BATMAN #12
(W) Matt Fraction (A/CA) Jorge Jimenez
SIX ASSASSINS. ONE CITY. COUNTLESS WAYS TO DIE!
Six of the world's deadliest killers have descended on Gotham City at once — but who hired them, and who's the target? Surely, it can't be the Batman... As the Caped Crusader races to uncover who set this deadly plan in motion, the late Alfred Pennyworth provides a gift from beyond the grave with the arrival of a brilliant new ally to the Bat-Family at a time when it needs one most.
Batman has a new butler and it's a Pennyworth. I guess they're going to keep poor ol' Alfie dead a while longer. Maybe until I'm dead, and then, as far as I'd be concerned, it would be forever!
Boy, I'm a little morbid this morning. But hey, check out that Neal Adams-era logo! That certainly makes me feel young again.
BATMAN ARKHAM CLAYFACE TP (2026 EDITION)
I had to look it up (the solicitation didn't say), but this book collects Detective Comics #40, 298 and 478; Outsiders #21; Secret Origins #44; Batman #550; Catwoman #4; Batman: Gotham Knights #23 and 69–71; and Batman Villains Secret Files #1. That's a nice package, including at least three Clayfaces — Basil Karlo, Matt Hagen and Preston Payne. For my part, I've read them all already, so I don't need this book. But I would like to read all Clayface chronologically (to get it straight in my head), so I'll hope and wait for a DC Finest.
And where are World's Finest Comics #140 and 144? Those were my favorite Hagen stories.
BIMBO AGITPROP TP
(W/A/CA) Raquelle Jac
Bimbo Agitprop captures the reality of growing up in West Texas in the early 21st century, through Satanic Panics, Y2K, a recession, abusive parents, shitty men, identity-centric politics, and woke/anti-woke pendulum swings. Reflective of the author’s era (born in the late 1990s) of hyperindividualist over-sharing of late 2010s internet, while being firmly grounded in the unfiltered, handmade, radically anti-establishment art of the 1960s underground comix, Raquelle Jac keeps her wounds fresh and open to both remember the past and protect herself in the future. At turns explicit, hilarious, profane, and defiant, Bimbo Agitprop is both an act of self-preservation and a call to arms. Jac boldly embraces frivolity, “bimboism,” comedy, memory, and storytelling to interrogate reality in the 2020s, ping-ponging among relationships, psychedelic trips, good sex, bad sex, romance, and trauma. Her dense, obsessive pages read like a manifesto, announcing the arrival of a remarkable new voice in comics.
As I’ve said before, this sort of retro comix material doesn’t appeal to me (any more). But for someone, it’s their first taste of the wild freedom of that genre (which includes the freedom to fail spectacularly), and it will be a revelation. I was about 14 when Zap Comix, Bizarre Sex and Slow Death blew my punkin mind.
BLADE RUNNER BLACK LOTUS: LAS VEGAS
Author: Nancy A. Collins
Artist: Jesus Hérvas
Publisher: Titan Comics
SC, 112 pages, FC, $17.99
ISBN: 9781787738478
This all-new series is a continuation of the Anime TV series, Black Lotus, which first introduced audiences to the deadly Replicant combat model Elle — The Black Lotus Killer — and is a must for ALL Blade Runner fans.
Blade Runner Black Lotus: Las Vegas sees Elle continue her search for answers about her mysterious past and takes her to the irradiated city of Las Vegas (later seen in Blade Runner 2049), a sand-choked ghost town of forgotten memories following the detonation of a dirty bomb. There she finds a community of Replicants, all former hospitality models from the old casinos now abandoned and living as embodiments of ancient Egyptian and Roman royalty. Meanwhile, Niander Wallace, smarting from his last encounter with Elle, has dispatched a seasoned kill team to bring back her head.
Collecting issues #1-4 of the critically acclaimed, smash hit series Blade Runner Black Lotus: Las Vegas
I didn't read this in monthly form, but now that it's collected, I plan to. This version of Las Vegas shows more than a hint of similarity to the one in Geiger, but sounds better.
I would love to post the preview, but it presents like this:
It's fine when you look at it on the screen. But when posted, it turns purple and green. Anybody know why? A lot of downloaded art goes green and purple on me. I used to just overwrite it in Photoshop (open>export under same name>replace), which would somehow fix it. Which probably means a bad setting or color profile. Something common, that crops up among many publishers. But I'm not savvy enough to know more than that. And I'm currently without Photoshop, so suggestions are welcome.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #14
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Penciller Ton Lima
Cover Artist Valerio Schiti
A SOUL FOR A SOUL ... Bound together in an unfamiliar war zone, Captain America and Victor Von Doom are after the ANTIDIVINE - a sword powerful enough to destroy MEPHISTO. But someone else also has their eyes on the weapon! Can Steve stop Doom's first love from destroying Victor as his own soul hangs in the balance?
So, Steve and Vic aren't really teaming up, which is a relief. Instead, they're working in the same direction, in parallel ways. And they wouldn't even be doing that, except Doom is such a master manipulator of circumstance that currently that's the only way forward.
