TOP 10 PUBLISHERS
NO. 1: DC COMICS
SUPERMAN: THE STRANGER #1 (OF 6)
(W/A/CA) Wes Craig
RETURN TO THE GOLDEN AGE IN A NEW BLACK LABEL EPIC BY WES CRAIG!
Set in an Art Deco-inspired 1938 Metropolis, the series reimagines Superman’s earliest adventures through a modern storytelling lens while drawing heavily from the visual language of DC’s Golden Age of comic books and the Fleischer Studios Superman cartoons.
“Superman is my favorite hero. Always has been,” says writer-artist Wes Craig. “I grew up on Christopher Reeve and John Byrne’s interpretation, then his animated adventures and All-Star Superman as I grew older. His mythology always changing with the times. But the version I love the most and the one that I think, strangely, reflects our modern world best, is the ORIGINAL. You strip away the extra powers, you strip away Ma and Pa Kent, and Smallville and Krypton, you boil it down to that explosive first issue of Action Comics, and you have this vital, powerful myth of a brash young man with incredible powers fighting against a corrupt city. That's the story I want to tell.”
In Superman: The Stranger, readers will follow Superman at the very beginning of his journey. During the day, Clark Kent does what he can to make ends meet in the bustling city of Metropolis, but when the sun goes down, he leaps into action to keep the city streets safe. As Superman, Clark fights for a better tomorrow, but he feels like he’s not affecting change. The rich keep getting richer, and the poor struggle to survive. Can Superman truly save the downtrodden?
This can't be a Black Label book ... it doesn't star Batman!
But I'm glad to see it. If Wes Craig can bring the raw energy of those Superman stories from the late '30s, he'll have achieved something. I don't think the Man of Steel has ever recovered from being watered down to a paterfamilias role in the '50s and '60s. It was what sold at the time, and I enjoyed the Silver Age Superman myself, but the vibrancy of the character was bled out.
***
BATMAN/SUPERMAN/WEIRD AL: WORLDS WEIRDEST #1 (ONE-SHOT)
(W) Mark Waid, Weird Al Yankovic (A/CA) Dan Schoening
AN ALL-NEW, OVER-SIZE, WHA-HUH? TEAM-UP ADVENTURE! The fifth dimension is being hit with an affliction that turns everything dull and ordinary, but as Mr. Mxyzptlk reaches out to Superman and Batman for help, the same plague has hit Earth! There's only one person to call: Weird Al! Get ready for a wild one-shot where the one and only Weird Al Yankovic joins the World's Finest team!
OK, I admit to a little curiosity. But that's because I'm old enough to remember when Weird Al was in the pop culture conversation. He's waaay past his 15 minutes. Was Bad Bunny not taking DC's calls?
***
JSA #23
(W) Jeff Lemire (A) Teddy Kristiansen (CA) Diego Olortegui
A TIMES PAST SPY THRILLER!
After the JSA disbanded in the 1950s, the heroes retired in order to maintain their secret identities, but that doesn't mean there weren't still people in need. Witness a secret JSA mission set in the 1960s!
Apparently the last two issues of this series will be a flashback, with three punchy guys on a secret mission. (Let's hope they don't actually wear their colorful outfits while undercover, like on the cover.) It says it's set in the 1960s, but it won't be MY 1960s, because the Justice League won't exist yet. I assume. Because otherwise Batman's gonna be in his 80s.
***
BAD SEEDS
BATMAN #13
(W) Matt Fraction (A/CA) Matteo Scalera
VANDAL SAVAGE PUTS IVY IN THE CROSSHAIRS!
Somewhere in the headquarters of the Gotham City Police Department, Vandal Savage hides a chemical weapon designed to kill Poison Ivy ... but if Ivy dies, there will be no ending the bad night of Bad Seeds, for Gotham City or anywhere else. No power. No comms. A heavily-armed private militia tasked with bringing him down on orders of the worst person in Gotham. All holed up together within an impenetrable fortress. This sounds like a job for Batman. Eisner winner Matt Fraction and superstar artist Matteo Scalera deliver a crucial chapter of the Batman: Bad Seeds event!
Wait, Poison Ivy and Vandal Savage are at each other's throats? Ummm, maybe you should take a night off, Batman. Visit friends. Go to a movie. Wait until morning and see which one is left.
***
BATGIRL #23
(W) Tate Brombal (A) Takeshi Miyazawa (CA) David Talaski
CAUGHT BETWEEN DESPERATE GOTHAMITES AND DEADLY FLORA, CASSANDRA CAIN WILL HAVE TO FIGHT TO SURVIVE!
Batgirl was supposed to finally have one night off at Ba Bao's noodle shop, but when Gotham erupts into a nightmare of prehistoric plant life, suddenly she is the sole protector of an entire restaurant of Gotham citizens. With a bounty on her head and a lethal jungle crawling with monsters outside, will Batgirl survive the night ... or will this night off actually kill her?
The seeds are spreading, because that's what seeds do!
