Jonathan Hickman and Mike del Mundo launch the 3 Worlds/3 Moons universe on September 30 with Shift, a prestige-format science fiction comic published by Dark Horse Comics. Set generations before the current science cycle, the magazine-sized book follows a rebellious protagonist named Syg and an accused heretic named Markus as they journey to the center of the universe to prevent a predicted cosmic collapse.
The Plot and Setting of Jonathan Hickman’s Shift
Shift takes place during an era when magic is at its peak and Kaoso thrives. Syg the White Hart defies his family and the Academy, choosing to hitchhike on a Vojoganto toward the center of the universe, known as Akva. He seeks to uncover the underlying cause of what he believes is an inevitable universal collapse. His lifelong friend Markus, branded an accused heretic, accompanies him on the expedition to unlock the secrets of life and stop the destruction of their worlds.
Parallel to their journey, competing cosmic forces work to reawaken the God Machine of Ordo. This activation aims to trigger the next science cycle, which will cause the downfall of magic. The narrative explores the tension between a fading magical era and the rise of a new technological cycle governed by Ordo’s massive machinery.
The God Machine of Ordo and the World of Akva
The comic’s preview details Ordo as an old moon dominated by a broken, vegetation-choked Institute. Deep inside its Vault, an aged scientist tends a glowing yellow specimen identified as Khor, periodically feeding the entity to maintain the cycle. This setting establishes the background for the cosmic shift that threatens to upend society.
Artist and colorist Mike del Mundo provides the visuals for the magazine-sized format, highlighting the luminous cosmic mysteries and decaying architectural structures of the 3 Worlds/3 Moons setting.
Publication Details and Format
Dark Horse Comics releases Shift on Wednesday, September 30. The comic utilizes a prestige, magazine-sized format designed to showcase the detailed artwork of del Mundo. The release marks an expansion of the broader 3 Worlds/3 Moons science fiction universe spearheaded by Hickman.
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