Since its founding last year, Ghost Machine co-founders Geoff Johns, Bryan Hitch, Peter J. Tomasi, and many others took to the stage at NYCC today to talk about their work over the past year and look ahead to the future. We talked about prospects.
The creators all raved about the publisher and its books, with artist Brian Hitch saying they were “just as much fun to create as they are to read, perhaps even more so.” Johns quipped that the book was so good that “it’s up to me to spoil it.” Geiger artist Gary Frank said all of the creators had “huge trust” in the publisher and its books. “It worked. All we have to do now is keep it working.”
Ghost Machine’s latest titles are Hyde Street, The Rocketfellers, and Hornsby & Halo. “Essentially, if you make the wrong choices in life…you might end up on Hyde Street,” Johns said of Hyde Street, writing with art by Ivan Reis. Johns cited “Lost,” “The Twilight Zone,” and “Black Mirror” as inspirations for the series, which has a “psychological and fun horror” theme. “We all want to burn down someone’s campsite,” he quipped, referring to the protagonist Pranky ending up on Hyde Street, a kind of hellish realm.
Writer Tomasi and artist Francis Manapul next previewed Rocketfellers. “This is a book about a family running away from the future and hiding in our present,” Manapul said.
Tomasi likens their situation to a future Witness Protection Program, where families hide from certain death. Manapul wanted this book to be an entry-level book that could draw anyone into manga. “It’s essentially an adventure, science fiction book…with a family focus.”
Tomasi then discussed his new series with artist Peter Snejbjerg, Hornsby & Halo. It depicts children sent from Heaven and Hell to live with families on Earth so that the future rulers of the afterlife can learn empathy and other positive emotions.
“They’re angels and demons, but they’re also 13 years old,” Tomasi said. He described it as “relatable and a lot of fun…really epic, yet wonderfully mundane.”
The panel discussion concluded with two announcements for 2025. First, a new series, First Ghost, was announced. Johns continues to surprise artists, and while he hasn’t announced a release date yet, he promises that the artwork will be as top-notch as the other Ghost Machine books.
The First Ghost ties in with Redcoat and Geiger’s unnamed universe. Next year, Red Coast and First Ghost issues will be published, and Simon the Red Coat will be in the White House…when the White House burns down. Brian Hitch hinted that it’s not Simon’s fault, but in a way it is.
After “Devour,” “The Soulless” will be the next “It Happened on Hyde Street… One-Shot.” The book, written by Lamont McGee, is a 64-page story that is “very personal.” “It’s about family and what you do for your family… traveling to right a wrong,” McGee said. It is expected to be in stores around the time Hyde Street #10 is released next year.
