The MCU’s favorite mutant is officially stepping into the writer’s chair! Superstar Iman Vellani (Marvel’s Ms. Marvel) is making her solo comic book writing debut with an all-new, five-issue miniseries titled CHACHU, launching this August from Image Comics.
If you thought Kamala Khan had a wild life, wait until you dive into the neon-soaked, pulp-novel world of Leila and her estranged uncle. Set against the backdrop of 1979 California, Chachu reimagines the classic neo-noir private investigator story through a deeply personal, coming-of-age lens.
What is Chachu About?
The story follows 19-year-old Leila, a Pakistani-Canadian with a love for film and classic detective fiction. Hoping to bridge the gap with her estranged uncle—whom she affectionately calls “Chachu”—she travels to California.
Her uncle is a semi-retired private eye, once famous for a bizarre twist: he married the very starlet he was initially hired to track down. But when his wife vanishes again under mysterious circumstances, the pair is dragged into a high-stakes road trip that forces them to confront family secrets, unresolved grief, and the very fantasies they built their lives around.
Iman Vellani on Her Newest Mission
Vellani has never shied away from her love for comic books, but this is a personal milestone.
“I’ve always been deeply curious about comics as an art form because of their capacity to hold contradiction—arguably better than any other medium,” said Vellani. “That became especially meaningful to me while writing Chachu, which grew out of this tension between mourning my youth while I still have it, and an incessant urge to come-of-age already.”
She isn’t working alone, though. Vellani is joined by a powerhouse creative team:
- Interior Art: Marianna Ignazzi (Exquisite Corpses)
- Colors: Jordie Bellaire (Absolute Wonder Woman)
“From the very first reading of Iman’s script, I could already picture this ’70s world revealing itself through reflections in sunglasses and rearview mirrors,” said artist Marianna Ignazzi. “Jordie Bellaire’s colors have brought an incredible atmosphere, warmth, and cinematic depth to every scene.”
Collecting the Series
Chachu #1 hits comic book shops on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Whether you’re a fan of noir mysteries or a die-hard Iman Vellani fan, this is a must-pull for your list.
The Variant Lineup:
- Cover A: Marianna Ignazzi
- Cover B: Matías Bergara (1:10 incentive)
- Cover C: Jacob Phillips (1:25 incentive)
- Cover D: Christian Ward (1:50 incentive)
- Cover E: Stealth Variant
Can’t make it to the shop? Chachu #1 will also be available on digital platforms like Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
📢 Join the Conversation Are you excited to see Iman Vellani’s creative vision come to life in a neo-noir road trip? Which variant cover are you hunting for? Join the conversation on social media and let us know!
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