In a year packed with major launches and franchise spectacles, one creator-owned series has quietly emerged as 2025’s most critically acclaimed breakout hit. “We’re Taking Everyone Down with Us” by Matthew Rosenberg and Stefano Landini has captivated both critics and collectors with its unique blend of spy thriller aesthetics, retro sci-fi sensibilities, and surprisingly deep emotional storytelling. With a 9.6 critic rating and multiple sold-out printings, this Image Comics miniseries represents exactly the kind of creator-driven excellence that smart collectors should be tracking.
The Breakout Hit Everyone’s Talking About
A Perfect Storm of Talent and Timing
WE'RE TAKING EVERYONE DOWN WITH US #1
After her mad-scientist father is killed by the world's greatest spy, 13-year-old Annalise is left all alone in the world. Sort of. Her dead dad's robot bodyguard is following her around for some reason.
What started as a creative pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic has become one of 2025’s most celebrated comic launches. When Matthew Rosenberg and Stefano Landini lost their planned Marvel project, Landini called with a simple proposition: “Why don’t we do our own book? I want to do something with a robot.”
That robot concept evolved into something far more sophisticated—a character-driven exploration of love, revenge, and growing up in a world where your father might be one of history’s greatest villains. The series has earned praise for its retro James Bond aesthetics, emotional depth, and Landini’s stunning artwork that perfectly captures the ’70s spy thriller vibe.
Creator-Owned Gold
“We’re Taking Everyone Down with Us” represents exactly what makes creator-owned comics special: established talent pushing boundaries without corporate constraints, resulting in something genuinely unique and personal.
Story & Creative Vision
The Premise: 13-year-old Annalise lives an isolated life on an island with her father, a brilliant scientist who may or may not be doing work to better the world. When the world’s greatest spy kills her father, Annalise is left alone except for her dead dad’s robot bodyguard. Now she faces a choice: try to live a normal life for the first time ever, or seek revenge and possibly overthrow the world order.
The Creative Team:
- Writer: Matthew Rosenberg (What’s the Furthest Place From Here?, Uncanny X-Men, DC vs. Vampires)
- Artist: Stefano Landini (Prodigy, Hellblazer, Daredevil)
- Colorists: Roman Titov and Jason Wordie
- Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Eisner Award winner)
What Critics Are Saying
The series has earned universal critical acclaim, with reviewers consistently praising its unique blend of genres and unexpected emotional depth:
AIPT Comics: “A near-perfect blend of character-driven storytelling and retro sci-fi intrigue… feeling at once new, exciting, and an ode to an era of sci-fi we don’t see much of anymore.”
Geoff Johns (Geiger, Flashpoint): “One of the most beautiful and intriguing new books of 2025.”
Major Spoilers: “Beyond all the evil scientist and spy trappings, at the center of this issue is a complex and engaging relationship between a parent and their child.”
Critics have specifically highlighted Landini’s art style, which evokes classic James Bond films while featuring robots that communicate emotion purely through framing and lettering rather than facial expressions.
Market Performance & Collector Appeal
Notable Variant Covers Include:
- Cover A: Stefano Landini (main cover)
- Cover B: Mattia De Iulis
- Cover C: Joshua Hood (die-cut virgin variant)
- Cover D: Chip Zdarsky (1:25 ratio)
- Cover E: Martin Simmonds (1:50 ratio)
- Cover F: Mattia De Iulis (1:75 foil virgin)
- Cover G: Tula Lotay
- Plus: Andy MacDonald, Dylan Burnett, and Skottie Young variants
Why This Series Matters
The Perfect Creator-Owned Investment
“We’re Taking Everyone Down with Us” checks every box for what makes a creator-owned comic a smart long-term investment:
Proven Creative Team: Rosenberg’s previous creator-owned works like “What’s the Furthest Place From Here?” and “4 Kids Walk Into a Bank” have shown sustained collector interest. Landini’s distinctive art style creates immediate visual appeal.
Critical Darling Status: The 9.6 rating puts this series in rare territory for sustained critical praise across multiple issues. Critics have consistently highlighted its unique voice and exceptional execution.
Market Performance: Multiple printings within months of launch indicate genuine demand rather than artificial scarcity. The extensive variant program shows Image Comics’ confidence in the title’s commercial viability.
Genre Appeal: The blend of spy thriller, sci-fi, and coming-of-age elements creates broad appeal across multiple collector demographics.
Publication Schedule & Collection Strategy
Remaining Issues:
- Issue #4: June 25, 2025 ✅ (Recently Released)
- Issue #5: August 27, 2025
- Issue #6: September 24, 2025 (Series Finale)
- Trade Paperback: December 9, 2025
Collection Strategy: Early issues, especially #1 with its multiple printings and variants, represent the strongest investment potential. The Chip Zdarsky (1:25), Martin Simmonds (1:50), and Mattia De Iulis foil (1:75) variants are already showing premium secondary market activity.
The Bigger Picture: Creator-Owned Excellence
Industry Significance
“We’re Taking Everyone Down with Us” represents a broader trend of established creators moving to creator-owned work and producing some of their career-best material. Like “Saga,” “The Walking Dead,” and “Invincible” before it, this series demonstrates how creative freedom can result in both critical acclaim and commercial success.
What Makes It Special:
- Personal Vision: Born from the creators’ desire to tell their own story without corporate interference
- Genre Innovation: Successfully blends spy thriller with coming-of-age and sci-fi elements
- Emotional Depth: Uses action and adventure to explore complex family dynamics
- Visual Identity: Landini’s art creates a distinctive look that feels both retro and contemporary
Why Collectors Should Pay Attention
Immediate Factors:
- Consistent critical acclaim across all published issues
- Strong sales performance driving multiple printings
- Extensive variant cover program from top-tier artists
- Creator pedigree with proven track record
Long-Term Potential:
- Rosenberg’s creator-owned works typically show sustained value growth
- Distinctive art style creates lasting visual appeal
- Limited six-issue run prevents oversaturation
- Genre blend appeals to multiple collector demographics
The Bottom Line
In a market often dominated by franchise spectacles and nostalgic reboots, “We’re Taking Everyone Down with Us” stands out as a reminder of what makes creator-owned comics special. Matthew Rosenberg and Stefano Landini have crafted something genuinely unique—a series that honors classic spy thriller traditions while telling a thoroughly modern story about family, choice, and growing up in extraordinary circumstances.
The critical consensus is clear: this is one of 2025’s best comic series. The market response has been equally emphatic, with multiple printings and strong variant performance indicating genuine collector demand. For collectors who appreciate the artistry and investment potential of exceptional creator-owned work, “We’re Taking Everyone Down with Us” represents exactly the kind of series that defines collecting excellence.
With only two issues remaining in this six-issue arc, now is the perfect time to jump aboard what many consider 2025’s most underrated comic success story. Whether you’re drawn by the critical acclaim, the distinctive artwork, or the proven track record of its creators, this series deserves a place in any serious comic collection.
“We’re Taking Everyone Down with Us” isn’t just taking down its fictional world order—it’s taking down the notion that the best comics always come from the biggest publishers.