***
NEXT LEVEL
DC announced the next major expansion of its Next Level publishing initiative with three new ongoing comic book series launching on Wednesday, September 2, 2026: Legion of Super-Heroes, Teen Titans, and The Doom Patrol.
“These books are set in continuity,” said DC co-architect Josh Williamson. “While the series will be independent reads and not heavily tied to other books, they will exist alongside DC’s ongoing comic book series like Superman, Batman, Justice League Unlimited, and more.”
“The DC: Next Level books are very new-reader friendly and will roll out over time,” said DC co-architect Scott Snyder. “Like the Absolute line, this is an initiative that welcomes new readers looking for a jumping-on spot for DC’s main line of comic books.”
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1
(W) Joshua Williamson (A/CA) Hayden Sherman
One thousand years after the Last Son of Krypton’s rocket crashed on the Kent Farm comes a new future inspired by the Man of Tomorrow!
But this new future is in danger! Superheroes are outlawed! Deadly enforcers known as the Persuaders keep the populace of the United Planets in check! Worlds are at war! And this dark tomorrow’s last glimmer of hope, R.J. Brande, has been brutally murdered.
Can the mysterious Brainiac 1 of 5 solve Brande’s murder? To restore hope to the universe, he must assemble a legion of gifted young rebels from across the cosmos! But they are scattered across the universe!
Witness the dawn of a new future in DC Comics architect Joshua Williamson and Eisner-winning superstar artist Hayden Sherman’s Legion of Super-Heroes … you will never look at tomorrow the same way again!
Legion of Super‑Heroes #1, a 40‑page debut issue written by Eisner-nominated Joshua Williamson (Superman) with art and cover by Hayden Sherman (Absolute Wonder Woman) and featuring variant covers by Jim Lee (card stock and foil), Mark Spears, Yasmine Putri, Hayden Sherman, Dan Mora (Michael J. Fox cameo), and V Ken Marion (1:25), will publish on September 2. Legion of Super‑Heroes #1 will retail for $3.99 US for the main cover, $4.99 US for card stock variants, and $6.99 US for the foil variant.
It's about time! (Sorry.) Looks like they're giving this Legion a good reason to exist.
"Brainiac 1 of 5"??!?
***
TEEN TITANS #1
(W) Kyle Higgins (A/CA) Daniele Di Nicuolo
When one of their own vanishes after attending a rally for Ascend — a fast-growing youth movement training kids to survive in a world shaped by superhuman conflict — Fairplay, Cheshire Cat, Proxy, and Wildcard will do whatever it takes to find their friend, including teaming up with Red Hood!
Jason thinks they're soft and reckless. They don't understand how he can still kill people. Now they have to work together — whether they like it or not!
Created by Kyle Higgins and Daniele Di Nicuolo, the acclaimed team behind Power Rangers: Shattered Grid and Image Comics’ Massive-Verse, this series channels the same mix of heart, scope, and style that has defined their work together — blending cinematic storytelling and Di Nicuolo’s dynamic, expressive art to bring the next generation of heroes to life.
Teen Titans #1, a 32‑page debut issue written by Kyle Higgins (Radiant Black) with art and cover by Daniele Di Nicuolo (Nightwing) and featuring variant covers by Dan Mora (card stock and foil), Jim Cheung, Sanford Greene (1:25), and Hayden Sherman (Next Level), along with a card stock blank sketch cover, will publish on September 2. Teen Titans #1 will retail for $3.99 US for the main cover, $4.99 US for card stock variants, and $6.99 US for the foil variant.
Oh, great, another bunch of new teen heroes that I'll forget existed the second DC cancels the book. (And I can't imagine it will last long.)
This trick never works. I think they ought to take the path of the original Teen Titans, and collect a bunch of pre-existing teenage characters from other titles. They would bring an existing awareness, and links to other titles that can be story springboards. Not to mention an excuse for a big-name guest star.
And yes, I'm going to mention the Captain Comics rule that if a single writer invents a bunch of characters all at once, there's going to be only one good one, and the rest will be lame. (And one will likely be a traitor.)
Here's an idea: Aren't there a bunch of teen sidekicks rescued from the 1940s that aren't appearing anywhere? Cherry pick those. And instead of Red Hood, give 'em Red Arrow as a leader. Or Air Wave. Heck, I'd be more interested in that bee girl than I am Red Hood. His best stories were when he was dead.
***
DOOM PATROL #1
(W) Darcy Van Poelgeest (A/CA) Niko Henrichon
The Doom Patrol is broke. Adopting a heroes-for-hire business model to stave off financial and emotional ruin, the team finds itself responding to what seems like a simple case — a missing cat. But when this case proves to be far from simple, the world's strangest heroes find themselves pulled into a truly out-of-this-world situation! And elsewhere, beyond the view of Robotman, Elasti-Girl, and Negative Man — and perhaps even beyond the veil of our reality — a ghost of the team's past is preparing to cross into their world.
The visionary team of Eisner Award-winning writer Darcy Van Poelgeest (Little Bird) and legendary artist Niko Henrichon (Spectators, Pride of Baghdad) ushers the Doom Patrol into a new age for DC Next Level.
