With fans eagerly anticipating the debut of Archaia Entertainment and Before the Door’s first joint comic project, the two companies proudly unveiled the final cover to the first issue of LUCID, which will debut in August in comic book shops, with advance copies available at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Calif., July 22-25, 2010.

Lucid is a four-issue miniseries written and illustrated by newcomers Michael McMillian and Anna Wieszczyk, who also drew the cover. McMillian is a longtime comics fan and no stranger to the entertainment industry, having recently appeared on the hit HBO series “True Blood” and as a recurring regular on the Amanda Bynes CW television series, “What I Like About You.” McMillian is the creator of Lucid and this is his first written comic work. Wieszczyk is based in Poland and her short story, “Acid Sunset,” was recently published in Popgun Anthology Vol. 4. She is also currently working on Halo8’s Godkiller motion comic.

“We’ve been lucky at Archaia to help usher new creative entities into the comics industry, and one of our most rewarding partnerships has been working with Before the Door to develop Lucid,” said Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy. “In Lucid, Michael McMillian and Anna Wieszczyk dove not only into the world of modern magic, but this history of magic throughout western culture as well, all wrapped up in a day-glo, über-pop comic book that looks unlike anything else on the stands today. I’m very proud we’re finally able to share this fantastic comic with readers!”

Lucid follows the adventures of Matthew Dee, a Combat Mage and covert spy whose skills earn him the appointment of “Protector of the Realm” by the President of the United States. Dee’s mission is to protect America from the grip of dark forces that are conspiring to prevent humankind from reaching its true Magic potential.

“Lucid is my attempt to exorcise a lifelong love affair with comics, swashbuckler action adventures and an unhealthy fixation with fantasy,” shared McMillian, who developed the idea over the course of two years. “Matthew Dee is a pulp hero for the 21st century and I’m very excited Archaia and Before the Door have given me the opportunity to create a new world for him to explore.”

“Michael’s intense passion for comics dovetails perfectly with our mission to tell moving and engaging stories,” said Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”). With Before the Door producing partners Corey Moosa and Neal Dodson, Quinto recruited Michael to work with them on their first comic book project. “Lucid was born from Michael’s imagination and developed organically though his collaboration with Before the Door. Along with the enthusiasm and commitment of Archaia, we are proud to present Lucid to comic book fans worldwide.”

Lucid #1 (full color, 24 pages, $3.95, Diamond Order Code JUN10 0745) debuts in comic shops in August 2010.

Archaia and Before the Door are also developing the comic project Mr. Murder Is Dead, written by Victor Quinaz, about a retired top cop who becomes the prime suspect when a not-so-nice man, once nicknamed Mr. Murder, is found dead.

Tags | archaia, drivethrucomics