Ahoy’s ‘Howl’: A Unique Fusion of ‘Mrs. Maisel’ and ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ in Classic Sci-Fi Experience (Exclusive)

Ahoy Comics is set to revive retro sci-fi nostalgia this January, and The Mary Sue has secured the exclusive scoop on this intriguing new series.

The narrative unfolds in Greenwich Village during the late 1950s, where a covert alien spore invasion is affecting the local artistic community, unbeknownst to anyone. Even the Scylla, a male-dominated collective of sci-fi authors and editors whiling away their dreams of extraterrestrial life, remains oblivious to the strange occurrences happening all around them.

While McCarthyism looms over the nation, 23-year-old Ziva Rodblatt grapples with her own pressing dilemma: keeping her secret relationship with her boyfriend, Bert, from her mother. Matters escalate when Bert starts to undergo dramatic personality changes after becoming enamored with celebrity therapy guru Myrtle Morel. Ziva finds it particularly unsettling that Bert now has an odd affection for cream of mushroom soup and makes clandestine early-morning excursions.

Ziva soon discovers she isn’t the only one exhibiting unusual behavior under Myrtle Morel’s influence. As a proto-feminist beatnik who dropped out of college, Ziva unexpectedly finds herself spearheading the fight against an alien invasion. Yikes!

Howl #1 Cover A by Mauricet — (Ahoy Comics)

Kwitney shared, “This work may be my most intimate creation yet, drawing loosely from my mother’s tales and correspondence about her time in the Village with my father, renowned science fiction writer Robert Sheckley (formerly of Omni, and an uncredited inspiration for Douglas Adams). Interspersed within these family narratives is my long-standing passion for pod-people tales, particularly those like Body Snatchers, Starman, and The Thing.”

Artist Mauricet reflected, “While Alisa and I have collaborated before, this project stands out as our most ambitious and refined endeavor to date. I thrive on being challenged and pushed outside my artistic boundaries—but I had no idea the adventure awaiting me! Achieving authenticity while capturing the quirky transition from 1950s conservatism to the liberated spirit of the 1960s, without resorting to clichés, was quite the feat.”

“Howl straddles the line between science fiction and horror—an unfamiliar territory for me initially—but Alisa’s encouragement revealed my hidden potential in this genre. It turns out I had a natural affinity for it, likely influenced by John Carpenter’s The Thing. You’ll see how this comes into play when you dive into our comic!” Mauricet elaborated.

The Mary Sue is excited to unveil the main cover art for Howl #1 (above) as well as covers for issues #2 to #4 (below), all illustrated by Mauricet.

Howl #2 Cover by Mauricet — (Ahoy Comics)

Howl #3 Cover by Mauricet — (Ahoy Comics)

Howl #4 Cover by Mauricet — (Ahoy Comics)

Ahoy Comics editor Tom Peyer noted, “The Fifties are often depicted as dull and conformist, thanks largely to sitcom portrayals. In Howl, Kwitney and Mauricet peel back the layers of this captivating era, demonstrating that it was ripe with change, fear, and peculiarities, just like any other phase in American history.”

Positioned as a blend of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Howl will delve into the pervasive anxieties faced in the 1950s, many of which find their roots in issues like racism, sexism, and homophobia—problems that still resonate today.

Kwitney explained, “I’ve essentially reimagined the alien ‘hidden among us’ concept to mirror my own apprehensions. In the Fifties, there was a strong fear of insidious outsiders disguised as us. After years grappling with a family member’s dementia, I wanted to explore the psychological terror of watching someone transform into a complete stranger. I also find it hard to take horror at face value; I prefer mixing it with humor—like a jello shot approach.”

Mauricet added, “This series encapsulates the essence of what collaboration should embody. Alisa and I have a natural chemistry—it feels like we’re dancing together, where each partner knows the next move. Working under the Ahoy Comics banner again is the highlight of my 30-plus-year career. I truly hope readers enjoy this journey as much as I do!”

Mark your calendars: Howl #1 is set to hit shelves at your preferred comic shop and available digitally on January 15, 2025, with subsequent issues arriving on a monthly basis.

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