The Doom Patrol #1, a 32‑page debut issue written by Darcy Van Poelgeest with art and cover by Niko Henrichon and featuring variant covers by Clayton Crain (card stock and foil), Ian Bertram, Ashley Wood (1:25), and Hayden Sherman (Next Level), will publish on September 2. The Doom Patrol #1 will retail for $3.99 US for the main cover, $4.99 US for card stock variants, and $6.99 US for the foil variant.
I know Grant Morrison expanded the cast and potential of Doom Patrol, and the book was so good they made a TV show out of it. But I have to say that a DP that's just Rita, Cliff, Larry and The Chief is not unwelcome. (I know, I know, The Chief is persona non grata thesse days. But there he is on the A cover.)
***
ABSOLUTE
ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN #18
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #23
VERTIGO
100 BULLETS THE US OF ANGER #3 (OF 8)
MORE DC
BATMAN #11 FACSIMILE EDITION: Features Joker and Penguin stories from 1942. This is considered Joker's first cover appearance. (if you don't count Detective Comics #40, where the character was re-worked.)
THE DEADMAN #4 (OF 6)
SUPERGIRL SURVIVE #4 (OF 6)
***
COLLECTIONS
BATMAN: CITY OF MADNESS TP
BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT PRESENTS GENERATION JOKER TP: I've kinda hit my tolerance level for this Elseworlds. It was cool at first, and Sean Murphy's art is always awesome, but I think the story has run its course.
BRUCE WAYNE NOT SUPER: THE BAT-CATASTROPHE — A BATMAN GRAPHIC NOVEL TP: Looks like a middle school book.
DC FINEST: HARLEY QUINN — THE BALLAD OF HARLEY QUINN TP: I confess I haven't finished reading the first one. I've read all these stories before anyway, and a lot of them are moot, given Harley's evolution. That makes it a tough slog for me, but the book does chronicle the various attempts to make the character popular, until they hit on the right one. That's interesting, in a clinical way.
FABLES: NO MORE HAPPILY EVER AFTER TP (DC COMPACT COMICS EDITION)
JONAH HEX: A FACE FULL OF VIOLENCE TP: Collects JONAH HEX (2006) #1-6. It'll be a spell before DC Finest: Westerns gets to this, I reckon.
SUPERMAN: THE TRIANGLE ERA OMNIBUS VOL 3 HC
WONDER WOMAN: REBIRTH BY GREG RUCKA OMNIBUS HC: This picks up right after New 52, with Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1, Wonder Woman #1-25 (by Greg Rucka and Liam Sharp, for the most part) and Wonder Woman Annual #1 (2017). It re-established the pre-New 52 continuity after Brian Azzarello's New 52 changed it. But this book also includes the 5G story from Wonder Woman #750, which is not in continuity. The rest of Wonder Woman #750, DC Holiday Special 2017 and Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary Special #1 are probably generic enough to still "count."
***
NO. 2: MARVEL COMICS
BLACK PANTHER/NAMOR: DOOMED #1 (OF 5)
Writer: Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan
Penciller: Stefano Nesi
Cover Artist: Dave Johnson
A new chapter in T’Challa and Namor’s legendary history of conflict, mistrust and betrayal arrives this September in BLACK PANTHER/NAMOR: DOOMED! Written by Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan (Marvel Zombies: Red Band) and illustrated by Stefano Nesi (Black Panther: Intergalactic), the five-issue limited series unites the two iconic rulers against a common enemy: DOCTOR DOOM!
The saga spins out of Avengers: Armageddon, where the pair take part in the Avengers’ explosive battle with Red Hulk, and Captain America, where Doctor Doom was recently revealed to be in Hell following his death in One World Under Doom. Testing their uneasy bond like never before, T’Challa and Namor embark on a supernatural quest to the underworld to confront Doom after their respective kingdoms are attacked by demonic forces. What the two proud leaders discover about the nature of the threat — and about themselves — will topple the monarchies of the Marvel Universe forever …
BLACK PANTHER AND NAMOR TRAPPED IN HELL ... WITH DOOM!!!
Black Panther and Namor must investigate Hell when Wakanda and Atlantis are attacked by demons! But once there, these rival kings discover they aren't alone, as they cross paths with the wandering soul of Doctor Doom!
“Truly, we feel like the most fortunate writers on Earth to get to tell stories with any of the iconic heroes from the limitless sandbox of the Marvel Universe, let alone icons as monumental as T’Challa, Namor, and Victor Von Doom,” Parker shared. “Black Panther is one of the coolest and most inspiring figures in all of fiction, and the Sub-Mariner’s iconic rivalry with him as one of the founding members of Marvel dating back to 1939 is the most hilarious and compelling dynamic we could hope to put our own personal spin on. We can’t wait to show readers the unimaginable dangers that lie ahead in this bold new era.”
