Joe Casey and Ashley Wood’s surreal post-superhero series Automatic Kafka is getting its first complete trade paperback collection. Image Comics will bring the cult title back to shelves this November.
The series comes from bestselling writer Joe Casey, whose credits include Terminal and BEN 10, and critically acclaimed artist Ashley Wood, known for Popbot, Ghost Rider 2099, and World War Robot. The new edition will collect the entire series in trade paperback for the first time.
A Superhero Story Ahead of Its Time
Automatic Kafka first arrived in 2002 and pushed against the conventions of traditional superhero comics. The series targeted a mature audience and became known as one of the era’s most conceptually complex and boundary-pushing titles.
For Casey, the project also marked an important point in his career. He said the series helped establish the creative direction of much of his later work.
“This is a series that meant a lot, both for my career and for me, personally,” said Casey. “It was my biggest swing in comic books at that time, and laid the foundation for a lot of my work that came after. I’m psyched that Image Comics has stepped up to the plate to remind everyone just how gloriously deranged my creative partnership with Ash [Wood]really was. After all these years, maybe the world has finally caught up with Automatic Kafka.”
An Android Hero Looking for Relevance
Automatic Kafka follows its washed-up android superhero after his glory days have passed. He was once a celebrated member of the now-defunct super-team The $tranger$, but now finds himself spiraling through a hyper-violent, media-soaked America.
Kafka sets out in search of relevance and instead becomes a pawn in shadowy government schemes, cult celebrity culture, and weaponized nostalgia. His desperate quest for humanity pulls him into mankind’s darkest vices and forces him to confront a startling existential truth.
Casey and Wood Revisit Their Creative Partnership
Wood remembers the series as an ambitious attempt to capture the energy of one of superhero comics’ most celebrated creative runs. He also sees the new collection as a chance to finally present the project in trade paperback form.
“We set out match Claremont and Byrne’s awesome X-Men run for it’s superhero greatness, did we make it? who knows? But it was great fun to work with Joe, to discover colour and now we finally get the trade!” Wood said.
A Surreal Take on Fame and Power
Automatic Kafka combines gritty superhero storytelling with a post-modern examination of fame, power, and the systems that create both. Its surreal approach mixes the sensibilities of The Boys and Doom Patrol with elements of Mr. Robot.
The series now has an opportunity to reach a new generation of comics readers. Fans of unconventional, character-driven titles such as Black Science, The Invisibles, and The Department of Truth may find plenty to explore in the cult-classic series.
Automatic Kafka will arrive at local comic book shops and digital platforms on Wednesday, November 25. The trade paperback will follow at bookstores on Tuesday, December 22.
