Venom actor Tom Hardy and comic scribe Scott Snyder are joining forces for a new creator-owned series, titled Arcbound. The sci-fi tale is set far in the future where the Earth is a desolate wasteland and humanity has taken to the stars. The human population is ruled by a corporation-backed government whose power is based around an energy source called Kronium.
The first issue in the comic's 12-issue run will be released in March.
Other creatives involved with the series include writer Frank Tieri and artist Ryan Smallman. Other artists supplying variant covers include Ryan Ottley, Clay Mann, Tyler Kirkham, and Dan Panosian.
On the project, Snyder stated, "Arcbound is set apart not just by its original concept and narrative, but also by the team that’s breathing life into it. Frank is one of the best storytellers I know. His imaginative talent is amazing, but he’s also an incredible structuralist. Ryan’s style is so kinetic, so full of energy and passion. And Tom has been responsible for bringing some of my favorite characters to life on the screen – he’s a true creative force."
Hardy added, "The canvas is limitless, a vast expanse to explore the human condition, character depth, and boundless realms, all only limited by our collective imagination. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to work alongside such industry legends as Scott, Frank, and Ryan in helping to bring the Arcbound universe to life. They have created an epic world that is as exciting to explore for those who enjoy comics as it is for those who create them."
The creative team is currently looking to partner with a publisher to produce copies and ship them to local comic book stores next year. However, the creative team will be at NYCC this weekend, passing out ashcan editions.
The first 12 issues have been described as the first season of Arcbound, suggesting that the project is just the tip of the iceberg for more stories and spinoffs to come.
The formidable corporatocracy, Zynitec, harnesses the unmatched energy of Kronium to assert its dominion across the stars. The Arcbound series chronicles the journey of Kai, a resolute Mediator Captain, tasked with maintaining Zynitec’s lifeline to Kronium. However, as he grapples with the morality of his role, revelations about Zynitec’s dubious past thrust him into a poignant quandary: to remain loyal to the empire or to confront the forces that molded him into a tool of oppression.