Marvel’s 2025 Stormbreakers class includes industry darlings Gurihuru, Luciano Vecchio and more

Marvel Comics recently announced the 2025 class of Marvel’s Stormbreakers, a prestigious artist program that “spotlights the next generation of elite artists in the industry.” While the talent initiative launched by the publisher in 2020 was initiatally intended to spotlight up-and-coming creators worldwide, this year’s class of creators are even more established than in past years, as it includes artists several artists who have already earned prestigious industry awards (e.g., the Eisners), such as Gurihiru, and best-selling Marvel creators, such as Alessandro Cappuccio.

Marvel’s Stormbreakers program evolved from its 2004 predecessor, Marvel’s Young Guns initiative. It was initially branded as a program recognizing “rising talent” from around the globe, which would offer up-and-comers exclusive opportunities to contribute to the publisher’s most iconic storylines. Each class of Stormbreakers is typically active for two years.

Selected every two years, these artists follows in the footsteps of 2023’s class that included Elena Casagrande (Runaways), Nic Klein (Incredible Hulk), Jan Bazaldua (Immortal Thor), Chris Allen (Black Panther), Martín Cóccolo (Wolverine), Lucas Werneck (Storm), C.F. Villa (Avengers), and Federico Vicentini (Miles Morales: Spider-Man), now celebrated alumni who will continue to ignite the industry!

Photo Credit: Marvel Comics

Over the last 15 years, Marvel has spotlighted 36 emerging artists, each of whom has gone on to illustrate some of the most significant events and iconic series in the Marvel Universe. This roster includes notable talents like Steve McNiven (Moon Knight), Jim Cheung (Empyre), Sara Pichelli (NYX), Ryan Stegman (X-Men), Peach Momoko (Ultimate X-Men), Jan Bazaldua (Immortal Thor), Russell Dauterman (Scarlet Witch), Pepe Larraz (Blood Hunt), and many others, establishing their status as key figures in the industry.

“Since its inception over 20 years ago, Marvel’s Stormbreakers program (originally ‘Young Guns’) has introduced comic fans to the best and brightest artists from around the world,” said Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski. “This year’s class, hailing from six different countries, is yet another group of modern marvels who push the boundaries of style and storytelling. These are the creators who will be bringing our characters to life and blowing fans’ minds for years to come!”

This year’s new class has been carefully selected for their distinctive artistic styles, significant contributions to the industry, and endless creativity. Among the talented creators are Alessandro Cappuccio (Moon Knight, Ultimate Wolverine), Netho Diaz (Daredevil: Black Amor, X-Men), Simone Di Meo (Champions, X-Men of Apocalypse), Juan Frigeri (Ultimates, Invincible Iron Man), Gurihiru (It’s Jeff, Jeff the Land Shark), Jonas Scharf (Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion, Dark X-Men), Geoff Shaw (Red Hulk, Wolverine), and Luciano Vecchio (Spider-Verse vs. Venomverse, Resurrection of Magneto).

Cebulski will officially introduce the new class alongside Di Meo at this weekend’s Marvel Art Atelier, the annual training program dedicated to nurturing aspiring Marvel artists, which takes place at the Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel in Disneyland Paris.

Marvel’s Stormbreakers Class of 2025

Photo Credit: Marvel Comics

Alessandro Cappuccio (Moon Knight, Ultimate Wolverine):

Italian illustrator Alessandro Cappuccio made his impressive debut in 2021’s Moon Knight, redefining the character alongside writer Jed MacKay and immediately establishing him as an artist to watch. After continuing his acclaimed work on the Lunar Legionnaire in follow-up series Vengeance of the Moon Knight and Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu, Cappuccio launched Ultimate Wolverine with writer Chris Condon, currently one of the Marvel’s currently best-selling titles.

Netho Diaz (Daredevil: Black Amor, X-Men):

Netho Diaz has been working consistently with Marvel since early 2022 on select issues of Thunderbolts and Legion of X. Shortly after, he became the series artist on Predator, Daredevil: Black Armor, and X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse—the latter being the project that led him to the flagship X-Men title, where he continues to shape the franchise’s current era alongside Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman.

Simone Di Meo (Champions, X-Men of Apocalypse):

Simone Di Meo is an esteemed talent known for his work throughout the industry, including Batman and Robin at DC Comics which earned him the Ringo Award for best cover artist in 2022. Following acclaimed work on Champions as well as various annuals and one-shots, Di Meo makes his grand return this September in the highly anticipated event series X-Men of Apocalypse, where he’ll team up with legendary writer Jeph Loeb to deliver the next chapter of the groundbreaking Age of Apocalypse storyline.

Juan Frigeri (Ultimates, Invincible Iron Man):

Juan Frigeri’s growing list of Marvel credits include collaborations with superstar writers like Ed Brisson on Ghost Rider, Kelly Thompson on Captain Marvel, and Jason Aaron on Avengers. Following his run of Invincible Iron Man with writer Gerry Duggan, Frigeri is one of the visionaries behind the new Ultimate Universe, working with Deniz Camp on one of the industry’s most talked about titles, Ultimates.

Gurihiru (It’s Jeff, Jeff the Land Shark):

Gurihiru are a superstar Japanese illustrator duo whose iconic take on Marvel characters delighted fans in books like The Unstoppable Wasp and Spider-Man & Venom: Double Trouble. Following that, they launched the It’s Jeff Infinity Comic with Kelly Thompson which won them an Eisner Award.

Jonas Scharf (Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion, Dark X-Men):

Jonas Scharf has over 24 issues of creator owned horror comics under his belt and contributed to the darker, more gritty corners of the Marvel Universe over the years in titles like Avengers of the Wastelands and Dark X-Men. Showcasing his incredible versatility, he launched Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion with writers Deniz Camp and Cody Ziglar earlier this week to critical acclaim.

Geoff Shaw (Red Hulk, Wolverine):

Multitalented Geoff Shaw is a comic artist, sculptor, concept designer and illustrator. His notable Marvel works include Thanos and Guardians of the Galaxy with writer Donny Cates and Wolverine with Ben Percy, including the Ghost Rider/Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance crossover where he introduced the breakout character Hellverine. He recently reunited with Percy for an explosive new run of Red Hulk.

Luciano Vecchio (Spider-Verse Vs. Venomverse, Resurrection of Magneto):

Luciano Vecchio became a fan favorite artist thanks to his dynamic style bridging the classic with the modern in books like Ironheart and Champions. After helping bring the X-Men’s Krakoan era to an epic close in Resurrection of Magnetoand Rise of the Powers of X, Vecchio continues to be a master of mutant storytelling in Uncanny X-Men with Gail Simone and the upcoming X-Men: Hellfire Vigil one-shot. He also has an interest in LGBTQIA+ representation in comics, working on Marvel Voices: Pride and writing and drawing the Marvel Voice’s Iceman Infinity Comic.

For more information on Marvel’s Stormbreakers, visit Marvel.com.