Comics shipping March 2026
Early news includes a Daredevil re-launch, "Shadows of Tomorrow" in X-Men and '80s Usagi Yojimbo.
MOONSTAR TAKES CHARGE TO PROTECT THE SOULS OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE IN FIRST-EVER SOLO SERIES!
THE LEGEND OF USAGI YOJIMBO IS ALIVE IN THE ’80S WITH USAGI YOJIMBO: KAITŌ ’84
THE X-MEN STAND TOGETHER IN X-MEN UNITED!
HIT MEGAGHOST COMICS SERIES RETURNS!
MIKE MIGNOLA AND RACHELE ARAGNO REUNITE FOR LEONIDE THE VAMPYR: THE HOUSE OF YONDA
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS AND LEE GARBETT USHER IN A NEW ERA OF DAREDEVIL!
DELVE INTO THE BEGINNING OF A GENRE WITH 'THE HISTORY OF METROIDVANIA: DECADE ONE—1980-1990'
LOG INTO MINECRAFT AND OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE WITH 'MINECRAFT: OPEN WORLD–THE ENDER TRIALS'
TAKE A LESSON IN LIVING LIFE WITH THE DARK HORSE DEBUT OF 'THE CREDITS ROLL INTO THE SEA'
DAN SCHKADE’S HIT WEBTOON WEBCOMIC “LAVENDER JACK” COMES TO PRINT FROM DARK HORSE COMICS
MARVEL MULTIVERSE ROLE-PLAYING GAME TO LAUNCH SPECIAL ONE-SHOT MARVEL RIVALS: TIMESTREAM ADVENTURE!
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THE X-MEN STAND TOGETHER IN X-MEN UNITED!
New York, NY— November 20, 2025 — This March, the X-Men come together to build a new way for mutantkind to thrive in X-MEN UNITED! The previously-teased series, part of the line’s upcoming Shadows of Tomorrow era, will be by written by Eve L. Ewing, following her acclaimed work on Exceptional X-Men, and drawn by Tiago Palma, the rising star who made his Marvel Comics debut earlier this year in New Avengers.
The ambitious series unites the entire X-tapestry—from different generations, factions, and eras—under one, eXciting initiative, turning the classic concept of a school for mutants on its head with the introduction of Graymatter Lane! Founded by Emma Frost and with faculty including Wolverine, Magneto, Beast, Rogue and Storm and guest instructors from throughout the Marvel Universe, Graymatter Lane is more than simply an academy—it’s the central hub for mutant interaction across the world and beyond! This venture represents a bold undertaking that requires all hands on deck, but not all of the X-Men are ready to embrace the idea of another mutant institute for higher learning!
WELCOME TO GRAYMATTER LANE… LEARN TO SURVIVE THE EXPERIENCE!
“Build a school,” Charles Xavier told them, and the X-Men have done so—but in a manner nobody saw coming! Welcome to Graymatter Lane, a place where mutants anywhere in the world can come together in unity to teach one another the skills needed for their survival! With the greatest of the X-Men as teachers and a campus unlike any before seen, it’s the crossroads of the X-Universe as a student body from across the globe works to take mutantkind to the next step in their evolution—and to cope with a brewing threat to all of their number!
“X-MEN UNITED forms the center point of the mutant world,” said Conductor of X Tom Brevoort. “Steeped in the tradition of series like Astonishing X-Men and Wolverine & the X-Men, Graymatter Lane is a place where all of the major players in the X world will come together to fight, hook up and hash out their differences. There’ll be action, drama, faces old and new and dangers galore. Which young mutant is critically injured on the first day—and which X-Man is responsible? What secret is uncovered in Sinister’s lab? What distance-separated couple rekindles their connection? And how far will Cyclops go to bring the whole endeavor to the ground?"
“Working on the X-team for the past couple of years has been some of the most fun I've had writing comics ever,” Ewing said. “The idea for Graymatter Lane was a collective one, from lots of writers in a room brainstorming, and it's so cool because the psychic space allows for things to be weirder and more surreal, while still building on the classic Xavier's School energy we've all loved for decades.”
"Unreal! That’s how I would sum up the feeling of working on this new chapter of X-Men,” Palma shared. “And what an honor to get the chance to design the new Graymatter Lane campus. Loved the freedom to really play around with different shapes and super trippy ideas for such an iconic space for the group."
