Sean Gunn, known for his roles in comic book films and collaborations with his brother James Gunn, is launching a new original graphic novel titled Shepherds. Announced at San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, the Sean Gunn Shepherds Graphic Novel offers a fresh take on post-apocalyptic stories by focusing on canine characters navigating a drastically changed world.
Sean Gunn’s New Graphic Novel Revealed at Comic-Con
Sean Gunn, already familiar to audiences from projects like the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and The Suicide Squad, is stepping into the graphic novel arena with an original story called Shepherds. The announcement came from publisher Dynamite at San Diego Comic-Con, where they hinted at a world inhabited by dogs and unusual creatures surviving after humans appear to have disappeared.
Gunn expressed his excitement about the project in a statement, saying,
“Shepherds is a story I’ve been envisioning for years.”
He described it as
“a timely twist on the post-apocalyptic genre, exploring human themes through the eyes of our proverbial best friends.”
Gunn praised Dynamite Entertainment for its history of delivering distinctive and bold narratives, calling the partnership “thrilling” and
“artistically challenging in the best way.”
The Plot Focuses on Canine Society in a Post-Human World
Shepherds is set in a near future where humans seem to have vanished, shifting the narrative to a community of dogs struggling to survive. The story centers on a settlement called The Arena, located in an abandoned stadium. This camp is home to domesticated dogs, some wolves, and their pups, all under the leadership of Queen Guadalupe, a melanistic wolf with a fascination for human arts and poetry.
Queen Guadalupe aims to nurture a new generation of wolfdogs—a hybrid species designed to endure harsh conditions. However, her efforts are threatened when a pack of hostile Canidae—wolves, coyotes, foxes, and jackals—marches toward The Arena. These soldiers, hardened by battles with bears and crocodiles, look down on domesticated dogs, whom they view as weak relics of the old world.
As Guadalupe prepares to defend and possibly evacuate her community, an unexpected complication arises. They discover a battle-worn German Shepherd named Blackberry, once a police dog and a legendary figure among the canine society. Her heroic past and presence ignite new hope and challenges for the pack.
“In a near-future vision of our world with humans seemingly missing in action, Shepherds turns its spotlight to a society of canines trying to survive in their new harsh world. Readers will be brought to The Arena, a camp in an old stadium populated by domesticated dogs, a few wolves and their pups. The settlement is guarded and led by Queen Guadalupe, a melanistic wolf who is fascinated by human art and poetry and inspired by the curious human values of compassion and kindness. She wants to raise a new generation of wolfdogs, a hybrid species built to last. Everything Guadalupe has built and strived for will soon be in jeopardy. A platoon of vicious Canidae, composed of wolves, coyotes, foxes, and jackals are making their way to The Arena to overtake it. They are soldiers fresh from fighting a war against bears and crocodiles and they have no use for the “pets”, the weaker pooches and mutts from a bygone world. As Guadalupe prepares to evacuate her pack, a wrench is thrown into the plan when a battle-worn German Shepherd they recently found reveals herself to be the former police dog called Blackberry, fabled among their society for her heroic past. What follows is an adventure with many more heartfelt characters, exciting action, and dizzying lore that reveals mysteries spanning back to the beginning of time.”
Publisher and Creative Team Share Enthusiasm for the Project
Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment, praised Sean Gunn not only as an actor but also as a
“wonderful guy with a keen mind and fertile imagination.”
He noted that Gunn’s on-screen presence always captivates and delights audiences. Barrucci expressed enthusiasm for introducing Gunn’s talents as a writer, explaining,
“When we first spoke with him in our initial meeting, his passion for this project was incredible. Sean is bringing this story to fruition and we’re honored to be a part of it.”
He also highlighted the excitement to present fans with a new aspect of Gunn’s creativity alongside an engaging and unique narrative.
Upcoming Details and Anticipation for the Release
While the synopsis and concept details have been shared, many practical aspects of Shepherds remain under wraps. The release date, the graphic novel’s format, and the identity of the artist involved have yet to be disclosed. Fans of Sean Gunn and Dynamite Entertainment are left eager to learn more, as the project promises a blend of emotional storytelling, dynamic action, and expansive world-building.
With its exploration of loyalty, survival, and the echoes of humanity seen through the eyes of animals, Shepherds stands to resonate deeply with readers who appreciate both adventurous tales and thoughtful reflections on the bonds between humans and their animal companions. The collaboration between Gunn and Dynamite represents a hopeful step into new creative territory, combining intense storytelling with passionate world-building that could expand the graphic novel landscape.