CHACHU #1 (OF 5)
(W) Iman Vellani (A) Marianna Ignazzi, Jordie Bellaire (CA) Marianna Ignazzi
SERIES PREMIERE 1979. Leila, a 19-year-old Pakistani-Canadian girl, stands on the cusp of adulthood, eager to experience the “real world” for the first time. With a head full of Hollywood dreams and a penchant for pulp novels, she ventures to California to connect with her estranged uncle — her “Chachu” — a middle-aged, semi-retired private eye who gained brief fame after marrying the starlet he was initially hired to find. But when Chachu’s wife goes missing once again, the two are forced on an impromptu road trip to track her down — with Leila navigating young adulthood and Chachu confronting his own mortality and regrets. Inspired by her own coming-of-age experiences in the entertainment industry, CHACHU is the solo writing debut of superstar IMAN VELLANI (Ms. Marvel), a reinterpretation of the classic neo-noir private investigator story brilliantly illustrated by MARIANNA IGNAZZI (EXQUISITE CORPSES) and colored by JORDIE BELLAIRE (Absolute Wonder Woman).
A first issue by Image is always worth a look, and this one looks fun. Plus, I like the art in the preview. It's written by Ms. Marvel star Iman Vellani, whom you will be shocked to learn is Pakistani-Canadian, just like her protagonist. What a coincidence!
CONAN AND DRAGONERO #4 (OF 7)
(W) LUCA ENOCH, STEFANO VIETTI
(A) LORENZO NUTI
Cover A: Patch Zircher
Cover B: Lorenzo Nuti
Cover C: Patch Zircher - Virgin Cardstock Variant ($6.99)
Cover D: Patch Zircher - Foil Variant ($14.99)
PUBLISHER: TITAN COMICS & HEROIC SIGNATURES
FC, 32pp, $4.99, IN-STORES: 5 AUGUST 2026
Pulled to the mysterious land of Erondár by dark forces, Conan comes face to face with the famed dragon slayer, Dragonero, and the two warriors must set aside suspicion to stand back-to-back against a supernatural force poised to doom both their worlds.
Here's another book I'm tradewaiting. I don't know what Dragonero is, but I suspect it has something to do with video games. I don't really care. Titan's Conan is usually worth the price of admission.
DC FINEST: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA CRISIS ON EARTH-X TP
(W) Len Wein, Cary Bates, Martin Pasko, Various (A) Dick Dillin, Frank McLaughlin, Various (CA) Nick Cardy
THE JLA AND THE JSA JOURNEY TO EARTH-X! In this volume, members of the JLA and JSA from Earth-2 are unexpectedly transported to Earth-X, where they must help that world's heroes defeat a Nazi regime that won World War II. But it's not all danger and doom, for amidst the chaos, the JLA finds time to save Christmas and attend an intergalactic wedding! Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #103-132.
Speaking of DC Finest, here's a lovely collection from a run of Justice League of America I remember fondly. Of course, I was about 15 at the time, so take that for what it's worth. And, coincidentally, I'm discussing Roy Thomas' re-write of the Earth-X story over in The Massive, Extravagant, Over-the-Top Golden Age JSA Re-Read thread this week.
DEATH VIGIL (2026) #1 (OF 6)
(W/A/CA) Stjepan Sejic
NEW STORY ARC The smash hit series is back! Bad news: You're dead. Good news: You can join a band of Death Knights and help protect the world from necromancers and cosmic horror. The pay's not great, but you'll love your co-workers. So grab your spirit weapon and prepare for battle against the Primordial Enemy — join Death Vigil today! From critically acclaimed creator STJEPAN ŠEJIC (STJEPAN ŠEJIC, RAVINE, APHRODITE lX, WITCHBLADE, Harleen) comes the exciting return of his creator-owned series DEATH VIGIL! The story of modern age Death knights locked in an ongoing war against the ever-growing power of the ravenous primordial Elder Gods. The only catch is you have to die first. Become a corporeal immortal Death Knight, and obtain reality-altering weaponry in the never-ending battle between good and evil!
There was a volume one of Death Vigil a while back, but I didn't read it. I do usually like Sepjic's work, so I don't know why I didn't.
DEVIL’S DUE PRESENTS: LOVEBUNNY & MR. HELL #1 (ONE-SHOT)
(W) Tim Seeley, Brendan Hay (A) Tim Seeley (CA) Tim Seeley, Josh Blaylock
Tim Seeley homages his original Lovebunny cover from 2002! Before Seeley’s other famous duo, Cassie & Vlad, there was Beth Bowers and Mr. Hell! Beth Bowers, aka Lovebunny, is a well intentioned but slightly ditsy super-heroine trying to make it in the world, but her side kick/roommate/pet, Mr. Hell, can make things complicated. This commemorative re-release showcases the original publication of creator Tim Seeley’s Lovebunny & Mr. Hell one-shot through Devil’s Due in 2002, presented in its original black and white format! Featuring brand new covers, as well as upgrades of the classics.
It’s unlikely I’ll ever see a copy of this, but points for the title.
