this epic love story with the world.” 

Amanda LaFranco, editor of Skybound shared their excitement for Heart Attack to come to readers, saying: 

“I can’t wait for readers to be able to get their hands on the complete collection of Heart Attack. And for us to be able to dive back into this world and conclude Charlie and Jill’s story, filled with heartbreak, passion, and ultimately love. The themes in Heart Attack are still as prescient as ever, and Shawn and Eric have been able to weave a tale that’s both immensely exciting and thought-provoking all at once.”  

Heart Attack will be available at your favorite local comic shop and digitally on September 27, 2023, and everywhere books are sold on October 3, 2023. 

Check out the cover below: 

Source: Skybound