Ancestral Recall #1 Preview

 

 

During the Ahoy Comics panel at San Diego Comic-Con, writer Jordan Clark asserted that his imaginative series would be grounded in historical events. His enthusiasm for his upcoming series was obvious, as was his gratitude to Ahoy for publishing it. While the series is currently slated to end in five issues, he clearly hopes Ahoy will make it an ongoing. 

Here's all the info from Ahoy Comics: 

 

ANCESTRAL RECALL #1

Writer: Jordan Clark 

Artist: Atagun İlhan

Cover A: Atagun İlhan $4.99

Cover B: Khary Randolph $4.99 (1:3 unlock)

Release Date: August 6, 2025

Black History: For painter Melvin Waring, it’s an actual super power! When Melvin’s wife mysteriously disappears, he must call on the most important Black figures of all time to help him in his search. This is a gripping new saga from two Milestone Initiative members: writer Jordan Clark (Aquaman, Star Wars Adventures) and artist Atagun İlhan (Poison Ivy, Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet). The series uses science fiction and comedy to explore the importance of Black history, the connections between the past and present, and learning to push through difficult life changes. Issue #1 of the five-issue series will feature an A cover by Atagun İlhan, as well as a B cover by Khary Randolph, and be published on August 6, 2025.

"As Black history is literally being erased all around us, ANCESTRAL RECALL feels like an urgent call to not just preserve it but celebrate the links between our past present and future,” said writer Jordan Clark. “Melvin's journey takes readers through time and space and introduces them to figures who are rarely seen in history books such as Jean-Louis Michel, the greatest swordsman of the 17th century and Cheryl Linn Glass, the first Black woman race car driver. The series is my love letter to those who paved the way and hopefully an affirmation for us here in the now."

Melvin Warring is a famed abstract painter, known for some groundbreaking work in the late 80s, who now lives a reclusive life in East Oakland with his wife and business manager June. One day as he’s picking up June’s prescription after her hip surgery a force suddenly overcomes Melvin, displacing him from time itself. Meanwhile Myran Kang, Melvin and June’s preteen nextdoor neighbor, has noticed a string of disappearances: a few unhoused people who normally set up in the park, some people at her grandmother's nursing home, a few of the bus drivers on her normal route... She has a feeling it’s more than a coincidence but can’t get anyone to listen to her — until June disappears too. As Melvin and Myran dig deeper into the mystery, Melvin finds he’s literally able to tap into the power of Black history when under duress and access the knowledge and abilities of Black people throughout time — everyone from writers and musicians to sword fighters and acrobats, transforming Black history into an actual super power. Will it be enough for Melvin and Myran to discover and disrupt the plans of the mysterious organization disappearing people and find a way to bring them back?

AHOY Comics is a Syracuse-based publisher dedicated to satirizing horror, space opera, social satire, sword & sorcery, and superhero stories with critically acclaimed titles like THE TOXIC AVENGER by Matt Bors and Fred Harper, BABS by Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows, SECOND COMING by Mark Russell and Richard Pace, and many more.

“ANCESTRAL RECALL is one part Everything Everywhere All At Once and one part Don Quixote,” said series editor Sarah Litt. “And it’s two parts funny. Jordan and Atagun have created a surreal, mystical, charming powerhouse of a comic that will make you laugh, cry, travel through time, and reckon with the power of Black history in each stunning panel.”

 

Now, let's take a look inside: 

 

 

 

 Here is another cover:

 

For more updates on AHOY Comics, visit them on X, Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. 

 

About AHOY Comics

AHOY Comics debuted in the fall of 2018 with the bold promise for readers to expect more from its line of comic book magazines, featuring comic book stories, poetry, prose fiction, and cartoons. Brainchild of publisher Hart Seely, editor-in-chief Tom Peyer, CCO Frank Cammuso, and Ops guy Stuart Moore, the Syracuse-based indie publisher has made its reputation on witty satires, acclaimed creators, and commitment to bold and risk-taking storytelling — with critically acclaimed titles such as THE TOXIC AVENGER by Matt Bors and Fred Harper, SECOND COMING by Mark Russell and Richard Pace, BABS by Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows, HOWL by Alisa Kwitney and Mauricet, THE WRONG EARTH by Tom Peyer and Jamal Igle, JUSTICE WARRIORS by Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson, the quirky monster anthology PROJECT: CRYPTID, and many more.

About the creators

Jordan Clark has been writing comics for over a decade, with work most recently being published by DC Comics and past stories at IDW, Image Comics and Dynamite Comics. He was also selected as an inaugural member of the Milestone Initiative at DC Comics, which is geared towards uplifting a new generation of comic creators of color. He believes fiction has the power to imagine a better world and aims to tell stories that allow readers to imagine themselves in that better future.

Atagun İlhan is a seasoned illustrator who works primarily in sequential art, fantasy art, and book illustration. He was born in Turkey and graduated with a BFA in Animation. He pursued an MFA in Illustration at Syracuse University and is a graduate of DC Comics’ Milestone Initiative program.

 

Thanks to Ahoy Comics and Superfan Promotions for sharing this preview with us.