Privacy, Security and Conspiracy Do Battle in ‘The Homeland Directive’ [Preview]

Debuting this weekend at Heroes Con in Charlotte, North Carolina is The Homeland Directive, a new graphic novel written by The Surrogates co-creator Robert Venditti. The narrative follows scientist Laura Regan, who's blamed for a violent crime she didn't commit, and one that seems connected to her work in viral research. Featuring artwork by Mike Huddleston (Gen13, Butcher Baker), The Homeland Directive deals explicitly with the theme of personal privacy and civil liberties in an America where national security forgives all manner of sins.A 152-page full color book, The Homeland Directive continues what's been an auspicious summer for Top Shelf Productions. Among the new works recently released or coming very soon are Gingerbread Girl by Colleen Coover and Paul Tobin; Liar's Kiss by Eric Skillman and Jhomar Soriano; Any Empire by Nate Powell; Chester 5000 by Jess Fink; Infinite Kung Fu by Kagan McLeod; Night Animals by Brecht Evens; and Lucille by Ludovic Debeurme.

In The Homeland Directive, viral researcher Dr. Laura Regan is blamed for the murder of a colleague, an act that's just one piece of what is revealed to be a complex conspiracy. Regan finds guardian angels in the form of curiously disparate federal agents who seem to have had enough of whatever the U.S. government might be up to. The book is hyped by Top Shelf as "set in the Orwellian present" and tackles the question of whether liberty and security are mutually exclusive.

Courtesy of Top Shelf, ComicsAlliance brings you a six-page scene from The Homeland Directive that demonstrates the graphic novel's visual and narrative style, which we think you'll agree is pretty enticing. The book is on sale from Top Shelf this weekend at Heroes Con and will be available in stores later this month. You can pre-order The Homeland Directive now from Top Shelf's website.

A new thriller from the author of the New York Times bestseller The Surrogates!

As a leading researcher at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Laura Regan is one of the world's foremost authorities on viral and bacteriological study. Having dedicated her career to halting the spread of infectious disease, she has always considered herself one of the good guys. But when her research partner is murdered and Laura is blamed for the crime, she finds herself at the heart of a vast and deadly conspiracy. Aided by three rogue federal agents who believe the government is behind the frame-up, Laura must evade law enforcement, mercenaries, and a team of cyber-detectives who know more about her life than she does-all while trying to expose a sinister plot that will impact the lives of every American.

Set in the Orwellian present, The Homeland Directive confronts one of the vital questions of our time: In an era when technology can either doom or save us, is it possible for personal privacy and national security to coexist? -- A 152-page Full-Color Graphic Novel with French Flaps, 6.625" x 10.25"