“T’Challa, Namor, and Doom are among the richest characters comics have to offer,” Sheridan added. “Not only are all three of them iconic in their own right, but the interpersonal relationships they have with each other seem to be an endless wellspring for enthralling stories. These are colossal characters, so we’re throwing a story with colossal stakes at them — a story that finds Black Panther, Sub-Mariner, and Doctor Doom all in unique, new roles within the Marvel Universe. For those reasons and many others, working on DOOMED has been a real privilege.”
Is this how they're going to get rid of all the Avengers before November, by sending them all to hell to join up with Cap and Doom? ("Earth's Mightiest Survivors" star in Avengers #1 in November, with only five members.) That would actually be kind of cool, to see a war between Doom's Avengers and Mephisto, IF it actually went anywhere and didn't result in status quo. Since Zdarsky is the writer of Avengers, Avengers: Armageddon and Captain America, that would be easy to arrange, especially with miniseries like this to fill in the gaps.
Say, at some point wasn't Johnny Blaze king of Hell? Whatever happened to that storyline?
***
CAPTAIN AMERICA #15
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Penciller: Valerio Schiti
Cover Artist: Valerio Schiti
SIEGE OF THE RED SKULL!
A giant battle breaks out as MEPHISTO's volatile ally, RED SKULL, and his army of vengeful spirits fight the free souls of the underworld. Can Captain America rally the dead and form his own army in time to topple Mephisto"s restless hordes?
I was going to drop this title once it reached a climax, but with other Avengers on the way that doesn't seem like any time soon. Now I'm thinking I should get Avengers: Armageddon, instead of tradewaiting, since it looks like this title and the new Avengers will be on parallel courses. And I missed Captain America #1-5, which is proving to be important. Gah! It's hard to be a comics fan!
***
DOCTOR STRANGE AND DOCTOR DOOM: TRIUMPH AND TORMENT #1
Writer: Roger Stern
Penciller: Mike Mignola
Cover Artist: Peach Momoko
An all-time-classic graphic novel from fan-favorite Marvel writer Roger Stern and visionary artist Mike Mignola, reprinted in comic book format! Doctor Doom has a plan to rescue the soul of his mother from Mephisto — all he needs is the unwilling help of Doctor Strange! But why would Earth's Sorcerer Supreme join the world's greatest villain on a deadly quest into Mephisto's realm? What price must be paid before the Lord of Lies will release his prize? And will Victor Von Doom be prepared to make the sacrifice? Re-presenting MARVEL GRAPHIC NOVEL: DOCTOR STRANGE AND DOCTOR DOOM — TRIUMPH AND TORMENT (1989).
I loved this story when it came out, when I was about 30 years old. It might have been the first time Strange and Doom co-starred, but I can't swear to that. What really thrilled me was Mike Mignola on Doctor Strange, a character he was born to draw. I wasn't sure at the time if it was in continuity, as it appeared in the Marvel Graphic Novel line, which usually didn't "count." But whether it was or was not at the time, it certainly is now.
This is the whole story, 88 pages for $8.99.
***
MARVEL MANGAVERSE: WEB OF BLOOD #1
The age of superheroes has come to an end, but the Marvel Mangaverse still needs saving. Get set to revisit the world that introduced fans to manga-inspired versions of Marvel’s most famous superheroes and villains with a series of five one-shot comics releasing weekly throughout September in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Marvel Mangaverse. Bookended by MARVEL MANGAVERSE: WEB OF BLOOD #1 and MARVEL MANGAVERSE: WEB OF DESTINY #1, a two-part story co-written by the father-son duo of Joe (Amazing Spider-Man) and Jack Kelly with art by Kenny Ruiz (Path of the Lightsaber, Team Phoenix) that kicks off a dramatic apocalyptic event reverberating into each weekly one-shot, the Mangaverse
Anniversary specials pay homage to modern manga storytelling while introducing new versions of fan-favorite Marvel characters and focusing on deep, world-building lore.
In WEB OF BLOOD and WEB OF DESTINY, readers are re-introduced to the Mangaverse, in a story that’s positioned as if the comics line had been published continuously for over two and a half decades in both the real world and in-universe. The trio of Spider-Man (Miles Morales), Weapon X-Tremis (Laura Kinney), and Legion (Illyana Rasputin), friends with very different ideas on how to stop a prophesied apocalypse brought on by the return of the Phoenix, will turn on one another as they wrestle with whether their actions are more likely to save the world … or hasten its destruction. Could the return of the Mangaverse be over before it even starts?
The Kellys have a deep fandom and appreciation for manga and anime and regularly bond over the events of their favorite stories, so co-piloting the Mangaverse 25th Anniversary together felt natural for them.
“Every week my dad and I talk for hours about everything that’s happening in our favorite comics and manga, so being asked to do this for Marvel has been an honor,” explains Jack.
“When Lauren and Mark came to me with the Mangaverse project and specifically offered the opportunity to co-write it with Jack, it was an immediate yes,” Joe added. “This project is a love letter to manga and anime via the Marvel Mangaverse, brought to stunning life by artist Kenny Ruiz.”
