Comic Books

‘Blood Squad Seven’ explores ’90s superteam dynamics

‘Blood Squad Seven’ explores what would happen if heroes from that decade returned to action after a 30-year absence.

February 19, 2024

Image Comics has announced a new series by Joe Casey and Paul Fry called Blood Squad Seven. Launching its first issue on May 22nd, the series spins out of the recent Dutch miniseries, exploring ’90s superteam dynamics through a contemporary lens.

“This might be the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my twenty-plus years working with Image Comics,” said Casey. “To play in this sandbox is the most fun I’ve ever had writing in a shared universe. This series is much more than a modern deconstruction of what it meant to be a superhero in the ’90s… Paul and I are building on that past to find our way into the future.”

So what’s Blood Squad Seven about?

Thirty years ago, Blood Squad Seven was America’s most popular superhero team. Its members were seen on television, on magazine covers, scoring million-dollar endorsement deals…. They were celebrities and they were everywhere.

But that was then… this is now. And so, a new generation of modern-day heroes takes up the mantle—or perhaps, the poisoned chalice—fulfilling a promise made decades ago: to be the heroes that a fractured America needs.

Fry added: “Diving into this project has been a creative roller coaster! Collaborating with the brilliant Joe Casey, we’re resurrecting the original Image vibe with a dash of edgy innovation. Brace yourselves for a comic series that redefines the classic with a modern twist!”

Check out a bunch of covers and promos below.

PORTLAND, Ore. 02/19/2024 — Veteran writer Joe Casey (MCMLXXV, Butcher Baker the Righteous Maker) and artist Paul Fry (Spider-Man 2099, Star Wars) team up for a boundary pushing new superhero series in Blood Squad Seven. Spinning out of the recent Dutch miniseries, this upcoming comic book will explore ’90s superteam dynamics through a contemporary lens and launches in May from Image Comics.

Thirty years ago, Blood Squad Seven was America’s most popular superhero team. Its members were seen on television, on magazine covers, scoring million-dollar endorsement deals…. They were celebrities and they were everywhere.

But that was then… this is now. And so, a new generation of modern-day heroes takes up the mantle—or perhaps, the poisoned chalice—fulfilling a promise made decades ago: to be the heroes that a fractured America needs.

While deconstructions of superhero nostalgia typically center around the classic characters of the Silver Age, Blood Squad Seven will delve deep into ’90s comic book themes with this imagining of what would happen if heroes from that decade returned to action after a 30-year absence.

Variant covers for each issue of Blood Squad Seven will be provided by an army of celebrated artists, including: Chris Weston (Ministry of Space), Nick Pitarra (The Manhattan Projects), Jim Rugg (Street Angel), Chris Cross (Captain Marvel), Elizabeth Torque (Captain America: Secret Empire), Mike Hawthorne (Deadpool), Cory Walker (Invincible), Ryan Quackenbush (Junior Baker the Righteous Faker), Mirko Colak (Punisher MAX), Chris Sprouse (Tom Strong), Dustin Nguyen (Little Monsters), and many more.

“This might be the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my twenty plus years working with Image Comics,” said Casey. “To play in this sandbox is the most fun I’ve ever had writing in a shared universe. This series is much more than a modern deconstruction of what it meant to be a superhero in the ’90s… Paul and I are building on that past to find our way into the future.”

Blood Squad Seven #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, May 22: