What if we could resurrect legendary sci-fi author Philip K. Dick in the modern era? That's the core premise of Benjamin, Oni Press' mesmerizing new sci-fi mystery series. This prestige-format trilogy centers on Benjamin J. Carp - a deceased author who mysteriously awakens decades after his 1982 death, completely disoriented in futuristic 2025.

Benjamin #1: Exclusive Comic Book Preview Gallery

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Benjamin marks the comic writing debut of bestselling author Ben H. Winters (The Last Policeman Trilogy, CBS's Tracker), featuring artistic talent Leomacs (EC's Epitaphs from the Abyss) alongside cover artists Christian Ward and Malachi Ward.

Oni Press describes protagonist Benjamin J. Carp as:

More than just an author, Benjamin J. Carp was a counterculture visionary whose 44 novels and groundbreaking stories - particularly The Man They Couldn't Erase - reshaped science fiction's literary landscape while expanding readers' perceptions of reality. His brilliant yet turbulent career, fueled by California excess and pharmaceutical inspiration, ended abruptly in 1982... or so history records.

But in 2025, Carp awakens confused in a derelict Los Angeles motel with fragmented memories of his death. As this resurrected wordsmith traverses from Studio City to Venice Beach, he must solve literature's ultimate mystery: his own inexplicable existence. Is he artificial intelligence? A forgotten experiment? Perhaps his greatest fictional premise has become terrifying reality...

"Let's be clear - just because Benjamin features a grumpy sci-fi writer protagonist sharing my name doesn't make this autobiography!" Winters humorously clarifies to IGN. "Though when your hero mirrors your own midlife existential crisis while wandering LA... well, maybe there's some overlap. The brilliance of this project was transforming profound mortality questions into an absurd, whimsical journey about a resurrected author puzzling over his second chance."

Winters elaborates: "I adore meta-narratives with playful self-awareness. A sci-fi writer potentially trapped in his own story - written by another sci-fi writer - creates delicious narrative layers while exploring life's deepest mysteries. Plus, we've included Strawman - possibly literature's most lovable canine companion. What more could readers want?"

Benjamin #1 arrives June 18, 2025 alongside an animated trailer. In related comic news, DC and Ghost Machine announce their first quasi-crossover while the Eisner Award nominees for 2025 have been revealed.