“My job is to live up to what Joe and Jack Kelly and Yuji Kaku Sensei have created, like a poor shonen hero clearly overwhelmed by the challenge,” explains WEB OF BLOOD and WEB OF DESTINY artist Kenny Ruiz, whose past credits include PATH OF THE LIGHTSABER and TEAM PHOENIX, produced with the support of Osamu Tezuka’s estate. “But if you live and breathe manga like I do, you know what to do in those situations: grit your teeth, sacrifice everything, and give it your all. I can’t tell you anything yet, but I can’t stop drawing. This new era of the Mangaverse is demanding everything we have to give — and damn it, we’re not backing down.”
“Every single creator contributing to this celebration are huge manga fans themselves, and many have either come from international manga backgrounds, or have been heavily influenced by manga in their own creative journeys,” adds editor Lauren Amaro. “Of course, none of this could exist without the source material that has inspired our creators, so when it came time to cast the main covers, the first person to come to mind was acclaimed mangaka, Yuji Kaku Sensei, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with on Phases of the Moon Knight. Kaku Sensei collaborated with the writers by taking their initial story pitches and character descriptions and creating an absolutely amazing set of covers, setting the tone for each character’s design and helping to modernize Marvel Mangaverse as we return to it 25 years after its debut.”
“It is a true honor to draw so many Marvel characters that I grew up reading,” adds Yuji Kaku. “I challenged myself to merge Western comic and Japanese manga styles by capturing the core essence of both. It was a rigorous task, but incredibly exciting. I hope you all enjoy my designs!”
After the dominoes begin to fall in WEB OF BLOOD, writer Cody Ziglar (Miles Morales: Spider-Man) and artist Kei Zama (Edge of Spider-Verse) turn the spotlight to the city of new Chicago and resident Riri Williams, who protects the streets as Ironheart using a mana-powered suit of armor. After losing a close friend, Riri finds herself traveling down a dangerous path of vengeance alongside the legendary sorcerer known as Moon Knight in MARVEL MANGAVERSE: IRON KNIGHT #1, a shonen-inspired and action-packed one-shot, available September 9.
The next one-shot comes by from the team of rising star writer Ashley Allen (Magik & Colossus) and artist Mirka Andolfo (Ms. Marvel) as they introduce the Arcane Avengers, a reluctant group of sorcerers led by Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier. Cursed to defeat and imprison demonic yokai alongside teammates Bloodline and Wiccan, Bucky looks for opportunity to free himself and finally be free from his captor’s control. As a new wave of yokai incursion stretches the team’s resources, Bucky plots his escape, but the sudden reappearance of his former childhood friend, Hawkeye, throws all his plans into disarray in MARVEL MANGAVERSE: ARCANE AVENGERS #1, on sale September 16.
Bodies are lining the streets as Cletus Kasady, aka Carnage, carves a bloody swathe through humans and yokai alike. Together with her Shinigami bike, Kwannon, aka Ghostlocke, aims the Spirit of Vengeance at Carnage in a bid to stop his twisted cataclysmic desires in MARVEL MANGAVERSE: GHOSTLOCKE #1 from writer Alyssa Wong (Deadpool) and Michael YG (Iron Fist), in shops on September 23.
It all comes to a startling conclusion as Joe and Jack Kelly and artist Kenny Ruiz reunite in MARVEL MANGAVERSE: WEB OF DESTINY #1 to put Miles, Laura and Illyana at the center of the end of the world. Will these former friends be able to put aside their differences and save the planet before it burns to ash around them? The five-week Mangaverse 25th anniversary event concludes in dramatic fashion on September 30.
RETURN TO THE MANGAVERSE — JUST IN TIME TO SEE IT END?!
25 years have passed since our last visit to the Mangaverse and in MARVEL MANGAVERSE: WEB OF BLOOD #1, we discover a world where technology no longer works and magic reigns supreme, where a looming apocalypse threatens to end the world in a sea of flames. That is, unless Miles Morales, Laura Kinney and Illyana Rasputin have something to say about it! But as each attempt to stave off armageddon leads each further down the road of forbidden magic, these friends turned enemies must confront the question of whether their choices really will save the world — or doom it entirely!
I don't have anything to say about these, because I don't think I ever read Marvel's Mangaverse. But here's a lot of information if you do read it.
***
MARVEL ZOMBIES: WAR ZONE #1 (OF 5):
Writer: Tom Waltz
Artist: Jaime Infante
Cover Artist: Tony Parker
This September, Marvel Zombies returns to life in MARVEL ZOMBIES: WAR ZONE, and this time, it won’t be Earth’s Mightiest Heroes who save the day — it’ll be Earth’s toughest! Announced earlier today at Fangoria, the five-issue limited series will be written by Tom Waltz, known for his gruesome work on Wolverine: Blood Hunt and Knull, and drawn by Jaime Infante, in his fearsome Marvel Comics debut.
The latest Marvel Zombies nightmare begins after the Avengers and the Fantastic Four fail to stop a zombie plague from devastating New York City. Now sealed off as a deadly quarantine zone, humanity’s last hope rests with PUNISHER and a team of street-level heroes including LUKE CAGE, ELEKTRA, IRON FIST and MOON KNIGHT. Together, this ragtag group of deadly heroes will have to uncover the origin of the outbreak and break down the barrier before the infection consumes everything.
