Netflix Bass X Machina

Our friends at Netflix approached us to create the opening title sequence for Bass X Machina — an animated reimagining of lawman Bass Reeves’ life where Western, anime, Afrofuturism and steampunk collide. Working closely with Brian Tyree Henry and the show’s creative team, we crafted a sequence that explores the many sides of Bass: hero, outlaw, former slave, lawman, and machine. The sequence is accompanied by a heart-pumping original track performed by the incredible Janelle Monáe.

We took a trip inside Bass’s mind, imagining the sequence as a fever dream where history coexists with something a little more nightmarish, giving audiences a peek into the moral murkiness of Reeves’ world.

The visual style paired propaganda poster art with bold graphic silhouettes. A restricted red, white, and blue palette captured symbols of America and Bass’ fractured sense of belonging.

Over several months, Brian and the show’s creative team gave us plenty of room to explore. We shaped the story together, giving us a rare chance to work alongside the people closest to Bass and his world.

1 / 4

1 / 6

In addition to the opening titles, we also designed the Bass X Machina logo, carrying the tension between Western mythology and the show’s volatility into the mark.

The logo builds on the visual language of the title sequence. It features a distressed finish that gives the typography a worn, tactile quality, and an oversized X that cuts through the title.