WIth Jeff of Earth-J's warning that small-press publishers are going to be harder to follow I'll try to include more small-press here each week. That doesn't help with ordering, but it might help Legionnaires avoid missing books they might miss. If there's a specific title or publisher you want me to include, let me know.
TOP 10 PUBLISHERS
NO. 1: MARVEL COMICS
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: TORN #1 (OF 5, $4.99) is by J. Michael Straczynski (Amazing Spider-Man) and Pere Pérez (TVA, Venom War: Carnage). JMS sets this tale in Peter Parker's days at Empire State University, before most of his supporting cast — the best in comics — was killed off for shock value. Am I bitter? A little.
“JMS wrote some of my favorite Amazing Spider-Man issues of all time (MORLUN FIGHT! DR. STRANGE CO-STAR STUFF!) so when he said he was interested in coming back to Spidey, I had already jumped at the chance and landed bad and twisted my ankle but I’m OK now,” says Spider-Editor Nick Lowe. “Add Pere Pérez, one of the most inventive artists working in comics, Guru eFX on colors and stories of one of the best eras of Spidey’s history?!?!?! HOW LUCKY ARE WE?!?!”
"I am beyond excited to be working on this book,” Pérez shared. “Being a longtime Spidey and JMS fan, this gig is a dream come true. I expected to have fun drawing the Spider-Man action scenes, but Joe is writing such great dialogue scenes for Peter and the supporting cast that I’m enjoying those even more. To sum up, this book is fun, exciting, moving and we even have a new villain!”
DEATH OF CAPTAIN MARVEL OMNIBUS HC ($125.00) collects Captain Marvel #34-62; Marvel Spotlight #1-4, 8; Avengers Annual #7; Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2; Marvel Graphic Novel #1; and material from Marvel Super-Heroes #3, What If? #17 and What If? (second series) #14. I have all this material, of course, most of it in multiple formats.
But do I have it all in place? Do I? DO I? No.
Do I need it all in one place? Do I? DO I? Maybe.
MARVEL: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD AND GUTS #1 (OF 4, $5.99) is by G. Willow Wilson, Al Ewing, Chris Condon, Devnakta Pramanik, Kev Walker, more. This issue features three stories. Two star Blade, one by Al Ewing and Kev Walker, and the other by G. Willow Wilson and Devmalya Pramanik. The third stars Iron Man, by Chris Condon.
RETURN TO PLANET HULK #1 (One-Shot, $4.99) is by Greg Pak and Carlo Pagulayan. If you're following Imperial, you know we've already gone back to Planet Hulk, and She-Hulk is running the place. This one-shot takes place much earlier, during the time Hulk was a gladiator on Sakaar.
“Working on Planet Hulk remains one of the greatest joys of my comics career, and I'm enormously grateful for the love so many readers have shared for the storyline over the years,” Pak said. “This 20th anniversary special is a celebration and a huge thank you to everyone — and a chance to take one more journey into the dark heart of the Green Scar and add to the wild mythos of Sakaar. It's also a huge pleasure to be working with Carlo Pagulayan and Mark Paniccia again — it's like we never left off, and it feels like home.”
STRANGE TALES #1 (OF 4, $3.99) is by Jeremy Whitley (Unstoppable Wasp, Navigating with You) and artist Bayleigh Underwood (Marvel United: A Pride Special, Marvel Action: Chillers). Nico Minoru of the Runaways plays a D&D-type game (Hoosegows and Hydras) that goes awry, and draws in other magic-based characters, like Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange and Wiccan. Bleeding Cool seems to think this is part of a lead-up to making Wanda the Sorcerer Supreme.
"I've always been a fan of the spookier side of the Marvel Universe and to get to play in that playground was a ball," Whitley said. "And to get to add aspects of table-top role-playing games on top of it — who could resist? Then I found out we'd get to see all of the excitement penciled by the amazing Bailey Underwood! Strange Tales is a treat I think all Marvel fans will enjoy!!
'AGE OF REVELATION'
I really don't want to summarize each of these books, nor am I going to read them. I"ll just quote the press releases:
"The world is beholden to the will of REVELATION! Doug Ramsey commands Earth with his voice, creating the Revelation Territories, a new mutant utopia built on an insidious lie. Beneath the surface, rebellion brews and as a ragtag X-Men team strikes from the shadows, Revelation faces threats from within. Welcome to the AGE OF REVELATION!"
