A new imprint called Ninth Circle has been formed at Image Comics, founded by Garth Ennis, Margaret Bennett, industry stalwarts Joe Pruett, Ram V, and Hollywood showrunner, executive producer, and graphic novelist Adam Glass. Other founders include strategic advisor and founder Michael Bognar (SVP of Legal at ABGO) and company president David Stone.
“I’ve always been a huge horror fan,” says Ninth Circle co-founder Garth Ennis, “and with Freddie the Fix, I hope to shock, excite, and entertain fans (and maybe even make them laugh once or twice in the process).”
The Ninth Circle is committed to bringing cutting edge, terrifying stories to insatiable horror fans. This new imprint promises to bring readers highly creative books straight from the depths of hell that explore all the dark avenues of the horror genre, including the paranormal, demonic, slasher, monster, psychological and even a dash of comedy.
The imprint’s first series is Freddie the Fix by Garth Ennis, a darkly humorous and terrifying series about Freddie, a fixer who cleans up the messes left behind by Hollywood superheroes, werewolves, vampires, zombies, aliens, boogeymen, predators, and… many more. They all have their own bad habits, and they all have their own serious problems, which is where Freddie comes in to fix them. The series is illustrated by Mike Perkins, and issue one will be available in comic stores nationwide and digitally on major platforms on December 11th.
Adam Glass added, “The Ninth Circle is committed to embracing the horror genre in all its forms. With Garth’s unique ability to create unforgettable worlds, Ram, Margaret and Joe’s bold eye for pushing the boundaries of the medium, and my own experience telling stories across multiple mediums, I can’t wait to share these stories with our fans.”
Upcoming series include works by Margaret Bennett and Jill Thompson, stories by Joe Pruett illustrated by Butch Giese, and stories by Adam Glass illustrated by Bernard Chan. Works by Garth Ennis, Ram V and many other authors are due to be released in 2025, cementing the publisher’s position as a major figure in the horror genre.
LOS ANGELES – (September 19, 2024) – The comics industry is booming with the launch of Ninth Circle, a bold new imprint co-founded by veteran writers Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys, Punisher), Margaret Bennett (DC’s Bombshells, Animosity), industry stalwart Joe Pruett (Negative Burn, Cable), critically acclaimed writer Ram V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Detective Comics, The Swamp Thing), and Hollywood showrunner, executive producer (The Equalizer, Supernatural, The Chi) and graphic novelist (Suicide Squad, Deadpool, Luke Cage, Teen Titans) Adam Glass. Ninth Circle’s lead investor is Kimberly Steward (Manchester By The Sea, Suspiria), whose production company K Period Media will partner with Ninth Circle to produce select titles.
Ninth Circle will launch as an imprint of Image Comics.
Taking inspiration from Dante, who created the nine levels of Hell in Inferno, The Ninth Circle redefines genre storytelling by combining visionary creativity with the expertise of an incredibly talented storyteller. No capes, no tights, and no romance (unless, of course, that romance includes murder, gore, and mayhem).
In the spirit of the horror books, TV, and movies we grew up loving, from comics like Eerie and The Vault of Horror, to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Stephen King’s novels, Hammer films like Alien, and iconic Universal Monsters, Ninth Circle brings cutting edge, terrifying stories to the most insatiable horror fans. This new imprint promises to deliver highly creative books that explore all the dark corners of the horror genre, from the paranormal and demonic to slasher, creature and psychological, and even a dash of comedy – all delivered to you directly from the depths of hell.
Ninth Circle’s debut, Garth Ennis’ Freddie the Fix is a darkly humorous and terrifying series featuring Hollywood monsters, werewolves, vampires, zombies, aliens, boogeymen, predators, and… Freddie, the fixer who cleans up the messes they leave behind. They all have their bad habits, and they all have their serious problems. That’s where Freddie comes in… to fix them. Illustrated by legendary artist Mike Perkins (Ed Brubaker’s Captain America, Stephen King’s The Stand and Swamp Thing) and featuring Ennis’ signature gritty storytelling, acerbic wit, and respect for genre, Freddie the Fix is an unforgettable addition to the world of graphic storytelling. Freddie the Fix will be available in comic stores nationwide and digitally on major platforms on December 11th.
“I’ve always been a huge horror fan,” says Ninth Circle co-founder Garth Ennis, “and with Freddie the Fix I want to shock, excite and entertain my fans (and hopefully give them a laugh or two in the process).”
Adam Glass added, “The Ninth Circle is committed to embracing the horror genre in all its forms. With Garth’s unique ability to create unforgettable worlds, Ram, Margaret and Joe’s bold eye for pushing the boundaries of the medium, and my own experience telling stories across multiple mediums, I can’t wait to share these stories with our fans.”
Ninth Circle values quality over quantity. Starting with Freddie the Fix in December, the publisher will deliver beautifully printed, double-shot books every month. Each issue features a standalone scary story with a beginning, middle, and end. As a company founded by artists, for artists, Ninth Circle aims to be a home (or haunted house) for all artists: a creative hub where established and emerging writers and artists can use their imaginations to bring new, exciting, and terrifying stories to audiences.
Ninth Circle already has more terrifying comics planned for release in 2024, including a Margaret Bennett story illustrated by Eisner Hall of Famer Jill Thompson (Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, Scary Godmother series, Wonder Woman), a Joe Prewett story illustrated by Butch Giese (The Flash, The Winter Soldier, And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), and an Adam Glass story illustrated by Bernard Chan (X-Men, Deadpool, Superman). Further works from Garth Ennis, Ram V, and many other authors are scheduled to be released in 2025, solidifying the publisher’s position as a major player in the horror genre.
