WWE Heroes #1
WWE Heroes #1 marks the launch of Titan Publishing's formal comic-book partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment — the first time WWE talent appeared in a dedicated, serialized American comic-book format distributed through the Diamond direct-market channel. The issue inaugurates the 'Rise of the Firstborn' mythology, transplanting John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker, Randy Orton, Batista, and a large ensemble of then-active WWE Superstars into an original supernatural universe entirely separate from the television product, a creative swing that distinguished the line from earlier wrestling tie-in publications. It also introduces Reverend Josiah Brown, an original antagonist created specifically for the comics who would drive the arc's central conflict, representing the line's only wholly invented recurring character. As the first chapter of a planned twenty-issue run distributed to comic retailers and specialty stores across the U.S. and Canada, the issue stands as the foundational document of Titan's WWE comics output.
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Titan Publishing's WWE partnership was announced in late 2009, with editor Ned Hartley overseeing the line and positioning WWE's television teen audience as a key demographic for the Direct Market. Keith Champagne — a DC Comics veteran whose credits included Justice Society of America, Green Lantern Corps, and World War III — was hired to write the series, while Andy Smith, a penciller with prior work at Marvel, DC, Image, Acclaim, and CrossGen, handled interior art and the primary cover. Alongside the print debut, Titan released a free prequel issue (designated #0) through Apple's iPhone and iTouch platform, an early experiment in using mobile digital comics as a marketing on-ramp for a print title. Lettering was provided by Comicraft.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Written by Keith Champagne (DC veterans: Justice Society of America, Green Lantern Corps) with interior art and primary cover by Andy Smith.
- Published by Titan Comics/Titan Publishing as the flagship title of a formal WWE licensing partnership projected to span 20 issues distributed through the Diamond direct market in the U.S. and Canada.
- Issue #1 launched the 'Rise of the Firstborn' story arc, introducing an original supernatural mythology in which two immortal brothers — the Firstborn and the Shadow King — have been reincarnated throughout history, with the present-day conflict unfolding inside the WWE.
- First appearance of Reverend Josiah Brown, an original villain created for the comic series (not a real WWE personality), who serves as the primary antagonist across the 'Rise of the Firstborn' arc.
- Three covers were produced for #1: two standard collectible covers and a Diamond retailer incentive cover drawn by WWE personality Jerry 'The King' Lawler.
- A free digital prequel issue (#0) was simultaneously released for Apple iPhone and iTouch, with bonus behind-the-scenes production content, making this one of the earlier WWE-licensed comics to use mobile digital distribution as a companion marketing tool.
- The series features a large roster drawn from 2009–2010 WWE programming, including Triple H, The Undertaker, John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista, Edge, Kane, Kelly Kelly, Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, Matt Hardy, John Morrison, R-Truth, and Zack Ryder.
- The entire 'Rise of the Firstborn' arc (issues #0–6) was later collected in a trade paperback published by Titan Books in November 2010 (ISBN 9781848566934), followed by a separate spin-off mini-series, WWE Heroes: Timequake — Undertaker, also written by Champagne.
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