Marvel Comics has announced that Hellhunters, written by Philip Kennedy Johnson and illustrated by Adam Gorham, will be released in December. The story follows Ghost Rider ’44, who caused hell on the battlefield during World War II, but in the modern day, he can only be awakened “when the monsters come.”
“Ghost Rider ’44 is hands down my favorite guest star that has appeared in The Incredible Hulk series to date,” explained Kennedy Johnson. “I had a full origin story for Sergeant Sal Romero in my head even before my partner, Nick Klein, brought him to life with his art. And the character turned out to be incredibly cool and fun, and we were confident that the ‘Ward Devil’ arc wouldn’t be his last appearance. Now, because the fan response has been overwhelming, superstar artist Adam Gorham and I are bringing Marvel fans the origin story of Ghost Rider ’44: the forgotten story of the toughest, bloodiest, scariest, toughest Nazi killer squad, the Hell Hunters, born out of World War II.”
So what is “Hellhunters”?
1944: As American Sergeant Sal Romero parachutes into Nazi-occupied Europe, young Nazi officer Felix Bruckner becomes host to an unspeakable evil. After their violent encounter, Romero is reborn as Ghost Rider ’44 and sets out not only to get revenge on Bruckner and the Nazis, but to save humanity from extinction!
“Hellhunters is going to be a dream book for me,” Gorham said. “Philip Kennedy Johnson’s script blends horror, superhero and hard-hitting adventure. In this book, I go further than ever to deliver graphic, gruesome action that will shock readers and leave them wanting more.”
Check out the cover by Jonas Scharf and Taurin Clarke below.
NEW YORK, NY — September 12, 2024 — Last year, in his terrifying serial “The Incredible Hulk,” writer Philip Kennedy Johnson introduced Sergeant Sal Romero, also known as Ghost Rider ’44, a spirit of vengeance who unleashed hell on the battlefield during World War II. This December, his epic backstory will be told in “Hellhunters,” a five-issue limited series written by Kennedy Johnson and drawn by Adam Gorham (“Immortal Hulk,” “Star Wars: Darth Vader”).
Now, Ghost Rider ’44 will only be awakened again in “When the Monsters Come.” During World War II, monsters were many, including Felix Bruckner, a Nazi officer who was himself mysteriously transformed. As Bruckner’s demonic army marches on, Saru is forced to use his supernatural new abilities to turn the tide of the war. Ghost Rider ’44 will battle some of Marvel’s toughest heroes who fought on the front lines of World War II in the Hellhunters, alongside the likes of Wolverine, Nick Fury, Peggy Carter, Bucky Barnes, and Soldier Supreme from Jason Aaron’s Avengers.
Ghost Rider ’44!
1944: As American Sergeant Sal Romero parachutes into Nazi-occupied Europe, young Nazi officer Felix Bruckner becomes host to an unspeakable evil. After their violent encounter, Romero is reborn as Ghost Rider ’44 and sets out not only to get revenge on Bruckner and the Nazis, but to save humanity from extinction!
“Ghost Rider ’44 is hands down my favorite guest star that has appeared in The Incredible Hulk series to date,” explained Kennedy Johnson. “I had a full origin story for Sergeant Sal Romero in my head even before my partner, Nick Klein, brought him to life with his art. And the character turned out to be incredibly cool and fun, and we were confident that the ‘Ward Devil’ arc wouldn’t be his last appearance. Now, because the fan response has been overwhelming, superstar artist Adam Gorham and I are bringing Marvel fans the origin story of Ghost Rider ’44: the forgotten story of the toughest, bloodiest, scariest, toughest Nazi killer squad, the Hell Hunters, born out of World War II.”
“Hellhunters is going to be a dream book for me,” Gorham said. “Philip Kennedy Johnson’s script blends horror, superhero and hard-hitting adventure. In this book, I go further than ever to deliver graphic, gruesome action that will shock readers and leave them wanting more.”
Check out Jonas Scharf’s cover and Taurin Clarke’s alternate cover, and pre-order HELLHUNTERS #1 at your local comic shop today. For more information, visit Marvel.com.
Hell Hunters #1 (5 volumes)
By Philip Kennedy Johnson
Art by Adam Gorham
Cover by JONAS SCHARF
VARIANT COVER BY TAURIN CLARKE
Released on 12/15