The premise of BACKTRACK is as simple as it is intriguing: if you had the chance to change the worst moment of your life, would you sign up to compete in a one of a kind race, where neither your safety nor your survival were guaranteed? What if that race wasn’t just across distance… but through millions of years of world history? The good news is even if you’re unsure about entering the race, you’ll still get to enjoy it.

The new adventure from Oni Press is bringing that very race to life, with BACKTRACK’s Brian Joines and Jake Elphick behind the wheel of the series. And while the book will sell itself for many on its premise alone, the first issue has shown exactly what readers are in for. Forget worrying about surviving the other racers (competing for the chance to miraculously ‘undo’ some part of their own past), a trip back to the time of the dinosaurs sets a precedent that makes reading the second issue almost mandatory. Thankfully, we’re pleased to offer a free preview of BACKTRACK #1 (in stores now) before the second issue dials up the sinister significantly.

For those looking to catch up from the beginning themselves, BACKTRACK follows the heroine Alyson Levy, a former wheelwoman who was forced out of her life as a criminal when she lost the most valuable part of her life (descending into a spiral of alcohol and wasted days soon after). But when a mysterious figure approaches her, knowing the intimate secrets of Alyson’s life and claiming time and reality aren’t as concrete as she thinks, everything changes. Sure, a massive car race granting the winner a chance to correct their past mistakes seems like fantasy. But with nothing left to lose, it’s a chance Alyson can’t pass up… even if she comes to regret it. Take a look at the preview pages below:

The first issue of BACKTRACK clarifies that “each leg of the race covers a different period in time” isn’t being metaphorical, but genuinely sending the racers to times when roads are the least of their problems. The official plot descriptions already promise the injection of medieval warriors, dinosaurs, natural disasters, and even the far-flung future, meaning the only limit is what Joines and Elphick can imagine. But with Alyson teased to continue her race “from the Big Bang to the death knell of the universe,” even that limit may not be getting in the way.

The first issue of BACKTRACK is available now, with the follow-up issue (and explanation of Issue #1’s surprise ending) coming in March, readers will have plenty of time to jump into the race themselves. Until then, find the official cover and solicitation details for BACKTRACK #2 below:

  • BACKTRACK #2 Release Date: March 18th, 2020 Written by: Brian Joines Art by: Jake Elphick Cover Art by: Doug Garbark The drivers are caught like flies in Quellex’s sick game, racing through history for the entertainment of a megalomaniac. Lemmon’s confession offers more questions than answers, but before they can squeeze any information out of him, Alyson and the rest of the drivers find themselves in a gut-wrenching race through Constantinople.

Backtrack #1 is available now in your local comic book shop, or direct from Oni Press.

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