SWARM Volume One (NBM 2004) is the first book in a new erotic SF series from my Tranceptor co-author Patrick Conlon. This is a solo graphic novel that Patrick wrote and painted in full color. It's been in the works for quite a while - at least as long as the Metal Web books ;^) - and I have to say that it was definitely worth the wait. It really looks gorgeous!

Many of you have inquired about the division of labor on TRANCEPTOR. I wish I could take credit for the many beautiful character designs in The Waystation, but it was mainly Patrick who designed and drew the Tranceptor, Hyu, Ravanna, and the rest. Beyond our collaborations, I am an unabashed fan of Patrick's work on both skin and paper and would like to take some time to plug what looks to be a really exciting new erotic series.

SWARM Vol. 1 opens on the inconceivably vast star ship of the Planet Eater, an alien despot who feeds on the energy of devoured star systems. After receiving tribute in the form of a specially-bred harem from the doomed world of Io, the Planet Eater sets his sights on Irth, a primitive world rich in the essential energies necessary to prolong his immortality.

On Irth, Queen Djalla enjoys an idyllic existence in her planet's primeval forests. Djalla has sensed the arrival of a new queen, Siva, whose emergence from an organic cocoon parallels Djalla's own birth. Siva's genesis is assisted by the reptilian hive race, the Swarm, who exist to serve as her protectors. Siva is lovingly anointed and enthroned
by her inhuman slaves and after a demonstration of her unique psychic powers, a mating ritual / orgy of truly epic proportions follows ....

Patrick and I both grew up reading Heavy Metal/Metal Hurlant magazine and SWARM is a classic HM-style sci-fi/fantasy tale in the tradition of Richard Corben's "Den" or Serpieri's "Druuna" (but minus Serpieri's often tiresome misogyny).

Djalla, the sensuous sovereign of Irth, and her nubile successor, Siva, are archetypal Conlon goddesses: ripe, voluptuous, sweetly innocent yet erotically confident - reveling in the sexual tribute offered by their loyal worshippers.

And one of the best things about SWARM as a series is that as good as the first volume is, the subsequent books look to be even better. During a recent visit to the East Coast, Patrick showed me pages from Volume Two that, even in their half-finished state, were breathtakingly sexy. He's just getting better and better, folks.