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Pax Samson Vol. 1

The Cookout

Book #1 of Pax Samson
Illustrated by Rashad Doucet
Published by Oni Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

Pax Samson: The Cookout is the first volume in a new action-packed, fantasy trilogy that depicts a world struggling to find peace in the midst of threats, and a young superhero chef torn between following his passion and following in his family’s footsteps.

When it comes to the kitchen, no one knows cooking better than twelve-year-old Pax Samson. He’s a hero when it comes to testing recipes and supplying copious amounts of Dragon Noodle Soup at his family’s cookouts. It’s tough being a master chef, though, when the rest of his family are world-famous superheroes, and they expect Pax to take up the beacon to keep the world safe with his telekinetic powers.

Pax's home planet of Soltellus is home to all walks of life, including humans, gods, as well as elves, orcs, dragons, sprites and other fantasy races known as the “Enchanted” all living in a modern society similar to our own. Among them is the Samson family, led by the fearless and mighty Grandma Samson, the greatest superhero to ever live and the person responsible for always saving Soltellus when trouble strikes. She’s been doing it for hundreds of years, but she’s ready for the younger generation of Samsons, including Pax, to step up.

When the mad god Odin, long-time enemy to the Enchanted race and arch-rival to Grandma, resurfaces in another attempt to regain power, Pax will attempt to put his training into practice, but ends up just making things worse. Tempted to hang up the superhero cape and stick to the kitchen, Pax faces the toughest decision yet when a legendary savior of the Enchanted people arrives, along with a startling discovery that there might be parts of the Soltellus history that are wrong. Pax, determined to protect his family and friends, will do everything he can to stop the new threats set on disrupting the peace between humans and the Enchanted.

About The Authors

Rashad Doucet is from New Orleans by way of Eunice. He is Ville Platte, Louisiana, native who's been drawing comics since his grandma gave him a pencil and some paper to keep quiet during church. He's known for his work with Oni Press on comics like Invader Zim, Rick and Morty, and Alabaster Shadows. He's also worked with DC Comics, Stela, and most recently was a part of the Eisner-winning Elements: Fire Anthology. Rashad is currently a professor of sequential art at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, where he can often be found listening to '80s power ballads and watching way too much anime.

A New Orleans, Louisiana native, Jason Reeves is a publisher, art director, and award-winning illustrator operating out of Los Angeles, CA. His most recent works include being creator, publisher, and illustrator of the OneNation and Kid Carvers series by 133art Publishing. Past projects include being a featured illustrator in Black Comix Returns by Magnetic Press/Lion Forge, a hardcover collection of art and essays showcasing the best African American artists in today's vibrant comic book culture; and writer and illustrator on Arch Enemy/USAToday.com's F-00 Fighters webcomic. In addition to comics, he has done illustration for Esquire Magazine, the USA Network, Wizards of the Coast, Heavy Metal, and HASBRO.

About The Illustrator

Rashad Doucet is from New Orleans by way of Eunice. He is Ville Platte, Louisiana, native who's been drawing comics since his grandma gave him a pencil and some paper to keep quiet during church. He's known for his work with Oni Press on comics like Invader Zim, Rick and Morty, and Alabaster Shadows. He's also worked with DC Comics, Stela, and most recently was a part of the Eisner-winning Elements: Fire Anthology. Rashad is currently a professor of sequential art at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, where he can often be found listening to '80s power ballads and watching way too much anime.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Oni Press (August 3, 2021)
  • Length: 200 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781620108512
  • Ages: 9 - 12

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Raves and Reviews

"A fun, superpowerful story of what’s worth fighting for."

– Kirkus Reviews

"Vibrant panels by Doucet, an absorbing world, and dynamic fight scenes propel this promising graphic novel series starter."

– Publishers Weekly

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