Top NFL Draft Player Officially Confirms Comic Series to Challenge Marvel, DC

1 week ago 14

Published Apr 24, 2026, 11:01 AM EDT

Patrik Walker is an Emmy Award–winning writer who covers all things Comics & Superheroes. His work can also be found at the Dallas Cowboys, The Sporting News, and CBS Sports, among other outlets. One of the most respected names in his field, he is also a diehard enthusiast of all things comics, anime, gaming and movies — thriving in spaces where discussions involving those or similar topics reign supreme.

Competition is healthy in all things, and top NFL Draft pick Jeremiyah Love wants the smoke from Marvel Comics and DC Comics. The two head honchos in the comic book space have long dominated, but they've had their fair share of worthy opponents as well, not counting each other, such as Dark Horse Comics, Skybound, Image Comics, and the like; and that keeps things explosive for readers.

The same applies in the world of manga with Shueisha Inc., Kodansha Ltd., Kadokawa Future Publishing and Shogakukan Inc., as just a few examples.

After being named the third-overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Arizona Cardinals, the former Notre Dame superstar running back and rabid anime fan unveiled to the world his first-ever comic series rooted in anime, Jeremonstar #1, bringing the NFL, anime and comic worlds colliding together in a way rarely seen.

Jeremiyah Love — Creator & Vision
Jason Love — Co-Creator & Narrative Foundation
Chris Walker — Brand & Strategy
Justin Gabrie — Editor
Price: $15.99 US

Jeremiyah Love Challenges Marvel, DC Tradition

Per the official solicitation: "Jeremonstar started as a question Jeremiyah Love had been sitting with for a long time: why isn't there a sports story built the way anime builds a story? Not highlights. Not a documentary. A real world — with powers, stakes, competition, and a hero who earns his place one level at a time.

It continued: "Jeremiyah grew up on Dragon Ball Z and Naruto. He also grew up competing at the highest levels of football. Nobody had ever put those two things together the right way. So he did it himself.

"Working alongside his father Jason Love, and a team that includes Eisner-nominated writer Karl Bollers, veteran artists Ryan Odagawa and Matteo Illuminati, and editorial strategy from Subsume Studios, Jeremiyah built a universe from the ground up. Issue #1 is out now."

NFL and Anime Collide In Jeremonstar One-Shot

This makes for an intriguing mix of sport and superhuman abilities, clearly drawing inspiration from Space Jam, be it Michael Jordan's original or LeBron James' remake, but bringing the fun to panels instead of the big or small screen.

Love is looking to "blend intense football action with supernatural abilities and fierce competition" for readers, in the hopes of marrying two worlds he love the most in a "sports-anime comic universe" that should be a fun read. Jeremonstar #1 also includes a Jeremonstar: Draft Day Ashcan - Powered by Sharpie Edition ($7 US) that ties directly into Love's roots as a manga reader as well.

So as the former Fighting Irish running begins his new journey in the NFL as one of the highest picks in the current draft, he also begins his career in comics, hoping to gain the atention of longtime Marvel and DC fans looking for something a little different.