Warren Ellis Is Bringing WildStorm Back To DC Comics

Warren Ellis is bring the WildStorm universe back to DC Comics.

WildStorm began as the studio of Image co-founder Jim Lee in 1992 before becoming a DC imprint seven years later. Characters like Midnighter and Grifter got their start in WildStorm-published books Stormwatch and WildC.A.T.S before the imprint was cancelled in 2010, with some characters folded over into the main DC universe during the New 52 relaunch.

But now, Ellis, who wrote extensively for the imprint on books like The Authority and Planetary, is bringing the WildStorm imprint back. Much like Gerard Way and his Young Animal pop-up imprint, Ellis will act as curator for the resurrected publishing branch, along with writing its debut series The Wild Storm, with art by Jon Davis-Hunt, which will act as a jumping-off point for other planned books including Michael Cray, WildC.A.T.S. and Zealot.

The move will also introduce new versions of classic WildStorm characters like the Grifter, Voodoo, The Engineer, Jenny Sparks and more. Presumably, these will be separate versions than those that appeared in the New 52, though its not clear how some of the popular New 52 versions, in particular Midnighter, will be affected.

Ellis said of the revamped WildStorm:

After long reflection, I couldn’t turn down the invitation to renovate the house that Jim Lee built, and refit its unique combination of cosmic paranoia and paramilitary conspiracy for the post-political space madness of the twenty-teens. Looking back to look forward.

Jim Lee, founder of the original WildStorm and current DC Co-Publisher said in a statement:

There are precious few visionaries in our business and fewer still like Warren who can elevate mythos with both stylistic panache and idiosyncratic spectacle. His work at WildStorm remains the tone which best defines and reflects the WildStorm Universe. I know I speak for WildStorm fans the world over when I say I can’t wait to see what Warren and Jon have in store for fans in February.

More info about the new WildStorm will be revealed at DC’s “Meet the Publishers” panel at New York Comic Con on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

The Wild Storm’s first issue will hit shelves mid-February of 2017.

You can see some of the revamped WildStorm character designs from Davis-Hunt below.

Angela Spica