Today on Variant Comics, the YouTube channel that celebrates all things superhero, host Arris Quinones announced that Variant Comics and comiXology Originals, the exclusive digital content line of comiXology, an Amazon company, will be releasing Astonishing Times, a new 5-issue comic series that examines the relevance of superheroes in the 21st century.

Award-winning writer Frank J. Barbiere, makes his return to creator-owned comics and Arris Quinones, host of YouTube’s Variant Comics channel makes his comics writing debut. Together, they craft a modern classic that redefines superheroes for a new era.

“It’s no secret that I love superhero stories,” says Quinones. “In fact, I co-created a whole YouTube channel dedicated to them. Astonishing Times focuses on the superhero’s ability to inspire good acts and takes a look at the importance of journalism in spreading goodwill and positivity.

Noah Sans is a young reporter at The Sentinel, working in the shadow of his father. He lives in a world full of superheroes—but no one seems to care. After a world changing event called The Cataclysm, people moved on, and now heroes are old news. But when Noah begins investigating a mysterious murder, he comes face to face with his most revered heroes and is forced to confront a secret past that could change the world forever.

Featuring stunning art by Ruarí Coleman and color artist Lauren Affe with letters by Taylor Esposito, Astonishing Times will be released monthly beginning July 27, 2021 and will be available upon release, at no additional cost, for members of Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited, and comiXology Unlimited, and for purchase on the Amazon Kindle Store and comiXology.

“We wanted to create a project that catered to our passion for the genre and Astonishing Times is our love letter to the medium of comics and a celebration of superheroes old and new,” says Barbiere. “Together, we hope to inspire a new generation of fans young and old and remind us all that heroes are everywhere.”

Astonishing Times issue #1 arrives July 27, 2021 and is available for pre-order from comiXology Originals.Until then, keep your eyes on the sky, your ears to the ground and follow:

Frank Barbiere | @atlasincognita
Arris Quinones | @arris_quinones
Variant Comics on YouTube and @variantcomics
comiXology | @comiXology and
comiXologyoriginals.com