Legendary mangaka Leiji Matsumoto is teaming up with artist Jérôme Alquié for a new chapter in his Space Pirate Captain Harlock saga.
The series is being published by ABLAZE and will be set within the timeline of the original series.
The original Captain Harlock manga was serialized in Akita Shoten’s Play Comic from 1977 to 1979. It saw Captain Harlock rebel against Earth’s Government and take the fight to Earth’s oppressors, a race of vegetable-based women called the Mazon.
The official description begins, “Set within the timeline of the original series, this brand-new Captain Harlock adventure marks the beginning of a new story arc.”
“Planet Earth is threatened by an upcoming invasion by the Sylvidres and despite being banished as a pirate, Captain Harlock won’t give up trying to save the world,” it continues.
The description adds, “This time, the source of danger comes directly from Earth, not outer space. A team of scientists discovers a Sylvidres mausoleum where they find information about terrifying genetic manipulations and a destructive power capable of either providing the Sylvidres with immortality or putting an end to their civilization.”
It concludes, “The unprecedented cold spell hitting Earth might only be a taste of what this new enemy has in store… Will Captain Harlock and his crew manage to solve this mystery and save the Earth from yet another menace?”
Matsumoto had high praise for Alquié saying, ““I’m very happy that Jerome Alquie is drawing this story about Captain Harlock. Seeing the manuscript, I could feel the passion that this work was carried out with, and the passion of young people who pursue their dreams. All the details are drawn with great care and the universe of the series is perfectly reproduced.”
“A day will come when young people will forge their own world. And if I can serve as a launching pad for the fulfillment of their dreams, then I am honored. Thank you very much,” he added.
Alquié added his own thoughts saying, “As a big fan of the universe of Leiji Matsumoto and Captain Harlock, it was a real pleasure and honor for me to work on this project.
He added, “I hope you will feel all the passion that animated me throughout the project under the benevolent eye of Master Matsumoto. Today I am delighted to allow Harlock to shine even more and to share this story with the English-speaking public.”
ABLAZE’s VP of Creative and Business Development Rich Young also stated, “I grew up watching Star Blazers. And I’ve always thought Captain Harlock was such a cool character. So I am of course thrilled to be publishing this title at ABLAZE now. Leiji Matsumoto is a living legend, and Jérôme Alquié was born to draw this book…their collaboration here is something special.”
The first issue will feature a cover by Alquié as well as a number of variant covers by Derrick Chew, Kendrick Lim, Leirix Li, Yanick Paquette, Miguel Mercado, and Andie Tong.
The first book in the new series is expected to hit comic book shelves on June 9, 2021.