With New York City still trapped in a silent stasis, Henry Jacobs finds his once-lonely predicament growing even more complicated in Issue #2 of John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction: PAUSE. Slated for release on March 26, this next chapter—written by Matthew Manning, illustrated by Conor Boyle, and lettered by Janice Chiang—plunges readers deeper into the world where Henry’s simple touch can bring individuals back from the brink of the ultimate freeze.
Pause comic book art
At the heart of PAUSE #2 is the question of what happens when compassion collides with a reality turned upside down. Henry, reeling from his newfound ability, impulsively unfreezes a stranger named Halima in a desperate bid to save a life. But as he and his newly awakened ally scramble for medical help in a city where every phone, buzzer, and bystander remains frozen, they stumble upon fresh revelations about the scope of this phenomenon. Is this eerie standstill just a local anomaly—or something far more catastrophic?
Storm King Comics, led by writer-producer Sandy King in collaboration with her husband, the legendary John Carpenter, has built a dedicated following through titles like John Carpenter’s Asylum and the monthly anthology John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction. Over the years, the publisher has carved out a niche for delivering horror and sci-fi with sharp storytelling, visually arresting art, and a dash of cinematic flair. With PAUSE, they continue that tradition, challenging readers to consider what moral lines might blur when ordinary rules of time and consequence no longer apply.
Pause comic book panel
PAUSE #2 expands on the haunting premise introduced in the debut issue, using the sprawling streets of Manhattan as a stage for a story that transcends typical end-of-the-world tropes. There’s still no official explanation for the crisis—only the chilling knowledge that Henry’s ability to “unpause” others might be more dangerous than any threat they faced when time still flowed. Every moment Henry and Halima spend helping one endangered life could very well trigger disasters for countless more.
Fans and newcomers alike can glimpse some of the escalating tension in a sneak preview of the issue, which showcases Henry’s frantic efforts to navigate a city incapable of responding to basic cries for help. Meanwhile, the newly unpaused Halima grapples with the realization that they, too, can wield Henry’s curious power… if they dare risk the consequences. With each passing page, it becomes clearer that this is no mere side effect of a global glitch—there may be darker forces at work, forces that thrive on the chaos of a frozen city.
Pick up PAUSE #2 on March 26 at your local comic book retailer and journey even further into the suspended reality that’s already capturing readers’ imaginations. Whether you’re a longtime follower of Storm King Comics or simply intrigued by a fresh twist on sci-fi suspense, this issue promises an electrifying blend of mystery, danger, and moral dilemma—proving that in a world where time itself stands still, every choice can echo far beyond one single heartbeat.
