The World Is Drowning… and Heroes Must Rise! Dive Into ARCHIPELAGO Vol. 1

A Climate-Driven Adventure About Survival, Family, and Hidden Strength
Something happened to the world… and nothing looks the way it used to.

Mad Cave Studios’ all-ages imprint Papercutz is diving headfirst into a bold new adventure with ARCHIPELAGO VOL. 1, a thrilling middle-grade graphic novel set in a near-future Earth where the oceans have taken back the map. The story comes from acclaimed Basque creators Martin and Xabier Etxeberria (Buyan, Broken Eye), with striking artwork by Alex San Vicente “Sanvi” and vibrant colors by Sergio Román Sedyas.

Welcome to Earth, 2103.

The seas have risen. Cities have vanished beneath the waves. And the world we knew? Gone.

Global warming triggered the rapid collapse of the polar ice caps, unleashing Three Great Waves that slammed across the planet without warning. Entire nations were swallowed by water. Coastlines disappeared overnight. Telecommunications collapsed. Agriculture failed. Power grids died.

Humanity survived—but the world fractured.

What remains is a scattered archipelago of survivors clinging to whatever land still stands above the tides. Resources are scarce. Old governments are gone. And in this new, uncertain era, powerful factions are rising to reshape what’s left of civilization. Among them is the North African League, a formidable force preparing to claim the floating remnants of Europe.

Right in the middle of this dangerous new world is Jare, a young woman living in the Basque Archipelago. She has always felt different… but even she doesn’t fully understand the power hidden inside her. When events pull her into a web of political intrigue, shifting alliances, and looming conflict, Jare suddenly finds herself at the center of a struggle that could change the balance of power across the flooded world.

What follows is a high-stakes adventure packed with mystery, survival, and cinematic world-building that will hook young readers and thrill longtime comic fans alike.

Archipelago Vol. 1 graphic novel cover from Papercutz and Mad Cave Studios — Archipelago Vol. 1 from Papercutz and Mad Cave Studios arrives June 2026.

Authors Martin and Xabier Etxeberria said, “When we wrote the original audio series for Basque TV five years ago, we imagined a dystopian future because we’ve always loved sci-fi stories. But given everything that’s happening in the world today, we wonder if Archipelago isn’t, after all, a real prediction of our near future… Beneath the Three Waves, readers will find a story of adventure, fantasy, and romance.”

Artist Alex San Vicente added, “I’ve always loved classic newspaper comics (Captain Easy, Buzz Sawyer, Johnny Hazard; just to name a few) where adventure, drama, and comedy built the stories. Add to the mix certain fantastical manga vibes (Miyazaki, the master of it all) and voila! I hope we can get a little closer to that kind of story and that readers will join us on the journey.”

“The idea behind the colors in Archipelagoj was to help immerse you in the story, with special attention to the passage of time during the day and night,” said colorist Sergio Román Sedyas. The main inspiration was Future Boy Conan by Hayao Miyazaki. I hope the color palettes contribute to the immersive experience of the adventure.”

ARCHIPELAGO VOL. 1 blends environmental sci-fi, political intrigue, and classic coming-of-age storytelling into a gripping journey across a world where the oceans rule—and courage is the only compass left.

The graphic novel arrives June 16, 2026, available in paperback (ISBN: 9781545826744) and hardcover (ISBN: 9781545826751) editions. Readers can preorder now wherever books and comics are sold, or order directly from Papercutz.com.

Papercutz continues its mission of bringing readers unforgettable graphic novels for all ages—stories packed with humor, adventure, mystery, and heartfelt journeys that inspire the next generation of comic fans.

To keep up with the latest releases, follow Mad Cave Studios and its family of imprints—Papercutz, Maverick, and Nakama Press—on social media, or visit www.madcavestudios.com to explore their expanding universe of creator-owned and licensed titles.

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!