John Leguizamo is teaming up with Image Comics to bring his long-awaited superhero comic to life. The publisher has announced that they are teaming up with the actor for PhenomX. This brand new superhero series launching in November. Image founder Todd McFarlane is working alongside Leguizamo and will contribute a cover for the first issue. Have a look at the cover for yourself below.
📢 @JohnLeguizamo teams up with @Todd_McFarlane to launch the new superhero comic PHENOMX this November https://t.co/jKPbGIg5Xr pic.twitter.com/ysvSc2ZLeK
— Image Comics (@ImageComics) August 25, 2021
This has been a long time coming. Leguizamo, an actor known for his work Moulin Rouge and John Wick, among many other things, initially crowd-funded PhenomX in 2019. Now, the book finally has a home. The creative team also includes writers Aram Rappaport and Moe Miciak. Artists include Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez and Chris Batista, with additional covers from Jim Muñiz, José Marzán, Jr. and Juan Fernández.
Here is the synopsis for PhenomX.
“PhenomX centers around the character, Max Gomez, who was wrongfully imprisoned and is desperate to regain his freedom. Max agrees to become a subject in an underground government experiment. When the trial gives him phenomenal shape-shifting abilities, Gomez learns his new “freedom” requires surviving a superpowered war fought on the streets of NYC.”
This is the continuation of a relationship that started decades ago. Leguizamo starred in 1997’s Spawn movie as Violator. Spawns was not well received in its day. But it kicked off the relationship between the actor and McFarlane. Spawn was created by McFarlane in 1992. Meanwhile, McFarlane is still working on getting a new R-rated Spawn movie reboot off the ground. It remains in development at Blumhouse Productions.
“In today’s world, it’s incredibly important to support Latin artists,” Leguizamo said. “There is a lack of Latin representation in Hollywood, and it’s important to showcase Latin superheroes.”
Perhaps not coincidentally, the titular hero looks not unlike Leguizamo. Much like what happened with Keanu Reeves’ BRZRKR comic, perhaps the hope is that Hollywood will snatch up the rights to PhenomX. Reeves is set to star in and produce a movie adaptation of BRZRKR for Netflix.
“John has been a multitalented artist for such a long time it was exciting to hear that he wanted to bring some of those talents into our comic industry and to help give a voice to a certain segment of society,” said McFarlane. “John is well regarded in the Latino entertainment world and we are both hoping that his character not only makes an impact here but across the globe, regardless of your background. Cool comic books should have a place everywhere.”
PhenomX hits shelves on November 3.
What do you think? Are you looking forward to the book? Do you think that Image Comics is a good fit? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
