Welcome to the antibiotic apocalypse of Surgeon X, the new comic book series by scientist turned writer/director, Sara Kenney, and Sandman artist John Watkiss. Later this month, Image Comics is set to publish this series, which also marks the return to comics of famed editor and Vertigo veteran, Karen Berger!
The premise of Surgeon X is that antibiotic resistance has created new superbugs that have changed the very landscape of human survival. Imagine a world where even a simple infection can kill you. The series takes place in 2036, as a London based doctor named Rosa Scott has reinvented herself as Surgeon X, a crusading vigilante doctor who dares to challenge the Lionheart party that controls the government.
But don’t mistake Surgeon X for a heroine. Rosa may truly desire to help people with her experimental surgery and black market drugs, but she’s also got a bit of a God complex. The power of life and death is literally in her hands, and it’s an intoxicating sensation for her. Rosa’s actions have also been noticed by the ruling class, which means that Surgeon X has some very real and dangerous adversaries gunning for her. She can lives, but can she save herself?
Ahead of the release of Surgeon X #1, CraveOnline is proud to debut exclusive character design sketches from Watkiss. The bio information was pulled from the official Surgeon X website, which you can find here.
Surgeon X/Rosa Scott
“Rosa becomes Surgeon X, a renegade doctor who treats those who have been abandoned by the system, keeping her alternative life secret since her work is unorthodox and sometimes illegal. Some of the treatments are experimental and some are only available from other countries futuristic surgery and medicine that hasn’t been certified in the UK. Her patients run the gamut and they often live off the grid: immigrants, criminals, or just your basic working-class Joe with severe angina who can’t get the NHS to do his quadruple bypass without a five-year wait. Most of this work is pro bono and she is prepared to treat anyone, rich or poor, as long as she deems them worthy of saving.
Rosa turns away people she thinks can get help elsewhere or those who can’t be helped at all. But, she also turns away people who she doesn’t think deserve her help – greedy, selfish individuals or those who have harmed others. As Rosa’s ego inflates, her judgment becomes more dubious and at times unethical, flying in the face of her Hippocratic oath.”
John Scott
“Leading neurosurgeon and father to Rosa, Martha, and Lewis. John (64) has passed his razor-sharp Scottish wit down to his daughters and he doesn’t suffer fools gladly. He’s married to a much younger woman, AKI SCOTT (29), whom Rosa could live without. After years of teasing Rosa for being an NHS puppet as he once was, John constantly tries to convince Rosa to come and work for him at the Apollo Hospital, a posh and private high-tech medical complex in Sevenoaks, Kent where he caters to the rich and famous. As a specialist in neurosurgery his hospital is also at the forefront of cosmetic brain enhancement including memory expansion, deletion, plus increased intellectual and physical aptitudes.”
Nuella Powell
“As flamboyant as she is patronising, Nuella (45) is the wife of the far-right politician Jim Powell. A successful stock trader, she jumps into the seat left vacant by her husband’s death and runs for Mayor. There is fierce enmity between Nuella and Rosa. Rosa saw Nuella murder her husband’s opponent in cold blood, and will do anything to get at Nuella, but has limited options without exposing her secret life as Surgeon X. Nuella can’t stand Rosa because she blatantly criticises her at public health meetings and advises the opposition party. Plus there’s something else about this outspoken surgeon that Nuella just can’t put a finger on…”
Caspar Moss
“Caspar Moss is a rugged army veteran, no-nonsense Northerner and lead Detective at the Met police. He and Rosa have a flirtatious but professional relationship; they knew each other from a case years ago involving one of Rosa’s patients. Yet Caspar is also one of Surgeon X’s primary antagonists; she has recently come on the radar of the Met police as her practice has been growing. He served in the army and saw action in Berlin where he fought against ISIS in 2025. His wartime experiences and injuries will come back to haunt him.”
Surgeon X # 1 will be released on Wednesday, September 28.
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