ACTION-PACKED WITCHBLADE/VAMPIRELLA #1 CROSSOVER ONE-SHOT RAISES THE STAKES THIS AUGUST
PORTLAND, Ore. 05/06/2026 — Witchblade series writer Marguerite Bennett (Odin, Bombshells, Batwoman) and Witchblade fan favorite artist and alumni Laura Braga (Future State: The Next Batman, Captain Marvel, Dazzler) team up to bring two leading comics ladies together in an epic one-shot, Witchblade/Vampirella #1. The first of two exciting mashups will hit shelves in August from Image Comics/Top Cow, followed by another jaw-dropping crossover event in the Vampirella/Witchblade #1 one-shot by Erica Schultz (Rat City, The Deadliest Bouquet) and Valentina Pinti (Daredevil: Unleash Hell) in September from Dynamite Entertainment.
“This is the kind of crossover that only works when everyone leans in—creatively and as partners,” said Matt Hawkins, President and COO at Top Cow, in an exclusive scoop with CBR. “You’ve got two iconic characters, two publishers, and a story that doesn’t play it safe. It puts Sara and Vampirella on a collision course where trust is fragile and the consequences are permanent.”
Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher at Dynamite Entertainment, added: “It's been over 20 years since Witchblade and Vampirella teamed up. The previous stories were fantastic, and we needed the right creators to ensure that we were bringing even more compelling stories to the fans. Working hand-in-hand with Top Cow, we were able to do just that. These stories will excite fans and we can't wait to get these stories into fans' hands.”
In this first Witchblade/Vampirella one-shot, Detective Sara Pezzini has seen her share of things that go bump in the night… but nothing like this. When a mutated vampire descends on the city, leaving a trail of blood and chaos, even Sara is pushed to her limits. Just as hope begins to fade, help arrives in the form of a legendary hunter of the undead: Vampirella. But with Sara already infected by the creature’s bite, time is running out. Will Vampirella be forced to stake first, ask questions later?
“Witchblade and Vampirella go together like me and Laura Braga—our story is fun, sexy, ferocious, and full of monstrosity,” said Bennett. “Times are tough and everyone deserves a treat—including Sara Pezzini and Vampirella. ;D”
Witchblade/Vampirella #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, August 26:
Cover A by Braga
Cover B by Joseph Michael Linsner
Cover C by Sveta Shubina
BUG WARS: THE COMING OF THE WARDOOM TAKES THE CARNAGE TO ALL-NEW, EXOSKELETON-CRUNCHING LEVELS THIS AUGUST
This backyard battlefield is even bloodier and more brutal than before
PORTLAND, Ore. 05/04/2026 — Superstar creators Jason Aaron (Southern Bastards, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Absolute Superman) and Mahmud Asrar (Conan the Barbarian, X-Men, Batman & Robin) are back for an all-new chapter in their breakout sales beast, Bug Wars. Bug Wars: The Coming of The Wardoom ramps up the action and hits shelves this August from Image Comics.
This eight-issue story arc continues the savage suburban epic that feeds Honey, I Shrunk the Kids through a war grinder and marinates it in Conan-flavored myth and mayhem.
"Your favorite man-eating bug comic is back for another adventure, one that’s even bigger than before, with new heroes, new villains, new bugs and new exotic locales in the Slaymaker family’s backyard," said Aaron. "I’m so grateful y’all have made this series such a success, because I seriously think there’s enough story here and enough of a fantastical world to explore that I could write Bug Wars until I’m worm food. May we all live to see the dew."
Asrar added: "So excited to be back for more Bug Wars and this time there’ll be more than bug juice spilt. Hope you join us for the madness."
Six months after the Yard ran red with insect blood, uneasy peace is shattered as ancient enemies rise from the Woods, corporate extermination forces close in, and Slade Slaymaker is dragged back into a brutal world where roach knights ride, squirrel armies gather, and survival means choosing your side in a war no human was meant to fight.
