US publisher BOOM! Studios has announced a new ongoing anthology series that will include stories by Becky Cloonan, Garth Ennis, Andy Lanning, Trevor Hairsine and many other top comic creators from around the globe.
Hello Darkness, launching in July, is a brand new ongoing anthology series featuring what BOOM! Studios is known for – the best in modern horror, fantasy, and mystery, not to mention the darkest stories yet from a murderer’s row of world class creators, including R.L. Stine, Francesco Francavilla, Garth Ennis, Becky Cloonan, James Tynion IV, Werther Dell’Edera, Brian Azzarello, Vanesa R. Del Rey, John Arcudi, Ryan Sook, Cullen Bunn, Sas Milledge, Sarah Gailey, Liana Kangas, Marguerite Bennett, Michael Conrad, Martín Morazzo, Andy Lanning, Trevor Hairsine, Steve Orlando, Genevieve Valentine, Jude Ellison S. Doyle, Letizia Cadonici, Sarah Andersen, and more.
Everything from primal fears to modern political horrors will be explored, in the classic style of Creepy and Eerie, and the contemporary chills of Black Mirror.
A deadly new Something Is Killing The Children story unfolds in the first six issues of Hello Darkness, the work of James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, along with a bone-rattling new serialised tale by Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan in the first seven.
Fans can also expect stunning main covers by Paolo Rivera, variant covers by Jenny Frison, and a rotating guest artist variant cover on every single issue, with issue #1’s guest artist being Peach Momoko.
“It’s always a pleasure having a story in an anthology title, seeing what the other creative teams have come up with, being just one part of a larger endeavour,” Garth Ennis said. “This time out I have the added bonus of working with the always excellent Becky Cloonan, something I’ve wanted to do for some time – I’m looking forward to the readers seeing what we’ve come up with together. Brace yourself for The War.”
“I’m a huge fan of horror stories and grew up reading classics like Eerie, Creepy, House of Mystery, and Tomb of Dracula,” says British comic creator Andy Lanning. “So when BOOM! gave me the opportunity to work on a new horror anthology along with my old mate, Trev Hairsine, I jumped at it. I’m really excited for people to see our story, especially Trev’s amazing artwork and I’m just as excited to read the other stories as well. Any fan of great horror stories would be!”
“This brings me back to Tales from the Crypt and the other horror comics I devoured as a kid,” said R.L. Stine. “I’m so excited to be part of this anthology series designed to make the world a scarier place!”
“I’ve been a fan of R.L. Stine and his work (Goosebumps, Fear Street, etc.) for some time and I’ve been a fan of all horror things my whole life,” said Francesco Francavilla, so I’m very excited to be joining creative forces with him for a brand new scary tale for BOOM!’s new anthology. Can’t wait for you all to embark on this spine-chilling journey with us!”
“My whole career started writing comic shorts, so it’s very exciting to bring it all around full circle and tell a SIKTC story in that format,” said James Tynion IV. “The story Werther and I are going to be telling here is one that’s been in the back of my mind for almost five years, and I’m thrilled we finally have the perfect platform to bring that story to readers.”
“I love anthologies! So many talented writers and artists in a single book! It’s a truly amazing comics experience.” said Werther Dell’Edera
“Ryan Sook is a brilliant storyteller, so thank you Hello Darkness for giving us a chance to work together again!” said John Arcudi.
“25 years ago John Arcudi and I first collaborated in a horror anthology. Now we’ve returned from the grave with bleached pulp pages smeared and spattered black with ink and blood to share the endless nightmare that is Hello Darkness. Join us forever, won’t you?” said Ryan Sook.
“I’m excited to be part of this spooky team. Life is not fun without a good scare!” said Vanesa R. Del Rey.
“Getting to work with Liana Kangas again is like hopping into my favorite getaway car: everything feels just right and I know we’re about to burn rubber together. I am so excited to steer into horror for Hello Darkness alongside my truly evil co-creator.” said Sarah Gailey.
“Well, fans of BOOM! Studios and horror comics, Sarah Gailey and I are back back back again! If you thought Know Your Station was superb, chilling, or down right justifiably dreadful, I can’t wait for you to see what we’re cooking up next! See you all soon…” said Liana Kangas.
“Hello Darkness has been an exquisite opportunity to tell the kind of story that every other publisher turned away for being too upsetting, too sexual, too angry. If you want horror without shame, look no further!” said Marguerite Bennett.
“After seeing the incredible talent I’ll be sharing credit with I’m completely sure Hello Darkness is going to be really special! And I cannot even begin to tell you what my story is about! Something very fun and twisted, exactly what I love!” said Martín Morrazzo.
“Let’s take a moment and rejoice! true horror is back, and her name is Hello Darkness.” said Michael Conrad, while Steve Orlando said, “Hello Darkness was one hell of an offer–tell the horror short you’ve always wanted to tell…no! The one you couldn’t tell anywhere else! I self defenestrated at the chance – and the result is a strange short that’s part John Waters and part Nikolai Gogol, something never before put to the comics pages!”
“Sometimes, the only way to meet horror is with horror,” noted Genevieve Valentine. “We’re living in frightening times, and in Hello Darkness, I hope to stare back at some of the terrors staring at us.”
“Working with BOOM! has always felt like being in a community of under-sung geniuses. I’m happy to be part of this anthology, but I’m even happier that I get to see what everyone else came up with.” said Jude Ellison S. Doyle.
“I’m having so much fun working on this book! Jude’s writing is always so brilliant and amazing. I’m so glad to be part of this project, this is gonna be a scary one.” said Letizia Cadonici.
BOOM! Studios was founded by Ross Richie in 2005 with the singular focus of creating world-class comic book and graphic novel storytelling for all audiences. Through four distinct imprints — BOOM! Studios, BOOM! Box, KaBOOM!, and Archaia — the company has produced bestselling, award-winning original work, including Keanu Reeves’ BRZRKR, Something is Killing the Children, and Lumberjanes, while also breaking new ground with established licenses such as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Dune, Magic: The Gathering, The Expanse, and The Jim Henson Company properties. BOOM! brings their original series to life through a first-look relationship with Netflix, including the animated series Mech Cadets, available now worldwide.
• Hello Darkness #1 will be available in comic shops from 24th July 2024 and is available for pre-order at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including Kindle, iBooks, and Google Play
• For continuing news on Hello Darkness and more from BOOM! Studios, visit their web site at boom-studios.com and follow Boom Studios on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | X
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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