Patrick Horvath's Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees is undoubtedly one of the most memorable comics of 2024. How often do you see a cutesy, cartoonish bear moonlighting as a sadistic serial killer? Now IGN can exclusively reveal Horvath's next project, an equally kooky graphic novella called Free for All.
Check out the slideshow gallery below to see several pages from Free for All #1:
Free for All #1: Exclusive Preview Gallery
Published by Oni Press and written and drawn by Horvath, Free for All is set in a world where billionaires and trillionaires face a gruesome choice. They can either donate half of their money to charity, or they can defend their fortunes through combat in the gladiator arena. Ted Brooks is the reigning champion of the World Finance League, but he faces the ultimate test when his vindictive ex-wife Luella challenges him. Who will walk away with the money in this winner-takes-all showdown?
“I’m thrilled that Free for All has found a home with Oni Press,” said Horvath in a statement. “The idea for it came from an immense frustration with the state of society almost a decade ago, and with the issues of the world as they stand now, it’s only become more relevant. I’m so glad this book has a chance now to reach a wide audience.”
“With Beneath the Trees, Patrick Horvath has proven himself to be the rare breed of creator who can show up entirely fully formed with their debut work, while simultaneously presenting an entirely new point of view – in this case, one that that is enthralling and entertaining as it is disturbing and confrontational. Free for All has all of those same qualities in spades – including Horvath’s signature vivisection-rich violence and correspondingly pernicious sense of humor – with a dystopian science-fiction edge that one-part cultural commentary, one-part battle royale,” said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson. “It’s an honor for Oni to publish the next work in the growing library of titles from such an immense talent, and there’s little doubt that readers will be dueling to get their hands on it this March.”
Free for All #1 is priced at $7.99 and will be released in March 2025. It's one of several upcoming 2025 titles Oni will be revealing in the weeks ahead.
For more upcoming comics, check out an exclusive preview of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 and find out what to expect from DC's long-awaited Batman: Hush sequel.
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