Sandbox: Humanoids announces shared universe – Mark Waid joining team

There’s a comic book publisher making waves this week with some exciting news. Humanoids followed up their announcement of John Cassaday being named their Chief Creative Officer with the news that Mark Waid has been named as their Director of Creative Development.

As though the signing of two great creative minds wasn’t enough from them, today it was announced that they are creating a new shared universe featuring work from some great creators. Among the names announced are the previously announced Cassaday and Waid, along with Darick Robertson, Yanick Paquette, Jock, Alberto Albuquerque, and many more terrific creators.

The shared universe is called H1 and will launch next summer with 3 ongoing titles, with more details (including creative teams) set to be announced in next year. 

Humanoids will launch H1 in Summer 2019 with 3 ongoing series, with details and creative teams being announced next year. In addition to the ongoing series, 3 mini-series were also announced. 

Full details on the the titles for the shared universe, as well as the full press release announcing Mark Waid joining the company are below.

All artwork is courtesy of Humanoids. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Humanoids Announces A Major Publishing Initiative Introducing H1— A New Shared Universe, Featuring Ongoing Comic Books with All New Characters and Superpowered Stories — And Introducing H1 Originals— All New, Stand Alone Mini-Series Created By a Dizzying Lineup of All Star Comic Book Creators

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

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.

“H1 represents a number of important milestones for Humanoids,” said Humanoids CEO and Publisher, Fabrice Giger. “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.”

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.”

For more updates on Humanoids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the newly launched H1 Twitter account.

Award-Winning Writer Mark Waid Named Director of Creative Development for Humanoids, the Legendary Graphic Novel Publisher Company Teases Logo and Unveils New Twitter Account, Ahead of Major New York Comic Con Announcements

Humanoids, the publisher of some of the world’s most iconic and groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy graphic novels, has named Eisner award-winning writer Mark Waid as the company’s Director of Creative Development. The unveiling of this newly-created position follows the announcement  of award-winning artist John Cassaday as Humanoid’s first ever Chief Creative Officer. Both announcements come in the lead up to New York Comic Con, where the publisher will announce a major publishing initiative focused on publishing original content.

“Mark Waid has written some of the most popular and most influential stories in the history of comics,” said Humanoids CEO and Publisher, Fabrice Giger. “To bring a writer like Waid into the fold―to both write new stories and to help us develop and refine other projects―speaks to the ambition and seriousness of our plans for the future.”

“This opportunity excites me to no end,” said Mark Waid. “I’ve seen what Humanoids is about to unleash, and it’s unlike anything else I’ve ever seen in this industry. I had to be a part of it. The chance to work closely with younger, diverse talent with strong voices–to learn as well as to teach–is electrifying.”

Internationally renowned for publishing seminal genre works by creators form all around the world, including The Incalby Alejandro Jodorowsky and Mœbius, Humanoids will announce its plans to publish original stories during the Humanoids 20th Anniversary In America panel on Friday, October 5 from 1:30-2:30 PM in room 1A02 of the Javits Center. Waid will appear via be pre-recorded video message for fans.

Humanoids 20th Anniversary In America

Join Chief Creative Officer John Cassaday, Senior Editor Fabrice Sapolsky and Director of Sales and Marketing Jud Meyers for the panel that will change the way you see Humanoids forever!

Almost a dozen A-List comic creators will be in the room answering questions and celebrating 20 years in the U.S. Humanoids is about to make history again as it did in the past with legendary creators such as Moebius, Jodorowsky, Ladronn and Manara. It’s THE panel you don’t want to miss. New Projects! New Heroes! Hot creators! A bold new direction ushering in a new era in comics. Panel followed by Q&A session. Surprise collector give away for the audience!

“So what are we cooking up with these two incredible creators?” teased Humanoids Senior Editor Fabrice Sapolsky. “Fans will have to wait until New York Comic Comic Con to find out, but suffice it to say that the comic book industry has never before seen anything like what we have planned with Cassaday, Waid and a jaw dropping lineup of comic book creators.”

In advance of the panel, the company unveiled a logo for the publishing initiative and launched a new Twitter account.For more updates on Humanoids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the newly launched H1 Twitter account.