Charles Soule and Ryan Browne, the creative duo behind the hit 8 Billion Genies, are back with The Lucky Devils. The series, to be released by Image Comics, combines humor, humanity, and philosophy with an imaginative world of demons and temptations.
Lucky Devils follows two low-level demons, Color and Rake. They aim to cause a revolution in Hell by empowering two good humans and trying to keep them from becoming corrupt. This mission hilariously upends the traditional power dynamic between demons and humans. After reading the first issue, The Lucky Devils focuses on inventive world-building, richly developed characters, and universal questions about good, evil, and power. The film promises a visually stunning and narratively complex journey through seduction and its consequences, based on Soule and Brown’s signature blend of humor and depth.
In a candid interview, the two uncover their creative process, the themes behind their stories, and the dynamic collaboration that makes their work so distinctive. The Lucky Devils #1 will be available in comic book shops on January 8th (FOC Monday, December 9th).
Provided by Image Comics.
From sketch to story
The idea for “The Lucky Devils” surprisingly began as a small doodle.
“After developing 8 Billion Genies, we were brainstorming,” Saul said. “I thought it would be funny to have a little devil crawling on people. Ryan did a doodle and it was just a stick figure with a devil on it. And I thought, ‘This is gold. That’s what I thought.
That spark ignited the story that followed.
“Ryan’s paintings often stimulate my brain,” Saul says. “I saw that little sketch and thought I had made something really unique.” Or, as Brown joked, “I should include that sketch in my trade!”
Like its jokes, the duo’s collaborative process is clear from the get-go.
“What we’re doing is taking a well-known idea and turning it on its head,” Saul says. “Whether it’s genies, wizards or demons, we delve into and explore these concepts in unexpected ways.”
Provided by Image Comics.
temptation and humanity
At its core, The Lucky Devils is an exploration of why people make the wrong choices.
“It’s about seduction,” Saul said. “We often find ourselves drawn to the wrong thing even when we know it’s right because it’s more fun, fulfilling, or even tastier. This story explains why we give in. The question is whether to do so.”
This series puts a fresh spin on the classic “devil on your shoulder” trope. Mr Brown said: “Usually it’s a gag or a plot device, but here it’s the heart of the story. We’re fleshing out these demons as real characters with their own motivations, not just stand-ins for evil. ”
Mr. Saul added: we are angels We are born pure and good, but over time we become conscious of evil. Why does this happen? That is the question that drives this book. ”
welcome to hell
Building this book’s hell was a labor of love and humor. Brown spent several weeks creating the two-page spread that introduced the underworld in issue one.
“Hell works like an MLM,” Brown says. “High-ranking demons are more powerful and intimidating, while lower-ranking demons, like the protagonists Color and Rake, are essentially gig workers.”
The world of demons is rich in detail, from creature-like vehicles to vast areas.
“I wanted Hell to feel vivid and familiar,” Brown said. “It’s fun to include details that might be important later.”
Browne and Soule’s playful collaboration shines through in these details.
“Ryan adds things to the art that I never imagined,” Saul said. “For example, a little scavenger demon called ‘Onesie’ appeared in the art. They were a big part of the story because they were so interesting. ”
Provided image comic
Provided image comic
build together
Creator synergy is a hallmark of their projects, including Curse Words.
“We bounce ideas back and forth, and the story grows organically,” Saul says. “Sometimes Ryan’s art prompts changes to the plot, and sometimes my script leads to new visual experiments.”
Browne also emphasized the freedom this approach brings.
“As I’m painting, I’m experimenting with making the devil’s tail curl out of the panel,” Brown said. “It’s important to make each page visually stimulating and have fun with the media.”
stories of our time
Despite its fantastical setting, Lucky Devils resonates with the modern world.
“This is a story about being aware of yourself and your choices,” Saul said. “Why do we act the way we do? How do our actions affect others? That’s especially relevant today, given the state of the world.”
Mr Brown added: “I hope readers will laugh and think about humanity, morality, and greed. This book explores power and how difficult it is to stay good in a world where selfishness is often rewarded. I am.”
Provided image comic
Provided image comic
What’s next?
Nine issues are planned, each themed around the Circles of Hell. The Lucky Devils promises a structured but unpredictable journey. Saul and Brown are confident that the series will offer humor, depth, and a few surprises.
“Our goal is to create something completely new,” Brown said. “It’s not for everyone, but those who have been involved will love it.”
Soule agreed, adding: “We are committed to this project. After 8 Billion Genies, we couldn’t do it by halves. This is complete storytelling.”
The Lucky Devils will be released on January 8th. A must-read for fans of dark humor, bold visuals, and philosophical storytelling. Or, as Saul puts it, “This is two creators firing on all cylinders.”
