LOS ANGELES, CA (September 18, 2024) – Visionary writer Michael W. Conrad (Wonder Woman) and Eisner-Award-winning illustrator John J. Pearson (Mindset) team up for a brand-new, boundary-pushing sci-fi saga at BOOM! Studios with IN BLOOM. Coming to comic shops in December 2024.
“Years ago I came across an article about the human microbiome and it has haunted me ever since,” said series writer Michael W. Conrad. “Like most people, I want to understand who I am, and the knowledge that much of who we are is not native to our body has been a real mindbender for me. In Bloom is an exploration of that fear, and imagines a world wherein we can no longer ignore that we are a host to a variety of organisms. The things within us awakened, The Bloom is upon us.”
43% of the cells within a healthy human body belong to something other than the human host. Microbiomes, invasive bacteria, fungal and viral agents, and something else. Something…more.
When the BLOOM finally happened, humanity was changed forever, transformed by the symbiotic fungal megasystems that infected their bodies. Some of the affected grew new body parts, some found their personalities changed in radical new ways, while others reported contact with an intelligence that was not their own.
In this bold new world, Agent Spears finds herself investigating a series of mysterious murders, a chain of violence that leads her to a terrifying question on which the fate of every living being rests.
“Michael has written a story so visually rich that building the world through the art has been a dream come true,” said series artist John J. Pearson. “I’m getting to play with visual styles and techniques to create something that pushes the storytelling through a wild and varied approach. This is a story that makes you feel, think, and react in a number of ways. I can’t wait for you all to experience the world we’ve made for In Bloom.”
IN BLOOM #1 features main cover art by series artist John J. Pearson, and variant covers by acclaimed illustrators Alison Sampson (Sleeping Beauties), and Jae Lee & June Chung (The Dark Tower).
IN BLOOM is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including BRZRKR by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, and Ron Garney; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; bestselling horror anthology Hello Darkness; Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano; Stuff of Nightmares by R.L. Stine and A.L. Kaplan; A Vicious Circle by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo; Ghostlore by Cullen Bunn and Leomacs; Rare Flavours by Ram V and Filipe Andrade; Underheist by David and Maria Lapham; Animal Pound by Tom King and Peter Gross; Minor Arcana by Jeff Lemire; and the upcoming Vicarious by Ryan Parrott and Eleonora Carlini; and The Creeping Below by Brian Azzarello and Vanesa Del Rey. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Corrino from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Simone Ragazzoni; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers by Melissa Flores and Simona Di Gianfelice; and The Expanse: Dragon Tooth by Andy Diggle, Rubine, and Francesco Pisa.
IN BLOOM #1 will be available in comic shops December 11, 2024. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including Kindle, iBooks, and Google Play.