FANTASTIC FOUR #15
Writer Ryan North
Cover Artist Humberto Ramos
It's the 65th anniversary of The Fantastic Four, and to celebrate, we've got an extra-large, extra-fantastic adventure for you starring everyone's favorite adventurers, spanning centuries of history and a universe of scientific progress! The Fantastic Four have been defeated: with their personal arrows of time reversed, they're careening into the past with no hope of salvation — unless a complete stranger can find out what they need. But even if she does, that will only get them halfway home, because there's still a threat in the present that's waiting to kill them — and that's IF they can arrive there alive! This is one issue you won't want to miss — because you'll have to wait 65 years for ANYTHING like it. PLUS: Johnny's mustache saves New York City?!
I've been getting this series because I enjoy North's take on the team. (I've even grown to appreciate Johnny's mustache. The guy can't stay a hot-rod-lovin' '60s teenager forever, and needs to develop a more modern persona — something which North seems to recognize.) I don't see a page count on this one, but they say it's extra-size.
My one complaint is that Sue Richards has become so powerful, she doesn't need the rest of the team. I like her power upgrade, and the clever ways writers are using it. But Johnny has desperately needed a power upgrade for years (fire was cool in the '40s, not so much the 21st century) and now even Ben is becoming superfluous. You remember him — he used to be the star of the book!
FANTASTIC FOUR 65TH ANNIVERSARY COVERS #1
Celebrating 65 years of the World's Greatest Comics Magazine! Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, Human Torch and the Thing star alongside their closest allies and most frightful foes as every single main FANTASTIC FOUR cover is brought together in a stunning gallery across the pages of a single comic book! That's more than 700 covers illustrated by the industry's finest talents! And in honor of the momentous occasion, creators associated with the FF past and present provide commentary on their favorite covers!
If you asked me cold, I'd say Byrne and Kirby covers were the title's best. But I might say that because they're the ones with which I'm most familiar. For example, I don't have any trouble citing where the first two vignettes at left are from, because they're by Byrne and Kirby. (Fantastic Four #262 and Fantastic Four #79, respectively.) But after a minute, I was able to cite the other two, which reminded me that there ARE good eras that don't include the names "Jack Kirby" and "John Byrne." No. 3 is from Fantastic Four v3 #53, by Mike Wieringo, and No. 4 is from Fantastic Four #353, by Walt Simonson. I bought Fantastic Four from the mid-1960s to 2010, so I'm familiar with many eras. Maybe I should get this book just to brush up on the good stuff I forgot about.
THE FOUNDRY #1 (OF 4)
Writer: Mike Mignola, Chris Roberson
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Meet the Queen’s own secret agency that investigates the paranormal and the mysterious! Characters from Witchfinder and The British Paranormal Society join together in this adventure series where they travel the world over seeking out supernatural-powered technologies and the stories of the civilizations that harnessed them — for good and for evil.
Longtime Hellboy universe writer Chris Roberson and fan-favorite artist Christopher Mitten reunite for this series that will take readers around the world — and hopefully back again!
Is this the British equivalent of the B.P.R.D.? That's a pretty good idea, actually. Now where are the Russian and Chinese versions?
FRIGHT NIGHT: THE WITCHING HOUR #1
American Mythology Productions is thrilled to announce an all-new line of comic books based on the beloved 1985 vampire classic, Fright Night, created and directed by Tom Holland. The first title in the series will be a prestige mini-series debuting this July, with an ongoing monthly series planned for later in the year.
This new launch serves as a direct follow-up to American Mythology’s hit five-issue series, Fright Night: Senior Year, which continued the story of Charley Brewster and expanded the film’s legacy for a new generation of fans. Fright Night: Senior Year is currently available as both a trade paperback and deluxe hardcover graphic novel and can be purchased at comic shops nationwide or directly through the American Mythology webstore at americanmythology.net/shop.
The upcoming miniseries is written by renowned horror author James Kuhoric, best known for his acclaimed work on Freddy Vs Jason Vs Ash and numerous cult horror properties, alongside writer G.O. Parsons, who penned the hit film Willy's Wonderland starring Nicolas Cage.
Set in the darkly seductive world of suburban vampires, the new series expands the universe of Fright Night, revisiting familiar faces while introducing terrifying new threats lurking just beyond the picket fences.
“For me, Fright Night has always been the perfect vampire movie,” said Kuhoric. “It captures the charm, danger, humor, and sensuality that define classic vampire lore while grounding it in real human fear. It’s been my favorite vampire film since the first time I saw it, and getting to expand that world in comics is truly a dream project.”
Parsons added, “Fright Night is one of those rare horror films that balances heart and horror flawlessly. The opportunity to step into that sandbox and explore new nightmares, while honoring what made the original so iconic, is incredibly exciting. Fans are in for something both nostalgic and boldly new.”
I don't intend to read this, as I have never been much of a slasher-film fan, and that's what this appears to be. But they sent me this nice press release, and I don't get to talk about American Mythology much, so I will share the PR with you.
