FAMOUS EXPLORERS MEET MONSTERS AND WORSE ON THE AMERICAN FRONTIER
In 1804, Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark set out from St. Louis, Missouri with the intent of blazing a trail to the western coast of North America—a trip that would set the foundation for the future of the United States of America. But what the history books don’t tell you is the true purpose of Lewis and Clark’s journey to the west…
Art by Matthew Roberts
The newest series from Image Comics imprint Skybound, MANIFEST DESTINY reveals the true story of Lewis and Clark and their voyage to claim America for the United States. Writer Chris Dingess (Being Human) and artist Matthew Roberts (BATTLE POPE) have introduced a new wrinkle to American history, combining elements of classic adventure tales with a very modern type of paranoia. In this imaginative retelling of their famous trek, Lewis and Clark embark on a secret mission under direct orders from President Thomas Jefferson. They are going to do more than explore the wild frontier: they’re going to catalog exotic life and eliminate the monsters that stand in the way of the safe and rapid expansion of the United States.
“I’m fascinated by the pop culture phenomenon of taking historical characters, both real and fictional, and placing them in big, fake, extraordinary adventures,” said Dingess when asked about the origins of the series, “I’m also intrigued by the modern world’s growing obsession with vast government conspiracies, both real and fictional. I was excited to take these two concepts and make them have a baby. And Matt Roberts has made this baby very pretty.”
Instead of being a dry reinvention of history, Dingess and Roberts are aiming for something that’s a lot of fun and action-packed, but still true to the era they’re depicting. Roberts is interested in being historically accurate, in addition to making sure MANIFEST DESTINY has an exciting visual style.
“Chris has written such a crazy, fun adventure, but he always leaves me enough rope to hang myself in the details,” said Roberts. “For example – I had no clue how in vogue popped up collars were in the early 19th century. That and leather chokers. Researching and drawing all these things is such a turn from drawing shiny, spandexed muscles. I’m having a blast.”
MANIFEST DESTINY #1 will be in stores on November 13 and is currently available to pre-order from the September issue of Previews (Diamond Code SEP130486).