ESCAPE THE HUNGER!
A zombie outbreak has hit Manhattan and the whole city is rapidly overrun! As Earth’s Mightiest Heroes succumb to the virus, a barrier is hastily erected to protect the world — but inside the barrier, a war zone has broken out as survivors fight for their lives against the ever-growing horde. However, one man isn't looking for survival — he's after answers as he carves a bloody swathe of his own through the ravaged city. And if any zombies get in his way? Well, the PUNISHER has plenty of lead that they can eat!
On what excited him about taking on Marvel Zombies, Waltz told Fangoria, "Having cut my teeth as a writer in the comics industry with my creator-owned military-horror story Children of the Grave, then transitioning into a long stint writing mutated ninjas — as well as being an unabashed fan of superheroes — getting offered the chance to write a Marvel Zombies series was an exciting opportunity to combine all three facets of my career. My first instinct was to take the popular Marvel zombie trope to the streets — and what better lens to witness it through than that of an old Marine like me: Frank Castle, the Punisher.”
"I wish I could tell my 12-year-old self that I'd be drawing a comic for Marvel. And Punisher, no less!” Infante shared. “Plus, I admire Tom Waltz, and the script he's written lets me play with deep shadows and violent action."
“I can't wait for fans to see the darkly beautiful work rising-star artist Jaime Infante is rendering for this bloody journey into NYC's heart of darkness,” Waltz added. “Guns, guts, gore, ninjas, capes and cowls — it’s all here!"
I've had zombie fatigue for quite a while. I'm not even watching the cartoon. But this looks like an interesting spin. The preview art is cool, and the narration appropriately dire. (I do wonder at the Avengers' tactics, though. How does Thor, a warrior with 1,000 years of experience, get swarmed? He could stand on a rooftop and incinerate all the zombies with lightning. Nobody should hit the ground at all — fliers should lead the attack — and Invisible Woman should force field anybody who gets too close. Cap or Reed should have come up with a better battle plan.)
Just the same, I'll wait for the trade (and the reviews).
***
SPIDER-WOMAN 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1
Writer: Ann Nocenti, Dan Watters
Penciller: Andrea Broccardo, Stefano Raffaele
Cover Artist: Olivier Coipel
TO KNOW HER IS TO CHEER HER!
This September, SPIDER-WOMAN 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1 celebrates 50 years of Marvel’s Dark Angel with a jam-packed one-shot honoring Jessica Drew’s history and jumpstarting her spine-tingling new era!
Celebrating 50 years of Marvel's Dark Angel! Ann Nocenti returns Spider-Woman to Los Angeles for a detective story for the ages! Dan Watters gives us a spine-tingling look into Jessica Drew's future! Day 1 and Day 18262 Spider-Woman fans alike won't want to miss this jam-packed issue!
This will be followed in November by Spider-Woman #1, which springs out of Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Versity. Something happens there to set up a new status quo, apparently involving Carnage. It doesn't look like this book is actually connected to that story. Maybe Marvel needed to renew the copyright before November.
***
BIG GUNS
WADE WILSON: DEADPOOL #8
Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art and Cover by GEOFF SHAW
Connecting Variant Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS
Wade Wilson and Frank Castle are going head-to-head. Don’t get in their way.
Marvel Comics proudly unveils “BIG GUNS,” a four-part crossover kicking off this September in Benjamin Percy and Geoff Shaw’s WADE WILSON: DEADPOOL and Percy and José Luis Soares’ PUNISHER. Both acclaimed runs have returned Marvel’s two trigger-happy icons to their roots with uncompromising, no-holds-barred storytelling, aligning the fates for this dangerous and ultra-violent showdown!
“When you're writing The Punisher, and you're writing Deadpool — two street-level characters with opposite personalities — the math works itself out,” Percy said. “I had to bring them together. Violently. Get ready for non-stop mayhem, the re-invention (and glow-up) of a classic villain, and the introduction of the Merc-mobile (a rolling HQ I'm pretty damn excited about) as well as a new weapon that will change the 616 forever. Unlike Frank and Wade — who naturally despise each other — Geoff Shaw and José Luis are a perfect pairing, the best pens drawing the biggest guns.”
TARGET: FRANK CASTLE!
The saga kicks off when Deadpool’s latest mess puts him in the crosshairs of the Punisher. Just as the Merc with a Mouth takes on one of the most high-stakes jobs of his career, Frank Castle seeks to settle the score — igniting a relentless clash of bullets, bloodshed, and mayhem that neither man will walk away from unscathed!
This could be fun. But do I want to commit to four issues, or just get the trade, or wait for the Marvel app or just ignore it for the low-content, high-spectacle event it is? Decisions, decisions.
***
FANTASTIC FOUR #16: One of Marvel's best ongoing titles.
MARVEL KNIGHTS: THE WORLD TO COME #6: The first issue of this shipped June 4, 2025 — more than a year ago. What's the point of an "event" that drags out this long? Whatever impact this was supposed to have will have evaporated by now. At this point, there will be no enthusiasm for sequels and spin-offs (I assume that was the goal) and it's become an elaborate What If.
