Oni Press Unveils Philip K. Dick-Inspired Series

What if the legendary sci-fi visionary Philip K. Dick were somehow brought back to life in the 21st century? That’s the captivating “what if” at the heart of *Benjamin*, a gripping new sci-fi mystery series from Oni Press that blurs the lines between reality, fiction, and identity. The story follows Benjamin J. Carp, a fictional cult sci-fi author who died in 1982—only to mysteriously awaken decades later in 2025 with no memory of how or why he returned.

IGN is proud to present an exclusive preview of *Benjamin #1*. Take a look through the gallery below, but be warned—some pages contain NSFW language:

Benjamin #1: Exclusive Comic Book Preview Gallery

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*Benjamin* marks the full-length comic debut of acclaimed novelist Ben H. Winters, known for *The Last Policeman Trilogy* and the CBS series *Tracker*. The series is visually brought to life by illustrator Leomacs (EC’s *Epitaphs from the Abyss*, *Basketful of Heads*), with striking cover art provided by Leomacs, Christian Ward, and Malachi Ward.

About Benjamin

From Oni Press:

More than just a writer, more than just a science-fiction icon, Benjamin J. Carp was a cultural revolutionary. Over the course of 44 novels and hundreds of short stories—including the counterculture classic *The Man They Couldn’t Erase*—Carp pushed the boundaries of literary respectability for the sci-fi genre and his readers’ perception of reality itself… until decades of amphetamine abuse and Southern California excess finally ended a mind-bending career that always just escaped mainstream success. He died in 1982.

Until 2025… when Benjamin J. Carp awakens, alive, in a burned-out motel on the fringes of Los Angeles. He remembers dying. He knows he shouldn’t exist. Is he a dream? A robot? A ghost? A clone? A simulation? In his own time, Carp pondered all of these scenarios through his fiction—and now, as he treks from Studio City to Venice Beach and onward into the paranoid sprawl of 21st-century Los Angeles, he will be called to investigate his greatest mystery yet: himself.

Behind the Story

"Let’s get one thing straight—just because *Benjamin* is about a guy named Benjamin and it's written by a guy named Benjamin doesn't mean it's autobiographical," joked Ben H. Winters during an interview with IGN. "Okay, well… the main character is a cranky middle-aged sci-fi writer trying to make sense of life’s purpose while wandering around LA. And I’m… oh wait."

Winters added, "The fun of writing *Benjamin* came from taking some of life’s heaviest themes—like death, mortality, and the meaning of existence—and turning them into a joyous, offbeat adventure. It's about a middle-aged writer who died and suddenly finds himself back in a world he barely recognizes, desperately trying to figure out what’s going on. The best part? There's even a dog involved—a sweet, loyal companion named Strawman. What else could you possibly ask for?"

Release Date & Additional Content

*Benjamin #1* arrives in stores on June 18, 2025. Fans can also enjoy an animated trailer offering a sneak peek into the surreal world of the series.

In related comic news, DC Comics and Ghost Machine have announced their first unofficial crossover event, and the nominees for the 2025 Eisner Awards have officially been revealed.