Devolver Digital & Oni Press Seal Pact for CULT OF THE LAMB Comics & Graphic Novels– Debuting with Deluxe Pre-Order Campaign Today on Kickstarter
New Publishing Initiative Begins with First-Ever Comic Series for Global Video Game Phenomenon from Acclaimed Creators Alex Paknadel & Troy Little
(March 12, 2024) Oni Press – the multiple Eisner Award and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comic books and graphic novels since 1997 – and indie video game giant Devolver Digital create the first ever comic books and graphic novels inspired by the deviously horrifying, heretic-smashing video game phenomenon CULT OF THE LAMB, developed by Massive Monster.
Devolver Digital head of global licensing and partnerships Fée Heyer said: “CULT OF THE LAMB has been an amazing success since launch, expertly tapping into the cultural zeitgeist that has seen fandom for cute, yet horrifying, content go next level. We’re over the moon to now partner with Oni Press to create comic books and graphic novels for CULT OF THE LAMB fans and we’re not even embarrassed to admit we’re a little starstruck that Alex Paknadel and Troy Little are the incredible talents behind them.”
James Pearmain, art director at developer Massive Monster, said: “Massive Monster is thrilled to bring the dark yet colorful world of CULT OF THE LAMB into the realm of comic storytelling. We can’t wait for fans to immerse themselves in the rich narrative and enchanting visuals that this adaptation promises to deliver. Offering new insights into CULT OF THE LAMB’s lore and world, we’re excited to share this unique perspective on the story with our dedicated community and newcomers alike.”
CULT OF THE LAMB: THE FIRST VERSE – Exclusive Softcover Edition (Cover Art by Troy Little)
Beginning with an all-new graphic novel adapting and expanding CULT OF THE LAMB’s sprawling cosmology by acclaimed writer Alex Paknadel (All Against All, Red Goblin) and Eisner Award-nominated artist Troy Little (Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas), this ongoing publishing program begins today with the launch of the CULT OF THE LAMB: THE FIRST VERSE as an Oni Premium Direct pre-order campaign on Kickstarter.
Since its debut in 2022, CULT OF THE LAMB has grown a millions-strong following with amusingly dark, satirically biting adventures that cast players into the role of Lamb – a supernaturally resurrected cult leader empowered by an impossibly ancient deity to recruit followers into the thrall of their doom-laden gospel. Heralded as “adorably demonic” by IGN and “troublingly compelling” by The Guardian, CULT OF THE LAMB’s genre-bending collision of anthropomorphic animals and folk-horror iconography amidst a crumbling world of ritual and ruin has earned it widespread critical acclaim and a long list of preeminent games industry awards and nominations – including three BAFTA nominations, a win for “Best Indie Game” from the Golden Joystick Awards, and a win for “Game of the Year” from the Gayming Awards. Most recently, in January 2024, Devolver Digital and Massive Monster released CULT OF THE LAMB: SINS OF THE FLESH – the game’s much anticipated DLC expansion, garnering millions of downloads in its first week of release.
CULT OF THE LAMB: THE FIRST VERSE – Exclusive Hardcover Edition (Cover Art by Juan Gedeon)
Said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson: "CULT OF THE LAMB is one of the most creatively energizing concepts to emerge from the world of video games in recent years – thanks in all arenas to the hard work and exceptional vision of Devolver Digital. It's little surprise that CULT OF THE LAMB has found many millions of ardent followers around the globe, and both Oni Press and our creators are committed to serving Lamb's dark justice with a graphic novel extrapolation that will both enrapture longtime fans and introduce a new legion of readers to this darkly hilarious and compellingly entertaining world."
Featuring a treasure trove of exclusive and limited-edition items created in close coordination with Devolver Digital CULT OF THE LAMB: THE FIRST VERSE includes deluxe versions of the Lamb’s landmark comic debut with an exclusive softcover edition, featuring cover art by Troy Little (Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons); an exclusive hardcover edition, featuring cover art by Juan Gedeon (DC: The Jurassic Age); four single issues featuring brand-new, never-before-seen interlocking cover art, also by Little, printed on high-quality cardstock and enhanced with UV spotgloss; or, at the campaign’s highest levels, one of four extremely limited Heretic Editions, featuring the complete series embellished with alternating suitably demonic foil and featuring brand-new, never-before-seen cover art by acclaimed CULT OF THE LAMB key artist and character designer Carles Dalmau (Soma).
Additionally, throughout the latest Oni Premium Direct pre-order campaign, CULT OF THE LAMB: THE FIRST VERSE also includes limited-edition apparel and merchandise, including high-quality ringspun t-shirts and patches silkscreened by Holy Mountain Printing; blotter paper posters and giclée art prints; devotional candles and match sets; original sketches and art pages by interior artist Troy Little; and much, much more.
CULT OF THE LAMB: THE FIRST VERSE – Exclusive Interlocking Art (Covers by Troy Little)
In a land pervaded by cruelty and evil, the most innocent among us – young Lamb, the last of their kind – was selected to become a final dark sacrifice. Their death would forever seal the darkest of the Old Gods from our realm and usher in a new age ruled by the four eldritch Bishops of the Old Faith. So Lamb died… then forged a deal of their own.
At the crossroads of eternity, Lamb was met by the imprisoned deity known as The One Who Waits, who revealed the lies and distortions of the false prophets who rule the world above. And so, Lamb was bequeathed the power and responsibilities of the Red Crown and returned to the land of living with unholy powers to exact vengeance and deliver a new cult unto the Earth.
The Bishops of the Old Faith must fall. The disbelievers must be destroyed. And, as Lamb assembles their flock, a new master shall reign over creation. Praise be to the Cult of the Lamb!
Running through April 11 with new surprise items and stretch goals to be unlocked throughout, Oni Premium Direct’s CULT OF THE LAMB: THE FIRST VERSE deluxe pre-order campaign is now live and features extensive “Day One” discounts for backers who place their pre-order within the first 24 hours. All items included in the campaign will be fulfilled directly to backers directly in December 2024.
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About Oni Press
Founded in 1997, Oni Press has a 25-year history as one of the industry’s most respected and acclaimed publishers of award-winning comic books and graphic novels with titles including Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim, K. O’Neill’s Tea Dragon Society, Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt's The Sixth Gun, Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer, Ezra Clayton Daniels' Upgrade Soul, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets trilogy, and many hundreds more. In 2019, Oni Press merged with Lion Forge Comics – the Eisner Award-winning independent comic book publisher founded by Academy Award-winning producer and entrepreneur David Steward II – to create one of the largest, independent libraries of comics content anywhere in media. The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group now exists as a publishing subsidiary of Steward’s diversified global media company, Polarity.
The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group publishes more than 60 original and licensed graphic novels annually, in addition to an extensive list of periodical comics.
About Devolver Digital
Purveyors of fine digital entertainment wares from independent artists worldwide. Owned and operated by a team that replies to internal email threads with a non-stop deluge of hilarious gifs and passive aggressive shots at one another. A collection of individuals who work with independent developers from all over the world to produce and promote some of the most original, eccentric, and beloved games of the past decade.