Ancestral Recall Turns Black History Into Sci-Fi Power

A New Graphic Novel That’s Everything Everywhere All At Once meets Don Quixote

This April, acclaimed Syracuse-based comic book publisher AHOY Comics will publish the trade paperback collection of ANCESTRAL RECALL, a culturally rich, stunningly drawn historical science fiction graphic novel from writer Jordan Clark (Aquaman, Star Wars Adventures) and artist Atagun İlhan (Poison Ivy, Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet) about an eccentric abstract painter who taps into the literal power of Black History to solve a series of supernatural disappearances with the help of his wife and preteen neighbor. The gripping new saga from the two Milestone Initiative members uses science fiction and comedy to explore the importance of Black history, the connections between the past and present, and learning to push through difficult life changes. The trade paperback will feature a cover by artist Khary Randolph and be published on April 15, 2026.

Melvin Warring is a famed abstract painter, known for some groundbreaking work in the late 80s, who now lives a reclusive life in East Oakland with his wife and business manager June. One day as he’s picking up June’s prescription after her hip surgery a force suddenly overcomes Melvin, displacing him from time itself. Meanwhile Myran Kang, Melvin and June’s preteen nextdoor neighbor, has noticed a string of disappearances: a few unhoused people who normally set up in the park, some people at her grandmother’s nursing home, a few of the bus drivers on her normal route… She has a feeling it’s more than a coincidence but can’t get anyone to listen to her — until June disappears too. As Melvin and Myran dig deeper into the mystery, Melvin finds he’s literally able to tap into the power of Black history when under duress and access the knowledge and abilities of Black people throughout time — everyone from writers and musicians to sword fighters and acrobats, transforming Black history into an actual super power. Will it be enough for Melvin and Myran to discover and disrupt the plans of the mysterious organization disappearing people and find a way to bring them back?

AHOY Comics is a Syracuse-based publisher dedicated to satirizing horror, space opera, social satire, sword & sorcery, and superhero stories with critically acclaimed titles like THE TOXIC AVENGER by Matt Bors and Fred Harper, BABS by Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows, SECOND COMING by Mark Russell and Richard Pace, and many more.

For more updates on AHOY Comics, visit them on X, Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram.

Author Profile

Al Mega: I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!