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Artyom Aramovich Gabrelyanov (born February 9, 1987) is a Russian entrepreneur, publisher, screenwriter, comic book writer, and founder of Bubble Comics, Russia’s first and largest original comic book publishing house. Best known for his work on Major Grom, Demonslayer (Besoboy), and Red Fury, Gabrelyanov has helped reshape the Russian pop cultural landscape by developing a local superhero universe inspired by cinematic traditions. He is also the founder and producer behind Bubble Studios, which brought Russia its first mainstream superhero blockbuster.
Infobox: Artyom Gabrelyanov
- Full Name: Artyom Aramovich Gabrelyanov
- Born: February 9, 1987, Ulyanovsk, Russia
- Occupation: Writer, Screenwriter, Publisher, Producer
- Active Years: 2006–present
- Known For: Major Grom, Bubble Comics, Demonslayer, Bubble Studios
- Parents: Aram Gabrelyanov, Galina Kolesova
- Siblings: Ashot Gabrelyanov (brother)
Biography
Early Life and Journalism Background
Born in the city of Ulyanovsk, Artyom Gabrelyanov grew up in a household deeply rooted in journalism and media. His father, Aram Gabrelyanov, is a well-known media magnate and the founder of News Media Holdings. His mother, Galina Kolesova, was also involved in journalism. In 1996, the family relocated to Moscow, which became a turning point in Artyom’s personal and professional development.
Artyom showed an early interest in writing and storytelling, beginning his career as a journalist while still in high school. He contributed to student-run media, and his work soon appeared in popular Russian lifestyle magazines including FHM, Men’s Health, and PSM. From 2006 to 2009, he wrote for Life News and the website Spidermedia.ru. During this time, he also edited the student magazine Exclusive and built a network of peers in the media and creative industries.
Gabrelyanov pursued formal education in media, graduating from the Faculty of Journalism at Moscow State University in 2009, specializing in new media and communications. Though initially aspiring to study film direction at VGIK, he was not admitted. Nevertheless, his passion for storytelling remained, and he decided to explore comics as a cinematic yet accessible narrative medium.
Establishing Bubble Comics
In 2011, leveraging support from his father’s media company, Gabrelyanov launched Bubble Comics as an imprint of News Media Holdings. The first publication under Bubble was a satirical comic magazine featuring titles like Dick Adequate, Bruce Unstoppable, and Gastarbanime, parodying Russian social, political, and celebrity life. Despite initial enthusiasm, the magazine struggled to gain traction and ceased publication within a year. The experience served as a learning moment, and Artyom resolved to move away from satire toward high-stakes action, fantasy, and superhero genres.
This pivot led to the creation of Bubble’s flagship titles: Major Grom, Demonslayer, Red Fury, Friar, Time of the Raven, and Meteor. These interconnected narratives laid the foundation for Russia’s first superhero comic universe. Gabrelyanov served as lead writer or co-writer on most early titles and helped recruit a talented team of artists and editors including Roman Kotkov, Natalia Devova, and Evgeny Fedotov.
Bubble Comics quickly garnered a loyal fanbase. The publisher gained notoriety for its polished artwork, gripping narratives, and cinematic pacing, and was widely credited with reviving interest in comics among Russian youth. Gabrelyanov also embraced international influences while maintaining a uniquely Russian perspective, drawing comparisons to Marvel and DC while remaining rooted in local themes.
Controversies and Political Discourse
Despite his commercial success, Gabrelyanov faced criticism over the political subtext in Major Grom. The initial antagonist, the Plague Doctor, targeted corrupt officials and wore a white ribbon—symbolic of anti-government protests in Russia. These narrative choices led critics to accuse Gabrelyanov of promoting pro-Kremlin propaganda. Even his father, known for pro-government affiliations, expressed concerns over the comic’s interpretation.
