Gregory #1

Gregory #1 was published by DC Comics in 1992 as part of a brief, experimental push by the publisher to expand its roster of humor-based titles. The series was written and illustrated by Marc Hempel, who brought his distinct, stylized aesthetic to the project. The comic centered on the titular character, a bizarre and misanthropic creature navigating a surreal suburban world, reflecting the quirky, dark-comedy sensibilities prevalent in certain corners of independent comics during the early 1990s.

Hempel’s design choices for Gregory emphasized minimalism and an offbeat, scratchy artistic tone that set the book apart from the traditional superhero narratives dominant at DC at the time. The title was received by critics as a creative outlier, noted for its off-kilter wit and the creator's ability to maintain a unique narrative voice within a major publishing house. While the series was short-lived, it retains a dedicated following among collectors who appreciate Hempel's contribution to the alternative-humor genre within the mainstream comics market.