Fresh off the debut of his genre-bending trip-hop/electronic post-punk project The Black Warhols, Detroit-born, Berlin-based mad creative scientist Alan Oldham returns to familiar techno territory with “Welcome to Sub-Detroit,” his long-gestating graphic novel/soundtrack combo.
Another project rescued from a disappointing would-be partner label, “Welcome to Sub-Detroit” has a long genesis that began during the pandemic.
For many years it was suggested that AO write and draw a sequel to +PLUS8019, the promo comic he did for Richie Hawtin and +8 Records back in 1992. He didn’t get around to it until a new generation of Detroit artists began to emerge with sci-fi names that could be made into comic characters.
Five on Friday with Phin
1980 Recordings just released Ready For Work by Alejo MartinHe was then commissioned by an unnamed Belgian label to begin work on this graphic novel along with an original techno soundtrack, coming directly off the completion to his previous graphic novel “The Return of Johnny Gambit.” AO spent 2 years of lockdown working on both projects.
Unfortunately, after incessant moving of goalposts and other general incompetence, the Brussels-based label ultimately failed to live up to its part of the contract. With no (promised) advance ever paid, AO reclaimed the project to release it on his own label, Pure Sonik Records.
“Welcome to Sub-Detroit” tells the tale of a ragtag new generation of Detroit Techno renegades who live under the shadow of Neo-Detroit, an anti-grav city of elites which hovers over the old. Desperately searching to find clues to the whereabouts of the long-lost Random Noise Generator, the electronic brain that creates hundreds for techno tracks per minute and broadcasts them to the globe, the rebel group is relentlessly stalked by the master of the aerial city, LORD GLITCH and his number one henchman, NATHANIEL DARKK.
Combining his talents in narrative, music and art, Detroit Techno’s Renaissance Man and Spirit of Detroit Award 2024 recipient Alan Oldham has crafted a total audio-visual masterwork.
“Welcome to Sub-Detroit” will be available on digital format, and physical and digital versions of the graphic novel will be available via Bandcamp.
“If you are hearing this, you are part of the Resistance.” – Mad Mike
Released October 2, 2026
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