X-MEN UNITED #1 will feature connecting covers by Stefano Caselli, the very piece used at New York Comic Con to announce the X-Men’s exciting Shadows of Tomorrow era! Preorder X-MEN UNITED #1 at your local comic shop today and stay tuned for more news about the series in the weeks ahead! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
X-MEN UNITED #1
Written by EVE L. EWING
Art by TIAGO PALMA
Connecting Covers A & B by STEFANO CASELLI
On Sale 3/11
DAN SCHKADE’S HIT WEBTOON WEBCOMIC “LAVENDER JACK” COMES TO PRINT FROM DARK HORSE COMICS
The tech-savvy gentleman vigilante is here to take on the ruling class
In Lavender Jack Volume 1:
The City of Gallery is a place of science, diversity, and wealth at the dawn of the 20th century. But lurking deep within is a corrupt ruling class squeezing the city for all its worth. Enter: LAVENDER JACK—a devilish vigilante whose fighting prowess and arsenal of advanced technology make him a nightmare for Gallery’s elites. Those pulling the strings aren’t about to loosen their grip on this fair city without a fight, and they have some devils of their own! Collects season one of the WEBTOON series (episodes 1-48).
"I've lost count of how many people have asked me if there was ever going to be a print edition of Lavender Jack,” said Schkade. “Champagne problems to be sure, but it feels amazing to finally be able to put a collection in their hands. And partnering with Dark Horse to do so? A dream. Reassembling thousands of vertical scrolling panels into a traditional graphic novel has been both laborious and rewarding, and whether you're a longtime fan or a new reader, I truly can't wait for you to see it."
Take back the city with Lavender Jack Volume 1 when the 330-page (6.625x10.1875”) paperback arrives in bookstores on March 3, 2026, and comic shops on March 4, 2026, for $29.99. Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookstore or comic shop. Visit Comic Shop Locator or Bookshop.org for more details and stores near you.
MARVEL MULTIVERSE ROLE-PLAYING GAME TO LAUNCH SPECIAL ONE-SHOT MARVEL RIVALS: TIMESTREAM ADVENTURE!
Fans can live out their very own Marvel Rivals adventure in MARVEL RIVALS: TIMESTREAM ADVENTURE, a new one-shot adventure from the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game, on sale March 2026!
MARVEL RIVALS: TIMESTREAM ADVENTURE includes a downloadable Quick Start resource and an official prequel comic to Marvel Rivals!
Fans can pick up a convention-exclusive lithograph from Marvel at Gen Con in room ICC 234.
Written by Paul Allor and Marty Forbeck, MARVEL RIVALS: TIMESTREAM ADVENTURE will give players the chance to dive into their very own Marvel Rivals journey as they join Psylocke, Emma Frost, Jeff the Land Shark, and more of their favorite characters to escape from the Collector’s Museum. The tabletop RPG adventure also includes a brand-new 10-page comic, written by Allor and drawn by artist Ig Guara, that serves as a prologue to Marvel Rivals, the Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter from Marvel Games and NetEase Games that lets players assemble an ever-evolving all-star squad of Super Heroes and Super Villains, battling with unique powers across a dynamic lineup of destructible maps from across the Marvel Multiverse.
Players and game masters will be able to pick up and play this adventure as a standalone experience with the included downloadable Quick Start resources, or alongside the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game: Core Rulebook for a more in-depth experience, making this the perfect place to jump in whether you’re a brand-new fan or a veteran of tabletop role-playing games.
The Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game is a tabletop RPG that brings the magic of Marvel to your game night. Take on the roles of Marvel's most famous Super Heroes—or create your own—to fight some of the most dangerous Super Villains in the Marvel Universe. Along with the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game: Core Rulebook, players can dive into every corner of the Marvel Universe, including The Cataclysm of Kang, an X-Men Expansion, a Spider-Verse Expansion, and the upcoming Avengers Expansion, coming September 17. For more information, visit www.marvel.com/rpg.
Check out the cover of MARVEL RIVALS: TIMESTREAM ADVENTURE by artist Rickie Yagawa and pre-order your very own copy now wherever books are sold! And for fans at Gen Con, they can pick up a convention-exclusive lithograph of the cover from Marvel at Gen Con in room ICC 234!