I'm not just being cranky. I don't think it benefits anyone, reader or publisher, to start a miniseries with a notoriously slow artist and not have most of it in the can before you publish the first issue. It's just common sense. So instead of having a launchpad for a Marvel-style Absolute line (call it the "Old Man" line), you have an expensie one-off that will be quickly forgotten.
X-MEN: OMEGA RED DAWN #1: Collecting X-Men Infinity Comic (2026) #1-10.
COLLECTIONS
ALL-NEW SPIDER-GWEN: THE GHOST-SPIDER VOL. 2 TP
FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 2: THE INVINCIBLE WOMAN TP
IRON MAN EPIC COLLECTION: DEMON IN A BOTTLE TP
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VOL. 3 TP
***
NO. 3: IMAGE COMICS
CROWBOUND #1
(W) Jeff Lemire (A/CA) Dustin Nguyen
SERIES PREMIERE
The bestselling, award winning creative team behind such sales chart toppers as Descender, Ascender, and Little Monsters — Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen — will re-team with an all-new ongoing series in the upcoming Crowbound. This dark fantasy epic was first teased at NYCC last year, previewed exclusively at IGN earlier this month, and is set to launch this September from Image Comics.
“Crowbound is the darkest book Dustin and I have done together but still filled with heart and hope,” said Lemire in the exclusive preview at IGN. “It’s been rewarding building the expansive southern gothic sci-fi world of Crowbound and we can’t wait to unleash it on readers."
Rose isn't special. She works in the Factory just like everyone else — a dark, sprawling monolithic structure that runs along the coast and cuts the world in two. All that's left now are desolate settlements that exist in its shadow, made up of submerged villages, derelict woods, and deadly swamps. No one knows what's left of the world on the other side ...
But when Rose's young daughter Ava is violently taken from their shanty town home a year before she is meant to join the work force, Rose will come face to face with the surreal, harrowing forces outside the Factory's walls.
Nguyen added: “I'm very excited to explore this new world and new ways to tell a story with Jeff again, it's always a great time when we get together like this. Hope everyone joins us for the adventures as they did on Descender and Little Monsters.”
Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid’s Tale meets Cormac McCarthy's The Road with echoes of Kill Bill and Pan's Labyrinth when a noncompliant mother makes a dark pact with an ancient, violent Scarecrow Queen to stop a totalitarian government from taking her daughter.
"One of the great privileges of my position is that I get to read a lot of great comics before they come out, and let me tell you, 'great' doesn’t even do this one justice," said Eric Stephenson, Publisher and Chief Creative Officer at Image Comics. "As anyone familiar with their past collaborations knows, Jeff and Dustin never disappoint, but Crowbound is on another level. The first issue is one of most darkly beguiling series debuts I’ve had the pleasure to read and the really good news is that it’s just the beginning of a storytelling journey that gets better with each issue."
***
TALES OF WONDER #1 (OF 5)
(W) Steve Skroce (A/CA) Steve Skroce, Ian Herring
MINISERIES PREMIERE
WHAT IF THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR SUPERHEROES CAME TO LIFE?
Today Skybound and Image Comics announced Tales of Wonder, a new limited series from superstar creator/writer/artist Steve Skroce (We Stand on Guard, Wolverine, The Matrix Trilogy), colorist Ian Herring (Ms. Marvel, The Shaolin Cowboy), and letterer Pat Brosseau (G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero). Tales of Wonder #1 arrives in comic shops on September 2, 2026.
Steve Skroce presents a superhero epic unlike any other as two estranged comic book creators must save the world when their most heroic and villainous creations come to life, perfect for fans of The Ultimates and Ghost Pepper.
“This is a story I've dreamt of telling for years. It's a tale about the many pitfalls of creative collaboration. When things go south, lifelong friendships can end and the axe grinding can last for decades,” remarked creator Steve Skroce. “Tales of Wonder is about finding your way back from that, it's about believing in a second chance to get things right, it's about the value of friendship, and it's all wrapped up in a full throttle, action packed Superhero adventure. I hope you dig it.”
Stu and Jake’s friendship was forged in World War II, but the one thing it couldn’t survive was the comic book industry. As their Wonder Comics creations grew from four-color sensations to a global phenomenon, everything changed.
Now, these two legendary comic creators have reunited to launch the America’s Freedom Force cinematic universe, only to discover the make-believe superheroes and monsters from their stories are very, very real. Stu and Jake must overcome decades of bad blood and stolen credit if they’re going to help the world’s greatest superheroes save our world!
“Steve Skroce is a generational talent, and I’m beyond thrilled that his latest series is here at Skybound,” said Executive Editor Ben Abernathy. “His poignant tale of two Golden Age comic book creators as they face their greatest creations, literally, is a tale for the ages!”
