“Revenge Runs in the Family…” — Exclusive Reveal of PRETTY HATE MACHINE, a New Horror Comic Book Series from Ryan O’Nan, Tim Seeley, Hank La Marca, Roman Stevens, Dave Sharpe, and Mad Cave Studios

"A vicious horror tale where grief invites a knife-handed monster," Pretty Hate Machine is a new coming-of-age comic book series from co-writer Ryan O’Nan (Winders), co-writer Tim Seeley (Revival), artist Hank La Marca (The Christbearer), colorist Roman Stevens (Absolute Batman), and letterer Dave Sharpe (Circus Maximus).

Following a distraught teenager seeking answers behind his father's death (and discovering much more than he bargained for), Pretty Hate Machine will debut in comic book shops on April 8th from Mad Cave Studios, and we're thrilled to share exclusive details on the new series, insightful quotes from the creative team, and a look at the first issue's cover art by Todor Hristov, Michael Gaydos, and Rod Reis, respectively.

Series Synopsis: "Thomas is in so much pain. As if high school wasn’t hard enough, when his father is killed in a freak accident, and his mother begins to take refuge in the company of his uncle, Thomas is visited by a ghoulish kid named Luther with knives for hands and rows of teeth like an ancient shark who tells Thomas his father was murdered and that anything his mother and uncle tell him is a lie. Thomas doesn’t know who or what to believe. Does he believe his friends, teachers, and mother, who tell him grief isn’t for the faint of heart, but it will pass? Or does he believe the demented Luther who pulls Thomas through a bloody whirlwind of conspiracies, vengeance, and slaughter, showing him the lies and corruption that surround him? Thomas must fight to discover the truth behind his father’s death, while struggling to keep his new friend from leaving a massacre in his wake. But that “truth” might be far more sinister than Thomas is prepared for…"

Ryan O’Nan spoke to his first foray into comics: “I wanted to write a dark love letter to the scrappy young man who somehow survived the 1990’s. A time when a kid could truly get lost—when you grew up in violent spurts while no one was watching. Where the world felt cruel but honest. A boiling pot of love, and friendship, and family, and shitty influences, and secret dreams, and misguided incredible adventures. Pretty Hate Machine is a father/son story. It’s about generational trauma. But mostly it’s about the horror of growing up, and all the skin we shed, or that gets flayed off us, along the way. And when I think of horror comics, I think of Tim Seeley. I couldn’t feel more excited or honored to be creating this dark ’90s pop song with him. Such a scary, fun dream.”

“I don't know a lot of handsome, creative AND twisted people, but Ryan is all three,” added Tim Seeley. “Pretty Hate Machine is pulled straight from his brain, and I'm happy to be along for the collaborative comics ride. It's personal, and demented, and beautiful in equal measures.”

“Anger makes you blind, but a demon teaches you how to use it,” said Hank La Marca. “Luther has razor-sharp teeth, but I drew him with real emotions. Growing up in the early ’90s means facing evil without looking away. This story isn’t scary because of monsters—it’s scary because of what you’ll see in yourself.”

"With art and a vibe steeped heavily in grunge horror, Pretty Hate Machine is a murder mystery that leaves slaughter in its wake, echoing the corrosive teen nihilism of Heathers, a nod to True Detective, and the enveloping and surreal aesthetic of The City of Lost Children."

Pretty Hate Machine #1 arrives in comic book shops on April 8th. The final order cutoff (FOC) is March 16th, so be sure to pre-order through your local comic shop before then to guarantee a copy.

To stay up to date on the latest news regarding Pretty Hate Machine and other exciting releases from Mad Cave Studios and its imprints, visit: http://madcavestudios.com/

Cover by Todor Hristov

Cover by Michael Gaydos

Cover by Rod Reis