Warlord of Io and Other Stories #[nn]

On the volcanic moon of Io in 2853 AD, Prince Max Zing—more at home with his video games than the throne—inherits the empire from his retired father, much to the dismay of his new bodyguard, Urk. Determined to prove he’s no tyrant, Max shocks the court by slashing the military budget to fund free health care and education, a move that ignites fury in General Grymak and sets the stage for a brewing rebellion.

In the fiery depths of Hell, Detective Mumpy Mushmuck is determined to prove he’s the top sleuth—especially when rival Grueltongue flaunts his ticket to the legendary Hitler-Stalin wrestling match. When Pukdrool drops the news that the month’s best detective will win free tickets, Mumpy smugly claims victory, already having bribed the judges. But not everyone’s convinced that a little corruption is the way to go.

In a satirical twist on corporate power and democracy, Percival Proll visits the President of Globcorp aboard a floating dirigible, only to challenge the company’s claim of equality—highlighting the irony that true democracy can’t exist when one entity holds absolute control over employment. The story’s sharp wit and deadpan delivery make for a concise, thought-provoking take on authority and influence, all in James Turner’s signature style.

Supreme Commander Dan faces off against the Tiki Space Pirates and their terrifying Dread Buttocks Beast, ordering a full-scale nuclear strike—then retreats to his quarters to escape the chaos, flipping through a comic book with a wistful sigh, wondering if he should’ve chosen a career in comics instead.