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VANCOUVER, BC — Class Comics, the popular gay erotic comics publisher based in Vancouver, solicited a new series in July's Diamond Previews catalog titled The Mark of Aeacus. The first installment of the dark, erotic tale by Mark Brill and Charles "Zan" Christensen will be on store shelves in September and is currently available for order by retailers as item number JUL073406.

The book opens with a steamy, anonymous hook-up, after which a troubled young man named Jack finds himself the bearer of an ancient power. The series follows Jack as he reconciles the brutal nature of the power he's been given with his own sense of right and wrong. The book is unabashedly homoerotic, and has mythological, horror and even superhero flavors, so it doesn't fall neatly into a single category. That suits its writer just fine.

"The book draws from lots of influences," says Christensen, who plotted and scripted the series. "It has some of the 'power fantasy' elements of superhero books (it takes 'gays bash back' to a whole new level) but it also takes a hard look at how power trips can be the opposite of true heroism and justice. There's a trend in comics toward 'heroes' who are harsh and moralistic, almost fascist, and I wanted to talk about that in a new way."

Christensen, best known as the Founding President of LGBT comics nonprofit Prism Comics, has authored a few self-published books and been the editor of several anthologies, but counts The Mark of Aeacus as his first major, published comics work. He says he approached Patrick Fillion at Class Comics mostly to get feedback on the book, and wasn't at all sure that Fillion would think the book would fit into Class' lineup.

"We very much appreciate the thriller genre, both in print and on screen," explains Fillion, "and we are excited that Class will be able to release a quality horror/thriller book and expand its range of comics. The Mark of Aeacus will undoubtedly appeal to a wide group of readers who will be excited by its blend of erotica and suspense. We are thrilled to be releasing this series for so many reasons!"

"Zan wrote a great story that made images blossom in my head right off the bat," says artist Mark Brill, "and I wanted to try and capture the gritty, yet sensual quality of his narrative with earthy colors and organic textures. I didn't want it to look digital and flat; I wanted the sex to be as viceral as the action, and I wanted the action to be as torrid as the sex."

LGBT comics creators who have read advance copies of The Mark of Aeacus have had high praise for the book and for Brill's lush, atmospheric art style.

"It's intriguing and beautifully rendered," said Tim Fish, the writer and artist behind the popular gay soap opera series, Cavalcade of Boys. "The sex seems to have meaning to the story, unlike many erotic tales which are merely an excuse to showcase sex."

Joe Palmer of GayLeague.com calls The Mark of Aeacus a "taut, visceral thriller, partly psychological, partly erotic, and completely engrossing," and Aman Chaudhary (Dangerous Curves) loved the rawness of the book and says, "I Love the moody, rich coloring. I’m intrigued by the mystery."

The Mark of Aeacus is available for order by retailers from Diamond Comics as item JUL073406, and will ship in September. Preview art and more information about the series is available on ClassComics.com, and on Christensen's website NorthwestComics.com.

Prism Comics promotes the works of the LGBT community in comics. It does not implicitly endorse any other material or products associated with those works. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s).