If legendary sci-fi author Philip K. Dick were brought back to life in the 21st century, it would feel something like Benjamin, the mind-blowing new mystery series from Oni Press. This three-issue prestige-format comic follows an enigmatic author named Benjamin J. Carp, who died in 1982 and mysteriously reawakens in 2025 with no memory of how it happened.
IGN has an exclusive preview of Benjamin #1, where you can dive deeper into the storyline. But keep in mind—there’s some strong language ahead.
Benjamin #1: Exclusive Comic Book Preview Gallery
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Written by Ben H. Winters, author of the acclaimed Last Policeman Trilogy and creator of the CBS series Tracker, Benjamin features illustrations by Leomacs (EC’s Epitaphs from the Abyss, Basketful of Heads) and cover art by Leomacs, Christian Ward, and Malachi Ward.
Here’s how Oni Press describes Benjamin:
“More than just a writer, more than just a science-fiction icon, Benjamin J. Carp was a cultural revolutionary. Over 44 novels and countless short stories—including the counterculture classic The Man They Couldn’t Erase—Carp challenged the limits of literary respectability within the sci-fi genre while reshaping readers' perceptions of reality itself…until his untimely demise in 1982 due to years of substance abuse and the excesses of Southern California.”
“Until 2025…when Benjamin J. Carp rises from the ashes, alive again, in a burned-out motel near Los Angeles. Though he recalls his death vividly, he knows he shouldn’t exist. Is he a dream? A robot? A ghost? A clone? A simulation? Drawing inspiration from his own works, Carp embarks on a journey across Los Angeles—from Studio City to Venice Beach—investigating his ultimate mystery: himself.”
“Let me start by saying this: just because *Benjamin* is about a guy named Benjamin and written by a guy named Benjamin doesn’t mean it’s autobiographical,” Winters jokes. “It’s pure fiction, but still, the parallels are hard to ignore. The hero is a cranky, middle-aged sci-fi writer struggling to find meaning in his existence while wandering through modern-day LA. Oh wait—that sounds familiar…”“The joy of writing Benjamin lay in taking such a heavy topic—death, mortality, existential dread—and turning it into something light-hearted and adventurous,” Winters explains. “Weaving humor into a tale about a man who died and woke up in the future allowed us to explore deep philosophical questions while keeping things entertaining. Plus, there’s a lovable dog named Strawman. Seriously, what more could you ask for?”
Benjamin #1 hits shelves on June 18, 2025. Fans can also watch the animated trailer for the series.
Elsewhere in the world of comics, DC Comics and Ghost Machine are collaborating on their first crossover event, and the 2025 Eisner Award nominees have been announced.
