Calexit: The Battle of Universal City #1

Calexit: The Battle of Universal City #1 was published by Black Mask Studios in 2018 as a direct follow-up to the satirical miniseries Calexit. The series was born out of the heightened political climate of the late 2010s, specifically exploring a speculative future where California secedes from the United States following the election of a polarizing president. The narrative shifts from the initial secessionist tension to the practical, gritty realities of life in a state under military occupation, reflecting the creators' desire to comment on contemporary civil unrest and authoritarian overreach.

The series was written by Matteo Pizzolo and illustrated by Amancay Nahuelpan, who aimed for a kinetic, grounded aesthetic that echoed the style of independent political thrillers. Pizzolo utilized the medium to critique both the political establishment and the fringes of resistance movements, seeking to create a complex moral landscape for his characters. The series received attention for its provocative premise and timing, with critics generally noting its effectiveness as a piece of sociopolitical commentary that used genre tropes to bridge the gap between speculative fiction and real-world political anxieties.