January 24, 2024, marked an important day for fans of The Unnamed Universe because it launched Ghost Machine, a new comic from Geoff Johns that brings together elements of the world of Geiger, Redcoat, and Junkyard Joe.
Written with Brad Meltzer, Lamont Magee, Maytal Zchut, and Peter J. Tomasi, the 64-page special issue features four distinct stories introducing new characters. It first introduces a new chapter in the saga of The Unnamed, providing added information on Redcoat, Geiger, and Junkyard Joe, authored by Johns and drawn by Bryan Hitch.
Introducing Rook
In Rook: Exodus, Johns, and artist Jason Fabok, readers become acquainted with a society controlled by technology. The storyline follows what happens when that society loses control of its technology, and Rook must save them.
The Rocketfellers
In the universe of Family Odysseys, a time-displaced family, the Rocketfellers, a family from the future, must adjust to living in the past. It follows their misadventures with a society lacking the technologies they find necessary for normal life.
The Hornsby & Halo Families
Readers also delve into the story of Hornsby & Halo, a cosmic comedy that sees the child of a demon couple switched with that of an angel couple. The demon-child Rose Hornsby must adjust to life in the family of Zach Halo, the angel-child, and vice versa. Their ability to manage their twisted fates could result in peace between Heaven and Hell in this unique take on a coming-of-age saga.
Welcome to Hyde Street
Finally, Hyde Street offers a horror story from Johns and artist Ivan Reis. On Hyde Street, readers don’t just get a haunted house – they get a supernatural street. It’s a bit like Collins Port, Maine, but darker, with more evil and less levity.
More Comics to Come This Year
The special edition offers an important contribution to The Unnamed that readers will better understand in April 2024, when Rook: Exodus #1 releases, as does Geiger #1 and Redcoat #1. During the remainder of 2024, Johns and Gary Frank will release more issues of Ghost Machine.
That makes this a banner year for fans of The Unnamed. Of course, the duo that conceived of the original Unnamed Universe storyline welcomes collaboration with other writers, artists, and colorists. Ghost Machine provides another example of that fact since it includes four stories from five writers, working with four artists – Frank, Jason Fabok, Francis Manapul, and Bryan Hitch. By encouraging other writers to approach him and Frank with ideas, Johns continues to keep The Unnamed Universe fresh and growing.