Birks + Roberts head south — far, far south — for the science fiction tale ‘Antarctica’

Simon Birks and Willi Roberts will follow a conspiracy to the bottom of the world in Antarctica, a new title debuting from Top Cow in July.

The story’s roots go back to a six-page short story in Top Cow’s Stairway Anthology, which came out in 2020. It follows a woman whose search for her missing father takes her to an Antarctic research station.

“Antarctica takes no prisoners, and I’m excited to share our adventure with the readers. Willi and I have created something exceptional; an incredible experience full of unique twists and turns to keep everyone guessing right up until the end,” Birks said.

Here’s how Top Cow describes the series:

Conceptualized and written by award-winning screenwriter Simon Birks, Antarctica follows the journey of a young engineer named Hannah, whose life imploded the day her father failed to return from the secretive Smith-Petersen Research Station in Antarctica. Alone and on the street, she’s at her lowest ebb when a friend offers help. Retrained as an engineer, Hannah secures a job at the same Antarctic station to search for her father and stumbles headfirst into a conspiracy that threatens everything she’s ever believed.

“Because the story is science-fiction, emotional and mature, I had to visualize a reality where both the characters and readers can accept that another world exists,” said Roberts. “Everything lined up and Simon’s scripts inspired my art and my art, his scripts.”

Here’s a look at the first issue’s variant cover by Lyndon White:

And here’s a look at a few interior pages:

The first issue arrives in stores July 12.