MOONSTAR TAKES CHARGE TO PROTECT THE SOULS OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE IN FIRST-EVER SOLO SERIES!
This March, an iconic X-Man finally strikes out on her own in MOONSTAR by Ashley Allen and Edoardo Audino!
She’s led the New Mutants, trained the next generation of mutantkind, and flown alongside the Valkyries of Asgard. Now, a threat rises that only Dani Moonstar’s singular talents can overcome! Discover why Moonstar is considered one of the fiercest X-Men as the psychic, bow-wielding warrior embarks on a quest that requires both her mutant strength and her mystical affinity. The series positions Moonstar for an even brighter future, setting the character up for future stories in the Marvel Universe.
DEATH AWAITS DANI MOONSTAR!
When an ancient, soul-sucking weapon is set loose, it’s up to Dani to track it down! But the weapon’s deadly wielder won’t make it easy for her. After recent tragedies, can Dani trust herself to save those closest to her? Or will her self-doubts lead to even more bloodshed?
“I’m so excited to be returning to tell the next chapter of Dani’s story!” Allen said. “She has been such a monumental character in both the Marvel Universe and in people’s lives – exemplifying what it means to be a true leader. I can’t believe this is the character’s first-ever solo series and I can’t wait to show readers what adventure we have in store for Dani!”
“Working on the first-ever Dani Moonstar solo series feels great, especially after reading the Magik run written by Ashley,” Audino shared. “In this story there’s everything I want as a reader—magic, fighting, even a little bit of romance—so getting to draw it is super fun! And on top of that, I got to do one of my favorite things in comics: designing a brand new villain!”
Check out the main cover by Germán Peralta, variant covers by Joshua “Sway” Swaby and Marcos Martin, a Hidden Gem Variant Cover by Moonstar co-creator Bob McLeod, AND a sneak peek at interior artwork. Preorder MOONSTAR #1 at your local comic shop today! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
MOONSTAR #1 (OF 5)
Written by ASHLEY ALLEN
Art by EDOARDO AUDINO
Cover by GERMÁN PERALTA
Variant Cover by JOSHUA “SWAY” SWABY
Virgin Variant Cover by JOSHUA “SWAY” SWABY
Variant Cover by MARCOS MARTIN
Hidden Gem Variant Cover by BOB McLEOD
On Sale 3/4
THE LEGEND OF USAGI YOJIMBO IS ALIVE IN THE ’80S WITH USAGI YOJIMBO: KAITŌ ’84
A brand-new era of Usagi Yojimbo featuring a descendant of Miyamoto Usagi!
Each meticulously crafted issue features a cover by Cullum and two variants including one from Sakai himself as well as a thrilling lineup of artists like Eisner and Ignatz Award-winner Jim Rugg, superstar creator Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), indie sensation David Petersen (Mouse Guard), BAFTA award-winner Kim Hu (Killtopia: Nano Jams), and the unmistakable Daniel Warren Johnson (Transformers) across the series, which begins in March 2026.
“I had pitched a series of Usagi stories spotlighting descendants of the original Usagi,” confirms Sakai. “Space Usagi was the first of these. Now to have a limited series with Kaitō, a 20th century descendant, in Osaka is exciting. This is a wonderful story by Zack Rosenberg featuring characters new though familiar, and beautiful watercolor art by National Cartoonists Society award winner Jared Cullum. This is something to look forward to!”
More about Usagi Yojimbo: Kaitō ’84:
In 1984 Osaka, the bloodline of Miyamoto Usagi lives on through Kaitō, a cunning rabbit thief with a rebellious spirit. He embodies his ancestor's legacy in a way the stoic samurai we know and love never could. A daring new heist for a legendary spear sets Kaitō down a perilous path, forever altering his destiny and placing the fate of Osaka, and perhaps the world, on his shoulders.
“The world Stan Sakai created is one of the most beloved in comics,” said Rosenberg. “Our goal with Kaitō ’84 was to honor that incredible legacy while delivering a high-stakes, action-packed adventure that feels distinctly new. We are truly excited for readers to meet Kaitō and join him on his journey.”
