For decades, music superstars have lent their likenesses and their compositions to the inspiration of comic books. But there haven’t been many musicians who’ve created their own comic series. Later this year, the singer known as Lights is releasing her fourth studio record, Skin&Earth; which will also be a high concept album that ties into a new Skin&Earth comic book series being written and drawn by Lights herself. The project was announced at last month’s C2E2, but fans can take a first look at Lights’ new world right now in our exclusive premiere of the Skin&Earth digital intro issue.

The main character of Skin&Earth is a young woman named Enaia Jin, who lives among the underclass in a post-apocalyptic future that is ruled by corporations. As you’ll soon see, the Tempest Corporation not only controls the university, but also the drugs it provides to placate the population. Enaia may not live among the fortunate survivors, but she is allowed to attend school among them if she submits to wearing a mask that exposes her as one of the outcasts.

If this world is going to change, then it’s going to be up to Enaia to change it herself. But it’s not going to be easy as she attempts to navigate a dangerous path between cults and gods, as well as new friends and lovers.

“I feel my whole life has led up to a project like this,” Lights said. “It’s a complete convergence of everything I love–music, comics, post-apocalyptic romance, crystals, wine, and powerful ladies, all perfectly entwined. It’ll be by far my most carefree and fierce album yet. I think now, more than ever, people need a reason to listen to a whole record, and this is mine.”

The first issue of Skin&Earth will be published by Dynamite Entertainment on Wednesday, July 12, which means that Skin&Earth #1 will be ready just before this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Right now, the plan is to release each issue of the comic book series alongside new music from Lights’ latest record as a prelude to the full release of the Skin&Earth album later this year.

You can read the rest of the Skin&Earth digital preview issue in our gallery below.

What did you think about Lights‘ new comic book series? Let’s discuss in the comment section below!

Images: Dynamite Entertainment