AMAZING X-MEN #1 ($4.99) is by Jed MacKay and Mahmud Asrar.
"HOPE THEY SURVIVE THE EXPERIENCE! X YEARS LATER, on the run after a deadly clash with Revelation’s chief assassin, the shattered X-Men desperately gamble everything on one last mission. With help from an unexpected ally, they venture into the haunted ruins of Graymalkin. What they find there may change everything … if they survive."
BINARY #1 ($3.99) is by Stephanie Phillips and Giada Belviso.
"THIS IS BINARY … AND THE UNIVERSE BURNS WITH HER! X YEARS LATER, in the ashes of the old world, to survive she is reborn – a cosmic force channeling the Phoenix itself. With the universe crumbling, Binary returns to save what’s left. But power this great always comes with a price … and the end of everything might begin with her."
LAURA KINNEY: SABRETOOTH #1 ($3.99) is by Erica Schultz and Valentina Pinti.
"THE ALL-NEW SABRETOOTH! X YEARS LATER, she’s taken the name of once-bitter enemy Sabretooth – and fights beside Revelation himself. Why did Laura Kinney abandon her legacy? What secrets does she keep from the mutant world? When loyalty changes, blood means everything."
LONGSHOTS #1 ($4.99) is by Gerry Duggan, Jonathan Hickman and Alan Robinson.
"BUY THIS COMIC, OR ALL OF YOUR FAVORITE HEROES WILL DIE! X YEARS LATER, and Mojo’s got a new game for Wonder Man, Hellcat, Bishop, Rhino and Kraven to play. There are no rules. One survivor wins. The others die. Mojo promises you can vote for the winner with your dollars – but you probably can’t. Mojo cannot promise that any of this is true or that you can even vote, as all decisions will be made by Mojo and Mojo alone, in his Mojo dojo, it’s fame or fatality!"
WORLD OF REVELATION #1 ($5.99) is by Ryan North, Al Ewing & Steve Foxe, Adam Szalowski, Jesus Merino & more.
"THE WORLD OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW IS GONE! X YEARS LATER, what happened to the Fantastic Four? And what horrors plague the East Coast? How does the rest of the world survive the rise of Revelation? And far above, on Arakko, what does Apocalypse think of his heir’s new empire? Discover the far-reaching impact of AGE OF REVELATION across the Marvel Universe."
'IMPERIAL'
IMPERIAL WAR: IMPERIAL GUARDIANS #1 ($4.99) is by Dan Abnett, Jonathan Hickman and Luca Maresca. I assume this is a one-shot. It stars the Super-Skrull, who turned out to be a much bigger character than those '60s Fantastic Fours would suggest!
'MARVEL KNIGHTS'
MARVEL KNIGHTS: THE WORLD TO COME #3 (OF 6, $4.99) is by Joe Quesada and Christopher Priest. Look, a competing future Marvel Universe event! The original creators of Marvel Knights: Black Panther reunite for Black Panther: The Next Generation.
“My approach at Marvel Knights was to ground these characters in ways that would resonate with our audience," Quesada said. "So I asked Priest to get T’Challa out of Wakanda and bring him to America, where our readers could truly see what a badass he was and how amazing Wakandan tech is framed outside of this fantastical city.”
“I always assumed it would take a very special project (and perhaps a herd of Clydesdales to drag me off the sofa) for me to return to Black Panther, the Marvel character with which I am most closely identified,” Priest shared. “This Marvel Knights revisit, and Joe Quesada’s expansive vision for The World to Come, has created unique opportunities for me to say something new with and contribute to the Panther’s legacy while reviving the social and political complexity, pathos and humor, that made the Marvel Knights Panther so memorable. It’s nice to be home again.”
Quesada also spoke about initially learning Preist’s pitch for the series, “The more we talked, the more I realized I didn’t want anyone else drawing this thing but me. Because this wasn’t nostalgia. Priest was writing something new; he just happened to be using some toys from the old toy box.”
MARVEL KNIGHTS: PUNISHER #1 (OF 4, $4.99) is by Jimmy Palmiotti and Dan Panosian. This book follows Frank Castle in this future, who must be at least in his 60s in this continuity. even if his Vietnam service has been memory-holed.
