An Eccentric Painter Taps into the Literal Power of Black History in ANCESTRAL RECALL from Jordan Clark and Atagun İlhan
A New Comic Book Series That’s Everything Everywhere All At Once meets Don Quixote
This fall, acclaimed Syracuse-based comic book publisher AHOY Comics will publish ANCESTRAL RECALL, a historical science fiction comedy from writer Jordan Clark (Aquaman, Star Wars Adventures) and artist Atagun İlhan (Poison Ivy, Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet) about an eccentric abstract painter who taps into the literal power of Black History to solve a series of supernatural disappearances with the help of his wife and preteen neighbor. The gripping new saga from the two Milestone Initiative members uses science fiction and comedy to explore the importance of Black history, the connections between the past and present, and learning to push through difficult life changes. Issue #1 of the five-issue series will feature an A cover by Atagun İlhan, as well as a B cover by Khary Randolph, and be published on August 6, 2025.
"As Black history is literally being erased all around us, ANCESTRAL RECALL feels like an urgent call to not just preserve it but celebrate the links between our past present and future,” said writer Jordan Clark. “Melvin's journey takes readers through time and space and introduces them to figures who are rarely seen in history books such as Jean-Louis Michel, the greatest swordsman of the 17th century and Cheryl Linn Glass, the first Black woman race car driver. The series is my love letter to those who paved the way and hopefully an affirmation for us here in the now."
Melvin Warring is a famed abstract painter, known for some groundbreaking work in the late 80s, who now lives a reclusive life in East Oakland with his wife and business manager June. One day as he’s picking up June’s prescription after her hip surgery a force suddenly overcomes Melvin, displacing him from time itself. Meanwhile Myran Kang, Melvin and June’s preteen nextdoor neighbor, has noticed a string of disappearances: a few unhoused people who normally set up in the park, some people at her grandmother's nursing home, a few of the bus drivers on her normal route... She has a feeling it’s more than a coincidence but can’t get anyone to listen to her — until June disappears too. As Melvin and Myran dig deeper into the mystery, Melvin finds he’s literally able to tap into the power of Black history when under duress and access the knowledge and abilities of Black people throughout time — everyone from writers and musicians to sword fighters and acrobats, transforming Black history into an actual super power. Will it be enough for Melvin and Myran to discover and disrupt the plans of the mysterious organization disappearing people and find a way to bring them back?
AHOY Comics is a Syracuse-based publisher dedicated to satirizing horror, space opera, social satire, sword & sorcery, and superhero stories with critically acclaimed titles like THE TOXIC AVENGER by Matt Bors and Fred Harper, BABS by Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows, SECOND COMING by Mark Russell and Richard Pace, and many more.
“ANCESTRAL RECALL is one part Everything Everywhere All At Once and one part Don Quixote,” said series editor Sarah Litt. “And it’s two parts funny. Jordan and Atagun have created a surreal, mystical, charming powerhouse of a comic that will make you laugh, cry, travel through time, and reckon with the power of Black history in each stunning panel.”
ANCESTRAL RECALL #1
(W) Jordan Clark
(A) Atagun İlhan
Cover A: Atagun İlhan
Cover B: Khary Randolph
Black History: For painter Melvin Waring, it’s an actual super power! When Melvin’s wife mysteriously disappears, he must call on the most important Black figures of all time to help him in his search. A gripping new saga from two Milestone Initiative members: writer Jordan Clark (Aquaman, Star Wars Adventures) and artist Atagun İlhan (Poison Ivy, Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet).
August 6, 2025
Cover A: $4.99
Cover B: $4.99 1:3 unlock
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