Grammy-winning reggae icon Shaggy is charting bold new creative waters, stepping beyond music to inspire a supernatural graphic novel that reimagines Jamaica’s legendary Port Royal as a swagger-soaked pirate epic. Titled The Port, the forthcoming release transforms the infamous Caribbean city into a dark fantasy playground, with a pirate captain directly modelled on Shaggy’s unmistakable bravado, marking a striking expansion of the artist’s global storytelling footprint. Audience region: Caribbean / Global.
Set to debut in 2026, The Port introduces readers to Artemis Slay, a zesty, sharp-tongued pirate captain inspired by Shaggy’s larger-than-life presence. Written by acclaimed comic book creator Rodney Barnes, with artwork by Jason Shawn Alexander, the graphic novel follows Slay and his ghostly crew as they escape the death realm and descend upon Port Royal, once dubbed the “wickedest city on earth.” The supernatural tale blends Caribbean history, fantasy, music and suspense, unfolding in a city where buried sins and restless souls collide in a narrative of redemption, rebellion and rhythm.
Shaggy, born Orville Richard Burrell, says the project offered a thrilling creative challenge. “I love the concept and story of The Port. It’s an unpredictable adventure that takes place in the Caribbean, but not how you might expect,” the Grammy Award winner shared, describing the experience as both “scary and fun.” Barnes echoed the sentiment, noting that Port Royal’s legacy made it the perfect backdrop. “The story of Port Royal is both intriguing and terrifying, and no place on earth is more interesting than the island of Jamaica,” he said, adding that collaboration fuels his best work.
The graphic novel also signals the first step in a wider creative alliance between Barnes, Shaggy and CherryTree Music Company CEO Martin Kierszenbaum. The Port will be published by Zombie Love Studios, founded by Barnes, who previously collaborated with Alexander on the Eisner Award-nominated horror series Killadelphia. With its rich Caribbean setting and pop-culture edge, The Port positions Shaggy not just as a reggae legend, but as a growing force in global pop storytelling, with more cross-media adventures likely on the horizon.
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