Returning #1 (of 4)Media Release -- Award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios is excited to announce the March debut of THE RETURNING, a four-issue limited series that gives near-death experiences a horrifying new twist. Writer Jason Starr (Wolverine Max, The Chill) and artist Andrea Mutti (Conan, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) create a world that's part Carrie, part Hellblazer, part Crossed, and steeped in a mystery that will keep readers guessing until the end.

"Jason and Andrea have crafted a smart, beautifully drawn thriller in THE RETURNING," said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. "It's dark, intense, and sets up a compelling mystery around near-death experiences. I've been a fan of Jason Starr for years, ever since I read his novels from Hard Case Crime. He and Andrea Mutti are terrific storytellers, and if you're not already a fan of their work, I think you will be by the end of this series."

WHY WE LOVE IT: We can't get enough innovative mashups of some of our favorite genres: Fantasy, Horror, and Mystery. Plus, we're fascinated with the science of NDE's!

WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT: Award-winning novelist Jason Starr (Wolverine Max, The Chill) and artist Andrea Mutti (Conan, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) deliver a gripping but deeply human drama set in an uncertain world.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT: It's the near future, and some people who have had Near-Death Experiences have come back "changed." They exhibit extreme behavioral changes, becoming increasingly paranoid and violent, and no one knows why. People who have had NDE's fall immediately under suspicion, and in some cases, are murdered by justice-seeking vigilantes. It is in this world where Beth, a quiet high school student with a bright future, will learn just how quickly friends and family will turn on her when she has the bad luck of surviving the worst night of her life...

THE RETURNING #1 arrives in comic shops on March 12th with a cover price of $3.99 under Diamond order code JAN140992. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It's also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS
Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning "Best Publisher" BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry's top talent. BOOM! Studios is the home of Mike Carey's SUICIDE RISK, Clive Barker's NEXT TESTAMENT and HELLRAISER, Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos' FAIRY QUEST, PLANET OF THE APES, Max Bemis' POLARITY and Mark Waid's IRREDEEMABLE. Steven Grant's graphic novel 2 GUNS was recently released as a feature film from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. BOOM!'s all-ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz' PEANUTS, Jim Davis' GARFIELD, Cartoon Network's ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW, Mike Kunkel's HEROBEAR AND THE KID, and Roger Langridge's Eisner Award-winning SNARKED. In June 2013, BOOM! acquired Archaia Entertainment (archaia.com). Archaia is the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning graphic novel publisher of MOUSE GUARD, COW BOY, GUNNERKRIGG COURT, RUST, SPERA, JIM HENSON'S TALE OF SAND, and many other great titles. In October 2013, BOOM! Studios entered into a unique first-look relationship with 20th Century Fox, giving the studio access to its library of titles and giving the publisher access to Fox's vast catalog of films.