Oni Press is set to release A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts, a new comic series described as a blend of superhero action, punk rock slice-of-life, and a throwback to the classic Vertigo Comics era. Writer and colorist Oliver Mertz and artist Alex Diotto are behind the project, which the publisher touts as "charmingly whimsical, darkly funny, and stylistically innovative."
A description from the publisher states the series follows teenager Ari Ackerman, who navigates the Washington D.C. punk scene while dealing with his father's recurring illness. His friend Maya Meng simply wishes to attend a local concert, but their plans are disrupted by a series of unexplained deaths. The narrative aims to explore themes of being an outsider, understanding the world, and finding one's place within it.
Mertz, who grew up in the D.C. area during the 1990s and frequented shows by bands like Fugazi and Jawbox, stated that the comic is a "love letter to that time and place." He noted that as the story developed, it became increasingly strange, which paradoxically made it more personal and emotionally honest.
Diotto expressed a strong connection to the characters, seeing similarities between himself and protagonists like Ari and Maya, particularly their experiences as outsiders and fans of punk music. He also remarked on the surreal elements of the comic, including talking soup and a giant head in a cabin.
Described by some as "what if Daniel Clowes and David Lapham got together and tried to create the X-Men but really didn't care that much if they saved the world or not," A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts #1 is available now at local comic shops. This release follows Mertz's previous works such as The Monuments and First Law of Mad Science, and Diotto's credits on Youth and Indigo Children.