In a groundbreaking announcement ahead of Comic-Con International 2025, Oni Press, the acclaimed comic book publisher, and Valhalla Entertainment have revealed a major development: Valhalla has preemptively acquired the film rights to Oni’s upcoming series, Yuletide Oni Press. This exciting Christmas horror adventure, crafted by writer George Northy (known for his work on EC’s Shiver SuspenStories) and artist Rachele Aragno (from Mike Mignola’s Leonide the Vampire), is slated for a feature film adaptation even before its comic book debut in October 2025. This move signals significant confidence in the series’ potential and an early win for fans of holiday horror with a unique twist.
Discover What Awaits in Yuletide Oni Press’s New Series
Yuletide Oni Press promises a fast-paced family adventure that evokes the spirit of classics like The Goonies, Goosebumps, and Hocus Pocus, all while introducing a terrifying holiday twist. The narrative unfolds in the seemingly idyllic town of Christmas, Pennsylvania, a place obsessed with creating the biggest and brightest holiday display. However, beneath the festive facade, a darker, forgotten history of the season lurks.
The story centers on three teenagers—Jake, Abe, and Wyn—who are far more intrigued by the ancient, pagan origins of the holidays. Their curiosity leads them to an abandoned wing of the local Christmas museum. Here, they stumble upon and activate an ancient relic, inadvertently unleashing a furious procession of yuletide horrors long banished from our plane. This act brings with it a darkness that has patiently waited for centuries to reclaim the world. Readers looking for the latest new comic releases should definitely keep an eye on this one.
The full creative team for Yuletide #1 includes:
- Writer: George Northy
- Artist: Rachele Aragno
- Cover A: Ito
- Cover B: Rachele Aragno
- Cover C: Jo Mi-Gyeong
- Full Art Variant (1:10): Ito
This series is set to debut with its first issue in comic shops in October and will span three extra-long, 40-page monthly chapters, culminating in an artfully timed finale just in time for the holidays in December. To delve deeper into the world of comics, you might also want to explore unique comic book covers.
The Creative Vision Behind Yuletide
George Northy, who will also produce and script the film adaptation, shared his inspiration: “I’ve long been fascinated by the dark, strange, obscure Yuletide monsters from various cultures, from Germany to Iceland to Wales. The way these demons have been buried and forgotten felt like the perfect metaphor for how we often bury our own darkness and personal demons throughout the holidays.” He added, “If Buffy taught us ‘High School can be Hell,’ then Yuletide will show that the best way of dealing with our own holiday demons isn’t by pretending they aren’t there, it’s by facing them together.” This unique take on holiday horror sets the Yuletide Oni Press comic apart.
Gale Anne Hurd of Valhalla Entertainment, a name synonymous with genre excellence, expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “There is so much fantastic lore of the midwinter that runs the risk of being forgotten to time,” Hurd stated. “With Yuletide, George and Rachele have given us the perfect opportunity to bring those larger-than-life characters back to life so they can continue to haunt us for generations to come.”
Hunter Gorinson, President & Publisher of Oni Press, highlighted the immediate impact of the creative team’s pitch. “Every once in a while, a team of creators emerges with a pitch so inspired, so compelling, and so dead-center on the bullseye that it immediately provokes one question: ‘Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?'” Gorinson remarked. He praised the series for being “joyously filled with heart, humor, and adventure like so many gifts tightly packed into a Christmas stocking.” Visit Oni Press’s official site for more information on their catalog.
Yuletide Oni Press joins a distinguished list of high-profile film and television projects currently in development from Oni Press. This iconic indie comics imprint has inspired numerous influential adaptations, including Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, the Extraction franchise for Netflix, and Atomic Blonde. The ongoing success demonstrates Oni Press’s continued ability to deliver compelling stories that translate seamlessly across different media. For more insights and discussions, consider joining our dedicated community.
Oni Press will provide further details about Yuletide during its upcoming appearance at Comic-Con International in San Diego, beginning on Wednesday, July 23rd, at Booth #1829.
This preemptive acquisition of Yuletide Oni Press for feature film development is a testament to the compelling vision of George Northy and Rachele Aragno. As we eagerly await the comic’s debut in October, the prospect of seeing this unique Christmas horror story on the big screen adds another layer of excitement.
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