The Comic Industry Is Talking about the Stylish, Surprising Chicano Thriller Starring an Undead Private Eye from the Acclaimed Cartoonist of Morning Star and Night People

PORTLAND OR (September 25, 2024)– On November 13th, Oni Press – the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comics and graphic novels since 1997 – will release the highly anticipated debut issue of CALAVERA, P.I. by cartoonist Marco Finnegan (Morning Star, Night People). Publication is still weeks away and now Oni Press is peeling back the curtain on what is one of the most stylish comics debuts of the fall, just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Our story opens in Los Angeles, while the roaring Twenties are in full swing, Jazz rules the clubs, Hollywood Starlets are the talk of the town, and the Latin Lover mystique is the latest rage,” said Finnegan. “At the heart of it all is Juan Calavera, P.I., the best detective in the City of Angels. His mastery of disguise, daring escapades, and steamy romances, until he is gunned down. Five years later, a terrible crime shakes the city… and brings the detective back from beyond the grave. He returns to an LA he doesn’t recognize, with multiple crimes to solve, including his own murder.”

In advance of CALAVERA, P.I. #1’s appearance in comic shops everywhere on November 6th, the comic industry is abuzz with advance praise for the first installment of Finnegan’s smoldering supernatural noir.

Here’s what people are saying about CALAVERA, P.I.:

"Silent-era Hollywood, snappy Noir dialogue, the dead returned from the grave, pentagrams etched into public parks, and a clown kidnapping children for ransom. Throw in some ultra-stylized artwork this side of Mike Mignola and Charles Burns, a touch of Will Eisner's The Spirit, sprinkle in some Los Angeles history, social commentary, and you've got yourself a dark thriller called CALAVERA, P.I."

— Chris Condon (That Texas Blood, Night People)

“In the tradition of THE SPIRIT and ZORRO, CALAVERA, P.I. is a pulp-y fast-paced blast from panel one, and does not let up on the gas the whole time! This book drops you right into the action and trusts you to keep up as fists and bullets fly. And just when you settle into the rhythm of the story, thinking you know the genre and what to expect, it throws you a curveball that will leave you needing to know more!"

—Vita Ayala (New Mutants, The Wilds, Submerged)

“CALAVERA, P.I. is a grand mixture of the noir detective, folk horror, social commentary, and pulp adventure. Marco Finnegan, again, shows us why he's one of the best in the business. You'll instantly fall in love with this genre-bending delight.”

— John Jennings (Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation)

“I've been a fan of Marco since I first saw his work. I knew he was someone to keep an eye out. Walking in the tradition of Toth and Mignola, Marco Finnegan’s art cuts right to the point of clarity. CALAVERA, P.I. is a dark journey of bold choices you should check out.” — Michael Avon Oeming (Co-creator of Powers)

“Marco Finnegan has crafted a heart-wrenching and powerful Latinx noir that’s pulsing with supernatural elements. It’s unlike anything I’ve read in a long time.”

— Alex Segura (Secret Identity, Alter Ego)

“CALAVERA, P.I. goes off like a pistol blasting in a dark room. Darkest noir delivered in dynamic images and hard-boiled scenes that are also a work of witness.”

— Luis Alberto Urrea (Amapola)

“All the sins come due in the gripping supernatural noir of CALAVERA, P.I.”

— Gary Phillips (Ash Dark as Night)

“Marco Finnegan's CALAVERA, P.I. is a gorgeous pulp showcase that reflects the dark noir worlds Finnegan clearly adores. A real feast for the eyes!”

— Joanne Starer (Fire & Ice, Sires of the City)

“I just had the pleasure of reading the first issue of CALAVERA, PI and it’s fantastic. Marco and the folks at @OniPress have a real winner on their hands. A sumptuously illustrated look at 1920s Hollywood through a Mexican lens. Can’t wait to read more.”

— Jay Faeber (Copperhead, Near Death)

“Expect the unexpected! Both hard-nosed pulp detective noir and surreal supernatural thriller, CALAVERA, P.I. kept me on the edge of my seat with every page turn.”

— Khary Randolph (Sirens of the City, Robin)

“Finnegan’s CALAVERA, P.I. is the Chicano pulp comic I never knew I needed. Set in the gritty world of 1920s Los Angeles, Finnegan’s stunning illustrations and vivid characters reveal an LA where Chicanos inhabit the noir landscape, where a resurrected detective slogs through corruption and violence to become a hero.”

— Matt Mendez (The Broke Hearts, Barely Missing Everything)

“There is nothing more entertaining than a good twist and CALAVERA, P.I. by Marco Finnegan delivers with reckless abandon. Every time you think you know where this story is going you’re dead wrong, and you won’t be happier.”

— Eric Gapstur (Sort of Super)

“Marco is “killing” it yet again with this book, not only with an amazing story, but with art that really encapsulates the feeling of an old crime pulp novels. CALAVERA, P.I. brings a much needed Mexican lens to the noir genre!” — Jacoby Salcedo (Blue Beetle)

*VARIANT COVER BY (1:10) ESTEBAN SÁNCHEZ*

In 1925, Juan Calavera died a hero. After a career spent outside the law defending the Chicano barrios where the police refused to operate, he earned a reputation for fearlessness . . . and a gunshot in the stomach. Now, five years later, on Dia de los Muertos, his restless spirit has been summoned from the grave to help a desperate former colleague unravel a kidnapping all too close to home. With only days to solve the case before he is called back to the underworld, can Calavera reveal the identity of the masked human trafficker known as La Fantasma before tragedy strikes again . . . and solve the mystery of his own murder in the process?

Featuring a haunting gallery of covers from the talents of Marco Finnegan (Morning Star, Night People), Ramón K. Pérez (A Tale of Sand), Esteban Sánchez (Cruelty Squad) and J. Gonzo (La Mano del Destino); CALAVERA, P.I. walks where angels fear to tread – in comic shops everywhere on November 13th!

CALAVERA, P.I. #1 (of 4)

WRITTEN BY MARCO FINNEGAN

ART BY MARCO FINNEGAN

COVER A BY MARCO FINNEGAN

COVER B BY RAMÓN K. PÉREZ

VARIANT COVER (1:10) BY ESTEBAN SÁNCHEZ

VARIANT COVER (1:20) BY J. GONZO

ON SALE NOVEMBER 13 | $4.99 | 32 PGS. | FC

IOC: 9/26/2024

FOC: 10/14/2024