Cullum adds, “I spent much of the early 1990s, as a kid, carrying around a tattered Usagi Yojimbo action figure in my pocket and filling countless notebooks with poorly drawn bunny-eared and bandana-clad stick-figure comics. To say Kaitō ’84 was a childhood dream project wouldn't be correct because I never even fathomed this as a possibility. It's such a deep, humbling honor to play in this sandbox. I wake everyday hoping to improve my craft and focus enough to rise to a modicum of our ambition for the stories. It's only by the grace, generosity and kindness of Stan, Julie, and his family, and the erudition of Zack and Justin, I'm able to continue going about my life, filling notebooks with these little pictures.”
Get ready for a new legend to begin in Usagi Yojimbo: Kaitō ’84 #1 (of 5) when it arrives in comic shops on March 11, 2026, for $4.99. Visit Comic Shop Locator for more details and stores near you.
HIT MEGAGHOST COMICS SERIES RETURNS!
Gabe Soria and Gideon Kendall bring a brand-new arc to fans of the Saturday-morning-cartoon-style adventure!
Since we last saw junior occultist Martin Magus and his undead giant robot pal MegaGhost, they’ve been busy defending their haunted hometown of Dunwich Heights from paranormal threats. But in this new chapter of their arcane exploits, their weird world is about to get a whole lot bigger – and more dangerous! – because their archenemy, the necromancer Ultraghoul, has teamed up with the terrifying Nethergods, evil entities from beyond who want to conquer everything! And when you add some occult teen pop sensations, vampires from outer space, secretive international mystical cabals, wizards and warriors and ancient cults from an age undreamed of, and a host new supernatural kaiju to the mix, the question is this: are Martin, MegaGhost and their allies ready to face these fearsome new foes and save the world?
Find out when the action-packed stories within MEGAGHOST Volume 2 come alive!
“We’ve been dying to unleash this new MEGAGHOST story arc for ages and we’re psyched that creature kids of all ages can finally get their hands on it,” says Soria. “It’s got everything you could want in a comic: Gideon’s jaw-dropping art, giant monsters, an original setting that’s packed with spooky lore and strange mysteries, giant monsters, heroes and villains at odds in rip-roaring adventures, and did I forget to mention all the cool GIANT MONSTERS?!”
“My goal in drawing MEGAGHOST is to combine the campy fun of a classic Saturday morning cartoon with something a little darker, like old EC horror comics and classic horror and sci-fi book cover art,” says Kendall. “Gabe’s scripts are chock full of humor, great characters, and new twists on adventure story tropes, with plenty of room for me to go crazy on the visuals, so fasten your seatbelts – it’s going to be a wild ride!”
So put on your (cursed) decoder rings and prepare your pull list for MEGAGHOST Volume 2 #1 (of 4) in comics shops on March 25, 2026, for $4.99. Visit Comic Shop Locator for more details and stores near you.
MIKE MIGNOLA AND RACHELE ARAGNO REUNITE FOR LEONIDE THE VAMPYR: THE HOUSE OF YONDA
The New Two-Part Comics Event Explores Leonide’s Horrifying Heritage
“I'm madly in love with Leonide and her story,” says Rachele Aragno. “When Mike and I created her, I didn't believe she could have such a vast world behind her, filled with stories, ancestors, and a gothic castle. I could draw her for hours, guided by Mike's words, which gives power to everything he does. These two comics will reveal a new backstory for this little vampire that will help us understand and love her even better.”
“Readers loved Leonide in her first two one-shots, and in this two-parter they’ll be pulled into her web even deeper,” adds Dark Horse Comics editor Katii O’Brien. “Mike and Rachele blend horror and fairytale seamlessly, and deliver a story that is as terrifying as it is charming.”
Fans first encountered Leonide in Mignola and Aragno’s 2022 stand-alone comics Leonide The Vampyr: Miracle at the Crow’s Head and Leonide The Vampyr: A Christmas for Crows, where the young vampyr charmed and terrorised unsuspecting villagers, pursued by an undead priest on a quest to save the world from her bloodthirsty machinations. Leonide the Vampyr: The House of Yonda begins after Leonide is chased off by her latest intended victims. An unwitting good samaritan finds her unresponsive and whisks her away by wagon to a doctor, but when the wagon arrives, the drivers are mummified and the girl is missing, with only a seed left in her place.This two-part story will follow a search for the missing girl’s ancestral home and expose her horrifying family history.
