Explore Paradiso’s Secrets & Get an Exclusive Sneak Peak at the Series’ Second Arc

While some Image Comics series hang their prospects around an elevator-pitch-style high-concept hook, others just go for it. Paradiso, written by Ram V, drawn by Devmalya Pramanik, colored by Dearbhla Kelly and lettered by Aditya Bidikar, is an example of the latter approach. Set decades after a mysterious event known as the “Midnight” in the bizarre, pulsing city of Paradiso, the series sends readers on a breathless dive into a fully formed world of dangerous cyborgs and desperate conflicts. Protagonist Jack Kryznan possesses an item that may disrupt the future of the city, which plops him squarely in the sights of…just about everyone, from forlorn survivors to cruel crime lords.

Paradiso Vol. 1: Essential Singularity collects the first four issues of the wildly inventive series, which might best be described as China Miéville scripting Akira or Trigun. If you’re ready for the next big thing in expansive sci-fi action, this initial trade paperback is a perfect opportunity to catch up before Paradiso returns and, to make the decision even easier, Paste has an exclusive look at a treasure trove of Paradiso goodies, including a shop-exclusive trade cover and bookplate; essays from Ram V and Rajiv Bhakat, an urban designer and architect who helped conceive the series; variant covers for the second arc, entitled Dark Dwellers; and your first look at Paradiso #5, which hits shelves July 4th. Paradiso Vol. 1: Essential Singularity is available now.