One of the most anticipated indie releases of the season arrives this week from Image Comics: Malevolent #1.
Coming from the powerhouse creative team of Justin Jordan (The Strange Talent of Luther Strode), John Bivens, and colorist Felipe Sobreiro—the same trio that brought us the visceral horror epic Spread—this new ongoing series is being described as “pure mayhem and monsters.”
Here is everything you need to know about the world of Malevolent before it hits shelves this Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
The Premise: Survival in a Demon-Haunted World
The story is set 30 years after a botched scientific experiment accidentally cracked open the gates of Hell. Unlike many post-apocalyptic stories that focus on the immediate collapse of society, Malevolent takes place in a world that has already “moved on.”
- The Status Quo: Humanity didn’t just survive; they adapted. Demons are now a part of the ecological and social landscape—a persistent, terrifying nuisance that people have learned to live around.
- The Turning Point: After three decades of hiding and surviving, mankind has finally developed a weapon capable of fighting back. However, there’s a catch: the weapon is a “she,” and there is a very real chance she might decide to kill her creators before she finishes off the demons.
The Creative Vision: “Out-Crazying” Spread
If you read Spread, you know this team specializes in “body-horror-meets-action.” Justin Jordan has noted in recent interviews that the goal with Malevolent was to “out-crazy” their previous work.
- Genre Blend: Expect a heavy mix of Science Fiction, Dark Fantasy, and Survival Horror.
- Visual Style: John Bivens’ detailed, often unsettling linework paired with Felipe Sobreiro’s moody, high-contrast colors creates a world that feels both grounded and supernatural.
Collector’s Guide: Issue #1 Covers
Image is launching the series with a massive array of variant covers from some of the industry’s biggest names in horror and stylized art.
The Verdict: If you are a fan of Supernatural, Doom, or the team’s previous work on Spread, this is an immediate “pull-list” addition. It promises to be one of the bloodiest and most imaginative world-building exercises Image has launched in years.
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