DESTINATION KILL #1 is officially the first great milestone in 22nd-century comics, marking the incendiary solo debut of British virtuoso Joe Palmer. Announced ahead of the ComicsPRO industry meeting by Oni Press, this hyper-timely dystopian thrillride is set to arrive in shops on May 13, 2026. Palmer, known for his work on Time Before Time, is taking total creative control as the writer, illustrator, and hand-letterer for this shrapnel-laced series that promises to be a dystopian riot.
The powerhouse creative mind behind this 40-page spectacular is:
- Writer, Artist, & Letterer: Joe Palmer
- Publisher: Oni Press
Joe Palmer describes the genesis of the project as a haunting image of a lone builder standing atop a snow-covered St. Paul’s Cathedral. This vision evolved into a fantastical narrative involving transatlantic trains and a citywide worker-led revolution. By stepping into a role of complete creative authority, Palmer has crafted a series that reflects his own personality and visual firepower, drawing comparisons to legendary works like Judge Dredd, V for Vendetta, and Tank Girl.
The Future is a Riot in DESTINATION KILL #1
What readers should prepare for in DESTINATION KILL #1 is a deep dive into the year 2125. The setting is a London that has been rebuilt into a hyper-modern megalopolis by the all-powerful Overcon corporation. In this future, robots handle everything from pouring drinks to dispensing medication, leaving the human population displaced and desperate. As Overcon prepares to celebrate the anniversary of its “Paradise Loop”—a train connecting London to New York in under an hour—the streets are flooding with an army of human workers plotting a bloody uprising.
The narrative follows Gina Serene, a stressed-out, pill-popping police detective who is desperately clinging to the hope of a vacation. Alongside her ex-partner turned private investigator, Lance Wingman, Gina finds herself as the only line of defense between Overcon’s skyscraper-sized authority and a revolution that could bring the entire capital crashing down. Transitioning from a state of corporate-mandated peace to a state of total urban war is the primary theme of this new comics landmark.
The Corporate Fist of Overcon
The visual storytelling in DESTINATION KILL #1 is “brutally addictive,” utilizing Palmer’s signature style to capture the scale of a world bolted together in a corporation’s image. Senior Editor Bess Pallares notes that the book is an action thriller that is “equal parts entertaining in its satire and horrifying in its prescience.” For fans who track comic book covers for their artistic innovation, this series offers a massive lineup of talent.
Furthermore, the variant covers for this debut are set to be collector milestones. In addition to Palmer’s own Cover A, fans can hunt for cardstock variants from Riley Rossmo (The Moon is Following Us), Ronald Wimberly (Prince of Cats), Tango (Power Rangers), and Liana Kangas (Know Your Station). This variety of visual interpretations highlights the prestige of the project and the excitement surrounding the arrival of a new voice in the sci-fi genre. It is a mathematical certainty that fans of high-concept dystopian drama will find this to be the highlight of their May pull list.
In addition to the high-stakes action, the story serves as a sharp commentary on the loss of human agency in an automated world. As Gina and Lance navigate the “Paradise Loop” anniversary gala, they must decide if they are truly protecting the city or merely serving as tools for Overcon’s fist. Consequently, the story becomes a study on survival in an insane world, offering readers a front-row seat to the collapse of the 22nd century.
In conclusion, DESTINATION KILL #1 is a must-buy for any reader looking for style, substance, and a million gigawatts of visual firepower. By pairing Palmer’s visionary script and art with Oni Press’s distribution quality, this limited series is positioned to be the sleeper hit of 2026. Don’t miss this ticket to the future when it punches into comic shops this May!
📢 Join the Conversation
Are you ready for the revolution in 2125? Which cover are you most excited to collect this May: Palmer, Rossmo, or Wimberly? Join the conversation on X and tag us @comicbookaddt to share your excitement for Destination Kill!
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