There’s something magical that happens when a comic book connects with readers in just the right way. You can feel it in the air at comic shops, see it in the social media buzz, and most importantly, you can see it in the sales numbers. That’s exactly what’s happening right now with Image Comics’ new horror series “News from the Fallout,” which has completely sold out at the distributor level and is being rushed back to print to meet incredible demand.
The series comes from the creative mind of Chris Condon, who’s been making waves in the comics world with hits like “That Texas Blood” and “Enfield Gang Massacre,” alongside artist Jeffrey Alan Love, whose distinctive style has captivated readers in works like “The Last Battle at the End of the World.” Together, they’ve crafted something that feels both familiar and completely fresh in the horror comics landscape.
What makes this story so compelling is its setting and premise. Picture this: it’s 1962 in Nevada, and the U.S. military is conducting nuclear bomb tests in the desert. But something goes terribly wrong. The blast doesn’t just create the expected explosion—it releases a contaminate into the atmosphere that transforms people into something rotten and horrifying. The only known survivor is Otis Fallows, a private in the U.S. Army who witnessed the test firsthand and now finds himself fleeing the secret army base, desperately searching for safety in a world that may no longer have any safe places left.
Both creators have expressed genuine excitement about the project’s overwhelming success. Love has shared how working with Condon has been an amazing experience and that getting published by Image feels like a dream come true. He’s expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped spread the word, from readers and retailers to comic shops and reviewers, admitting he doesn’t have words to fully describe what it means to see the first issue sell out so completely.
Condon has echoed that sentiment, explaining how there’s never a guarantee in the comics industry that something you’re creating will find its audience. But when you truly believe in the material, as both creators clearly did here, you give it everything you’ve got and hope it resonates. The fact that it’s connecting with readers so powerfully feels like validation of all the hard work that went into crafting this nuclear nightmare, with support from letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and colorist Michael Tivey rounding out the creative team.
The critical reception has been nothing short of phenomenal. Critics have praised it as equal parts sci-fi mystery and nuclear-fueled nightmare, one that sears itself into readers’ brains through disturbing imagery and compelling storytelling. Many reviewers have emphasized that this isn’t just another monster story—it’s something deeper and more unsettling that builds tremendous suspense while delivering a truly distinctive horror experience.
What’s particularly striking is how reviewers keep noting the series’ visual storytelling mastery. The artwork has been described as wildly stylish and over-the-top, with charcoal-black art that creates a bleak and visceral reading experience. Critics have highlighted how the dialogue deceives while gloomy character designs create an experience that finds despair mixed with intrigue surrounding the bomb test. It’s that combination of atmospheric dread and impossibly gripping visuals that seems to be hooking readers.
The industry endorsements have been equally impressive. Fellow creators have called it unlike anything else on the stands, radiating confidence and style. Some have compared it to a blend of Mad Max and Eraserhead, which is about as perfect a description as you could ask for. Others have praised the deep horror in its simplicity, while noting that it’s sickeningly readable in the best possible way. The consensus seems to be that this is Cold War terror meets creature feature in a bleak yet endlessly stylish story.
What’s particularly exciting for readers is how accessible this series is becoming. While you can grab physical copies at your local comic shop, the series is also available across multiple digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play. The second printing of issue #1 hits shelves on July 30, alongside issue #2 with covers by Love and Leslie Herman. Issue #3 follows on August 27 with covers by Love and Andrew MacLean, and issue #4 arrives September 24 with covers by Love and James Harren.
There’s something special happening here that goes beyond just another successful comic launch. “News from the Fallout” seems to be tapping into something primal about nuclear anxiety and survival horror while delivering it through absolutely stunning visual storytelling. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with content, it’s rare to see something cut through the noise so effectively and leave readers genuinely unsettled and wanting more.
The series has been praised for transporting readers into the era of 1960s horror while feeling quintessential to genre stories from that period. Critics have noted it as one of the coolest-looking comic books in recent memory, with some calling it one of the scariest books of the year. The combination of nuclear intrigue, visceral artwork, and chaotic design elements creates what many describe as a deliciously grim experience that’s impossible to look away from.
If you’re someone who appreciates horror that gets under your skin, or if you’re just curious about what’s got the comics world so excited, this might be the perfect time to dive in. Sometimes the best recommendations come not from marketing campaigns but from the genuine excitement of creators who can’t believe their work is resonating so deeply with readers. That’s exactly what we’re seeing with “News from the Fallout,” and it’s the kind of organic buzz that usually means something truly special is happening.
Beam Me Up Scotty
Born and raised in the city of Miami. Lifelong pro wrestling fan. Been deep in the 'zine scene since ’84, interviewing locals, Hardcore, Punk, and Metal bands. Spent 26 years in the comic book biz and still obsessed with all things pop culture—Mego, Micronauts, Shogun Warriors, Die-Cast Metal Super Robots, you name it. I can go on about comic books and bad movies all day.
