I don’t think that anyone saw this one coming except for those close to the players involved, but as of today Tim Seeley (Creator ‘HACK/SLASH’) is no longer writing for publisher Devil’s Due and in doing so will be taking his cult horror smash, ‘HACK/SLASH’, with him! But where is he taking his million dollar title to? How about the creator owned comic haven that is Image Comics?! Read on for all the details on the departure, and what this move could potentially mean for everyone involved!

The announcement came today at the Emerald City ComiCon that Tim Seeley’s ubber popular title was no longer being published through Devil’s Due Publishing and would instead be handled by Image Comics as of immediately.

Comic Related Broke The Story,

“My little creator owned book is making the move to the biggest creator owned comic company!” exclaimed Hack/Slash creator Tim Seeley. “The move is sanctioned by Devil’s Due Publishing, and Josh Blaylock has been helping me with the transition. June will see the release of the first issue of HACK/SLASH: MY FIRST MANIAC, which is set in Cassie’s past and is the perfect tale for new readers as well as those who’ve been following the book for several years. And, best of all, my crack creative team of artist Dan Leister, colorist Mark Englert, editor Jim Lowder and letterer Crank! are coming with me to Image-Land.”

Besides the blockbuster announcement of the move itself Seeley also announced plans for the series’ first arc with Image titled “HACK/SLASH: MY FIRST MANIAC”.

“HACK/SLASH: MY FIRST MANIAC explores Cassie’s first case. 16-year-old Cassie Hack has just been forced to kill her mother, the undead murderer known as the Lunch Lady. Now faced with overwhelming guilt, she must decide if she can make a life with her foster parents or use her new-found slasher killing skills to save other screaming teenagers. But does the apple fall far from the tree? A perfect jumping-on point for new readers and a previously untold tale for old fans!”

The title will go on sale June 9th with a list price of $3.50 as well as a reprintings of the “HACK/SLASH OMNIBUS VOLUME #1”, and “HACK/SLASH, VOL. 3: FRIDAY THE 31ST”.

To me this is a hugely positive move for Tim and the ‘HACK/SLASH’ universe. The title felt held down by Devil’s Due with an unpredictable release schedule and poor marketing. With Image Comics Seeley will have a much better shot at getting the long overdue motion picture off the ground as well as a far more serious and thought out marketing campaign for the cult hit.

As for what this could mean for Devil’s Due the move could prove to be back breaking. The company had already been dealing with some financial issues, and it also owes quite a bit of money to many of it’s writers and artists. I would go as far as saying that this could be the end of the company entirely seeing as this was easily their biggest money-maker. Only time will tell though. What say you?