Many new universes have recently emerged in the comic book world! After the Massive-Verse and the Energon Universe, we’re now taking a look at the shared universes of the recently formed creator-owned company, Ghost Machine!
What is Ghost Machine?
Let’s talk business for a moment! In the early ’90s, seven of Marvel Comics’ most recognized illustrators left the company to found Image Comics, seeking ownership of their creations, better pay, and fairer treatment. As it is said, it changed the industry forever. Since then, Image Comics has published popular titles like The Walking Dead, Witchblade, Savage Dragon, Saga, Criminal, The Wicked + The Divine, Stray Bullets, Chew, Revival, and many more!
So, what does all of this have to do with Ghost Machine? Founded in October 2023, Ghost Machine is an independent studio, or if we want to be more specific, a creator-owned comic book creative studio. The creators own the company, the characters, and the universes together (as well as everything coming from it in other forms of media and merchandising). Image Comics is simply in charge of the promotion and distribution.
This isn’t entirely new for Image Comics, as it’s similar to setups like Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline Comics, and Skybound Entertainment, which also operate independently while publishing through Image.
While these independent studios are not technically “imprints,” they’re often called that for simplicity’s sake!
The founders of Ghost Machine
Behind Ghost Machine are a team of established comics writers and artists working now exclusively for the company:
- Brad Meltzer – author of a dozen of thrillers, creator of the series Jack & Bobby, the host of Brad Meltzer’s Decoded, and, in the comic book field, the writer of Identity Crisis and Justice League of America vol. 2
- Jason Fabok – The Canadian comic book artist has worked almost exclusively for DC until now (except for his work on Soulfire for Aspen Comics) and won an Eisner Award for Swamp Thing: The Talk of the Saints short story (with Tom King). He worked on series such as Batman, Detective Comics, Justice League, The Man of Steel, and Batman: Three Jokers.
- Gary Frank – Frank is a celebrated British comic book artist recognized for his works on Midnight Nation, Supreme Power, Batman: Earth One, and Doomsday Clock.
- Bryan Hitch – Co-creator of The Authority (with Warren Ellis), Hitch is another British Comic book artist who works also features on DC’s JLA, Marvel’s The Ultimates and Captain America: Reborn.
- Geoff Johns – One of the architects of DC Comics during the 2000s, he developed the JSA mythos, created Courtney Whitmore (based on his deceased sister) expanded the Green Lantern mythology in one of the most famous runs for the character, brought back Barry Allen to the land of the living and much much more! He also worked on the DC Extended Universe.
- Francis Manapul – The Canadian artist is best known for his works on Witchblade, DC’s Legion of Superheroes, DC’s Flash series (written by Geoff Johns).
- Peter J. Tomasi – A comic book editor and writer at DC Comics celebrated for his works on Green Lantern Corps (during Johns’ run), Batman and Robin Vol. 2, Superman Rebirth, and Super Sons.
- Lamont Magee – Magee mostly worked on television before on shows such as Black Lightning, All American: Homecoming, and Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures.
- Maytal Zchut – Like Magee, Zchut has a background in television and worked on Hart of Dixie, Foundation, and DC’s Stargirl.
Ghost Machine Comics Shared universes
Let’s explore Ghost Machine Comics! The imprint features four shared universes, each largely defined by its genre. Currently, there are no crossovers between the different universes, as each is treated independently. However, there are a few connections between the series set in The Unnamed Universe. For a glimpse of what Ghost Machine has to offer, the imprint launched with a 64-page one-shot introducing its new shared universes and characters!
- Ghost Machine #1
64-page one-shot
Following is a more detailed list of the several series published under the Ghost Machine imprint:
The Unnamed (historical fantasy)
- Geiger – By Geoff Johns, Gary Frank and Brad Anderson. In a world that has been ravaged by a nuclear war lives a man who has lost everything and is feared by many. Some called him Joe Glow, others the Meltdown Man. His name is Tariq Geiger and he can absorb radiation… but struggles to contain it.
- Geiger Volume 1 (2021) was released before the creation of the imprint. The issues are all collected in Geiger Vol. 1 and the title became associated with Ghost Machine with…
- Geiger: Ground Zero is a 2-issue story serving as a prequel to the 2021 miniseries of the same name.
- Geiger Volume 2 (2024) picks up where the first volume left off. Read the first issues (with ground zero) in Geiger Vol. 2: The Nuclear Knight.
- Geiger 80-Page Giant #1 – A collection of stories set in Geiger universe available on digital here.
- Junkyard Joe – By Geoff Johns, Gary Frank and Brad Anderson. Also created before the creation of Ghost Machine, Junkyard Joe is the story of Morrie “Muddy” Davis, the creator of a popular Sunday strip called Junkyard Joe who, years later, came face to face again with the robot that saves his life during the Vietnam War and inspire his works. The story is collected in Junkyard Joe.
- Tales of the Unnamed: The Blizzard – By Geoff Johns and Andrea Mutti. Michael Verardi was convicted of shooting and murdering the man who murdered his son. During his transfer to a maximum security prison, Michael and the other convicted felons find themselves suck on a Colorado mountain due to a blizzard. There, a ferocious monster threatens to tear them all apart in retribution for their sins… The whole story is collected in Tales Of The Unnamed: The Blizzard.
- Redcoat – By Geoff Johns, Gary Frank and Brad Anderson. Simon Pure is a British redcoat who became an immortal in 1776 after an encounter with the secretive cabal known as Founding Fathers. Since then, he has met many historical figures such as Benedict Arnold and Einstein. He is now on a mission to discover the origins of his powersand the cult that behind them. Read the first issues in Redcoat Vol. 1: Einstein & The Immortal.
Rook: Exodus (sci-fi)
- Rook: Exodus – By Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson. Once a simple farmer, Rook fled Earth for a new life on Exodus, a terraformed world controlled by humans known as Wardens. When the system failed, chaos erupted, and mass evacuations occurred for those who could afford it. For Rook and others who couldn’t escape, this is the start of a war for survival and control. Read the first issues in Rook: Exodus Volume 1: Fight or Flight.
Hyde Street (Horror)
- Hyde Street – By Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis and Brad Anderson. An horror anthology described as “Blackest Night by the way of Twilight Zone.” Read the first issues on digital here.
- It Happened on Hyde Street: Devour – By Maytal Zchut, Leila Leiz and Alex Sinclair. One-Shot set in Hyde Street following Lily, a woman who needs to lose weight to fit into her wedding dress while dealing with her super-thin grandmother lavishing praise upon a quick-fix miracle supplement called DEVOUR. But is taking it worth the cost? Read the one-shot on digital here
- The Soulless – By Lamont Magee. The Series will introduce the Hyde Street resident known as The Colonist. Coming Soon.
Family Odysseys
- The Rocketfellers – By Peter J. Tomasi and Francis Manapul. Living a disconnected life in the 26th century, the Rockefeller family discovers that the future is in jeopardy and is forced to enter the Time Zone Protection Program to survive. Now, they must adapt to Earth in 2024, filled with strange customs and even crazier people. Read the first issue on digital here.
- Hornsby and Halo – By Peter J. Tomasi and Peter Snejbjerg. To keep peace between Heaven and Hell, a deal has been made. Zachary Halo, an angel child, was traded to a demon family, while Rose Hornsby, a demon child, was placed with an angel family. As the turbulence of adolescence begins, the situation unravels. Discover the first issue on digital here.
