Dark Horse Comics is preparing to put the “sass in assassin” with the upcoming miniseries Killer Queens, a queer sci-fi epic dreamed up by an all-LGBTQ creative team this August.
The four-part series will be written by David M. Booher (Canto, Alien Bounty Hunter), with art by Claudia Balboni (Fairlady), colors by Harry Saxon (Vagrant Queen), and lettering Lucas Gattoni (Liebestrasse). The story revolves around two gay reformed intergalactic assassins-for-hire Max and Alex on the run from their former boss—a fluffy monkey with a jetpack.
Yes, you read that right—Fluffy-Monkey-With-A-Jetpack, who is hot on their tail and wants his ship the two stole back. Along the way, the two take a mission from Alex’s old flame because even on the run, you have to eat. The on is the standard no-kill, casualty-free kidnapping recovery from a nearby moon, with the catch that half the moon is ruled by a fascist dictator hostile to foreigners, but these two are the Killer Queens, so what could possibly go wrong?
In an exclusive statement, Booher told entertainment site i09 Gizmodo:
“Killer Queens is a wide right turn from Canto, but that’s what I love about it. Killer Queens is a wide right turn from Canto, but that’s what I love about it. LGBTQ representation matters, and we’ve created a fun, funny space romp that features queer characters but isn’t your typical LGBTQ storyline. The entire creative team has put their hearts and souls into making this gorgeous series, and Dark Horse has put their full faith behind it. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have readers come along for this wild ride.” provided to io9. “LGBTQ representation matters, and we’ve created a fun, funny space romp that features queer characters but isn’t your typical LGBTQ storyline. The entire creative team has put their hearts and souls into making this gorgeous series, and Dark Horse has put their full faith behind it. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have readers come along for this wild ride.”
Colorist Harry Saxon and artist Claudia Balboni were similarly excited, also telling the site:
“Killer Queens is a fresh and funny comic with queer characters and a retro feel, that’s also in space!” said Harry Saxon. “That’s something I would have been really excited to read when I was younger and, if someone told me the team that created it was LGBTQ and that I’d be a part of that very team…? It’s a dream come true! I’m really proud to be working with really talented people and I hope the readers will enjoy reading Killer Queens as much as we enjoy creating it.”
“When I read this story I got excited,” recalled Balboni. “Space, adventure, queer characters with a retro flavor style and a lot of fun. I really enjoyed drawing this queer universe and I’m thrilled to be a part of this explosive team.” Added letterer Gattoni, “Lettering this book is a dream come true, and I hope readers have as much fun with it as we all had creating it. It’s an irreverent tale with very current and lovable characters, and I think its unique retro look (from the art to the letters) is a real heartfelt homage to the books we read and enjoyed in our younger years.”
Check out the three gorgeous covers from Chris Ables, Balboni and Saxon, and Jen Bartel.
Chris Ables:
Balboni and Saxon:
Jen Bartel
Killer Queens #1 (of four) arrives August 18; you can pre-order it now through your local comic shop.