“The secret behind Marvel Knights has always been creative alchemy: the perfect blend of raw talent and fearless storytelling, forged by creators who don’t flinch when things get intense,” Palmiotti explained. “Now, years later, under the iconic Marvel Knights banner that Joe Quesada and I created all those years ago, I’m writing a brand-new Punisher series that’s being lit on fire by one of the industry's most electrifying artists: the incomparable Dan Panosian. This is Frank Castle pushed past his limits into uncharted, brutal territory. Dan and I aren’t revisiting a legend — we’re detonating it.”
“The Punisher is raw, unapologetic and full of the type of grit we don’t often see anymore in mainstream comics,” Panosian promises. “It’s an honor and privilege to illustrate Jimmy Palmiotti’s Marvel Knights return for all diehard Punisher fans. This one is for you.”
“This Marvel Knights: Punisher series isn’t just returning, it's getting ready to make everything else look tame,” Palmiotti added.
'ULTIMATE'
ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER #21 ($4.99) is by Bryan Hill and Stefano Caselli.
NO. 2: DC COMICS
ACTION COMICS #1091 ($4.99) is Mark Waid and Skylar Patridge. It has an over-the-shoulder-stink-eye cover just for Jeff.
AUTHORITY OMNIBUS VOL 2 HC (MR, $175.00): There wasn't much I found memorable in the first run of WildStorm characters at DC, but a book written, at different times, by Grant Morrison, Mark Millar and Ed Brubaker certainly qualifies.
BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM — LIVING HELL DELUXE EDITION HC (2025 EDITION, $29.99): I remember the Grant Morrison book, but I don't remember this one. Is it worth having on my shelf, Legionnaires?
DC FINEST: STATIC — PLAYING WITH FIRE TP ($39.99): The best character to come out of Milestone.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE ATOM PROJECT TP ($17.99) is minor subplot expanded into a six-issue miniseries. It grew tedious for me over time, and did its principals (Ray Palmer, Ryan Choi, Nathaniel Adam) no favors. I'm going to pretend it never happened, and I hope DC does the same.
LIMITED COLLECTORS' EDITION #23 HOUSE OF MYSTERY ($14.99) is pretty timely, given how popular the DC "horror" reprints have been, and the just-completed Nick Cardy month here on this board. Yes, that's a Nick Cardy cover, a re-draw of Carmine Infantino's cover for House of Mystery #174.
SUPERGIRL #6 ($3.99): This may be my favorite Supergirl series ever. Yes, even counting the Silver Age.
'ABSOLUTE'
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #13 ($4.99) is by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta. We don't know much about Absolute Catwoman yet, but Absolute Bane has been built up as a lot more than Batman can handle. And all his friends hate him now, because Bane messed them up so badly. I'm not crazy about unified origins; I didn't care for it in Spider-Man: Chapter One, and I don't care for it here. It's too tidy.
'DC K.O.'
DC K.O. #1 ($5.99) is by Snyder with art by superstar creator Javi Fernández. I'm not reading this crossover either, as I don't read comics for the fights. And I stopped wondering "who would win" when I realized that in any given fight, it's the writer who decides who wins. But I've been hanging on to all the press releases. Here's what co-creators/showrunners Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson had to say.
“DC K.O. is a knock-down, drag-out fight between all your favorite DC Super Heroes in a cosmic tournament to save the universe from Darkseid,” said Snyder, who is writing the main book. “Darkseid has evolved into something bigger and stronger than ever.”
“He’s destroyed the future,” said Joshua Williamson, who will orchestrates the tie-ins. “There’s no future for the DC Universe because of what he’s done — the heroes’ only shot is to stop him in the present.”
“You have to be merciless to win,” Snyder said. “And when you’re out, you’re out.”
“Each level is a new challenge,” Williamson said. “And the tournament will reveal unexpected heroes — some you won’t believe will go really far in the fights. ... Metal was a Batman story, Death Metal was a Wonder Woman story — and DC K.O. is a Superman story. "
"I wanted to tell a story about Superman looking into his own heart of darkness,” Snyder said. “It’s a very personal story wrapped in nine layers of candy exploding in your face."
"DC K.O. is our thank you to the fans,” said Williamson. “It’s not just spectacle — it touches every corner of the DCU.”
“Big events like this capture who we are as creators and characters,” added Snyder. “And what’s coming after? It’s huge.”