THE HORROR OF GODZILLA #1 (OF 4)
Author Ethan Parker, Griffin Sheridan
Illustrated by Tristan Jones
Cover Design or Artwork by Kelley Jones
$4.99 US | 36 Pages | 82771403545200141
Rated T+
Smashing into comics shops this July is the debut issue of the most spine-chilling kaiju comic book event you’ll ever experience: THE HORROR OF GODZILLA from Eisner-nominated co-writers Ethan S. Parker & Griffin Sheridan (Marvel Zombies: Red Band, GODZILLA: ESCAPE THE DEADZONE) and acclaimed horror artist Tristan Jones (EVENT HORIZON: DARK DESCENT, Aliens: Defiance). Set in 1954 Japan, witness the sheer terror behind Godzilla’s first horrifying onslaught on the human race and how the power behind its Kai-Sei energy has a frightening and transformative impact on humans exposed to the grim blasts.
Tokyo, 1954. As the country begins to look toward its postwar future, two scientists start an experiment in the Pacific Ocean. It is meant to change everything … and it will. Come now, reader, and bear witness to the incredible horror of the King of the Monsters. There are no heroes. There are no survivors. There is only the wrath of Godzilla.
This standalone four-issue miniseries serves as a prequel to the Kai-Sei Era while also being perfect for fans of Godzilla: Minus One, Shin Godzilla, and Godzilla (1954). Written by rising star authors Griffin Sheridan and Ethan S. Parker (Marvel Zombies, Kill Your Darlings) and illustrated by one of the best horror artists of all time, Tristan Jones (Event Horizon, Aliens), this comic experience puts you on the ground during the kaiju’s first attack. And as readers will soon discover, they’ve never seen a Godzilla attack quite like this one before…
“THE HORROR OF GODZILLA is for fans of Godzilla Minus One, Shin Godzilla and Godzilla (1954)” said editor Jake Williams. “It's a terrifying look at the Kai-Sei era's first Godzilla attack. It grabs the reader and places them on the ground in the middle of the most petrifying night in human history… the arrival of Godzilla. Through the power of Tristan Jones' visceral art style, this is the first Godzilla comic we've released that goes 100% in on horror. It very well might become the best Godzilla comic ever made … it's certainly the scariest.”
"Godzilla's been such a huge part of my life as far back as I can remember, and as someone that had Godzilla 1985 on near permanent loan from our local video store, and hounding my local bootlegger every day on the walk home from high school for the original Japanese cut, I'm genuinely hard-pressed to think of anything I've been this excited about in my career,” commented Jones. “As a storyteller that's become something of a fixture in the horror genre, it's a genuine honor and a thrill to work with Griffin and Ethan (and our incredible editor Jake) on a Godzilla story that leans so hard into my favourite visuals and even harder into things I always wished the films would. It's a huge departure from what I've been known for so far and everyone's given me incredible space to both try new things, and bring visuals to comics I'd never had a proper chance to before."
“The first year of the Kai-Sei Era found us in a world — a galaxy, even — steeped in kaiju, as we felt that was the best starting point for this universe,” stated Parker & Sheridan. “But now is the perfect moment to go back to the narrative bedrock, the genesis of our tale: humanity’s very first meeting with Godzilla. To not only be asked to tell this crucial chapter of the Kai-Sei saga, but also to make it as wild and horrific as possible… Oh, and Tristan Jones is going to draw it?! We’re beyond honored and cannot wait to share this one with readers.”
This actually came out last week, and I somehow missed it for the Comics Guide. (Not a surprise any more.) So I've already read this one.
I agree, for a change, with all the hype above. The Horror of Godzilla plays the saga as straight horror. The Big G is no stuntman in a rubber costume, or a friendly monster who is somehow protecting the Earth from other monsters. He is an unexplainable, non-negotiable, death- and disease-bringing, near-mythological catastrophe. As described in the book, "It's a walking mountain. It kills ... not for survival, but as if destruction is a biological imperative." And just to prove the point, we get to see the fates of a lot of ordinary people who didn't get out of Godzilla's way in time.
And he's green. Including the glow of his dorsal fins. (I never liked the carnival colors in the movies.) The energy he brings is green. The skies around him turn green. The rain he brings that kills, maims and mutates is green. The color of decay. The color of disease. In Horror of Godzilla, green is the color of death.
The story is riveting, with relatable human characters facing trauma (like Godzilla Minus One). The art supports it well. If you're one of those people who have always wanted to see a Godzilla who's completely terrifying and absent any screenwriter frills, this is for you. I'm one of those people, so it's definitely for me!
JIM STARLIN'S DREADSTAR OMNIBUS VOLUME 2 TPB: I know some of y'all are looking forward to this. Here's a PREVIEW.
JSA #22
(W) Jeff Lemire (A) Diego Olortegui (CA) Pete Woods
WHO WILL TAKE ON THE MANTLE OF THE SPECTRE? The wrath of the Spectre has ravaged the JSA. As the dust settles, one hero will step up and take on the mantle of the Spectre, but will they be able to control its fury?
It should be Corrigan again (who's apparently not dead), or someone new. I didn't like it when Hal Jordan was The Spectre, as he had his own story. I did like it when Crispus Allen was the Spectre, because that was his story, and it was unique. So someone new might be cool.
But it probably should be Corrigan again, just because that's the name most people know. And his redemption arc was one of the coolest things in John Ostrander's The Spectre. I don't necessarily want to see that repeated. What I'd prefer is that Corrigan, now recognizing the sins of his past, understands that he needs to make up for them, and volunteers for the burden of the Spectre.
