Back of House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Odd Ninja Media Expands Creator-Owned IP Strategy With Release of Back of House

New thriller novel by founder Jason B. Ryan marks the first release in the company's publishing slate, creating another path for establishing original IP and building toward larger film and television opportunities

Odd Ninja Media has released Back of House, a new thriller novel written by founder Jason B. Ryan and the first release in the company's publishing slate. The book represents the latest step in Odd Ninja Media's strategy to develop and grow creator-owned intellectual property across multiple forms of media.

Originally written by Ryan as a feature screenplay for Odd Ninja Media, Back of House was initially developed as a film project. As shifts across the film and television industry changed the pace and landscape for independent projects, Ryan began looking at ways to keep the property moving rather than allowing it to remain dependent on the traditional development process. Adapting the screenplay into a novel offered a way to maintain momentum, introduce the story directly to an audience, and continue building the value of the IP while retaining creative control.

The decision also brought Ryan back to a medium he had explored earlier in his career. Before Jericho Cutter became Odd Ninja Media's fan favorite science fiction comic series, Ryan initially began writing the story as a novel. He completed only two chapters before his growing career in television and film took his work in another direction, but his interest in the form remained.

With Back of House, those interests have come together. Ryan's experience developing and producing film and television now intersects with a longstanding interest in fiction, opening a new content strategy for Odd Ninja Media. Back of House is the first release in a publishing slate that will introduce original stories, establish audiences around new IP, and create another path for properties that may ultimately expand into film, television, and other formats.

"For most of my career, I've thought about stories through the lens of film and television, but I've always been attracted to novels," said Ryan. "When the industry began changing, I didn't want Back of House to simply sit and wait for the right opportunity. Turning it into a novel gave me a way to keep building the property and put the story directly in front of an audience. In the process, it opened up an entirely new way for us to think about developing IP at Odd Ninja Media."

The publishing slate is part of a broader strategy already underway at Odd Ninja Media. Jericho Cutter is currently being developed as an animated series with talent attached. Odd Ninja Media has also completed production on the upcoming horror film Conductor, the first installment in a science fiction and horror anthology series. Together with additional projects in audio, animation and film, these properties support the company's larger goal of building a scalable library of original IP that can expand across platforms while remaining creator-owned. 

Ryan's inspiration for Back of House developed during the pandemic while revisiting episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. A longtime admirer of Alfred Hitchcock and the thriller genre, Ryan has also produced several thriller films during his professional career. The novel gave him an opportunity to return to the kind of suspense that first captured his imagination at a young age while exploring that storytelling through a different medium.

The expansion into publishing is not a departure from the science fiction, horror, and animation that have helped define Odd Ninja Media. It is an extension of the same creative mission. Whether a property begins as a comic, screenplay, novel, or film, the focus remains on developing distinctive stories and characters in-house, establishing their value with audiences, and creating opportunities for those properties to grow across multiple forms of entertainment.

About Back of House

After her father's death, Rose Beaumont spent ten years trapped with Gloria, her abusive stepmother. When she finally leaves, she has a duffel bag, a little money, and a housekeeping job at the Grand Heights. The city's finest hotel seems like the perfect place to start over. But the longer Rose works there, the more she notices things that do not make sense. The staff knows more than they are willing to say. Questions are discouraged. Everyone seems determined to look the other way.

Then Rose is sent to clean the penthouse. What she finds there reveals a side of the hotel she was never meant to see, protected by people with money, influence, and years of practice keeping their secrets hidden.

For ten years, Rose survived by knowing when to stay silent. Now she has to decide what she is willing to risk when silence is no longer an option.

Back of House is available now on Amazon in Kindle and paperback editions.

Purchase Back of House on Amazon

AfroAnimation Summit 2026

APRIL 2026 - Odd Ninja Media founder Jason B. Ryan participated in the “Owning the Vision: How Creators Build and Scale IP”panel at the AfroAnimation Summit 2026 in Burbank, California. The conversation focused on creator ownership, building original intellectual property, and developing strategic partnerships that help independent creators expand their work across animation, media, and entertainment.

Panelists included Eli Harris, Renard Jenkins, Samantha Goff, and Jason B. Ryan, with Tanesha N. Graham serving as moderator.

TheBlkScript

FEBRUARY 2026 - Odd Ninja Media feature in Industry Spotlight on TheBlkScript. Read the full article HERE.

BLAVITY

JANUARY 2026 - Featured article on blavity.com covering the announcement of Jericho Cutter: The Animated Series. READ HERE

TheBlkScript

DECEMBER 2025 - Featured Article on theblkscript.com announcing Jericho Cutter: The Animated Series. READ HERE

Animation Magazine

DECEMBER 2025 - Featured article on animationmagazine.net announcing Jericho Cutter: The Animated Series. READ HERE

AMC Networks/TUBI

AUGUST 2025 - Jericho Cutter makes his “television debut” on the AMC Sci-fi series Demascus. Now streaming on Tubi, Jericho Cutter artwork is featured in one of Episode 1’s most pivotal scenes. WATCH HERE

Comic Logic LOT CON 2025

May 2025 – Odd Ninja Media made its first public event appearance since 2022 at Comic Logic Books & Artwork’s annual LOT CON, reconnecting with fans and showcasing the relaunch of its comic series, Jericho Cutter. During the event, Jason Ryan, creator and founder of Odd Ninja Media, spoke briefly with Rob Kaylin, owner of Comic Logic, about the relaunch and what's next in the series. (VIDEO LINK)

Afro Animation

APRIL 2025 - Jericho Cutter featured at the 2025 AfroAnimation Summit as part of a partnership with I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs. Read More.

BlackSciFi.com

APRIL 2023 - Profile on Odd Ninja Media creator, Jason B. Ryan featured on BlackSciFi.com discusses Odd Ninja’s origins and future releases. Read the full article HERE

AfroTech

OCTOBER 2022 - Odd Ninja Media creator, Jason B. Ryan discussed diversity in comics and animation, the origin of Odd Ninja and the creation of Jericho Cutter with AfroTech’s Samantha Dorisca. Read the full interview HERE.

Odd Ninja Anniversary

JULY 2022 - Celebration of Odd Ninja Media’s 1 Year Anniversary from creator, Jason B. Ryan.

Great Day : Washington (WUSA9)

MAY 2021 - Odd Ninja Media creator, Jason B. Ryan sits down with Great Day Washington to discuss Jericho Cutter, his creative inspiration and diversity in the comic book industry. Watch the full interview HERE.

Variety

MARCH 2021 - Odd Ninja Media writer/creator, Jason B. Ryan featured in Variety Magazine for winning Best Sci-Fi Short in the “Your Script Produced” Season 2 screenplay competition for his Short Film, “Conductor”.

Where’s Buffy Podcast

FEBRUARY 2021 - Odd Ninja Media writer/creator, Jason B. Ryan appearance on the “Where’s Buffy Podcast” to discuss Jericho Cutter, Black Sci-Fi characters and other pop culture topics.

DistrictOfHer Podcast

MARCH 2021 - Odd Ninja Media creator Jason B. Ryan and host, JoJo St. Claire discuss Jericho Cutter, Comic Book culture and Jason's creative journey on this episode of the District of Her Podcast .

Comic Logic Books & Artwork

APRIL 2021 - COVID-safe in-person appearance at Comic Logic Books & Artwork to celebrate the first in-store launch of Jericho Cutter #1. Comics were purchased, autographs were signed, photos were taken… A great experience for all! A big “Thank you” to Rob and the Comic Logic family for their support!

FTO Nerd Talk Podcast

Odd Ninja on Social Media