A new superhero shared universe arrived this week, with the publication of writer Brandon Thomas and artist Roger Robinson's "Noble" #1 -- the first release in Lion Forge's Catalyst Prime lineup. Catalyst Prime develops further this Saturday, with the "Catalyst Prime: The Event" Free Comic Book Day one-shot from writers Christopher Priest and Joseph Illidge (also Lion Forge Senior Editor) and artists Marco Turini and Jessica Kholinne.

RELATED: Priest & Illidge Forge a New Superhero Universe with Catalyst Prime

Right in the middle of a busy few days for Catalyst Prime, CBR has the first look at two new covers, both 1:25 connecting variants from superstar artist Phil Jimenez: "KINO" #1, scheduled to debut in September, and "Astonisher" #1, due out in October.

KINO #1 connecting variant
"KINO" #1 connecting variant by Phil Jimenez
Astonisher #1 connecting variant
"Astonisher" #1 connecting variant by Phil Jimenez.

"KINO" comes from the creative team of writer Joe Casey, artist Jefte Palo, colorist Chris Sotomayor and letterer Todd Klein. Here's the official description: "Alistair Meath of Britain's Royal Air Force was one of the heroic astronauts who flew a suicide mission to save Earth from an asteroid collision. Seven months after The Event that changed the world, a new hero has emerged, saving lives and fighting villainy everywhere! KINO is the newest superhero for our times! But why is his world strangely different from our own, and how can the Kinetic Impulse Neoterrestrial Operative possibly be the secret identity of the deceased Alistair Meath?"

"Astonisher" features the creative team of writer Alex de Campi, artist Pop Mhan, colorist Jessica Kholinne and letters by AndWorld Design. As reported by ICv2, the "Astonisher" series "follows Magnus Atitarn, a highly successful man of industry until he fails to stop an asteroid headed for Earth. His near-fatal attempt leaves him in ruins but with the power to read minds, and he uses this power and the prototype Astonisher technology to become a superhero."

Previously, CBR spoke with Illidge and Priest about what makes the burgeoning Catalyst Prime line distinct from other superhero shared universes.

"Catalyst Prime is a superhero universe, but it’s pretty rooted in science," Illidge told CBR. "That even goes to the initial premise, which is the suicide mission of the five astronauts that are trying to prevent the end of the world by destroying an asteroid. I don’t think you can really look at any of the other superhero universes that are popular now and find a singular event from which it grew out into a line of books."

That event, appropriately enough, will be detailed in the "Catalyst Prime: The Event" one-shot -- available this Saturday at participating retailers as part of Free Comic Book Day.