Rapture. Written by Matt Kindt with art from CAFU, the four-issue series will co-star Ninjak and Shadowman in what Valiant is calling their first fantasy epic. Valiant has just announced their standalone summer event of 2017,. Written bywith art from, the four-issue series will co-star Ninjak and Shadowman in what Valiant is calling their first fantasy epic.

In the exclusive first word over at Nerdist , we're told to expect a "Tolkien-esque" journey through the Deadside, as Ninjak and Shadowman—along with Tama the Geomancer and Punk Mambo—go up against an ancient evil that's trying to breach Heaven. Sword-swinging barbarians, monstrous creatures, and the like will all show up in the wild mash-up of superhero and fantasy.

As Matt Kindt told Nerdist: "I grew up loving Conan and Lord of the Rings, but I haven't really gotten a chance to develop my take on that kind of genre. I tend to gravitate to more grounded stories, relatively, with spies and gadgets and mystery. So it's interesting to take that grounded sensibility and apply it to some crazy fantastical ideas. Exploring heaven and hell, and gods and demons, but doing it in a way that humanizes all of the characters. I think that's what I want most out of a story like this."

Rapture also promises big developments for Shadowman, one of Valiant's most iconic characters. The series will explore much of the character's mythology, while also starting his new path towards a new status quo in the Valiant Universe. As Valiant Editor-In-Chief Warren Simons put it: "The return of Jack Boniface is the just first step in a series of major developments that will be coming for Shadowman over the next year, and RAPTURE will officially begin his long-awaited return to the forefront of the Valiant Universe."

With X-O Manowar #1 and the newly announced Secret Weapons #1—penned by the Academy Award nominated writer of ARRIVAL, Eric Heisserer—also launching this year, it looks like Rapture is the latest in Valiant's lineup of high-profile projects.

Rapture #1 (of 4) by Matt Kindt and CAFU, arrives in stores on May 24th from Valiant Entertainment