Magic and Myth Collide in Wayward, Vol. 1: String Theory

Jim Zub knows a thing or two about crafting intelligent, fantasy tales. When you pair him with penciler Steven Cummings though, the result is even better. And their depiction of the busy streets of Tokyo in Wayward is phenomenal. You might have missed out on the first few issues, but Image Comics will give fans a chance to catch up in Wayward, Vol. 1: String Theory.

"Wayward is about disaffected youth battling myths of old and, just like being a teenager, it's intense, funny, emotional, and violent,” said Zub. “'String Theory' is our first step into this twisted world of modern, mystic mystery and I'm excited to bring readers along for the ride.”

In Wayward, Vol. 1: String Theory, readers meet Rori, a misfit teen reluctantly transplanted from Ireland to her strange and new home in Japan with her mother. From the get-go there are some cultural adjustments to be made and Rori feels like a fish out of water—but things take a turn for the weird when she begins glimpsing things—creatures—that no one else can see.

“Wayward is a coming of age tale that comes up against monsters set in the very real Japan that everyday people experience,” said Cummings. “Well, except they don't experience monsters... With every new step in the voyage we get to take our readers along for a guided tour of Tokyo and its Yokai side."

Wayward, Vol. 1: String Theory (ISBN: 978-1-63215-173-5) arrives in comic book stores on March 25 (Diamond Code: JAN150664) and bookstores on April 7 for the low introductory price of $9.99. Full press release below.

MAGIC & MYTH COLLIDE IN WAYWARD, VOL. 1: STRING THEORY The first five issues of the hit fantasy series are collected into trade paperback “If Wayward isn’t the next Saga, it will be a damn criminal shame.” —Bleeding Cool Writer Jim Zub (SKULLKICKERS, Samurai Jack) and penciler Steven Cummings (Legends of the Dark Knight, Deadshot) spin enchantment and mystery together in a fantasy story about one girl’s battle against the mythological creatures everyday mortals fail to see. Set in Japan, WAYWARD’s depiction of the busy city streets of Tokyo and its rich occult history make it as much a living, breathing character as spunky teen protagonist Rori. "Wayward is about disaffected youth battling myths of old and, just like being a teenager, it's intense, funny, emotional, and violent,” said Zub. “'String Theory' is our first step into this twisted world of modern, mystic mystery and I'm excited to bring readers along for the ride.” In WAYWARD, VOL.1: STRING THEORY, readers meet Rori, a misfit teen reluctantly transplanted from Ireland to her strange and new home in Japan with her mother. From the get-go there are some cultural adjustments to be made and Rori feels like a fish out of water—but things take a turn for the weird when she begins glimpsing things—creatures—that no one else can see. “Wayward is a coming of age tale that comes up against monsters set in the very real Japan that everyday people experience,” said Cummings. “Well, except they don't experience monsters... With every new step in the voyage we get to take our readers along for a guided tour of Tokyo and its Yokai side." WAYWARD, VOL. 1: STRING THEORY (ISBN: 978-1-63215-173-5) arrives in comic book stores on March 25 (Diamond Code: JAN150664) and bookstores on April 7 for the low introductory price of $9.99.  Further Praise for WAYWARD: “…the Young Adult novel has finally made it to comics in the form of Wayward, and I think it will be one of the stand-out new titles of the year.” —Comic Book Bin “Bright, vibrant, and alive, Rori Lane’s world will enchant readers with its relatable protagonist, intense action and fascinating mythological allusions.” —Comic Book Resources “Sure to please fans of Buffy and Manga.” —Newsarama “A fun premise with a quirky protagonist.” —Bloody Disgusting "Wayward shows signs of being the next runaway Image Comics series." —Multiversity Comics "Another fantastic entry in Image’s already staggering amount of knockouts." —Comic Bastards “It’s age-appropriate for a wide range of readers, and it explores Japan from a supernatural angle that isn’t often seen in Western comics. Zub, Cummings, and team have piqued my interest, and I can’t wait to see how a feisty half-Irish teen handles being swept up in Japanese myth.” —ComicVine

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.