The idea of stepping off life’s runaway train has never been more enticing, but Storm King Comics dares to ask: What if you couldn’t hit “play” again? That’s the unsettling premise behind PAUSE, a new six-issue saga emerging from the John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction imprint. Written by Matthew K. Manning (The Batman Files, Marvel Action: Avengers) and illustrated by Conor Boyle (Judge Dredd, Black Sight), the story begins on an ordinary night in Brooklyn—until reality screeches to a standstill, leaving one man oddly spared.
Issue #1 hits comic shops on February 26, 2025, the latest chapter in Storm King Comics’ ongoing mission to blend enthralling horror and mind-bending sci-fi. Early buzz is promising: CBR calls Pause “highly compelling,” while Macabre Daily lauds it as “a promising beginning… it will be fascinating to see where this goes.” And in a lineup that includes modern genre heavyweights like John Carpenter’s Asylum and John Carpenter’s Tales for a HalloweeNight, Pause has some big cosmic boots to fill.
A Sudden Quiet in the Streets of Brooklyn
Henry Jacobs, a man nursing one too many at a local bar, finds himself sobering up on a subway car when time literally hits the brakes. Every fellow passenger is frozen in place—every vendor, every jogger, every flickering neon sign. Yet Henry walks through the freeze like a ghost among statues.
- A Waking Nightmare
- With no clue how or why the world has paused, Henry scrambles to survive amid the eerie hush. Manhattan’s abandoned skyscrapers morph into a playground of lonely indulgences, but isolation soon breeds dread.
- A Taste of Godlike Power
- As Henry begins to unravel the mechanics of “unfreezing” people, he faces moral choices that quickly spiral beyond a simple rescue mission.
- A Hint of Bigger Trouble
- The real question is not how Henry can move through this suspended reality, but who else might be able to—and what they might do with such staggering control.
Unearthly Suspense, Delivered Monthly
Storm King Comics has built a reputation for producing gripping, cinematic experiences ever since writer/producer Sandy King and legendary filmmaker John Carpenter first teamed up to create horror-tinged comics. Now, Pause—the 12th story in their Tales of Science Fiction anthology—expands that pedigree with a twist-laden narrative delivered in monthly installments through July.
“Matthew has taken a classic setup for a sci-fi thriller and brought it into the modern world with stunning flair. Conor’s artistry keeps you glued to the page, making Pause feel like a movie you absolutely don’t want to pause,” says Storm King Comics founder and editor Sandy King.
“In an age of binge-watching, it’s refreshing to release this kind of story piece by piece—and watch the suspense build.”
Why Pause is Storm King’s Next Must-Read
- A Dark, Relatable Premise
Reality halts without warning, stranding a lone man in a silent city. A dream come true or a living nightmare? - Intriguing Moral Choices
The power to “unfreeze” any person you touch might lead to friends… or enemies… or something far more dangerous. - Talented Creative Team
Manning’s storytelling background (DC, Marvel, IDW) collides with Boyle’s atmospheric illustrations, all pulled together by Janice Chiang’s lettering expertise. - Imprint Legacy
As part of John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction, Pause joins a lineage of genre-defining series that push boundaries in horror and sci-fi.
Get Ready to Question Reality
PAUSE #1 arrives in comic book stores on February 26, 2025, priced at $4.99. With each subsequent issue rolling out monthly, you’ll have just enough time to let the unsettling possibilities simmer—before Henry’s next impossible predicament lands on the stands. Storm King’s knack for suspense, born of Sandy King’s dedication to bringing top-tier horror and sci-fi creators together, shines in this new tale.
In a world where it feels like everything’s on fast-forward, Pause dares you to stop—and consider just how terrifying that stillness could be.
