Zenescope's 'Agon' given January release

Zenescope's science fiction series Agon is to arrive in stores in January 2010, the publisher has confirmed.

The comic marks a change of direction for the studio, which predominantly publishes fantasy and horror. Screenwriter-turned-comic scribe Scott Burn will handle writing duties on the series.

"Agon is a Greek word meaning, among other things, 'contest'," Burn told Newsarama. "The story is about an alien civilisation coming to earth to tell us that we've reached a stage of enlightenment where we're invited to join an advanced alien hierarchy. But to do so, we have to compete against three other alien civilisations in battle.

"The winner gets to join. The losers have their entire species wiped out."

Burn went on to say that his primary influence for the project is the work of sci-fi authors Ray Bradbury and Robert Heinlein. He also explained that its ultimate goal is to "examine the nature of humanity... and whether you have to be human to possess it".

Agon is to be released as a five-issue series, preceded by a special prequel. It will debut in January next year.