Dynamite Entertainment has acquired all rights to Hellshock, one of the most iconic independent comics of the 1990s. This deal breathes new life into Jae Lee’s acclaimed creation and expands Dynamite’s growing library of classic titles.
A New Era for Hellshock
Dynamite will reprint Hellshock’s original storylines in 2026. Jae Lee, the creator, writer, and artist, will be directly involved in the relaunch. The release will align with the 30th anniversary of the series, marking a major milestone for the groundbreaking title.
Origins of a Comic Classic
Hellshock debuted in 1994 during the early wave of independent titles from Image Comics. Before that, Jae Lee gained fame through his striking work on Namor the Sub-Mariner and short but powerful runs on X-Factor, Youngblood Strikefile, and WildC.A.T.s Trilogy. His bold artistic style and dramatic storytelling earned him industry-wide recognition.
The success of these projects led to Hellshock, one of the first ten Image titles beyond the founders’ original lines. A second series followed in 1997, expanding the story’s mythology just before Lee moved on to his award-winning work on Marvel’s Inhumans.
Heaven, Hell, and the Human Soul
The series follows Daniel, a Nephilim born of both angel and human parents. With his divine powers, Daniel battles to save his mother while navigating the eternal war between Heaven and Hell. Through Lee’s haunting and expressive artwork, readers see Daniel’s struggle between truth, faith, and madness.
Each page blends supernatural themes with raw emotion, creating one of the most visually and spiritually compelling stories of the 1990s comic scene.
A Longtime Partnership
Jae Lee’s connection to Dynamite Entertainment and its sister company Dynamic Forces spans decades. Long before Dynamite became a full-fledged publisher, Lee collaborated with them on titles such as Witchblade: Demon and The Darkness: Prelude.
Over more than 20 years, Lee has contributed over 200 covers to Dynamite’s major franchises, including properties from Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. His bold visual style has shaped the look and feel of many of the publisher’s biggest hits.
Creator and Publisher Speak
“Hellshock remains the most important work of my career. It’s where I grew up. It’s where I reached further than what I could grasp. It’s also where I learned some tough lessons,” said Jae Lee. “And my best friend, Nick Barrucci, was there for me every step of the way. From Hellshock’s inception until today. There is no better home for him than Dynamite. Hellshock was my 90s baby. I’m incredibly excited to see what he’ll continue to grow into.”
Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci added, “Jae is one of my favorite creators and we’ve been close for a long time. He is not only one of the best-selling artists in the industry, but receives incredible critical acclaim, having won multiple awards beginning with his Eisner Award for Marvel’s Inhumans series with Paul Jenkins. He is a sought-after artist and worked with such incredible creators including Grant Morrison, Stephen King, Len Wein, Mark Millar, and other luminaries in and out of the comics industry. But to many, his signature work has been Hellshock, a personal story that he wrote and drew nearly 30 years ago. We’re honored that Jae has entrusted us with the tapestry of Hellshock, and bringing it to new media from movies, television, games, and more.”
Expanding the Hellshock Universe
Dynamite plans to bring Hellshock to new audiences across multiple platforms. The publisher holds full media rights for the property, opening the door to adaptations in film, television, and gaming.
Nick Barrucci and Dynamite Entertainment are represented by Charles Ferraro at United Talent Agency, Ford Gilmore of Illuminati Entertainment, and Michael Lovitz of Lovitz IP Law.