Artyom responded by clarifying that the Plague Doctor was conceived as a complex anti-hero rather than a political symbol. The character’s use of protest imagery was intended to provoke debate rather than endorse any political ideology. He admitted to initially making the character too charismatic and later reshaped him into a villainous figure who manipulated public sentiment for violent ends. Subsequent issues avoided overt political themes in favor of more universal narratives.
In interviews, Gabrelyanov has distanced himself from political affiliations. He has criticized both the Russian establishment and liberal opposition, describing his political stance as independent. He has stated that his views align most closely with those of the U.S. Democratic Party, advocating for progressive values and artistic freedom.
Bubble Studios and the Move to Cinema
From the beginning, Artyom envisioned bringing his characters to the silver screen. Inspired by Marvel’s success with its cinematic universe, Gabrelyanov sought to create a similar synergy between comics and film. Together with Roman Kotkov, he co-founded Bubble Studios, a film production company dedicated to adapting Bubble Comics titles into motion pictures.
The studio’s first project was the short film Major Grom (2017), which served as a proof of concept. It was followed by a teaser trailer (Major Grom: Paper Airplanes) and culminated in the 2021 release of Major Grom: Plague Doctor, a full-length feature that premiered on Netflix and garnered international attention. The film was praised for its high production values and unique tone, balancing action, drama, and stylized visuals.
Bubble Studios announced an ambitious roadmap: to release seven films based on its comic book IPs over the next ten years. The next major project is Fury, slated for release in 2026, centered around the character Red Fury, a Russian secret agent with superhuman abilities. Bubble Studios is also exploring animated adaptations, television series, and gaming partnerships to further expand the Bubble universe.
Filmography
- 2017: Major Grom (short) – Writer, Producer
- 2017: Major Grom: Paper Airplanes (teaser) – Writer, Producer
- 2021: Major Grom: Plague Doctor – Writer, Producer
- 2026 (planned): Fury – Producer
Bibliography
Gabrelyanov has contributed as a principal writer and creative lead to multiple Bubble Comics series:
- Major Grom – Interconnected arc of police detective Igor Grom fighting crime in St. Petersburg
- Demonslayer (Besoboy) – Story of a man who battles demons to atone for his dark past
- Red Fury (Krasnaya Furiya) – Adventures of a super-powered Russian agent
- Friar (Inok) – Historical fantasy series mixing religion and martial arts
- Time of the Raven (Vremya Vorona) – Dark mythological saga
- Meteor (Meteora) – Sci-fi odyssey following an interstellar fugitive
Personal Views and Public Image
Although Artyom Gabrelyanov is often associated with his father’s media empire, he has consistently asserted his creative independence. He has spoken publicly about the generational and ideological disagreements between them, noting that they often engage in heated debates. Gabrelyanov describes himself as apolitical in practice and driven primarily by storytelling rather than ideological messaging.
His public image blends the entrepreneurial ambition of a tech founder with the creative zeal of a comic book auteur. He is admired for bringing high-quality, original Russian storytelling to mainstream audiences and for building a homegrown media empire with global ambitions.
Legacy and Influence
Artyom Gabrelyanov’s influence on Russian pop culture is considerable. By founding Bubble Comics and Bubble Studios, he laid the groundwork for a modern Russian superhero genre and opened new avenues for domestic creators. His model—using comics as a springboard for multimedia storytelling—mirrors that of Western giants but adapts it to the Russian cultural landscape.
He has helped foster a new generation of Russian writers, artists, and filmmakers who see comics not as niche entertainment but as a viable medium for national storytelling. Bubble’s characters now serve as cultural touchstones for young readers and viewers across the Russian-speaking world. Through comics, short films, feature-length movies, and a robust transmedia presence, Gabrelyanov has redefined what is possible in Russia’s entertainment industry.
Bubble Studios’ continued development and future projects will likely cement his status as a pioneer of Russian superhero cinema and graphic literature. Whether in print or on screen, the universe he created is poised to grow for years to come.
