Kill Train takes place in a future, dystopian New York that has instituted Kill Train, a randomized, extermination program where designated subway trains are picked at random, and all the passengers are slaughtered by the end of the line. Written by Olivia Cuartero-Briggs (Jill and the Killers), illustrated by Martina Niosi, colored by Simone D’Angelo, and lettered by Becca Carey.
To control the population explosion that nearly crippled the city, New York has instituted Kill Train, a randomized, extermination program where designated subway trains are picked at random, and all the passengers are slaughtered by the end of the line. In this not-so-distant future, we meet Vanessa, a struggling single mom in the midst of a nervous breakdown, who discovers that she, herself, is on a Kill Train. Now, for once in her life and with everything to prove, Vanessa decides she’s not going down without a fight.
“Kill Train is both the most psychotic and, paradoxically, the most personal thing I’ve ever written,” said Olivia Cuartero-Briggs. “The basic concept came to me in a dream many years ago, but when it came time to outline the story, I was going through one of the darkest moments of my life. I could have run from it, I suppose. I could have drummed up some cool, exciting plot with a character I plucked from my imagination, but that’s not what happened. I was sad and angry and desperate.”
And so, instead, I poured every bit of my own rage, frustration, and devastation into this story, and by the end of the outline – which I wrote almost entirely on the Eurostar from Paris to London and back again – I felt completely and totally validated. Writing this book changed me. It helped me heal, and it reminded me what I’m made of. I cannot wait to share it with the world.”
“Working on Kill Train is one of my best work experiences,” said Martina Niosi. “Olivia’s story is immersive and lets the reader empathize with the characters because it shows us feelings, fears and difficulties that many human beings have in common but are often hidden. Kill Train instead guides us through these feelings with a growing suspense, showing us both the darker side and the courage to go forward. I tried to express this vortex of emotions with my drawings that evolved along with the atmosphere of the story and found completeness with Simone’s colors.”
Kill Train’s result is definitely the work of an excellent team that has made the creation of this comic book a moment of growth, reflection and fun and I am sure that the reader will notice and enjoy it.”
“Coloring Kill Train has been and is an ongoing surprise, because the story is full of very fun palettes to make and I’m sure readers will appreciate the dark and introspective tones of the story,” said Simone D’Angelo. “Especially the darkest moments that the protagonist goes through that Martina was able to interpret well and of which I hope I have given justice through color. I learned a lot working on this book. I can’t wait for people to read it.”
Kill Train #1 is now up for preorder from comic shops (FOC: December 30, 2024) from Mad Cave Studios. It arrives January 22, 2025.
Kill Train #1 Preview