Here’s what Critics have to say about Leonide The Vampyr: Miracle at the Crow’s Head and Leonide The Vampyr: A Christmas for Crows:
“A delightfully macabre experience.”—COMICBOOK.COM
“Not to be missed.”—COMICS BEAT
“You may just fall in love with the vampire child just as the townsfolk did, but luckily we’re safe behind our comic and not in a seaside town on the edge of bad tidings.”—AIPT COMICS
“Pure spooky delight… A delightful and charming follow-up to the newest addition to Mignola's creative stable, A Christmas for Crows takes what worked so well with the previous entry and wraps it up in tinsel - and a sense of melancholy closure.”—MONKEYS FIGHTING ROBOTS
“Mike Mignola is a horror legend. His whole career has been spent playing with cryptids, freaks, and monsters, and Hellboy is one of the greatest horror comics of all time. Here, he gets to play around with a new world and remix vampire mythology alongside Rachele Aragno, a terrific artist.”—DEN OF GEEK
“Oh, this story is glorious. Creepy, murky, and mysterious, but in a classic way. It reads like an old movie script, the intonations, the moods of the characters, the gloomy black and white setting, the rot, the salt.”—FANBOY FACTOR
“Aragno delivers some beautiful art.”—SUPER POWERED FANCAST
“Shiveringly spectacular.”—LEAGUE OF COMIC GEEKS
Leonide the Vampyr: The House of Yonda #1 is due out on March 18, 2026 from Dark Horse Comics. Follow Dark Horse Comics on social media for more news, announcements, and updates.
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS AND LEE GARBETT USHER IN A NEW ERA OF DAREDEVIL!
DAREDEVIL by Stephanie Phillips and Lee Garbett begins in March.
Following a successful debut with Ultimate Endgame #1 next month, DAREDEVIL #1 will also be sold in TRUE BELIEVER BLIND BAGS!
Igniting excitement for what’s sure to be one of 2026’s hottest launches, DAREDEVIL #1 will be the second Marvel title sold in a TRUE BELIEVERS BLIND BAG, which debuts next month with Ultimate Endgame #1. Marvel’s new Blind Bag program gives fans a chance to purchase the issue in special sealed bags that contain any of the issue’s covers, including rare variant covers exclusive to Blind Bags and hand-drawn, ultra-rare one-of-a-kind sketch covers by surprise contributors! Learn exactly what to expect from these sorts of Blind Bag offerings when Ultimate Endgame #1 hits stands on December 31.
Each DAREDEVIL #1 BLIND BAG will contain one issue of DAREDEVIL #1 with one of the following covers:
DAREDEVIL #1 COVER BY LEE GARBETT
DAREDEVIL #1 FOIL VARIANT COVER BY RYAN STEGMAN
DAREDEVIL #1 VARIANT COVER BY ROSE BESCH
DAREDEVIL #1 VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY ROSE BESCH
DAREDEVIL #1 VARIANT COVER BY GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
DAREDEVIL #1 VARIANT COVER BY ALEX MALEEV
DAREDEVIL #1 VARIANT COVER BY DAN PANOSIAN
DAREDEVIL #1 VARIANT COVER BY JOE QUESADA
DAREDEVIL #1 VARIANT COVER BY PABLO VILLALOBOS
DAREDEVIL #1 VARIANT COVER BY DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON
DAREDEVIL #1 250TH HOMAGE VARIANT COVER BY GREG LAND
DAREDEVIL #1 BICENTENNIAL CALENDAR HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY SAL BUSCEMA
DAREDEVIL #1 BLANK VARIANT COVER
DAREDEVIL #1 MARVEL TELEVISION VARIANT COVER
DAREDEVIL #1 VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY DAN PANOSIAN (Available only in the Blind Bag)
DAREDEVIL #1 VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON (Available only in the Blind Bag)
DAREDEVIL #1 MARVEL RIVALS VARIANT COVER BY NETEASE GAMES (Available only in the Blind Bag)
Rare Blind Bag Exclusive Variant Covers by surprise contributors!