JUGHEAD: PIEMAGEDDON
Script: Tom King
Pencils: Dan Parent
Inks: Rich Koslowski
Letters: Jack Morelli
Colors: Rosario “Tito” Peña
Main Cover: Dan Parent
Variant Covers: Jen Bartel, Elsa Charretier, Marguerite Sauvage, Greg Smallwood
Foil Retailer Incentive Cover: Francesco Francavilla
Open-to-Order Foil Variants: Dan Parent, Jen Bartel, Elsa Charretier, Marguerite Sauvage, Greg Smallwood
On Sale Date: 7/15
32-page, full color comic
$4.99 REG) / $7.99 (FOIL)
This is it — the hottest comic of the summer, fresh out of the oven! The incomparable writer TOM KING (of the upcoming Archie movie!) teams up with legendary artist DAN PARENT to present one of the wildest events to ever take place in the Archie Universe! Picture it: Riverdale, some year A.D. What was supposed to start out as a showcase of Jughead’s pie-eating skills morphed into the wildest food fight America—no, THE WORLD—has ever seen. Betty vs. Veronica (kind of), Reggie being . . . well, Reggie. Hot Dog lounging. Friends turned to enemies. Hearts broken. Crumbs everywhere. What’s to become of Riverdale? And will Jughead ever get to taste a sweet morsel of pie? All this AND a peek at Old Man Archie & Jughead. No matter what your favorite flavor is, this issue has something for you. Have a taste for yourself in JUGHEAD: PIEMAGGEDDON!
Archie’s best pal Jughead has a bottomless stomach that’s led to some serious hijinks over the course of Archie Comics' 85-year history, but nothing as catastrophic as what’s coming in July! Bestselling author Tom King (SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW) and legendary Archie artist Dan Parent will reunite for a pie-eating contest with far-reaching consequences in a slapstick adventure one-shot comic that could only be called JUGHEAD: PIEMAGEDDON.
“I wanted to write a comic that spoke not only to our time, but to all times—a comic that challenged facile definitions of love and literature by transcending those perpetual platonic shadows and revealing a priori the tragic and comedic conditions inherent to our own precious, dissected, humiliating, human condition. Also, I wanted to write a comic where like a lot of people are getting hit by pies,” King said. “So, JUGHEAD: PIEMAGEDDON is definitely one of those two. Maybe both? No, probably just one. I'll figure out which when I get my comps.”
"It’s so good to be teaming up with Tom again,” Parent said, “especially in this very Jughead-centric story. Even though I love drawing the girls, it’s nice to work on Jughead, who is probably everyone’s favorite character in the Archieverse. It’s always good to do slapstick. There is not enough slapstick in comics, or for that matter, the world, and here, Tom presents the ultimate in slapstick humor: the pie fight! And to the youth of America who are not familiar with this classic form of slapstick comedy . . . you’re welcome!"
The creative pair first teamed up on 2024’s one-shot comic ARCHIE: THE DECISION, depicting the escalating series of events after Archie decides to decide between Betty and Veronica, his two competing love interests. Both comics thoughtfully grapple with elemental aspects of Archie Comics lore in a way that King’s fans will find familiar from his searing works with franchise characters like Batman, Supergirl, The Vision, and many more.
"What these two have created is something completely unique and fun, and also perfectly Archie, or in this case, perfectly Jughead,” said Archie Comics Editor-in-Chief Mike Pellerito. “And it's a great time—not only is the Supergirl movie coming out this summer, based on Tom's and artist Bilquis Evely's iconic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, but Tom is hard at work writing the live-action Archie movie at Universal, helmed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. So, with all these wonderful things happening—especially in the 85th anniversary year of Archie—we've decided to celebrate with a pie fight!"
I saw a review for this, indicating it came out last week. I didn't see it at my comics shop, but it could easily have sold out. (I doubt they order very many Archies.) But maybe it was delayed. Either way, if you're a Tom King fan you might want to flip through it.
I'm a fan of Tom King's work (and pie), but the Dan Parent artwork isn't something I want to spend money on. YMMV.
KAMANDI BY JACK KIRBY OMNIBUS HC (2026 EDITION)
(W) Jack Kirby, Gerry Conway (A/CA) Jack Kirby, Mike Royer
ANIMALS ARE THE MASTERS OF MEN — AND THE WORLD IS A MADHOUSE! After shaking the very foundations of the DC Universe in the 1970s with his classic Fourth World titles, comics titan Jack The King Kirby redirected his unstoppable artistic energy into an all-new series that would prove to be one of his most enduring creations — the post-apocalyptic world of Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth! This oversized omnibus edition collects issues #1-40 of the beloved classic and features informative essays from acclaimed artist and storyteller Bruce Timm and longtime Kirby collaborator Mike Royer, finally reprinted on period appropriate paper.
I'm pretty sure I've read where some Legionnaires said they were looking forward to this. Here's another case where I've read all these comics, and feel no need to do so again. But I sure wish I could read them all for the first time again.
LOBSTER JOHNSON OMNIBUS VOLUME 2 TPB: Wait, there's enough Lobster Johnson for TWO omnibuses? I thought when I got the one I was done. Apparently not. Don't get me wrong, I love Lobster Johnson. But I've only got so much shelf space and re-reading time. Gah, you know I'll get it. Here's a PREVIEW.
