Devil’s Highway Vol. 2 Sets to Crank Up the Paranoia and Speed

By David Brooke, AIPT

Ben Percy and Brent Schoonover return for ‘Devil’s Highway Vol. 2’ starting May 4th.

AWA Studios has revealed Benjamin Percy and Brent Schoonover are returning to the world of Devil’s Highway with vol. 2 set for May 4th release. The first volume was fantastic, and a series I called suspenseful and haunting, so we’re bound to get something quite cool. Joining them on the series are color artist Nick Filardi and letterer Sal Cipriano.

“Whereas our first season was more of a slow burn—that focused on the dawning mystery of the highway killers—this second volume will crank up the paranoia and stakes and speed, leaving a trail of burnt rubber and blood…” Picking up where Sharon Harrow and Quentin Skinner left off, the story dives deeper into the terrifying dark web of crime on highways everywhere.

So what’s Devil’s Highway Vol. 2 about?
A truck stacked with bodies is discovered along the US/Canada border, and Sharon Harrow and Quentin Skinner are on the case. They need to figure out how all of these corpses are connected—and when they uncover the terrifying truth, they will unearth a murder syndicate that has infiltrated the walls of the very institutions meant to protect us. Now, our heroes are on the run—hunted by law enforcement and the trucking community—framed for crimes they didn’t commit.

“Both Ben and Brent had more stories to tell. AWA had to give what the people wanted…more DEVIL’S HIGHWAY,” said Axel Alonso, AWA Studios Chief Creative Officer. He added, “Ben and Brent were among the first creators we wanted to work with at AWA and we’re thrilled they have more stories to tell… DEVIL’S HIGHWAY is a riveting, richly layered story featuring a compelling antihero and a rogue’s gallery of villains who really get what they deserve, executed by a creative team at the peak of their form.”

Check out the covers by Brent Schoonover & Mike Deodato Jr. below.

For more on this news, read the official press release below.

New York, NY – 22 February 2022 – AWA (Artists, Writers, & Artisans), where the best creators do their best work, announces the return of the hit series, DEVIL’S HIGHWAY by Benjamin Percy (WOLVERINE) and Brent Schoonover (CAPTAIN MARVEL, BATMAN ‘66). Benjamin Percy says, “Whereas our first season was more of a slow burn—that focused on the dawning mystery of the highway killers—this second volume will crank up the paranoia and stakes and speed, leaving a trail of burnt rubber and blood…” Picking up where Sharon Harrow and Quentin Skinner left off, the story dives deeper into the terrifying dark web of crime on highways everywhere.

“Both Ben and Brent had more stories to tell. AWA had to give what the people wanted…more DEVIL’S HIGHWAY,” said Axel Alonso, AWA Studios Chief Creative Officer. He added, “Ben and Brent were among the first creators we wanted to work with at AWA and we’re thrilled they have more stories to tell… DEVIL’S HIGHWAY is a riveting, richly layered story featuring a compelling antihero and a rogue’s gallery of villains who really get what they deserve, executed by a creative team at the peak of their form.”

Artist Brent Schoonover says, “We were so lucky that the first volume was so well-received by fans and retailers alike, that it gave us the chance to keep telling this story. Sharon learns that the horrors she experienced in Volume One are not limited to the darkened highways of the Midwest, but spread a lot farther than she could ever imagine. I can’t wait for people to experience the ride they are about to go on.”

DEVIL’S HIGHWAY VOL. 2 #1
Writer: Benjamin Percy
Artist: Brent Schoonover
Colors: Nick Filardi
Letters: Sal Cipriano
Covers: Brent Schoonover

Release Date: May 4, 2022
Diamond Order Code: MAR221430
Variant Cover Code: MAR221431

A truck stacked with bodies is discovered along the US/Canada border, and Sharon Harrow and Quentin Skinner are on the case. They need to figure out how all of these corpses are connected—and when they uncover the terrifying truth, they will unearth a murder syndicate that has infiltrated the walls of the very institutions meant to protect us. Now, our heroes are on the run—hunted by law enforcement and the trucking community—framed for crimes they didn’t commit.

Percy continued to say that “Brent Schoonover and I have been talking about this story for a long time, and it’s such a terrifying pleasure to see him bring it to life. He brings a gritty authenticity, flesh-and-blood characterization, and cinematic staging to the page. You’re going to live this world more than read about it.”

“AWA books rank up as some of the finest stories being produced today. I give a lot of credit for that to Axel for assembling such top-notch creative teams on all the AWA books. They have a unique ability to get the fanbase and comic shops more and more excited as each new series comes out,” added Schoonover.

“In AWA Studios, Axel has created a bold and fearless space for writers and artists. We’re thrilled to be working with him again on this second volume,” says Percy.

DEVIL’S HIGHWAY VOL. 2 #1 will be available at comic shops, Amazon.com, Simon & Schuster, ComiXology, Amazon Kindle, GlobalComix, on May 4, 2022.