What happens when a theme park designer swaps rollercoasters for raves? You get Heaven is an Afterparty.

Heaven is an Afterparty #1
Writer: Joel Newman
Artist: Finn Kidd
Release date: November 2024

Created by Joel Newman and Finn Kidd, this series throws the reader into the wild chaos of an underground rave charged with pulse and unpredictability. Newman has worked in animation and film, and Kidd comes from the alternative music scene, and you can feel both of those worlds in the pages.

The story follows Ari Satanas, a former “Dreamchitect” for a big company, where creativity meant reusing the same old ideas. Frustrated and bored, Ari starts blowing off steam at warehouse raves and after-hours parties, and somewhere between the pounding music and neon haze, she gets an idea. Why not use her theme park skills to throw the most incredible, unforgettable parties in the world? She pulls together a dream team: Bryce, the no-nonsense door guy; Cecile K., a DJ and former It-Girl with serious style; and Dottie Gomes, a tech genius who isn’t afraid to experiment. Together, they travel the globe, leaving behind legendary parties and plenty of chaos.

I really enjoyed this because it’s so different from what I usually read, but I connected with Ari. Being in my 30s and no longer a partygoer, I get that feeling of having moved on from the scene but still remembering the rush. All the characters are fun and well-developed, and the art is a perfect match for the story. It’s all in black and white, which creates an amazing contrast with the idea of flashing lights, crowded dance floors, and the pulse of the music.

Heaven is an Afterparty is an indie comic that makes you nostalgic for nights you wouldn’t actually want to relive. Wild, messy, and unforgettable. Issue 2 was out in July 2025, and you can get both issues on the creators’ online store right here!