Back in 2008, writer Joe Kelly and artist Ken Niimura collaborated on I Kill Giants, a comic minseries about a misfit girl escaping from the struggles of her everyday life through a fantasy world. The acclaimed series won numerous awards and was even adapted into a live-action film. Nearly fifteen years since working on I Kill Giants, Kelly and Niimura are reuniting to once again yank on readers’ heartstrings with Immortal Sergeant, a nine-issue miniseries launching in January from Image Comics.

Immortal Sergeant

Here’s how the publisher describes the series:

On the eve of his unwelcome retirement, Jim Sargent (aka “Sarge”) a grizzled, old-school detective, catches a break on a murder case that’s haunted him for decades. Unfortunately, Sarge must drag his anxiety-riddled adult son, Michael, along for the ride or risk losing the lead forever. Can this dysfunctional duo overcome their own hang-ups, blindspots, and secrets to catch a killer?

In an exclusive on the announcement at Comic Book Resources, Kelly revealed the inspiration for the book:

“The story of Immortal Sergeant is loosely based on aspects of my life, dramatized and punched up to be much more exciting, but it was emotionally challenging to write. I knew that Ken was the only person who could bring the book to life with the heart, comedy, and impact I’d hoped to convey, and he knocked it out of the park.”

Niimura added:

“It’s taken us time—a LOT of time—for Joe and I to figure out the right project to work on together again, but here we are at last! Sarge is a very complicated and nuanced character, at the root of many of Joe’s creations, from Deadpool to Barbara from I Kill Giants, and I can’t think of a better home than Image Comics for him.”

Immortal Sergeant #1 will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.

IMMORTAL SERGEANT