Bug Wars: The Coming of The Wardoom #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, August 19:
Cover A by Asrar & Matthew Wilson
Cover B by Christian Ward
Cover C (1:10 copy incentive) by Nicoletta Baldari
Cover D (1:25 copy incentive) by Juan Ferreyra
Cover E NSFW variant by Babs Tarr
Bug Wars: The Coming of The Wardoom will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
In Bug Wars, the Old Slaymaker House is shrouded in mystery. Neighbors whisper about it. Children dare each other to step foot in its overgrown lawn. Exterminators refuse to visit and shudder at the thought of what multi-limbed monsters may burrow in its earth… For Slade Slaymaker and his brother Sydney, it’s the last remnant of their father, a dedicated entomologist devoured by the very creatures he dedicated his life to understanding. Slade, too young to remember his death, continues his legacy with his own love of all things insect. Sydney, old enough to remember the gruesome scene, despises and seeks to annihilate any bug he sees.
When these two brothers’ opposing obsessions clash, Slade finds himself shrunk to the size of his diminutive subjects and thrust into the middle of a brutal Bug War, an earth-shattering struggle that will decide the fate of his family and, perhaps, uncover the secrets behind his father’s gruesome demise.
In Bug Wars, a kid from Alabama suddenly lost in a vicious world beyond his imagining… a world of marauding ant armies, spell-casting spider witches, and beetle-riding barbarians.
Bug Wars is where tiny warriors wage violent battles for dominance over an insect-driven kingdom all hidden beneath the grassline. Both Aaron and Asrar spoke in-depth about the series on the Let's Talk Comics podcast.
The series was first announced at New York City Comic Con last year with a limited edition ashcan that whipped up early buzz with attendees at the show and landed it on IGN’s Most Anticipated Comics of 2025 list before going on to reach massive critical acclaim and multiple sell-outs and reprints.
Bug Wars: Book One trade paperback (ISBN: 9781534329850, Lunar Code 0825IM0459) is available now at local comic book shops, independent bookstores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Indigo, and Waterstones.
Select early praise for Bug Wars:
“Jason Aaron, known for his gritty crime creations Scalped and Southern Bastards, brought that steeliness to the tale… With art by Mahmud that gives vibes of Bryan Hitch and Rafael Albuquerque, the high concept pays off in a layered world and a story that is Honey, I Shrunk the Kids meets Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings. Pop fun.” —The Hollywood Reporter
“An imaginative and ambitious dark fantasy story full of epic moments.” —Pages & Panels
“A cool concept with epic art that is executed well and leaves plenty of mysteries on the table for future issues.” —Graphic Policy
“Gripping story, intricately detailed artwork, and deep thematic depth.” —Comic Crusaders
“If you haven’t heard of Bug Wars, do yourself a favor and go check it out immediately… Off to a really compelling start, giving us action right from the jump and promise of an epic (and violent) fantasy adventure, but also presenting a more delicate story about a family navigating grief and trauma.” —Engadget
“What an absolutely stunning book, everyone. And an incredible read.” —Geoff Johns
"Bug Wars is a beautiful mix of high fantasy, suburban horror and every creepy-crawler under the sun. It'll get under your skin (in a good way.)" —Charles Soule
“Best Comic I’ve read in ages!” —Frank Quitely
"From issue #1 alone, Bug Wars has become my first new favorite comic of 2025. A huge congrats for Jason Aaron, Mahmud Asrar, Matt Wilson & Becca Carey on making such a fun comic!" —Joshua Williamson
"An epic adventure with huge heart—pre-order your copy from your LCS today so you don’t miss out!" —Scott Snyder
DRACULA MEETS BERSERK IN UPCOMING REGICIDE SERIES LAUNCHING THIS AUGUST
PORTLAND, Ore. 04/27/2026 — Fan-favorite writer Patrick Kindlon (Tigress Island, Gehenna: Naked Aggression) and up-and-coming artist Ludovic Lalliat (Akutezoïde) will take readers on a doomed march through Transylvania in the upcoming Regicide. This dark, ongoing fantasy series will launch in August from Image Comics.
In Regicide, a farmhand lives a simple life until village elders insist he set out for the capital with a dangerous stranger. Their mission? Kill the murderous viceroy of Transylvania!
Dracula meets BERSERK in this story filled to the brim with sexy entities and betrayal.
"Ludovic and I are going for it on this one," said Kindlon. "True monster-of-the-issue storytelling where you are guaranteed sensational and sensual battles for the souls of our heroes every month! Violence you can feel in a world so dripping with evil the droplets will hit your head as you read! It's submit to the Impaler or die on a pike!"
Regicide #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, August 12:
Cover A by Lalliat
Cover B by Atomcyber
Cover C by Kerbcrawlerghost NSFW
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