The Exciting Premise

If you love fantasy and post-apocalyptic stories, then you’ll dig Extremity. The series is set in a world where humanity lives on floating islands, divided by clans. It’s a world of violence and warfare, as the clans battle one another for territory. Extremity follows Thea and Rollo, a brother and sister in the Roto clan. Rollo is a pacifist in a world that demands violence, and Thea is an artist who has lost one of her hands. Their father Jerome is consumed by bloodlust, seeking to avenge the murder of his wife. Extremity is a story about how this family navigates the strange and dangerous world they live in.

Violence and the Horrors of War

Do you love violence? Don’t worry, we won’t judge you. If you dig the body horror of The Walking Dead and the bone-breaking action in Invincible, then you’ll go crazy for the tsunami of violence in Extremity. These warring clans don’t fight with advanced weaponry, they battle like ancient Vikings. Throats are slit, intestines are removed, and a whole lotta blood is spilled. Suffice it to say, Extremity is a title that isn’t afraid to show the horrors of war.

Grounded Themes in a Fantastical World

While Extremity is set in a world that looks nothing like our own, the story’s elements are as relatable as those in our backyards. Thea is a talented artist who’s defined herself by her gift. As a child she visited the Great Mother, a revered figure who helps people discover their true selves. The Great Mother gave Thea the name “Artist,” in a moment that helped define her life.

When a rival clan chops off her drawing arm, Thea loses more than a limb. If she isn’t an artist, then who is she? What is one’s identity when they lose that which defines them? Extremity is a comic series that explores these questions. These are themes that hit many of us, even if we’ve never traveled across floating islands.

Family Drama

At its core, Extremity is a family drama. Underneath the fantastical setting and the violent battles, the series is a story about a family at war with itself. When an unspeakable tragedy destroys their home and kills their mother, Thea and Rollo find themselves at odds with their father. Everyone handles the event differently, and instead of coming together, the family is coming apart. Jerome is too consumed by revenge to realize his children need his help healing.

Rollo has rejected violence, causing Jerome to disown him. Thea is soon forced to choose between her brother and father, and the aftermath isn’t pretty. What happens when you put the family dynamics of Game of Thrones in a Mad Max setting, and turn the violence up to 11? You get Extremity.

The Genius of Daniel Warren Johnson

Extremity is scripted and penciled by Daniel Warren Johnson, a superstar in the comic book industry. Johnson creates unforgettable images with each page, pulling you into the world of Extremity. From the gorgeous floating islands to the breakneck action sequences, Johnson’s artwork will electrify your brain. His pencils also shine during the quiet moments, especially Thea’s scenes. Without dialogue or narration, Johnson’s able to convey her turmoil, using framing, body language, and detailed facial expressions.

Johnson’s script is emotionally intense, and will have you continually turning the page, until you’ve found you’ve binge-read the entire series. Is it any wonder Extremity received an Eisner nomination for Best Limited Series?

If you want to read Extremity in the same size as it was originally drawn, you’re in luck. Skybound is launching a Kickstarter for an oversized collection of the series. The hardcover edition will feature Johnson’s original art boards. Even if you’ve read Extremity before, you’ve never experienced it like this!