REDCOAT co-creator and writer Geoff Johns breaks down the debut of The Northerner and what his arrival means for the book—and the larger world of The Unnamed.
Geoff Johns has spent a career creating legends, and with Redcoat #11, he’s introducing a brand-new one. The Northerner enters the world of The Unnamed, bringing a fresh layer of mystery and mythology to Simon Pure’s immortal journey. What makes this new figure such a formidable force? How does his arrival ripple across the lives of Redcoat, Geiger, Junkyard Joe, and the rest of The Unnamed? We caught up with Johns to dig into the origins of The Northerner, the ever-expanding world he’s building, and what’s next for his ambitious creator-owned universe.
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Q: THE NORTHERNER HAS BEEN TEASED FOR A LONG TIME, BUT HE OFFICIALLY DEBUTS IN APRIL’S REDCOAT #11, RIGHT?
JOHNS: That’s right. Gary [Frank] and I first referenced The Northerner in a single panel back in Geiger #6. Then he appeared in shadow at the very end of the Junkyard Joe miniseries. He’s been part of our long-term plans for The Unnamed, and once Bryan [Hitch] and I started developing Redcoat, we realized he was the perfect character to play off Simon Pure.
Q: WHAT MAKES THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN SIMON AND THE NORTHERNER SO INTERESTING?
JOHNS: Simon is an immortal, powered by magic, who doesn’t care about much—if anything at all. The Northerner, on the other hand, is a man of science, fully aware of how limited his time is, and completely devoted to his mission. That contrast alone sets up a lot of great story opportunities.
Q: WE STILL KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE NORTHERNER—HIS REAL NAME, WHERE HE'S FROM, OR WHY HE’S DOING WHAT HE’S DOING. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US?
JOHNS: Redcoat #11 drops The Northerner right into the Civil War. Simon, as always, is out for himself—he’ll fight for whoever pays him the most. But The Northerner makes it clear that Simon needs to start caring about this war because, like it or not, his fate is tied to the Union’s survival. And while this is the first time Simon meets The Northerner… it might not be the first time The Northerner has met Simon.
Q: WHAT ARE SIMON AND THE NORTHERNER UP AGAINST IN THESE ISSUES?
JOHNS: At first? Each other. Their approaches couldn’t be more different—Simon has no direction, no mission, while The Northerner is nothing but mission. [laughs] But beyond that, Redcoat #11-#13 reveals that The Northerner isn’t the only one trying to influence the course of the Civil War.
Q: WILL WE SEE MORE OF THE NORTHERNER AFTER REDCOAT #11-#13?
JOHNS: Absolutely. By the end of Redcoat #13, The Northerner leaves a lasting impact on Simon—one that will be felt for a long time. And you’ll also see where he’s headed next. His debut is just the beginning of his larger story in The Unnamed. We’re really excited for people to finally meet him.
Redcoat #11 hits comic shops everywhere April 16th 2025.
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