Following in the footsteps of legendary creative teams from the title’s esteemed history, Phillips and Garbett set out to redefine Daredevil for a new age! A fresh start that’s perfect for newcomers and longtime fans alike, the new run sees Matt Murdock confront unprecedented challenges—both in his personal life as Matt Murdock and on the dangerous streets of Hell’s Kitchen as Daredevil. Matt will go back to school, taking on a new role as a law professor just as a new supervillain named Omen emerges with a mysterious vendetta against his super hero alter ego.
YOU CAN BURY THE BODIES, BUT NEVER THE GHOSTS!
Hell’s Kitchen is full of secrets – but no secret stays buried for long! As a fearsome new super villain named OMEN has targeted MATT MURDOCK, it will be his alter-ego DAREDEVIL who takes the hits! BUT BEWARE! This mysterious new player isn’t all that they appear – a secret Daredevil will have to learn quickly as he scrambles to settle into a life and status-quo we’ve NEVER SEEN HIM IN BEFORE!
“I’m taking on one of my favorite characters with one of my favorite artists, and together we’re exploring Daredevil's noir sensibilities,” Phillips explained. “Lee Garbett brings so much style and emotion to every page, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner to bring this version of Daredevil to life.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Stephanie Phillips on Daredevil,” Garbett added. “We came into the project together, with a genuine love of the character and a clear vision for the book. Steph is an incredible writer and has absolutely nailed the tone and heart of Daredevil’s world. Every beat feels authentic and DD at its purest - but we’ve got fresh ideas and some big surprises in store!"
Check out Garbett’s cover along with variant covers by Rose Besch, Daniel Warren Johnson, and Joe Quesada. Plus, check out the DAREDEVIL #1’s all-new TRUE BELIEVERS BLIND BAG design. Stay tuned in the weeks ahead for more cover reveals, including those exclusive to TRUE BELIEVER BLIND BAGS, and preorder DAREDEVIL #1 at your local comic shop today! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
DAREDEVIL #1
Written by STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
Art and Cover by LEE GARBETT
Foil Variant Cover by RYAN STEGMA
Variant Cover by ROSE BESCH
Virgin Variant Cover by ROSE BESCH
Variant Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Variant Cover by ALEX MALEEV
Variant Cover by DAN PANOSIAN
Variant Cover by JOE QUESADA
Variant Cover by PABLO VILLALOBOS
Variant Cover by DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON
250th Homage Variant Cover by GREG LAND
Bicentennial Calendar Hidden Gem Variant Cover by SAL BUSCEMA
Blank Variant Cover
Marvel Television Variant Cover
Virgin Blind Bag Exclusive Variant Cover by DAN PANOSIAN
Virgin Blind Bag Exclusive Variant Cover by DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON
Marvel Rivals Blind Bag Exclusive Variant Cover by NETEASE GAMES
True Believers Blind Bag (which may contain these covers found only in the Blind Bags: Virgin Blind Bag Exclusive Variant Cover by DAN PANOSIAN, Virgin Blind Bag Exclusive Variant Cover by DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON, Marvel Rivals Blind Bag Exclusive Variant Cover by NETEASE GAMES or rare Blind Bag Exclusive Variant Covers by SURPRISE CONTRIBUTORS!)
On Sale 3/18
DELVE INTO THE BEGINNING OF A GENRE WITH 'THE HISTORY OF METROIDVANIA: DECADE ONE—1980-1990'
Take a chronological journey through gaming’s least linear format: the action RPG
MILWAUKIE, Ore., (October 9, 2025)—Dark Horse Books introduces the world to Jeremy Parish's in-depth exploration of the metroidvania genre in The History of Metroidvania: Decade One—1980-1990. Parish (NES Works, Virtual Boy Works), the current Media Curator at Limited Run Games and video game historian, pens this exhaustively researched book about the gaming trends of the early 1980s and how those beginnings shaped the initial expressions of the metroidvania concept.
About The History of Metroidvania: Decade One—1980-1990:
Where did these games with heavy role-playing influences come from in the first place? Although the genre's name might appear to hold the answer—a combination of Nintendo's sci-fi adventure Metroid and Konami's monster-movie action series Castlevania—the metroidvania draws from a far wider range of influences.
In this comprehensive account, you’ll see how gaming trends of the early 1980s came together to give us initial expressions of the metroidvania concept, and how the design language of the genre evolved over the course of the 8-bit hardware era. From text-based adventures to coin-op tests of pure dexterity, the metroidvania took its cues from early computer hits and best-selling console masterpieces, evolving alongside the medium itself.
