Fans of Saga, Paper Girls, and Pride of Baghdad, take note—writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Niko Henrichon are back together for the first time in nearly 20 years with a brand-new graphic novel called Spectators. It’s hitting comic shops this September, and by all accounts, it’s going to be one to watch.
Originally serialized on Vaughan’s Substack, Spectators is finally being collected in a full hardcover edition from Image Comics. The story mixes supernatural romance, social commentary, and a lot of striking, hand-painted art courtesy of Henrichon.
What’s Spectators About?
Set in a distant future version of New York City, the story follows two ghosts—one, a modern-day woman who died watching the world around her, and the other, a mysterious man with a gun from the distant past. Neither of them are used to sharing space, but they’re drawn together as they witness what might be the final days of the living world.
Vaughan calls it one of the most personal stories he’s ever written, and he’s clearly excited to share it with readers. “Spectators is a story I’ve wanted to tell my whole career,” he said. “After more than three years of meticulous hand-painting by genius co-creator Niko Henrichon, we’re excited to finally share our epic standalone graphic novel with all of you mature readers out there. This is a spicy one, so thanks for supporting the retailers who bravely support comics for adults!”
Henrichon echoed the sentiment, saying the script pushed him artistically in all the right ways: “The bold and unconventional script of this comic book challenged my artistic boundaries like never before. It was an exhilarating experience and a true honor to create artwork for such a distinctive story.”
When and Where to Get It
The hardcover edition of Spectators will be available in comic shops on Wednesday, September 10, and at bookstores and online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Waterstones on Tuesday, September 23.
ISBN: 9781534331211
Lunar Code: 0425IM287
If you’ve been craving a story that really leans into what the graphic part of “graphic novel” means—emotionally, visually, and thematically—this might be the one for you.
About the Creators
Brian K. Vaughan is the writer behind some of the most beloved creator-owned comics of the past two decades. From Y: The Last Man to Saga, he’s known for mixing genre storytelling with sharp social insight. He lives in Los Angeles, occasionally works in TV, and still considers comics his first love.
Niko Henrichon is a French-Canadian artist best known for his work on Pride of Baghdad, though his credits also include Marvel titles like Doctor Strange, X-Men, and Meet the Skrulls (which helped inspire the Secret Invasion TV show). He’s also created work for European publishers, collaborating with Darren Aronofsky on Noé and illustrating part of the Metabaron series. Most recently, he worked with Joe Kelly on Fang.
Right now, Henrichon is wrapping up the final pages of Spectators, just in time for its fall release.
Sarah Eldraine
Sarah Eldraine, from Miami, is a creative soul, passionate about comic books, gaming, and writing. She weaves narratives in her writing, just as she navigates storylines in her favorite comics and games, embodying the spirit of adventure and storytelling that defines her hobbies.
