After the recent news that Rick Remender, co-creator of Deadly Class, Low, A Righteous Thirst for Vengenance and The Sacrificers, signed on for another 3-year exclusive deal with Image Comics, the natural next question became: what’s next?
Alongside Max Fiumara, Remender launched the aforementioned The Sacrificers a few months ago to great acclaim. Now, as of New York Comic Con 2023, we know what’s coming after.
Giant Generator, Rick Remender’s creator-owned imprint at Image Comics, has signed not one, not two, but twelve artists exclusively to the company.
A New Era at Giant Generator
Harkening back to the coup that Todd McFarlane organised back in the 1990’s when he and the original Image gang split from Marvel to begin their own adventures in comics, Remender has similarly cultivated a wealth of artistic talent to work with him on new stories.
Of his decision to expand the Giant Generator team, Remender had this to say:
‘I’ve spent the last quarter century building creator-owned comic books and having Image give me the chance to take that knowledge to help other creators follow their bliss and do the same makes me incredibly happy. Working with this murderer’s row on the second wave of Giant Generator books has me reinvigorated, I wake up every morning eager to see what these incredible monsters have been up to. As we’ve proven over the years, we make outstanding comics because we only work with top creators, each given the time and support to do the best work of their careers, work they own, work that lives on for years and years in premiere formats. We focus on the creation of new, wholly original, evergreen reads that stand out from the whirlwind of monthly comics and have proven to stand the test of time.’
Rick Remender, New York Comic Con 2023
And that committment to new, original stories is clear. Remender announced multiple new series, from himself and others, as part of the announcement.
Which Artists are Exclusive to Giant Generator?
Giant Generator is joined by the following incredible artists, all with exceptional backgrounds throughout the comics industry:
- Greg Tocchini (Low, Uncanny X-Force)
- Bengal (Death or Glory, Batman)
- Francesco Mobili (Secret X-Men, Secret Invasion)
- Mike Hawthorne (Batman, Daredevil)
- Daniel Acuña (Black Panther, Uncanny Avengers)
- André Lima Araújo (A Righteous Thirst for Vengeance, Phenomena: The Golden City of Eyes)
- Paul Azaceta (Outcast, Punisher)
- Roland Boschi (Scumbag, Ghost Rider)
- Brett Parson (Tank Girl)
- JG Jones (Before Watchmen: Comedian, Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia)
- Yanick Paquette (Swamp Thing, Wonder Woman: Earth One)
- Max Fiumara (The Sacrificers, Lucifer, Abe Sapien)
Some of these creators are long time Remender collaborators, including Greg Tocchini, André Lima Araújo and Bengal. Joining them however are plenty of other, new faces, including those currently working on high profile gigs for the Big-Two, such as Mike Hawthorne on Batman.
What New Series will Giant Generator Publish in 2024?
Giant Generator will launch its ‘second wave’ of titles starting in 2024 with Remender’s newest collaboration with Bengal, Napalm Lullaby.
Napalm Lullaby
When asked about the reason behind why he wanted to make Napalm Lullaby, Remender said, “Napalm Lullaby and The Holy Roller are my first forays into superheroes since I left Marvel a decade ago. At one point in time, I promised myself never to return to this genre—but when this idea hit, it was too exciting not to make it real.”
Bengal went on to describe the ‘dream project’ as ‘part Road Warrior and part Superman’, which speaks to the team’s trademark, incredible ability to bend genre and discover character in bold and unique ways.
The official synopsis for the series is below:
‘What if a child with unimaginable power was discovered and raised to believe he was God by a cult built upon hatred and populated by zealots utterly confident in the purity and absolute moral authority of their religion? Enter a world ruled by The Magnificent Leader, where just such a cult imposed their will on an entire world to create the ultimate theocracy. Join up and buy in—or be cast out to suffer in the toxic slums with the masses of humanity.’
Giant Generator, Synopsis for Napalm Lullaby
This will mark the first ongoing series Remender and Bengal have worked on since The Scumbag, and Death or Glory before that.
Grommets
Launching in April 2024, Grommets delivers a comic in the complete opposite vein to Napalm Lullaby.
Tapping in to the ’80s skater culture, Remender is joined by Brian Posehn and artist Brett Parsons on a heart-filled coming-of-age series about being young and not fitting in.
The official synopsis for the title reads as follows:
‘In Grommets, two outcast best friends navigate the Sacramento suburbs of 1984, where they find a home in skateboard culture and punk rock. Grommets is both an authentic look at ’80s skate culture—a snapshot of the generation that turned skating into a worldwide phenomenon—as well as a heartfelt coming-of-age story following two friends from troubled homes navigating their damage in an era when no one cared.
Giant Generator, Official Press Release
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