Top row, left to right: Power Girl, Superman, Lex Luthor, Supergirl, Black Lightning, Guy Gardner, Giganta, Captain Atom
2nd row: Damian Wayne, Batman, Red Hood, Batwoman, Jay Garrick, Cheetah, Cyborg, Big Barda
3rd row: Plastic Man, Aquaman, Harley Quinn, Lobo, Conner Hawke, Star Sapphire, Vixen, Zatanna
Bottom row: Metamorpho, Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, Firestorm, King Shark, Hawkman, The Demon, Starro
NO. 3: IMAGE COMICS
BUG WARS VOL. 1: LOST IN THE YARD TP ($16.99) is by Jason Aaron (Southern Bastards, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Absolute Superman) and Mahmud Asrar (Conan the Barbarian, X-Men, Batman vs. Robin). A guy shrinks down and finds out what we all suspected as kids, that the bugs in our backyards were organized into armies at war with each other.
DEATH TO PACHUCO #1 (OF 5, $3.99) is by Henry Barajas (La Voz de M.A.Y.O., Helm Greycastle) and Rachel Merrill (Izzy n’ Jean), and colorist Lee Loughridge. This powerful new title is set to launch in October and will blend the cultural defiance of Luis Valdez’s Zoot Suit with the hard-boiled tension of James M. Cain’s Double Indemnity.
"Set against the backdrop of 1943 wartime Los Angeles, Death to Pachuco is a story steeped in historical urgency and cinematic grit. It reimagines the chilling aftermath of the Sleepy Lagoon murder—an event that ignited widespread racial unrest—and explores themes of cultural identity, systemic injustice, and the cost of being seen as the enemy in your own country."
G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #321 ($3.99) is by Larry Hama (Wolverine) and artist Chris Mooneyham (Nightwing, Sgt. Rock, Unknown Soldier). Another silent issue.
“This is another all-silent issue featuring the return of the sound-weaponizing characters introduced in GI JOE ORIGINS #19,” said Larry Hama. “They have developed an air-portable version of their sonic weapon and have mounted it in a stealth dirigible to attack the GI Joe installation under Camp Greer in the Utah desert. Snake-Eyes and Dawn Moreno having been at the sound-proof range in the lowest level of the Pit, are the only Joes unaffected, and must attack the airship by themselves.”
“I’m honored to have been chosen to lend my voice to this series, and this special issue, in particular,” said Chris Mooneyham. “Deconstructing Larry’s vision is always a challenge, and a thrill, and #321 is no exception. I hope our efforts on this title continue to keep ARAH fans coming back for more.”
“300 issues after the historic G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #21, Larry Hama has done it again,” said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. “Joined by the astounding Chris Mooneyham, Hama has captured the magic of the original Silent Interlude with a fresh new spin for a new generation.”
PHANTOM ROAD VOL. 3 TP ($14.99) is by Jeff Lemire (The Bone Orchard Mythos, Little Monsters) and Gabriel Hernández Walta (The Vision, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.) is a mystery "where strange leylines, monstrous entities, and a web of roadside horrors all lead back to a hair-raising conspiracy known as Project Jackknife."
POWER FANTASY #12 ($3.99) is by Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, We Called Them Giants) and Caspar Wijngaard (Home Sick Pilots, All Against All). It begins a new arc this month, which explains the press release.
"This is a book that's run on tension," said Gillen. "Eventually, tension sparks an explosion. The end of the last arc was the match striking, and the THE END OF HISTORY is as big as it sounds. Basically, this is everything I love about ongoing comics, and every month is going to be a hammer blow. It's a concentrated burst of the reason why people read comics monthly."
Wijngaard added: "Excited to be back with our third story arc! The ticking bomb is nearing zero with each issue ramping up the tension in exciting ways as our Atomics brace for an unavoidable fallout."
SACRIFICERS #16 ($3.99) is by Rick Remender (The Seasons, Deadly Class) and artist Max Fiumara (Amazing Spider-Man, Four Eyes, Lucifer) also kicks off a new story arc this month.
SUPER CREEPSHOW SPECIAL (ONE-SHOT, $4.99)
SUPER CREEPSHOW SPECIAL #1 ($4.99) is by Dan Watters (Batman: Dark Patters, Destro), Carmine Di Giandomenico (Absolute Superman), Ryan Stegman (X-Men), Riley Rossmo (The Moon Is Following Us, Harley Quinn), Ed Brisson (Wolverine: Old Man Logan) and Andrei Bressan (The Uncanny X-Men, Dark Ride).
