Free Planet Preview: East of West Meets Dune in New Epic Space Opera

IGN exclusively unveils Image Comics' newest venture: Free Planet, a sprawling space opera blending East Meets West aesthetics with the grandeur of Dune. Sci-fi enthusiasts should definitely add this to their must-read list.

Explore the exclusive first look at Free Planet #1 in the slideshow below:

Free Planet #1: Exclusive Preview

10 Images

Free Planet, penned by Aubrey Sitterson (No One Left to Fight) and illustrated by Jed Dougherty (Savage Hearts), boasts covers by Dougherty and Fico Ossio. Image Comics describes the series as follows:

Humanity's first truly free planet celebrates its hard-won independence. A band of revolutionary heroes must now safeguard the planet's unique energy source from two hostile galactic empires, all while grappling with the true meaning of freedom. SITTERSON (No One Left to Fight, The Comic Book Story of Professional Wrestling) and DOUGHERTY (Savage Hearts, Worlds’ Finest) masterfully blend the intricate history of EAST OF WEST with the emotional depth of SAGA, crafting a narrative about freedom and its inherent sacrifices.

Sitterson shares, " Free Planet represents the future of comics – Jed and I strive to elevate our medium with a truly literary comic, its rich complexity brought to life visually. From intense military action to intricate political maneuvering and poignant personal drama, every page is packed with visual detail; it's a book designed for slow, repeated readings. It's a complex exploration of what everyone desires, regardless of their political stance: Freedom."

Dougherty adds, "Aubrey and I have collaborated on fantasy and comedic works. Free Planet marks our foray into a more serious project: A conflicted revolutionary force defending their planet's resources from interstellar threats. To complement the intricate script, I've refined my art style with grittier tones and experimented with page layouts and graphic elements. The diverse cast has truly come alive for me as they fight across land and space, rebuild their society, and pursue vengeance, justice, and even love."

Free Planet #1 launches Wednesday, May 7th.

For further updates on the comic book world, explore Marvel's and DC's 2025 plans.