Xogenasys

Pro basketball player and Noir Caesar founder O’Bryant teams up with comics newcomer McIntosh and Draper-Ivey (Static: Shadows of Dakota) for a layered coming-of-age martial arts drama, the first title from Bryant’s BIPOC manga imprint. In 2069 New York City, 15-year-old Darius Smith, a creative teen who loves to draw, struggles to survive in a metropolis packed with gangs. Video of him standing up to bullies goes viral, leading to a once in a lifetime opportunity: meeting Mustafa, owner of one of the most successful XOGenaSYS teams in the country. The cruel gladiatorial sport comes complete with tricked-out future-tech suits that enhance the wearer’s fighting capabilities. Playing with familiar but effective tropes, the story follows Darius as he reluctantly enters the arena, forced to fight to protect and provide for his mother and sister, and prodded by the memory of his deceased father, who told him to look after his family. Draper-Ivey’s artwork gears toward gritty black-and-white with striking action scenes. It’s a slow burn, but readers will easily root for the underdog protagonist as he battles his way out of poverty. Fans of shonen manga will line up for the next volume. (July)