MARY JANE: FACE IT, TIGER (2026) #1
Writer Ashley Allen, Ann Nocenti, J. Michael Straczynski
Penciller Andrea Broccardo, Phil Noto, Alina Yerofieieva, Luigi Zagaria
Cover Artist Jim Cheung
SIXTY YEARS AGO, WE ALL HIT THE JACKPOT! Back in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #42, we all got our first real look at MARY JANE WATSON, and sixty years later, we're all still reeling. In that time, she's been a party girl, OTP and even VENOM! To celebrate MJ's storied run, we present three stories of three different MJ eras and an epilogue that points toward the future of the inimitable MJW!
Oh, thank God she's rid of that stupid symbiote. The whole point of Mary Jane is that she's human and lives in the normal world, as a literary counterpoint to Spider-Man's surreal life. And in-story, a reminder to Peter Parker to stay grounded, to demonstrate what he was fighting for. As the representative of the real world, she provided the reader with a relatable existence, and threw into relief how high stakes Peter's world was, and what sacrifices he was making. Their contrasting perspectives, back when she was a thematic counterpoint, made her conversations (and arguments) with Peter the highlight of any issue.
Until she became just another superhero, and the strip lost its anchor in the real world. Then it was just one set of Spandex fighting another set, for reasons obscure to the ordinary Joe, in a world completely different from our own. Or as some would call it, a cartoon. What's the point of Peter's efforts if not to provide a world where people like Mary Jane can have ordinary, supervillain-free lives?
At least the symbiote is going away. More good news: Mary Jane will star in a five-issue, Venom-free miniseries, starting in November. I'm so relieved it might become the first Spider-Man book I've bought in years.
QUEEN IN BLACK #2 (OF 5)
Written by AL EWING
Art by IBAN COELLO
Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
Hela has seized Knull’s throne and commands a legion of deadly symbiotes as the QUEEN IN BLACK! Meanwhile, Knull has conquered the Lightforce Dimension, claiming a new power and army as the GOD OF THE VOID! Two of the most powerful evils in the galaxy are at war, and Earth is the final prize!
In QUEEN IN BLACK #2, Tony Stark races against time, assembling powerful twin teams—Defenders of Light and Defenders of Dark—to battle Hela and Knull amidst the cosmic void. As their clash shakes the stars, Hela unleashes her devastating assault on Earth, forcing the Avengers into action for humanity’s survival. But chaos doesn’t end there: the monstrous Symbiote Intelligence descends upon New York City, igniting a fierce confrontation as Venom and the Fantastic Four leap into battle! Will heroes unite and overcome the tide of darkness threatening the universe?
"One of the joys of QUEEN IN BLACK is going big and weird with symbiotes and aliens...and they don't come much bigger and weirder than the Symbiote Intelligence!" Ewing teased.
Essential event tie-ins include QUEEN IN BLACK: DEFENDERS OF LIGHT AND DARK, a limited series following two groups of heroes specifically assembled by Iron Man and Beta Ray Bill to take down Hela and Knull; QUEEN IN BLACK: HELA and QUEEN IN BLACK: THOR, dual one-shots centered around Asgard that reveal how Hela overthrew Knull and bring Thor into the battle; QUEEN IN BLACK: VENOM UNCHAINED, a limited series starring Eddie Brock who must escape prison before joining the fight against Hela; and upcoming issues of VENOM, packed with key insights into the developments Venom, Dylan Brock and Mary Jane will undergo in the saga and prepare them for an uncertain future…
Oh, look, more stuff I'm not going to read, and not going to worry about not reading. I love Hela, but not as much as I despise symbiotes.
QUEEN IN BLACK: VENOM UNCHAINED #1 (OF 3)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by JUANAN RAMÍREZ
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Hela and Knull’s cosmic conflict comes to Earth in QUEEN IN BLACK, a new crossover event from Al Ewing and Iban Coello. Spinning out of Ewing’s current run of Venom, key players include Mary Jane, the current host of Venom, as well as Eddie Brock, who was recently bonded to the Carnage symbiote. Following the recent announcements of Queen in Black: Defenders of Light and Dark, Queen in Black: Hela and Queen in Black: Thor, Marvel reveals QUEEN IN BLACK: VENOM UNCHAINED, a three-issue tie-in series that follows Eddie Brock’s quest from prison to the frontlines of the fight against Hela and Knull. This essential saga will be written by Charles Soule, who wrote Eddie’s twisted time as Carnage in Eddie Brock: Carnage, and drawn by Juanan Ramírez, following his work on the current Knull limited series, a key lead-in chapter to the event.
In Venom #256 by Al Ewing and Carlos Gomez, part of the Amazing Spider-Man/Venom “Death Spiral” crossover, Carnage discarded Eddie Brock for a better match — TORMENT! The development marks the end of Eddie’s time as host of the murderous symbiote, but he’s only just started paying the consequences! Before joining Marvel’s heroes to save the world from being torn asunder by the forces of Light and Dark, Eddie must first break out of prison and perhaps find a new symbiote to claim …
EDDIE BROCK: IMPRISONED!
