Author: Newsroom
| SEPT. 5, 2024, (PORTLAND, OR) — Top Shelf Productions drops UNDERGROWTH, the jaw-dropping YA graphic novel from rising star writer Ricky Lima and artist Daniele Aquilani, featuring colors by Yuliia Shevtsova, and letters by the Award-Winning Andrew Thomas (Quick Stops).Packed with captivating character designs, epic-scale battle scenes, and thorny questions, Undergrowth is a story about kids who are trying to do the impossible… and just might pull it off. |
| The world is being ravaged by four terrifying robotic monsters. One fateful night, a group of friends venture out to watch a meteor shower and come face to face with doom… only to find that their story is just beginning. Returned to life by a mysterious natural power, these young adults are chosen to bear the only weapons that might turn the tide against the invaders: ancient, towering forest entities which they can pilot from within! They’re enormously powerful… but when you’re struggling with the trauma of your own death, is that really the best time to become a living weapon of mass destruction? |
| Praise for UNDERGROWTH “A gripping meld of vivid worldbuilding, ecological folklore, and action sequences that challenges and enthralls.” — Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) “In the midst of our current climate crisis, Lima’s imaginative wish-fulfillment fantasy will be relished by teen readers in particular. Aquilani makes every moment and panel count. The character designs and setting look impressive and lived in, while the robot design really embraces the literal wild nature of the whole piece. The detail of every fight scene is extraordinary, making every punch feel real and impactful. Big robots, big feelings, big fun.” — Peter Blenski, Booklist “Bursting with ideas and jagged adolescent aggression, this is a neighbor to Paper Girls or The Cull, but with artwork that evokes Craig Thompson or Kevin Cannon.” — Benjamin Russell, School Library Journal “Wild, weird, and strangely heart-wrenching, Undergrowth is a lot of fun… a tale of terror and obsession, told with great empathy and off-the-charts excellent mech violence.” — Zander Cannon (Kaijumax, Heck) “Action-packed, heartfelt, and stunning.” — Jahnoy Lindsay (Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow) “A beautifully crafted, epic, and original kaiju tale that will leave your jaw on the floor.” — Derek Laufman (Ruinworld) “Whimsical, tender, witty, explosive, weird, and so dang pretty to look at.” — Dylan Burnett (Arcade) “Undergrowth is a heartfelt riff on mecha stories about friendship, loss, and saving the world. With dynamic art and characters, this anti-apocalypse story packs an emotional gutpunch! ” — Allison O’Toole (Shades of Fear) “A fantastic story of nature vs technology, with breathtaking art and memorable characters. It’s got giant tree mechs punching space robots, what else could you want??” — Ryan Jampole (Taka, Sonic the Hedgehog) |
Undergrowth is now available in bookstores and comic shops, and is also available from Top Shelf, Indigo, and Amazon. Perfect for fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Punch Up! and First Test.
To learn more about Ricky Lima, check out https://limepressonline.com/ or give him a follow on Instagram. And to learn more about Daniele Aquilani follow him on Instagram.