"Combining horror and superpowers is an absolute dream come true,” praised Executive Editor Ben Abernathy. “This all-star group of creators brought their uncanny A-game to stories only Creepshow can deliver, and I think fans are going to love it!”
- Dan Watters and Carmine Di Giandomenico plan a funeral for the world’s greatest superhero, but his return might be the worst thing that could ever happen!
- Ryan Stegman and Riley Rossmo introduce the world to the Grave Ghost, a superhero who must solve the case of...his own death!
- Ed Brisson and Andrei Bressan unleash the chilling tale of what happens when a super serum gets injected into someone who may be more super VILLAIN than hero.
TRANSFORMERS #25 ($4.99) is by Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead, Void Rivals) and Dan Mora (Justice League Unlimited, Superman). This is also a new storyline, launching the third year of the book.
"Holy smokes, I’m writing a TRANSFORMERS comic!” said Kirkman. “I’ve been so invested in this series since the beginning. I’ve marveled at what Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona have brought to some of my all-time favorite characters. When Daniel’s run came to an end, I could stand on the sidelines no more! I just had to get in the ring! It’s a tremendous honor to be a small part of the legacy of these amazing characters. This world has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait for everyone to see what the legendary Dan Mora and I are cooking up!”
“I’ve been a huge TRANSFORMERS fan ever since I can remember, so it’s been a real thrill to come aboard the series with the equally thrilling Robert Kirkman,” said Dan Mora. “I’ve also been a huge fan of Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona, and what they’ve done on this title has literally been out of this world. Drawing my favorite Autobots and Decepticons brings me back to all of the fun I had playing with them as a kid, so I hope to add my own spark to their legacy and can’t wait for fans to see what Robert and I have been toying with for the Energon Universe next!”
"Robert Kirkman and Dan Mora on TRANSFORMERS?! Talk about a dream come true,” noted Executive Editor Ben Abernathy. “I think everyone's going to have their minds blown once they read what these two geniuses are cooking up!”
NO. 4: IDW PUBLISHING
GODZILLA #3 ($4.99)
GODZILLA: HERE THERE BE ALIENS #5 ($4.99)
STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS #12 ($4.99)
NO. 5: DARK HORSE COMICS
AVATAR: THE HIGH GROUND OMNIBUS TP ($29.99) collects stories that are a prequel to Avatar: The Way of Water. Here's a PREVIEW.
CARMILLA VOL. 3: THE ETERNAL TP ($19.99) is by Amy Chu (DOTA: Dragon’s Blood, Wonder Woman), and Soo Lee (The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos, Thundercats: Cheetara). The original is still on my to-read list, and I don't know if I have the first two volumes of this series. Since it's not a direct adaptation, I'm not in a hurry. I always want to read the original before I read the altered version. Especially in this case, where the original will probably be as interesting for its revelation of 19th century social mores as it will be for the nominal vampire story.
“It feels surreal to think, when I pitched the original concept as a trilogy to Karen Berger five years ago that here we are, actually at the end of this fantastic journey, said Chu. “I'm amazed and grateful that our take on this classic has resonated with so many folks.”
Lee added, “This third installation to Carmilla is the finale to the series but not the last of her name. I wanted the visuals to pack a final punch and turn things on its head. It was an honor to bring Carmilla back to life in this retelling and I'm so proud of my team for creating this universe with me. Thank you to the readers who followed through this haunting journey.”
“It’s been such a thrill working with Amy Chu and Soo Lee on their reimagined vision of the legendary Carmilla vampire novella,” said Karen Berger. “This propulsive and revelatory final chapter is a rich and rewarding finale to their multi-part tale of obsession, horror and the complicated dynamic of family connection."
Here's a PREVIEW.
THE GUY IN THE CHAIR #1 (OF 4, $4.99) is by Hannah Rose May (Rogues’ Gallery, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn), Utkarsh Ambudkar (CBS’ Ghosts, film World’s Best) and Guillermo Sana (Savage Wolverine, Lovecraft Unknown: Kadath). A tactical analyst falls in love with the field agent he's supporting. Then she shows up on his doorstep in need of help.
“We met while filming Ghosts and immediately bonded on set over our shared love of comics and comedy," May and Ambudkar said. "The Guy in the Chair is our love letter to both. We hope readers have as much fun reading it as we did writing it. We’re so grateful to our partners at Dark Horse for sharing the chair with us on this one.”
Here's a PREVIEW.
