First Second Announces Reincarnation Thriller ‘Old Souls’ From Brian McDonald And Les McClaine

The concept of reincarnation and the possibility that we return in some new form is an idea that humanity has thought about and obsessed over for thousands of years, and it's fertile ground for storytelling ideas. Next year, First Second continues that tradition with Old Souls by Brian McDonald and Les McClaine, which focuses on one man's obsession with his previous life.

Old Souls is described by First Second as "a supernatural story centered around reincarnation," and features a man who not only remembers his past life, but remembers a specific tragedy from that time that he obsesses over so much that it threatens to destroy his current life.

Brian McDonald has several writing credits at Dark Horse, but also works as a story consultant for Pixar Animation Studios, and teaches at the RedBadge Project, which encourages veterans with PTSD to tell their own stories. McClaine is perhaps best known for his work on the fan-favorite series The Middleman, but also previously worked on The Tick, and was Eisner nominated for his webcoming Jonny Crossbones.

In a statement supplied by First Second, Brian McDonald said of his collaboration:

"This is a story I am really proud of and I can’t wait for people to get a chance to read it. I am also really excited about getting to work with Les McClaine because I love his work so much."

Artist Les McClaine added:

"I’ve been a fan of Brian’s since I first read his work in Abe Sapien: Drums of the Dead. When I read the script for Old Souls, which deals with so many issues and ideas that interest me, I couldn’t help but jump at the chance to work with him on it."