A Message from the editor:

Dear Reader,

When I read the initial pitch for Cloud Town I was impressed. Yes, it’s a wild and wacky mad science tale of robots and monsters, but it’s also a thoughtful story about friendship, family, and growing up. Pen and Olive’s world is chaotic. Admittedly, it’s hard to find stability on Floating Island, a mysterious landmass that drifts high about the earth and is located dangerously close to the Rip; a tear in the fabric of the universe that’s home to giant monsters called Hurricanes. Not to mention that Olive is constantly bullied at school while Pen struggles to support her dysfunctional single-parent household . . . Despite all this, the two girls have been best friends forever, and they always have each other’s backs. That is, until they are in the wrong place at the wrong time and their worlds are changed forever.

While Olive is training as a Care Corp Golem pilot to protect Floating Island, Pen is called upon to help her family by getting a job— as a Care Corp janitor. However, as I read, I was struck by the way that author and illustrator Dan McCloskey makes it clear that each girl’s journey is equally important. Formerly brash Pen finds herself taking responsibility for her actions, while Olive realizes that she can’t let fear control her life.

A story like Cloud Town could only be told visually, and Dan’s energetic and imaginative art jumps off the page. I hope you enjoy Pen and Olive’s adventure as much as I do and remember to always watch out for those pesky cloud critters!

Happy reading, Charlotte Greenbaum

Editor
Abrams ComicArts

Praise for previous self-published works:

"McCloskey's work subverts and skitters.  You think you've pegged him as a comic.  But 

then you understand he's challenging himself and his readers to stretch the limits of what 

storytelling can do."

Yona Harvey –Hemming the Water, World of Wakanda, Black Panther & The Crew

“Dan McCloskey is one of these new creators whose craft and level of talent increases with each successive page. It’s a pleasure to watch him grow right before my eyes.” 

Ed Piskor -Wizzywig, Hip Hop Family Tree, X-Men Grand Design, Cartoonist Kayfabe

“Crazy stuff... Like manga morphing into art comics.”

Charles Forsman  -End of the F****ing World, I Am Not Okay With This

“A lot of fun to read.”

Farel Dalrymple – Prophet, Proxima Centauri, Pop Gun Wars, The Wrenchies 

“A Film About Billy is an honest, scary, and exciting prose/comics hybrid.” 

Jim Rugg -Street Angel, Plain J.A.N.E.S., Cartoonist Kayfabe

“… an expressive drawing style that ranges from straightforward if edgy to … forays into horror and the surreal.”

Pittsburgh City Paper

“…Star Wars crossed with a Hunger Games-like dystopia, except with carnivorous, elephant-sized monsters and more humor than you might expect amidst the general darkness. The drawing style is jagged and explosive…”

Pittsburgh City Paper