Eddie Brock is in prison after a failed bond with Carnage, and the Queen In Black is coming!!! Eddie wants to get back to Venom. But without a symbiote, how will he escape?!
On continuing Eddie Brock’s saga, Soule said, "When I agreed to write a new chapter in Eddie Brock's ongoing story a few years back via Eddie Brock: Carnage, I had no idea it would end up continuing through all these dark little paths. From Carnage to Death Spiral and now to VENOM: UNCHAINED, I've found there's a lot to explore with Mr. Brock and his relationships with various symbiotes. Very glad to spend this time with Eddie — he's a fascinating guy."
THE SMART DIVISION #1
Following the success of Kill All Immortals, Masterminds, The Midnight Shadows and Break Out, hit-maker Zack Kaplan and Dark Horse Comics are continuing their partnership to offer a thrilling slate of new 2026 comic series throughout the Dark Horse 40th anniversary year. Starting with Only The Savage Are Left in June, Kaplan teams up with creator superstar artist Stefano Raffaele (Alien Vs. Captain America, Detective Comics, Star Wars), followed by The Smart Division with Eisner-winning artist John J Pearson (In Bloom, Infernals, Mindset, Department of Truth) in late summer, before finishing out the year’s lineup with Marvel superstar artist Francesco Manna (Imperial Wars Exiles, Ultraman, Carnage, Predator), for a finale to the story of Frey Asvald in Kill All Immortals III in the fall. The slate includes the work of Thiago Rocha (Sister Imperator, Kill All Immortals), and Eisner-winning letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Masterminds, The Witcher: The Bear and the Butterfly) alongside Eisner-winning designer Tom Muller.
“My experience with Dark Horse over the past several years has been a testament to their commitment to creators, and I’m thrilled to partner with them to raise the bar in 2026. I’m joined by three amazing artists at the top of their game, Stefano, John and Francesco, we’re gonna focus on dynamic and dramatic stories, and we’re going all in to give readers something special.” - Zack Kaplan
The Smart Division
Kaplan and Pearson, with letterer Otsmane-Elhaou, follow up their series Mindset with a dark and modern sci-fi detective series about the first AI app that helps us commit the perfect crimes, and the two disparate FBI agents who must hunt it down and stop it.
“John Pearson and I have been planning our second series for years,” confides Kaplan. “Looking for the right story and right time. The Smart Division takes everything you loved about our first series Mindset, the playing with form, the thoughtful commentary on technology, and the tense character drama, and raises the bar, with more danger and dread. Artificial Intelligence is the hot topic of our time, but we’re exploring it like you’ve never seen - what happens when it helps us commit the perfect crimes. You’re gonna be blown away.”
"The Smart Division is a stone-cold crime thriller that takes you on an exploration of humanity and technology, which is exactly why I’m pushing my artwork into a more traditional approach and exploring the juxtaposition of the digital and the traditional,” says Pearson. “Embracing human errors and accidents as part of the creative process is integral to making art that speaks to people in a meaningful way, so with The Smart Division that clear indication of it being made by a human hand is central to showing you the division, decay and evolution in this broken world of technological abundance.”
Another first issue that looks intriguing. Although that buzzcut-on-one-side look seems dated to me. At one time it was shorthand for "punk" and "edgy," but now it just looks like Tank Girl cosplay. We get it, lady, you're unconventional, tough and probably gay. Now get a haircut from this century that says the same thing for today's audience.
UFO ROBOT GRENDIZER #1 (OF 4)
(W) XAVIER DORISON
(A) DENIS BAJRAM, BRICE COSSU, ALEXIS SENTENAC & YOANN GUILLO
PUBLISHER: TITAN COMICS
FC, 56pp, $4.99
Cover A: Derrick Chew
Cover B: Denis Bajram, Brice Cossu, Alexis Sentenac & Yoann Guillo
Cover C: Takeshi Miyazawa
Cover D: Colm Griffin
Cover E Blueprint: Denis Bajram, Brice Cossu, Alexis Sentenac & Yoann Guillo
DUKE FLEED’S STORY CONTINUES IN THIS LONG-AWAITED SEQUEL TO THE SEMINAL MAZINGER MECHA FRANCHISE!
The war between the forces of Vega and Grendizer is but a distant memory. But from the confines of space, the Ruin Division emerges with the most powerful Saucer Beast: THE HYDRAGON.
Under siege, pilot Duke Fleed has no choice but join the fight and reawaken the Mighty Robot Grendizer or risk the world he once fought so hard to protect.
Am I supposed to know what this is? Is it from anime? A video game? Titan sent it as a press release separate from their other stuff, which means they think it's special in some way.
WHAT IF…? CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Art by RON LIM
Cover by LUCAS WERNECK
WHAT IF … CAPTAIN AMERICA WAS REVIVED IN 2099?
Captain America’s time during World War II ended with him frozen in ice, out of commission for decades. In the 616, he was revived and joined with fellow heroes the Avengers. But what if he missed the Heroic Age altogether? What evils would rise without the Sentinel of Liberty?
