Ghost Pepper will kick off a new story arc this summer by introducing a key new player that could save the world. The next arc from creator/writer/artist Ludo Lullabi (Transformers) and colorist Adriano Lucas (Destro) begins in issue 13. Skybound and Image Comics are previewing the action to come and the covers for the first issue in the arc and beyond.

“I’m so happy to continue the Ghost Pepper journey with this new story arc! When I got the news, my mind completely exploded – I immediately jumped into writing something bigger, more intense, and full of action and spectacular moments,” Lullabi said. “This arc also introduces a major new character: Ax. She’s been waiting in the shadows – in my sketchbooks – for a long time, and her arrival is going to deeply shake the world of Ghost Pepper. I can’t wait for readers to discover her and to take them even further into this cyber-fantasy world.”

Ghost Pepper is set in a world where people have survived a terrible threat to humankind, and the aftermath isn’t exactly a picnic. The book stars Loloï, who goes out every day to deliver food to hungry folks, she tries to stay ahead of the competition, and avoid the robots that are supposedly protecting them. Her life takes a turn when she delivers food to Ash, a warrior with superhuman strength that could save the world or end up destroying it instead.

“After the shocking events of last issue, a strange traveler emerges from the chaos, eager to taste Loloi’s famous spicy dishes… and might be the key to saving the world?” according to Skybound’s press release.

Every issue in the new story arc comes with a 1990s trading card themed variant cover by Cliff Rathburn (The Walking Dead). Each card cover features a character from Ghost Pepper that includes Ax, the character debuting in this arc.

Lullabi provided the main cover of Ghost Pepper #13 and it includes variants by Cedric Poulat (G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero), a 1:10 incentive variant by Cliff Rathburn, a 1:25 incentive variant by Mirka Andolfo, a 1:50 incentive variant by Alec Bezzina, and a blank sketch cover.

“It’s thrilling to extend Ghost Pepper another full arc and have Ludo and Adriano continue this epic,” editor Ben Abernathy said. “Ash, Loloï’, and their allies face their greatest challenge yet, and it’s especially exciting to kick off the arc with a can’t-miss new character, the mysterious and deadly, Ax!”

Ghost Pepper #13 will be in comic shops on July 29.