The prayed for a miracle. They got 25 tons and 18 wheels of holy weapon. The Dark Ages… Demon hordes plague Europe as Hell invades Earth. The Six Petals, a secret sect of The Knights Templar, pray for a holy weapon to drive back the scourge. What crashes to earth instead is The Rig, a fully loaded tractor trailer. In the aftermath of its arrival, the only man left standing is an enigmatic former priest. He will become Trucker and lead the fight against Hell—with 25 tons and 18 wheels of demon-slaying machine. Created by Post Malone. Writers: Post Malone and Adrian Wassel. Artist: Nathan Gooden.
I have to admit, I used to have a knee-jerk reaction to any comic written by a celebrity. It’s just a gimmick, right? Get a big name to write or ghostwrite a comic, then sell lots of copies purely on their name, right? While that certainly still occurs, there are some comics by celebrities that wind up being really awesome. Because sometimes, people are just really talented and hardworking at multiple things.
So, how do you sift through the comics by celebrities to find those that are really great? That’s why you have me, your friendly neighborhood comics-obsessed Book Riot senior contributor. So, here are eight sensational comics by celebrities.
The Amory Wars by Claudio Sanchez, Chondra Echert, et. al
Claudio Sanchez is better known as the front man and songwriter for the band Coheed and Cambria. Any C&C fan knows that this prog-emo band has made many albums all focused on one sci-fi story: The Amory Wars. There have been several volumes of this story in comic book form, covering the same territory as the albums, and they’re all quite fun.
BRZRKR by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, Ron Garney
Apparently, one long-haired, ultra-violent man who speaks more with his fists than his words wasn’t enough for Keanu Reeves. B, the star of BRZRKR, is no John Wick, though. Be is immortal, half god, and somehow even more violent as he carves a path through anyone who stands in his way.
Doc Frankenstein by The Wachowskis, Geof Darrow, Steve Skroce
The Wachoskis are still best known as the writers and directors of The Matrix films. They’ve been actively writing and making films since, including this great new take on the classic Frankenstein story. In this comic, the monster survives, takes on his creator’s name, and plays pivotal roles throughout history as he just keeps on living.
Frenemy of the State by Rashida Jones, Christina Weir, Nunzio DeFilippis, Jeff Wamester
Rashida Jones is an actress, model, and a rather accomplished writer. She’s well known for her time on Parks and Recreation and for producing, writing, and starring in numerous films. In her comic debut, Frenemy of the State focuses on a wealthy, globetrotting heiress with a secret double life as a spy.
The Lost Daughter of Sparta by Felicia Day, Rowan MacColl
Felicia Day is famous for numerous things: actress, memoirist, The Guild, Critical Role, and other nerdy things. Her most recent venture is this graphic novel that focuses on Helen of Troy’s youngest sister, Philonoe. Largely ignored by mythology, Day tells a tale of a daughter with a different fate than those of her sisters, and an empowering one.
March by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell
The late Congressman John Lewis famously told America and the world to “get in good trouble.” March tells his story of growing up Black in Jim Crow America, of silent protests at counters, and of being a Freedom Rider. John’s ascent from protestor to Congressman is the stuff of legend. His legend. And it’s mandatory reading for everyone.
Orchid by Tom Morello, Scott Hepburn, Dan Jackson
Tom Morello made a name for himself as the lead guitarist of Rage Against the Machine, the punk metal band that perpetually challenged authority. He still does that on his own, and he’s dabbled in comics, too. This dystopian tale is set in a world ruined by climate change, where the elites rule from the high ground. But one teenage sex worker will soon learn that her role in the world is greater than this terrible world wants for her.
The Umbrella Academy by Gerard Way, Gabriel Bá
This is undoubtedly the most famous comic book on this list, in large part due to the Netflix series of the same name. Gerard Way started his path to fame as the frontman for My Chemical Romance. At this point, he’s just about as famous for his writing. The Umbrella Academy is the story of a group of adoptees, all with special abilities, all connected by an adoptive father they hate. Oh, and the world is probably going to end if they don’t stop it.
What other comics by celebrities do you love? What about celebrities IN comics?
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