Arks Helices #1 Kickstarter - A Biopunk-Noir Detective Story
The groundbreaking science-faction comic series Arks, from writer Rory Collins (Children of Men, The Bourne Ultimatum, Never Let Me Go), returns with a new limited series &- Arks Helices #1, with art by Gustaffo Vargas (Image, Marvel). Launching alongside two companion books which go behind the scenes, delving deeper into the new art, science and lore.
Set 24,000 years after the events of Arks, Helices #1 follows the descendants of Lilith and Joseph. They are the last remnants of humanity now hiding aboard Helices, a Dyson-class space station orbiting a dead star.
They're hunted by an enemy that doesn't chase their flesh, but the tiny tremors human bodies make in the quantum field. An enemy that hunts their souls.
Collins describes Arks Helices as, 'a bio-punk-noir detective story, blending eldritch horror with high-concept science-faction storytelling.'
And went on to explain how the story and collaboration with artist Gustaffo Vargas, came about… 'I had a rough outline for Helices but wasn't planning on writing it until after Issue 6 of Arks was shipped, but when I found out that Gustaffo was available, I basically wrote all three issues in record time as I didn't want to miss the chance to work with him"
Gustaffo goes on to say, "I've been a fan of the ARKs series for a while, and now that I'm the artist of Arks Helices, I'm having so much fun, it's a fantastic world to discover!"
And fans of the original storyline, for which the last instalment is still pending, needn't worry about this departure. Arks Issue Six will be coming next year (check out our Arks #4 & 5 review). Collins assures, "Now we're back from Thought Bubble storyboarding will kick off this week, and our prelaunch page is already up."
Arks Helices is currently fully funded on Kickstarter and is now closing in on a series of stretch goals.
If you love Aliens, Blade Runner, or Jurassic Park then this is for you. Or if you've ever wondered what happens when artificial intelligence and synthetic biology collide. If you have, then Arks Helices #1 will feel like coming home to a universe you've never seen before.
To find out more and be teleported back to the bio-punk-noir nightmare, head over to the Arks Helices Kickstarter page.
Arks Helices 1 Kickstarter campaign ends December 8, 2025.
About the Story
The Helices is no ordinary refuge - it's a Dyson-class space station, a mega-structure so vast it can only exist in the orbit of a dead star. Inside its enormous O'Neill cylinders, the last of humanity hides from an unknowable enemy. An enemy that doesn't hunt the body, but the pattern of the soul in the quantum field.
In Arks Helices #1, we follow Olive, a 24,000-year-old bio-punk-noir detective whose consciousness is split into the mind of Moxy, a single mother living on the colony below. When Moxy discovers that the ancient evil hunting humanity has found them again, Olive must make an impossible choice. Kill 800 colonists to keep the Helices hidden, or risk the extinction of humankind.
Arks Helices is a chilling, character-driven descent into biopunk horror and high-concept science fiction. A story of death, rebirth and survival, 24,000 years into our future.
Exclusives
There are several incredible Kickstarter limited offers.
- Alongside Helices #1, backers can get two companion comics - Pattern State Insertion and Psychomachia. These go behind the scenes to unravel the lore, art and science behind the story.
- There are also catch-up bundles for newcomers in print and digital.
- And the Helices Complete Bundle, where backers can pick up all 3 comics, exclusive sticker packs and art prints with a hefty saving
