IDW Publishing and French publisher Glénat have partnered on a new joint initiative entitled the Original Graphic Novel. This international venture is focused on the creation of genre sequential art that is fit for both markets, in terms of storytelling, formats, and themes.

Drawing on the example of the original Disney collection (i.e., Café Zombo by Régis Loisel) the Original Graphic Novel aims to produce original comics across a variety of genres. They include science fiction, fantasy, western, humor, thriller, and adventure, along with whatever the collaborate talents of the American and the Franco-Belgian industries come up with.

IDW is the fourth largest publisher in the U.S. market, while the Glénat group is the third largest in the French market. As the first initiative of its kind, this partnership is a real artistic and commercial bridge between the two countries. 

The first original creations to be published in 2018 include Mike Carey and Peter Gross’ fantasy project, The Highest House; Brian Buccellato and Alexis Sentenac’s hard-boiled thriller, Lowlifes; and Sylvain Runberg and Victor Santos’ violent, Sukeban Turbo.

Others include Mathieu Salvia and Djet’s monster-riddled fantasy, Boogeymen; Thomas Day and Aurélien Police’s urban thriller, A Glimpse of Ashes; and Nicolas Petrimaux’s bloody road trip, Gunning Down Ramirez.