I'll tell you one thing for sure: FDR-era Steve Rogers would hate what our government's become, and consider our president a danger to the republic and the ideals he represents. He'd probably start a resistance movement. That ought to be the whole point of the book. But I'm sure Marvel will avoid politics altogether and make fish-out-of-water jokes instead.
Replies
The funny thing is, Godzilla was never green in the movies that I recall.
Kamandi and Devil Dinosaur are my two favorite Kirby projects, as opposed to the cosmic stuff that he's better known for.
It's fine when you look at it on the screen. But when posted, it turns purple and green. Anybody know why?
I imagine it's some for of "copyguard." I once tried to post the current Prince Valiant Sunday here and the same thing happened.
The guy can't stay a hot-rod-lovin' '60s teenager forever...
...so they turned him into a '70s porn star?
FANTASTIC FOUR 65TH ANNIVERSARY COVERS #1
Hmm... looks interesting. I don't remember seeing this book solicited. Is it published by Marvel? ("Comics Guide" seems random this week...?)
JIM STARLIN'S DREADSTAR OMNIBUS VOLUME 2 TPB: I know some of y'all are looking forward to this.
This is published by Dark Horse. (I recently saw v3 solicited.) Back in 2004, I bought the Dreadstar Definitive Collection (publiched by Dynamic Forces) in hardcover. There's some overlap with the Dark Horse "omnibus" series, but I thought if they are publishing his Epic/First material, perhaps there's a chance they'll continue on to his more recent material as well. I did manage to score a copy of Dreadstar Returns, but good luck finding a copy of Dreadstar vs. the Inevitable unless you were a contributor to the Kickstarter campaign. [I didn't find out about it until after the campaign was over, but having been burned on such deals too many times, I wouldn't have contributed anyway. But I digress.] I contacted Dark Horse a couple of weeks ago to see if such a deal was in the cards, but no one responded to my inquiry.
Either way, if you're a Tom King fan you might want to flip through it.
This one flew in beneath my radar. Thanks for bringing it to my attention (although Tom King's Archie: The Decision was nothing special).
Although that buzzcut-on-one-side look seems dated to me.
Dick Tracy's Crewy Lou sported a similar look as far back as 1951. Then it was edgy.
Am I supposed to know what this is? Is it from anime? A video game?
According to the copy, it is the ''long-awaited sequel to the seminal Mazinger mecha franchise.'' I never read it, but I remember when it was published by First Comics and promoted as the first series created specifically for the U.S. market.
The funny thing is, Godzilla was never green in the movies that I recall.
The Aurora model, my first exposure to Godzilla, was green.
Grendizer is a sequel of sorts to the Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger series that arguably started the Giant Robot genre back in the early 1970s. One may or may not like those three works, but they are undeniably classic and influential, both contrasting with and influencing the parallel "Real Robot" genre that is perhaps best illustrated by the Gundam franchise.
As the publicity text says, this time the robot and its pilot are both aliens from space instead of Earth-born. But beyond the aesthetical similarities, there are actually shared characters and even storylines between Mazinger and Grendizer. Both giant robots were revisited and reinvented several times across the decades after their original mangas and animes ended.
Apparently Mazinger and particularly Grendizer were real big successes in several markets, particularly Italy and the Middle East. Of course, they also have their specific fandom niches here in the Americas. Both are also major players in some shared universe video games, particularly the Super Robot Wars series that is famous of its super deformed character presentations.
I imagine it's some for of "copyguard." I once tried to post the current Prince Valiant Sunday here and the same thing happened.
Could be. It's been an issue for me for literally decades.
...so they turned him into a '70s porn star?
Hey, I've had a mustache since 1978. What are you saying?
I remember when it was published by First Comics and promoted as the first manga series created specifically for the U.S. market.
Ah, thanks!
The Aurora model, my first exposure to Godzilla, was green.
My Aurora model was green as well. And Godzilla (1954) was B&W, and our main TV was B&W until the late '60s anyway, so he was always gray, but in my mind, green. And he was always duotone green in The Monster Times. So I always thought he was green, and anywhere I saw it where he wasn't green, I thought it was a mistake.
But neither of us have had as much exposure to Godzilla as Bob! If he says he's not green, he's not green. (But, after all that radiation exposure, Bob may be.)
I have been unable to replicate the "Blade Runner Tokyo Nexus" preview's apparent color distortion issue. For some reason my Windows 11 desktop downloads the four images as webp files instead of jpgs, but they seem to be fine.
I just suggested LibreOffice Draw in another thread, and it is probably worth trying it here as well. Perhaps copying the pictures and pasting them into new blank pages.
Hey, I've had a mustache since 1978. What are you saying?
There are mustaches and there are porn star mustaches.
I have been unable to replicate the "Blade Runner Tokyo Nexus" preview's apparent color distortion issue. For some reason my Windows 11 desktop downloads the four images as webp files instead of jpgs, but they seem to be fine.
Wait, you posted four images. I only posted one image. Did the other three images split off from it when you downloaded, or do you have access to that preview from another source?
I just suggested LibreOffice Draw in another thread, and it is probably worth trying it here as well. Perhaps copying the pictures and pasting them into new blank pages.
I'll give it a try, thanks!
I googled for the preview and found the images at https://aiptcomics.com/2022/05/12/titan-comics-preview-blade-runner...