‘Inception’ Meets ‘The Walking Dead’ In ‘Essentials’ Vol. 2 From The Lab Press

New kids on the block, The Lab Press, have a new graphic novel out that’s being positioned as Inception meets The Walking Dead — as you’ve just read in the headline. And then some. It’s also a philosophical exploration that draws from the likes of Carl Jung, Immanuel Kant, and more.

Essentials was co-created by Black Sails and Nautilus star Luke Arnold in collaboration with writer and producer Chris “Doc” Wyatt (Ninjago, Transformers), with the first volume featuring a variety of artists recalling an end-of-the-world saga, “that will challenge the way you look at things”. And now we’re getting a second volume and here’s what to expect as Harris Pax continues on his adventurous and perilous journey:

“In this latest volume of the Essentials saga, Harris Pax’s journey brings him closer to his companion, Buttons, while bringing them into contact with a cavalcade of strange new characters, including a despondent oil-rig worker on the verge of giving up, a free-spirited artist who has learned to manipulate their (un)reality, and a lighthouse keeper with a Messiah complex.

When Earth collides with a non-physical alien dimension which undoes and rewrites the rules of reality, shotgun-wielding scientist Harris Pax and his two extra-dimensional, non-corporeal alien sidekicks (manifesting as a reanimated corpse and a toy robot) become humanity’s only hope for survival. What’s left behind is a twisted and surreal landscape shaped solely by the madness of the few survivors who are left. In order to complete their conquest of Earth, the other-dimensional beings must take form in the midst of this madness and convince the humans to kill themselves through fear, seduction or intimidation.”

Speaking more on the concept of the Essentials graphic novels, Arnold said:

“Essentials is a parasite. This fun little idea has fully taken us over and become something wilder than we ever could have imagined. Finding a collaborator like Chris, and generous publishers like The Lab Press, has enabled us to bring this story to life with the help of some incredibly talented and diverse artists. Essentials is the playground where we exorcize our fears, hopes, and collective madness, and I hope it helps others deal with the glut of madness we’re experiencing in the world today.”

Wyatt added:

“When Luke first spoke to me about his idea for Essentials, it really got my mind racing. I’ve had the opportunity to write a lot of film, television and comic books, but there’s nothing quite as ambitious as Essentials. Imagine a world where a billionaire is trying to help people? That’s already audacious territory, as our friends at The Lab would say. Then imagine a world where people’s delusions dictate their reality, and that’s still just the start of where this goes.” 

Artists contributing to this new volume include Jeffrey Kam, Dave Acosta, Joe Flood, Zelda Devon, Kelly Williams, Emma Price, and returning artist Jason Howard, with colours by Adam Guzowski, and letters by Jared K. Fletcher. All this and a cover artist Bill Sienkiewicz.

Essentials Vol. 2 is available from today, Wednesday May 13th, and will be followed by a special Limited Edition cover featuring art by rising star Dani.