“Metroidvania: The First Decade is the culmination of a project I began more than 20 years ago, back when this style of game had largely vanished and the general public had more or less forgotten about them,” said Parrish. “As a game reviewer, I eagerly signed up for the handful of metroidvania games that came down the pipeline (which, fittingly, were mostly just handheld Metroid and Castlevania sequels and remakes). Once I'd consumed those releases, I began looking back into the past to trace the origins of those games and how exploratory platform action games had evolved over time.
“This book goes beyond simply recounting games created in the style of Metroid and Castlevania to uncover their roots. Breaking down the themes and objectives of the metroidvania format means delving into more primal genres: role-playing games, adventure games, and pure platform action games. The metroidvania genre has become more popular than ever in recent years, and I hope that this book provides a better understanding of what makes it so interesting.”
The History of Metroidvania: Decade One—1980-1990 (hardcover, 232 pages, 9”x12”) will be available in bookstores on March 3, 2026 and in comic shops on March 4, 2026. It is now available for pre-order from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookstore or comic shop for $54.99.
LOG INTO MINECRAFT AND OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE WITH “MINECRAFT: OPEN WORLD–THE ENDER TRIALS”
Minecraft Open World--The Ender Trials Cover
Join creators Rachelle Reyes and Abe Taraky on a quest for the mythical elytra!
In Minecraft: Open World—The Ender Trials:
Best buddies Sarah and Hector have been playing Minecraft together for a long, long time. But after countless adventures, there is only so much two players can accomplish. So, Sarah and Hector decide to join forces with the new kids on the server: Ziah and Olivia.
The four players are fast friends. And then they get a server-wide message: a mysterious Quest Master offers an enchanted elytra, which grants the power of flight, to the first players who can gather four legendary relics. It’s an epic prize, but a gauntlet of challenges and an army of mobs stand between the kids and victory. If they want to win, Sarah, Hector, Ziah, and Olivia must work together to game like never before!
“At its heart, this is a story about friendship,” said Reyes. “Forming a new team is tricky, but it’s the only way to overcome the incredible challenges that The Ender Trials has in store.”
“Working with Rachelle, we wanted to capture that magic moment when a group of players clicks,” confirmed Taraky. “That shared goal of the elytra pushes them to become a true squad, and that’s where the real adventure begins.”
Boot up the server for Minecraft: Open World—The Ender Trials when the 88-page (6 x 9”) paperback arrives in bookstores and comic shops on March 17 and 18, 2025, for $10.99. Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local comic shop or bookstore. Visit Comic Shop Locator or bookshop.org for more details and stores near you.
TAKE A LESSON IN LIVING LIFE WITH THE DARK HORSE DEBUT OF 'THE CREDITS ROLL INTO THE SEA'
Iconic shojo manga from John Tarachine arrives in English
In The Credits Roll into the Sea Volume 1:
Just what are you going to do with the rest of your life? It’s a question everyone must answer, no matter their age. Umiko Chino is a 65-year-old retired woman in mourning for her late husband. Remembering how they used to watch films together, Umiko goes to the movie theater for the first time in years, where she meets Kai, an attractive, ambiguous young man who studies filmmaking at a nearby art school.
They seem to have nothing in common except for this: both of them enjoy looking at how the audience reacts to a movie more than the movie itself at times. Kai believes Umiko has the same deep desire he possesses to experience how people respond to something they made, and challenges her to risk everything by discovering that thrill.
Soon, Umiko surprises herself by enrolling in the same film school as Kai. But sailing into this new sea, she’s suddenly inside the currents of her fellow students’ lives, a much younger generation that she struggles to understand, driven by their own passions and relationships. Who’s experienced in life, and is it old age or observation that brings wisdom?
Does what you’re looking for change when you look with your eyes instead of through a camera lens? Discover your own answer when The Credits Roll Into The Sea Volume 1, the 168-page (5.75x8.25”) paperback arrives in bookstores on March 3, 2026, and comic shops on March 4, 2026, for $14.99. Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookstore or comic shop. Visit Comic Shop Locator or Bookshop.org for more details and stores near you.