MAGIC ORDER VOLUME 5 TP ($19.99) is by Mark Millar (Civil War, Kingsman) and Matteo Buffagni (Daken Dark Wolverine, Avengers Assemble). It's the final volume in the series, which is being adapted into a TV show. I've pulled the trigger and am collecting the whole megillah in Library Edtion form.
Here's a PREVIEW.
RED BOOK #1 (OF 4, $4.99) is byJames Tynion IV (Department of Truth, The Nice House by the Sea), and Michael Avon Oeming (Powers, William of Newbury). While Blue Book looked at UFOs in the U.S., Red Book does the same from the perspective of the USSR and China.
“Mike and I wanted to do something special with the latest volume of BLUE BOOK and I think you'll love what we have in store for you,” said Tynion. "We're bring our True Weird goodness to the other side of the globe with RED BOOK, where we're getting to dig into the truth behind UFO encounters from the Soviet Union and Communist China from over the 20th Century!" Here's a PREVIEW.
NO. 6: BOOM! STUDIOS
MARIAN HERETIC #1 ($4.99): A Mother Superior and witch hunter becomes the Catholic Church's enforcer to protect her sisters, when the Pope brands her order heretical. Here's a PREVIEW.
MARY SUE #1 ($4.99): A high school girl's fanfic characters come to life. Here's a PREVIEW.
NO. 7: DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
BLUE FALCON AND DYNOMUTT #2 ($4.99) is by Jimmy Palmiotti and Pasquale Qualano. Dynamite sent this interview with Jimmy Palmiotti:
The Blue Falcon & Dynomutt is one of the most iconic Hanna-Barbera shows, and we’re excited to bring it back to comics. Similar to some of our other H-B titles — like Space Ghost — this classic series also follows a superhero arc, which makes it a natural fit for the medium. What history do you have with watching this goofy duo’s original adventures?
I was 15 at the time, and I remember watching them as part of a Saturday morning group of cartoons. I always thought they were silly fun, nothing ever too heavy, and they felt a lot like H-B’s version of Batman with a dog sidekick that happens to be a robot. When I was offered this series from Dynamite, I had to go back and watch the cartoons again, and yeah, they were not the deepest story-wise, but there was a joy that the two main characters had and a connection between them that I thought would be a good story element to explore. Remember, our memories of things when we were young stay with us forever!
The show originally kicked off with Dynomutt leading the way in both the title and being more of the focus in the stories, although the second season switched to the shared title that our series is also using. What is your approach in writing the series and balancing these two characters? Is it a 50/50 share, or are you putting a bit more of the spotlight on one or the other?
I can relate more to Blue Falcon, and he is front and center in the story with Dynomutt starting off as a real dog rather than the mechanical mutt we see in the cartoons. This is not the origin of Blue Falcon, but a story about a man and his dog and their connection throughout a major event in both their lives — things happen that cause Radley to depend on the technology he created to help him out of his situation. By the end of the book, it becomes more 50/50 for both characters, but number one for me in writing this series is that it has to be fun — well, my version of fun anyway. I will say that some of it is much darker than people might remember, but it makes sense to the characters. I updated the world around them a bit for sure.
It sounds like you’re taking a whole new spin on the world of Big City and the origins of Radley Crown and his faithful canine companion, which the original show barely touched on. How would you compare the tone you’re going for with the more lighthearted original cartoon?
My take is not lighthearted, story-wise, but it has its moments where fun and humor are part of their lives, like they are for anyone, no matter how heavy things get. This series is all about relationships — the main one involving our characters, the love life of Radley Crown, and even the villain’s relationship with the world. I always try to answer two simple questions with a new series: What do the characters want, and what do they fear? The answers are all here within their adventure together. I think this book will appeal to the diehard Dynomutt audience as well as anyone giving it a shot for the first time.
Pasquale Qualano is joining you for this series as your artistic companion in crimefighting. How is the collaboration going, and what’s it been like seeing his pen bring your action-packed scripts to the page?
I always find it difficult to work with someone I haven’t worked with before, and the cool part of diving right into this with Pasquale is that I am getting to watch him not only nail it, but also seeing how he gets better with each issue. His evolution in this book is really fun to watch as he starts to make Big City and its inhabitants live and breathe on the page. He has quite the future ahead of him! I am not always the easiest writer to deal with, I know, and he is doing a terrific job. Just wait till you see issue #3 — so impressive!
