Acclaimed cartoonist and award-nominated animator, writer, and director Stephan Franck has garnered a prestigious group of admirers for his graphic novels. This impressive list includes notable comic book creators such as Elsa Charretier, Jim Lee, Jeff Lemire, Jim Mahfood, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Bill Sienkiewicz. When such accomplished creators take notice, it’s clear that Stephan Franck is doing something exceptional.

On May 12th, this talented creator launched his Dark Planet Comics title, “Romance in the Age of the Space God,” on Kickstarter. “A hyper-timely dystopian sci-fi comic that Franck surreptitiously published last year with a super limited edition 150-copy print run.” But that’s not all! He is also bringing two new volumes of PALOMINO, his Ringo Award-nominated neo-noir graphic series set in the lost culture of Los Angeles’ country music clubs.

We are excited to reveal the following exclusive pages from Stephan Franck, showcasing his work, “Romance in the Age of the Space God.”

Comic book cover showing three anthropomorphic mice in detective attire, with armed figures and bold text reading "Romance in the Age of the Space God" in the background.

A mouse character points a gun at another mouse in a classroom, who raises its hands in fear; other mice are also present in the background. Speech bubbles convey a tense dialogue.

A cartoon animal character in an apron points a gun and shouts inside a shop. The next panels show the character from behind and a close-up of spilled coffee and eyes on the floor.A startled mouse character raises its hands while another mouse character points a gun and shoots, causing blood to spurt out in a classroom filled with empty chairs.A cartoon mouse in a suit stands alarmed as armed mice in tactical gear break through a glass ceiling in a classroom, with desks and chairs scattered around. A group of armored soldiers restrain a scared mouse character, who is questioned and appears anxious while responding to their inquiries. Three comic panels show armored mice confronting a worried mouse. The crowd erupts in chaos, shouting "AARGH!!!" as the situation escalates. Two comic panels show anthropomorphic mice; in the first, a mouse screams in fear among armed mice, and in the second, a calm mouse holding a phone stands as others panic and shout.

The Kickstarter campaign will introduce new readers to “ROMANCE IN THE AGE OF THE SPACE GOD” — a hyper-timely dystopian sci-fi comic that Franck quietly published last year with a super limited edition 150-copy print run — as well as two brand new volumes of PALOMINO, his Ringo Award-nominated neo-noir graphic series set in the lost culture of Los Angeles’ country music clubs. ROMANCE IN THE AGE OF THE SPACE GOD and PALOMINO: Volumes 4 and 5 will both be available via Kickstarter.

Comic book cover for "Palomino Volume 4" by Stephan Franck, showing people walking in a dimly lit setting with purple tones.

A woman in a cowboy hat rides a horse and smokes a cigarette in the foreground; two people stand on a hill in the background. The text reads "PALOMINO Volume 5" by Stephan Franck.

Check out the campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darkplanetcomics/stephan-francks-palomino-volumes-4-5?ref=aa9xe4