Connect with us
Pitch-black holiday horror 'The Deviant' coming November 15th
Image

Comic Books

Pitch-black holiday horror ‘The Deviant’ coming November 15th

As snow falls over Milwaukee in 1972, a blood-stained Santa Claus commits unimaginable atrocities against young men.

Image Comics has revealed a preview for a new nine-issue miniseries from James Tynion IV and Joshua Hixson with letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou called The Deviant. The holiday horror launches on November 15th with its first issue in comic shops.

The Deviant is something a little different,” said Tynion IV. “A dark, focused psychological crime thriller where I get to explore the intersection of my queer identity and a broader scope of cultural transgression and deviance. This is my response to Silence of the Lambs and Jeffrey Dahmer serving as my first real glimpses of my queer identity as a young closeted Midwestern boy. It’s one of the darkest and most personal stories I’ve ever written. It’s also a story about Christmas.”

So what’s The Deviant about?

As snow falls over Milwaukee in 1972, a blood-stained Santa Claus commits unimaginable atrocities against young men. Fifty years later, a troubled young writer interviews this so-called “Deviant Killer,” who still maintains his innocence from behind bars. And as Christmas approaches once again, the past returns, wielding a sharpened ax.

Hixson added: “The Deviant is the kind of book I’ve been wanting to make for a long time. While I’ve been no stranger to the horror genre in my career of making comics, this story scratches a particular itch and is unlike anything I’ve been a part of. And to get to do it with James, Steve, and Hassan at Image Comics has been so creatively rewarding. I’m really excited for people to read it this holiday season.”

Check out a preview below!

Pitch-black holiday horror 'The Deviant' coming November 15th Pitch-black holiday horror 'The Deviant' coming November 15th Pitch-black holiday horror 'The Deviant' coming November 15th Pitch-black holiday horror 'The Deviant' coming November 15th Pitch-black holiday horror 'The Deviant' coming November 15th

For more on this news, read the official press release below.

PORTLAND, Ore. 08/21/2023 — Multiple Eisner Award-winning writer James Tynion IV (W0RLDTR33, The Department of Truth) and acclaimed artist Joshua Hixson (The Plot, Children of the Woods), and award-winning letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou unite for a pitch-black holiday horror story in The Deviant. This chilling, nine-issue miniseries is set to launch in November from Image Comics.

As snow falls over Milwaukee in 1972, a blood-stained Santa Claus commits unimaginable atrocities against young men. Fifty years later, a troubled young writer interviews this so-called “Deviant Killer,” who still maintains his innocence from behind bars. And as Christmas approaches once again, the past returns, wielding a sharpened ax.

The Deviant is something a little different,” said Tynion IV. “A dark, focused psychological crime thriller where I get to explore the intersection of my queer identity and a broader scope of cultural transgression and deviance. This is my response to Silence of the Lambs and Jeffrey Dahmer serving as my first real glimpses of my queer identity as a young closeted Midwestern boy. It’s one of the darkest and most personal stories I’ve ever written. It’s also a story about Christmas.”

Hixson added: “The Deviant is the kind of book i’ve been wanting to make for a long time. While I’ve been no stranger to the horror genre in my career of making comics, this story scratches a particular itch and is unlike anything I’ve been a part of. And to get to do it with James, Steve, and Hassan at Image Comics has been so creatively rewarding. I’m really excited for people to read it this holiday season.”

The Deviant #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, November 15:

  • Cover A by Hixson – Lunar Code 0923IM309
  • Cover B by Hixson – Lunar Code 0923IM310
  • Cover C by Simmonds (1:10 incentive copy) – Lunar Code 0923IM311
  • Cover D by Sorrentino (1:25 incentive copy) – Lunar Code 0923IM312
  • Cover E by Phillips (1:50 incentive copy) – Lunar Code 0923IM313
  • Cover F by Ward (1:75 incentive copy) – Lunar Code 0923IM314
  • Cover G by Bermejo (1:100 incentive copy) – Lunar Code 0923IM315

The Deviant will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

In Case You Missed It

Dan Panosian writes and draws 'Wolverine: Paradise' for Marvel this October 2026 Dan Panosian writes and draws 'Wolverine: Paradise' for Marvel this October 2026

Dan Panosian writes and draws ‘Wolverine: Paradise’ for Marvel this October 2026

Comic Books

Todd McFarlane's original 1977 Spawn design finally arrives in 'Spawn 77' Todd McFarlane's original 1977 Spawn design finally arrives in 'Spawn 77'

Todd McFarlane’s original 1977 Spawn design finally arrives in ‘Spawn 77’

Comic Books

Marvel's Midnight Universe gets unified launch as all three titles arrive October 7, and only those titles Marvel's Midnight Universe gets unified launch as all three titles arrive October 7, and only those titles

Marvel’s Midnight Universe gets unified launch as all three titles arrive October 7, and only those titles

Comic Books

DC announces new Legion of Super-Heroes, Teen Titans, and Doom Patrol ongoing series DC announces new Legion of Super-Heroes, Teen Titans, and Doom Patrol ongoing series

DC announces new Legion of Super-Heroes, Teen Titans, and Doom Patrol ongoing series

Comic Books

Connect