The Blue Falcon & Dynomutt was also famous for initially sharing a programming block with Scooby-Doo and his gang, and even featuring in multiple crossover episodes. Do you think that famous crew could fit into the vision you’ve built up for this series?
I think it’s an easy fit, especially with the world we are setting up in this series. Those kids and their Mystery Machine would fit right into Big City and the things going down in it! Radly is quite the businessman and inventor, so I think a trip investigating an insurance scam involving a crooked Big City politician haunting city hall would be a no-brainer. I also think Scooby and Dynomutt would be sniffing butts and getting along in no time.
NO. 9: ONI PRESS
HIGH STRANGENESS #1 (OF 5, $7.99) is by Chris Condon, Daniel Noah and Dave Chisholm. A series based on "documented cases of paranormal phenomena." Here's a PREVIEW.
THE SUMMONING VOL. 1 THE ART OF THE CRAFT GN ($19.99) is an anthropomorphic-animal, coming-of-age graphc novel based on the animated short. Here's a PREVIEW.
OTHER PUBLISHERS
ABRAM COMICARTS
FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA'S MEGALOPOLIS HC (160 pages, $25.99) is by Francis Ford Coppola, Chris Ryall and Jacob Phillips. Remember that vanity project that legendary director Francis Ford Coppola self-financed a while ago, that sank without a trace? Well, that calls for a graphic novel adaptation!
“I was pleased to put the idea of a graphic novel in the competent hands of Chris Ryall with the idea that, although it was inspired by my film Megalopolis, it didn’t necessarily have to be limited by it,” said Francis Ford Coppola. “I hoped the graphic novel would take its own flight, with its own artists and writer so that it would be a sibling of the film, rather than just an echo. That’s what I feel Chris, Jacob Phillips and the team at Abrams ComicArts have accomplished. It confirms my feeling that art can never be constrained, but rather always a parallel expression, and part of the bounty we can make available to our patrons, audiences and readers.”
“Adapting Francis Ford Coppola's visionary Megalopolis has been an incredible creative thrill,” says writer Chris Ryall. “Coppola's storytelling challenged and inspired me at every turn, and collaborating withJacob Phillips brought new depth to the narrative. With Abrams ComicArts, we've created something that both honors and expands the world of the original film.”
“Megalopolis is a giant, awe-inspiring tale which insisted I pushed my artwork to new levelsto meet the challenge,” explains artist Jacob Phillips. “A Roman epic in modern day America.”
Joseph Montagne, Publisher of Abrams ComicArts, expressed his excitement: "Bringing Francis FordCoppola’s extraordinary vision to the graphic novel format is an immense honor for Abrams ComicArts. Coppola’s storytelling genius, paired with Ryall’s writing and Phillips’ dynamic artistry, makes Megalopolis a true landmark in the graphic novel literary canon."
AHOY COMICS
ANCESTRAL RECALL #3 (OF 5, $4.99): Ahoy alert!
DEVIL'S DUE PUBLISHING
DISAVOWED #1 (OF 5, MR, $5.00) is by Josh Blaylock (G.I.Joe, Mercy Sparx) and Pop Mhan (He-Man, Nightwing). This is basically "What if G.I. Joe went bad?" In this world "The United Five" fought "Komodo" — read G.I. Joe vs. Kobra — in the '80s, and won. Now the son of one of the originals joins the military to find out more about his father, and discovers former agents called The Disavowed, who have gone rogue.
MAD CAVE STUDIOS
CRUSH DEPTH TP ($17.99)
DARK EMPTY VOID TP ($17.99)
HEARTBREAK HOTEL TP ($14.99)
LAST SESSION VOL. 2: REROLLED GN ($14.99)
TEMPORAL #1 (OF 5, $4.99) is by Stephanie Williams and Asiah Fulmore. Retired temporal thieves decide on “one last job” to get a game console from the past. What could possibly go wrong?
MASSIVE PUBLISHING
ASTROBOTS VOL 1 TP ($17.99)
ASTROBOTS VOL 2 #1 (OF 5, $5.00) is by Simon Furman and Phillip Knott. Based on the toy
JOYSTICK ANGELS VOL. 1 FIGHT OR FLIGHT GN ($24.99)
DRAWN AND QUARTERLY
PHYSICS FOR CATS HC ($21.95): Science cartoons.
FANTAGRAPHICS
DISNEY MASTERS VOL. 27: WALT DISNEY'S GOOFY — SUPER GOOF AND THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. SYCLOCKS HC ($39.99) reprints stories from 1965.
