Author and artist Mirka Andolfo’s Harvey Award-winning erotic novel Sweet Paprika was a hit when it was released in 2021. Set in a world of angels and devils, the raunchy (literally) office comedy-drama follows the CEO of publisher Infernum Press as she tries to get her love life in order. Now, a new spin-off from Scarlet Witch author Steve Orlando and artist Emilio Pilliu will expand the world even further.
Sweet Paprika: Open For Business is a five-part queer romance comic based on the short story “The Prince and the Queen,” published in 2023’s Sweet Paprika: Black White & Pink #1. In that story, shy and unfulfilled office worker Aubrey has become involved with the attractive Persica. In the new series, the two have begun an ongoing relationship, but it will soon run into great turmoil…
Here are the first issue covers of Pilliu, Andolfo, Robbi Rodriguez, Godtail, plus a polybag cover of Pilliu and a Showgirls homage variant of Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière.
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“When Steve suggested we follow up on the story he and Emilio had written for Sweet Paprika: Black White & Pink #1, we didn’t think twice,” Mirka Andolfo said in a statement. “The more I read this comic, the more I think I’m a little jealous because I would have loved to have done it myself… It’s amazing, deep (no pun intended), funny, 100% Paprika style. And Emilio is a fantastic artist and colorist. The Arancia team and I are lucky to have such great creators on board and I can’t wait for fans to read the story because I’m sure they’ll have as much fun as I did!”
“I’ve never had as much fun working on a book as I have on Sweet Paprika: Open for Business – it’s my favorite book every month,” Orlando added. “And not only that – I’ve never worked with a collaborator as well as I have with Emilio. He has sublet my brain and elevates every single panel beyond my wildest dreams! Open for Business is raw, it’s real, it’s provocative, but most of all – it’s fun! It’s my first office comedy and I’ve never had as much fun working with a cast as I have on this one! I can’t wait for you to meet them!”
“I hope I don’t sound presumptuous, but Sweet Paprika: Open For Business is tailor-made for me,” said Emilio Pilliu. “The excesses, the romantic parts, the serious ones, the comic scenes and the saucy ones… it’s all perfect and it’s everything I like to draw. I don’t think it happens often in an artist’s life to work on something and feel completely comfortable doing it!”
Here is Image’s official synopsis for the new series:
Sweet Paprika: Open For Business follows Aubrey Jean, a young employee at Infernum Press, as he tries to impress his heroine and boss, Miss Paprika, and sort out his relationship with Persica, a friend with benefits who may want to be more. But just as Aubrey and Persica settle into an open relationship they’re both comfortable with, their relationship is thrown into turmoil by Kren. And to make matters worse, Aubrey finally gets the chance to prove his worth to Miss Paprika by becoming the handler for Infernum Press’ most demanding client – the fearsome, eccentric, and unstable author named Durian.
Can Aubrey deal with Kren and save his relationship with Persica? Does he even want to be with Persica? And how is he supposed to figure all of this out when he has to be on call day and night to fulfill Durian’s next crazy request?!”
Sweet Paprika: Open For Business #1 will be released by Image on November 6.
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