Posted in: Comics | Tagged: h1, humanoids, john cassaday, mark waid

Humanoids Launches All-New H1 Superhero Universe at NYCC with All-Star Creators

Published Fri, 05 Oct 2018 15:48:54 -0500

Last updated Fri, 05 Oct 2018 20:19:05 -0500

Following the hirings of John Cassaday and Mark Waid as executives, Humanoids has revealed what their H1 initiative is all about: a brand new shared superhero universe by an impressive lineup of creators, all listed at the top of their press release:

John Cassaday * Mark Waid * Kwanza Osajyefo * Carla Speed McNeil * Yanick Paquette * Phil Briones * Afua Richardson * Vanessa Del Rey * Dennis Calero * Shawn Martinbrough * Jock * Mike McKone * Jonathan Lang * Cheryl Lynn Eaton * Helen Mullane * Andrea Mutti * Quinton Peeples * Dom Reardon * Darick Roberston *Alberto Albuquerque

The company dropped the bombshell at their 20th Anniversary in America panel at New York Comic Con:

Humanoids, the publisher of some of the world's most iconic and groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy graphic novels, is launching a major initiative in 2019 to publish original comic book stories written and illustrated by some of the biggest names in comics. During the Humanoids 20th Anniversary In America panel at New York Comic Con, the publisher unveiled H1, an imprint of comic books, featuring a shared superpowered universe with all new characters and stories created by a dizzying lineup of comic book creators. Humanoids' new Chief Creative Officer John Cassaday and Humanoids' new Director of Creative Development Mark Waid are closely collaborating with a core team of H1 architects: Kwanza Osajyefo (Black, Black AF), Yanick Paquette (Wonder Woman Earth One) and Carla Speed McNeil (Finder, Sensation Comics) to create an ambitious storytelling experience with creators including Phil Briones, Vanessa Del Rey, Cheryl Lynn Eaton, Mike McKone and Afua Richardson.

Shared comic book universes are a dime a dozen in the comic book industry and it can be difficult to get one to take hold, but Humanoids has made some very smart choices in creative talent that could give H1 a leg up on the competition, not only in terms of name value, but also creative vision. And they also have Mark Waid.

H1 launches next Summer, starting with three ongoing series and a bunch of minis. Humanoids provided descriptions of the series, but not the creative teams for the ongoings. Said publisher Fabrice Giger:

H1 represents a number of important milestones for Humanoids. This is our first foray into a shared universe, one with stories by talented creators whose undeniable creative chemistry is forging a new and fantastic world. Next summer, we're launching three ongoing comic book series, the first three ongoing periodicals in this company's history, and we'll be publishing them in an unprecedented and unexpected way which we'll announce in the coming months.

Check out the list of titles below:

IGNITED

Something strange is happening to the planet… Nature itself is reshaping and redefining the balance of power. Natural disasters are breaking out everywhere, and yet, the population continues to grow rapidly. In fact, the world is becoming so dense, that certain individuals are erupting with super abilities. They are called the Ignited.

OMNI

A gifted doctor with a vibrant, compassionate personality, Cecelia Cobbina received boundless praise from her peers and her patients. But that was before the incident in Africa. Before she gained the ability to think faster than the speed of light. Overwhelmed with the power to answer every question, she must now overcome her own fears and tackle the one code she can't seem to break: the truth behind the Ignited.

STRANGELANDS

Opposites attract? Elakshi and Adam Land aren't married. In fact, a month ago, they were perfect strangers, dwelling in lands foreign to one another. But now, they're forced to remain by one another's side, for their separation could mean the planet's demise. Now, their greatest challenge is to stay together — even if they have to tear the world apart.

In addition to H1, Humanoids will feature all new mini series featuring self-contained original stories featuring some of the biggest and most exciting names in comics, including Dennis Calero, Jock, Shawn Martinbrough, Helen Mullane, Andrea Mutti, Quinton Peeples, Dom Reardon, and Darick Roberston.

THE ORIGINAL MINI-SERIES

THE BIG COUNTRY (5 issue mini-series)

The Old West finally died in the early 1980s. We're in Texas. And this is the story of Grissom Callahan, the last in a long line of sheriffs. Callahan has learned everything he knows from his father and his grandfather. But the old ways don't seem to prove efficient when it comes to stopping a violent serial killer. And in a simple moment of shaking down an informant, Grissom will start a chain of events that will reshape his life and the world of law enforcement in Texas.

MEYER (5 issue mini-series)
A comedic, coming-of-age quest where the Golden Fleece is a man's legacy, Meyer is an immigrant's story rooted in an old mobster's tale and a deeply moral fable. A Breaking Bad style imaginary biography of Jewish legendary mobster Meyer Lansky as he's trying to organize his very last con job.

NICNEVIN AND THE BLOODY QUEEN (4 issue mini-series)
Something strange has been unleashed in the North of England. A modern-day druid commits a series of ghastly murders in an attempt to unleash the awesome power of the ancient gods of Great Britain. But all hell really breaks loose when his latest would-be victim, Nicnevin "Nissy" Oswald, turns out to be more than she seems. A British tale mixing black magic and horror godfathered by Jock, one of the new masters of comic book suspense!

"Today marks the next step in the continuing evolution of Humanoids," said Senior Editor Fabrice Sapolsky. "H1 provides powerful, political, personal and provocative superpowered stories. And the stand alone, self contained mini- series are bold and ambitious. They are going to get people talking. Today marks a new chapter in comics history and we invite fans to join us now, from Day H1."