LOST AND FOUND HC (MR, $25.00): Artist Mia Wolff's latest book is a visual narrative is a lament and a celebration of her two closest friends, now gone.
MY FAVORITE THING IS MONSTERS TP BOX SET BOOK ONE & TWO (MR, $79.99): I've been meaning to get these two books, and now they're in a boxed set. Take my money!
UNCLE SCROOGE: FLINTHEART GLOMGOLD'S SINISTER SECRET #1 (OF 3, $5.99): Don't let the No. 1 fool you: This is Uncle Scrooge #461!
WITCHCRAFT GN ($34.99), by Sole Otero, is set in Buenos Aires in 1768. "Three mysterious sisters, dancing at the knife's edge of benevolent and malevolent, lie at the heart of Witchcraft — a maelstrom swirling together horror and comedy, magic and religion, colonialism and indigenous folklore." Here's a PREVIEW.
HEAVY METAL INTERNATIONAL
HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE #3 ($14.99): I've got the first two, but haven't read them. I mean, lately. I might have read a lot of it back in the day.
TITAN COMICS
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #25 (48 pages, $5.99) is by Jim Zub and Alex Horley. It's a single, fully painted, 48-page, standalone story about King Conan.
HEAT SEEKER: EXPOSED — A GUN HONEY SERIES #3 (of 4, $4.99)
LITTLE NIGHTMARES: DESCENT TO NOWHERE #1 (OF 4, $4.99) is by Lonnie Nadler and Dennis Menheere. Based on the Bandai Nemco mobile game.
RETURN TO SKULL ISLAND #4 (OF 4, $4.99)
VAULT COMICS
ATHANASIA OGN ($29.99) is by Daniel Kraus and Dani.
From New York Times bestselling author Daniel Kraus (the horror master behind The Shape of Water, Trollhunters, The Living Dead, The Autumnal and Whalefall) and award-winning artist Dani (Arkham City: The Order of the World, Coffin Bound, The Low, Low Woods).
A recovering addict works at a graveyard for superheroes, and becomes addicted (again) to a substance that comes bubbling to the surface from decomposing superheroes. It gives her super-powers, and she sets out to rid of her city of bad people. But you know where good intentions lead.
DEAD ACRE: BLACK BADGE VOL. 1 GN ($24.99) is by Cullen Bunn, Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle and Riley Brown. Adapts the ebook/audiobook. The protagonist has to work off his time in purgatory by hunting demons on Earth. They make it sound like a terrible job, but really, isn't that better than being in hell? And I'm guessing he can't really die. Again. I'm sure there are some real downsides, but it sounds kind of fun.
Replies
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: TORN #1 by J. Michael Straczynski
CSN reported, "JMS takes readers back to Peter Parker's college days at Empire State University for an unexplored chapter that promises major implication for today's Marvel Universe." Yeah, I remember the last time that happened. And who says Peter Parker's college days at Empire State University are "unexplored"?
DEATH OF CAPTAIN MARVEL OMNIBUS HC - But do I have it all in place? Do I? DO I? No.
Hold on a minute, Cap... you might already have something very similar. If you have MMW Captain Marvel v6 ($75), it collects #58-62, Marvel Spotlight 1-4 & 8, Marvel Super-Heroes #3 and The Death of Captain Marvel graphic novel. In addition, there was a Death of Captain Marvel Gallery Edition from 2021 ($50) which includes Marvel Super-Heroes #12-13, Captain Marvel #1 & 34 in addition to the graphic novel, both of which are less expensive than the omnibus.
Do I need it all in one place? Do I? DO I? Maybe.
If you have either one of those collections, I'd say "no." Check your shelves before you decide.
MARVEL: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD AND GUTS
"Black, White & Blood" evidently wasn't enough; now we apparently need "Black, White, Blood & Guts." Ooh, edgy!
AMAZING X-MEN
No, no... It's Amazing Spider-Man. The X-Men are "uncanny." Get with the program.
X YEARS LATER...
If that "X" as in an unknown quatity, or the Roman numeral for ten? Nevermind... I don't care.
ACTION COMICS #1091 has an over-the-shoulder-stink-eye cover just for Jeff.
I think I posted this one when it was first solicited.
ANCESTRAL RECALL #3
Ancestral Recall is worth all of the various "Toxic Avenger" titles combined.