Newly launched French publisher Morgen has already landed a major graphic novel deal with some of the biggest creators in the industry, and The Beat can exclusively reveal the details. Acclaimed writer Ram V, artists Anand Radhakrishnan and Evan Cagle, letterer Aditya Bidikar, and editor Eric Harburn will create a multi-volume graphic novel series published by Morgen across three years, with Image Comics as the publishing partner for English language territories.
As of now, the series does not have a name or synopsis, but with these creators at the helm, it’s bound to make waves. From the creator comments below, the scale of the work already seems impressive.
“After having had the chance and honor of introducing his work to the French market in 2020 through These Savage Shores, and then accompanying him on Blue In Green and Dawnrunner, continuing our journey with Ram V feels like the natural next step for us at Morgen,” said Morgen publisher and president Sullivan Rouaud.
“Ram embodies excellence: a demanding, visionary understanding of what pop culture can and should convey to its readers. This new project, which brings together two artists I’ve also had the privilege of publishing, Evan Cagle and Anand Radhakrishnan, already stands out as the most ambitious work I’ve seen him undertake,” Rouaud continued. “I’m confident that this new series will set a new benchmark for independent comics in the years to come.”
V said, “It’s incredibly exciting to find a home for a project I’ve had on the boil for a while.” He shared Rouaud’s sentiments about working together again, and reflected on re-teaming with Cagle and Radhakrishnan.
“And it is always a pleasure to be collaborating with Evan and Anand, alongside a group of creators and wonderful friends. I’ve always tried to view format, design and the way a narrative is presented and told as part of the art of storytelling in the medium,” V said. “This book is possibly the most ambitious project I’ve undertaken in that regard and I cannot wait to build it with these incredible people.”
“Ram V and I started collaborating in 2015, with covers and short stories at first and then as we started finding our stride, larger projects,” said Radhakrishnan. “From slice-of-life in Mumbai to gritty American horror to grotesque superhero, we have always believed in experimenting with tone and medium and bringing something fresh to the table.
“So it gives me immense pleasure to announce that we are working together again, and as we hit our tenth year of collaboration, this new project promises to be more ambitious and bigger than anything we have done before,” Radhakrishnan continued. “To be doing this along with my industry favourites, the brilliant Evan Cagle, Aditya Bidikar, Eric Harburn, [designer] Tom Muller and the stellar Morgen team, makes this a milestone career-defining project for me.”
“It’s a real privilege to be a part of such a strong band of creators, and with the support of Sullivan and Morgen, our work will have the space to breathe and the creative freedom to shine,” said Cagle.
“Grafity’s Wall was the book which initially brought Ram, Anand, and Aditya to my attention, and ultimately led to my own partnership with Ram. To work with the whole collective behind that book—which to me was so meaningful, both personally and professionally—is deeply satisfying. Sullivan’s championing of Dawnrunner here in France, and the impeccable presentation of both its French editions in 2024, affirmed to me his deep investment in our creative team. I’m absolutely thrilled to once again work with him to deliver something fresh and beautiful into print,” Cagle continued.
More details about this collaboration will be announced soon. Stay tuned to The Beat for details on this and more publishing news.
