Jeff Lemire has signed a five-book deal with HarperCollins’ Harper Alley imprint as part of the publisher’s inaugural line of original graphic novels for adults, the super-prolific Canadian cartoonist announced on his Substack newsletter.
The deal kicks off with Mr. Oblivion, a three-volume supernatural detective series with artist Teddy Kristiansen. The duo previously worked together on Black Hammer: Spiral City.
The series follows Marty McCabe, who was once the world’s greatest occult detective. But 20 years later, he sells real estate in the suburbs and struggles with middle age, marriage and a teenage daughter. When the demons of his past return, Marty must put on the fabled Merlin Mask to save his family, even if it eats his soul alive.
The first volume, Incantations, will be published in summer 2027, with each book running more than 200 pages.
Lemire said the other two books would be stand-alone graphic novels, stating “one will be illustrated by Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead) and the fifth book will be…well, let’s keep that one a surprise for later.”
Lemire is one of the most prolific cartoonists working today, and moves effortlessly between monthly comics and graphic novels, as well as mainstream superheroes, modern fantasy, science fiction, horror and slice-of-life. He’s known for his creator-owned comics like Black Hammer, Sweet Tooth and Gideon Falls; his work for Marvel and DC on Absolute Flash, Moon Knight and more; and his graphic novels like Essex County and The Underwater Welder. He’s currently writing three books for DC, as well as writing and drawing Minor Arcana at BOOM!.