Rebels: These Free and Independent States #1

Brian Wood and Andrea Mutti’s historical comic Rebels is getting a second series in 2017. Brian Wood (Briggs Land, DMZ) scripts the series, Andrea Mutti (Rebels, Prometheus: Life and Death) showcases his illustrative prowess, and Lauren Affe (The Paybacks, Ghost Fleet) colors the art. Matthew Taylor (Arcadia, Wolf) creates the beautiful cover art for all eight issues.

The first series, Rebels: A Well-Regulated Militia, debuted in April 2015 and garnered a passionate fan base of history lovers and comics fans alike. Set in 1775, Rebels told the story of Seth Abbott, who joins the fight to win America’s independence. The new series, Rebels: These Free and Independent States, finds his son, John, coming of age as Congress authorizes America’s famous first navy, “the six frigates.” John Abbott signs up to defend his nation from multiple threats: high seas terrorism, a hostile relationship with Britain, and intense political division between Americans.

Rebels: These Free and Independent States cocreator and writer Brian Wood explains the political and cultural importance of this series in modern times: “This era of American history is always important, but since the first season of Rebels debuted, it’s reached a sort of fever pitch of relevance—in entertainment, in politics, and in real life. Our first season dealt with the War for Independence, homegrown militias, and veterans’ rights. This second series has the run-up to the War of 1812 as its focus, along with a young America struggling to find its identity and deal with partisan divide in its population.”

Rebels: These Free and Independent States #1 (of eight) goes on sale March 22, 2017. For more information, go to darkhorse.com.