War of the Worlds: Thunder Child HC Preview

 

As Miriam and her husband gaze up at the heavens through a telescope, they seek confirmation about recent activity on the surface of Mars. Simon and Miriam believe Mars is a dead world. Even if Humans had vessels that could travel through space, the distance between their planet and Mars seems too vast to cross. 

Still, Simon and Miriam can't help but dream about meeting people from another world. What will happen when their dreams become reality? And will Simon and Miriam survive an encounter with the aliens that, unlike Humans, they believe must have evolved beyond the need for war?

Here's all the info from Titan Comics: 

War of the Worlds: Thunder Child

Author: Matthew Hardy and Rob Jones

Artist: Kevin Castaniero

Publisher: Titan Comics 

HC, 144 pages, FC, $24.99

ISBN: 9781787749597

On sale June 2, 2026

 

A dramatic tale that runs parallel to the events of H.G. Wells’ classic novel, The War of the Worlds.

 

The War of the Worlds: Thunder Child follows the exploits of the crew of the eponymous ironclad torpedo ram, the HMS Thunder Child. Sitting alongside the events of Wells’ novel, the story takes place against a backdrop of strange occurrences and creeping terror, all leading up to the Thunder Child's final heroic showdown with the invaders from Mars.

 

This is a terrifying and thrilling tale soaked in blood, recriminations, sacrifice and loss, the first act in a new take on the well-known science-fiction classic with a unique cast and its own story to tell. A story of the horrors and conflicts of the crew as they experience the first desperate days of the Martian invasion and face the possible collapse of the British Empire and civilisation itself – threatened both from the stars… and from within.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-order it now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and Forbidden Planet for the UK and Europe.   

 

 

Thanks to Titan Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

 

 

ABOUT TITAN COMICS

 

Titan Comics, a Titan Publishing Group company (which includes Titan Books, Titan Magazines, and Titan Merchandise), is the comic book arm of the Titan Entertainment Group, and its sister company is the pop culture retail chain, Forbidden Planet. Titan Comics offers comics and graphic novels from the world's most renowned properties, alongside creator-owned comic books from new and established talent, as well as classic graphic novels remastered for a brand-new audience.

 

Titan Comics publishes a variety of genres through its imprints: Hard Case Crime (world-renowned pulp-crime publishing), Statix Press (critically acclaimed translated comics and graphic novels), the new Titan Manga (exciting manga and anime-based titles), and Titan Nova (new young readers imprint).

 

For more information, visit https://www.titan-comics.com.

 

For further information, follow Titan Comics on Facebook, X, Instagram, and BlueSky.

 

 

Three Shining Moments

Some fans of science fiction and fantasy have never attended a convention, while others cons as a way of life, traveling to and attending as many as they can voraciously take in.  Some only attend the big ones, such as Worldcon or World Fantasy, while others specialize in niche cons devoted solely to particular aspects of fandom such as comic books, anime, or media properties such as Star Trek.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, the first one I mark on each year’s calendar is Condor, and it was those three days of programming that I enjoyed this last weekend.  Some years it may be better attended than others, sometimes a Guest of Honor (as well as other guests) lends a particular flavor to the panel discussions that particularly inspires, while other years it is another aspect of the convention that I walk away remembering most strongly.  This year’s Condor offered three highlights, pleasant and inspiring moments that I am sure I will remember for years to come.

Steven Spielberg is not only a great director: he has become an icon within the TV and movie industry.  The second movie I saw in a theater, one that I subsequently viewed many, many times, was Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  Sadly, I could not say that I derived the same level of enjoyment from his remake of H. G. Wells’ classic story War of the Worlds.  So I am grateful to the San Diego Vintage SF Society for screening the 1950s version on Friday afternoon.  This movie had it all: humor, likable characters, great action, and of course, a love story.  It also showed a respect for the sustaining role that Faith plays for people experiencing turmoil and crisis.  I am sure the new version has its advocates, but for me, the earlier vision revealed humanity at its best, which is how I prefer to view our species.

That is not to say that the collective actions of humanity are always laudable.  One of the issues we face right now is the rapid transformation of our planet known as Global Warming.  Dr. Gregory Benford, this year’s Guest of Honor, summarized some of the geo-engineering studies that he has been involved with in the past few years.  I know there is a great deal of debate out there regarding how much the level of warming is due to human activities versus the planet’s natural processes, but one of the arguments that he made is not a scientific one, but is Biblical in origin.  While every country is scrambling for new ways to generate more power for its citizens, we, the populace and the government, must also remember that we are the stewards of this planet: it is up to us to do what we can to care for our home: not only for our own use, not only for future generations of people, but for all life which now or will dwell upon it.  In a very real way, we are the present day Adam and Eve. 

After attending movie screenings, perusing the dealer room and art show, and sitting through various panel discussions, I was looking for something different.  So I welcomed the visit of Herb Jefferson Jr., who played Boomer in the original Battlestar Galactica TV series, to Condor.  Instead of delivering a prepared speech, he answered any and all questions from the audience, and proved by far the most personable speaker of the weekend.  The answers, anecdotes, and the laughter flew thick and fast, and he always made sure he satisfied the curiosity that generated each particular question.  As I look now on the photograph he autographed for me: I cannot help but smile, remembering the warm dialogue we shared concerning a show that marked not a high point in his acting career, but in mine as a young fan.

A screening of a 1950s movie.  A discourse on Geo-Engineering.  A dialogue with the actor who portrayed a beloved TV character.  I would never had guessed that these three moments would be the ones that I look back on most fondly, but that is what I love about Condor: it always surprises.  I’ve already purchased my membership for next year, and look forward to what that 2012 con will offer up.  How about you?  Will you join us for next year’s convention?