Tales of Wonder #1 will feature a main cover by Steve Skroce and Ian Herring, with a variant cover program including open to order covers by Yasmine Putri (Dark Knights of Steel) and Jorge Fornés (Wonder Woman), a 1:25 incentive variant by Peter Carroll (Exquisite Corpses), a 1:50 incentive by Caspar Wijngaard (The Power Fantasy), a 1:100 Foil incentive variant by Miki Montlló (The Witcher), a blank sketch variant, and a Witchblade team-up cover by Steve Skroce and Neeraj Menon (Star Wars).
"Steve Skroce is back with another mind-blowing, action-packed, balls-to-the-wall adventure with TALES OF WONDER! Great characters, eye-popping designs and a story that will have you wanting more! It's like Galaxy Quest meets Tropic Thunder meets the comic book biz! Check it out!” — Jeph Loeb (Batman: Hush; X-Men: Age of Apocalypse)
“This secret origin of a superhero universe is also a beautifully hilarious look at the conflicts between comic book writers and artists, as told by one of the best creators ever to play both parts.” — Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, We Stand on Guard)
***
W0RLDTR33 BOOK ONE DELUXE HC
The first three story arcs of the taboo-shattering techno-horror series by Multiple Eisner Award winning writer James Tynion IV (The Department of Truth, Exquisite Corpses) and superstar artist Fernando Blanco (Detective Comics), with colors by Jordie Bellaire (Assorted Crisis Events) and letters by Aditya Bidikar (The One Hand/The Six Fingers), will be collected for the first time into a deluxe hardcover format. The W0RLDTR33 Book One deluxe hardcover will collect issues #1-16, as well as a cover gallery and initial design material.
A dark techno-thriller about hackers who discover a hidden layer of the internet that can reshape reality and is rapidly learning how to control it. In 1999, Gabriel and his friends discovered the Undernet: a secret architecture to the internet. They charted their exploration on a message board called W0RLDTR33. Then they lost control.
Someone broke into W0RLDTR33 … someone who welcomed the violent hold the Undernet had on them. At great personal cost, Gabriel and the others thought they sealed the Undernet away for good. They were wrong. And now the whole world will know the meaning of PH34R.
Since its launch in 2023, W0RLDTR33 has gone through multiple sell-outs and reprints and garnered massive critical acclaim.
“Deeply unsettling and disturbingly poignant.” — Monkeys Fighting Robots
“A narrative that seems terrifying for all parties involved.” — Comicbook.com
“Tynion is one of the best in the medium right now. So if he's writing horror, I guess I'm reading horror.” — AIPT
“Another mystery from Tynion that'll leave readers guessing what happens next.” — Graphic Policy
I haven't read this, although it looks interesting. Maybe this is my chance to catch up!
THE CUTTING GARDEN HC
(W) Darcy Van Poelgeest (A/CA) Erin Connally
"This hauntingly beautiful chiller creeps up on the reader like the vines spreading over Adeil and Josette’s house." — Publishers Weekly
From Eisner Award-winning writer Darcy Van Poelgeest (Little Bird, Precious Metal) and rising star watercolor artist Erin Connally. This gorgeously rendered, standalone graphic novel hardcover explores companionship, legacy.
On a quiet street in New Orleans, a mysterious girl seeks out a florist to deliver an earth-shattering truth in a final act of kindness and redemption. The Cutting Garden is an intimate and elegant gothic tale that shares bloodlines with contemporary literary horror books like that of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and postmodern indie films like The Tree of Life.
"The Cutting Garden has been a labor of love for many years and I’m thrilled we can finally share it with the world," said Van Poelgeest. "The process of writing and creating this story has sincerely changed me, as a writer, and a person. My hope now is that readers will take this journey themselves through the stifling shadows of Louisiana, and perhaps they too might feel a change."
Connally added: "As my debut in comics, I wanted to offer readers a visual feast that represents both Darcy and my fascination with beauty and decay. As a Southerner, I needed to capture the landscape that’s inspired me since I was a child. The Cutting Garden is this combination — a weird little Southern Gothic lullaby that I hope readers will be entranced by."
Van Poelgeest first came to prominence with his breakout hit series Little Bird, co-created with Ian Bertram, which topped sales charts and sold out and was reprinted multiple times. It went on to win the Eisner Award for Best Limited Series in 2020. Its highly anticipated sister series, Precious Metal, launched in 2024 and gained instant critical acclaim.
Sounds interesting, like a riff on 1,001 Nights. OTOH, having lived in old Confederate territory most of my life, I'm pretty done with Southern navel-gazing.
***
MORE IMAGE
ESCAPE #9
GI JOE TP VOL 04
INVINCIBLE TP VOL 17 NEW EDITION
MASK #4
ROGUE SUN #35
ROOK EXODUS #11
ROYALS #6 (OF 6)
SHE-SPAWN #5 (OF 5)
SPAWN SCORCHED #53
WALKING DEAD DELUXE #144
***
NO. 4: IDW PUBLISHING
KODI: A PLACE TO CALL HOME HC
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: CASEY JONES TP
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES X GODZILLA TP
***
NO. 5: DARK HORSE
GIANT ROBOT HELLBOY RETURNS #2 (OF 2)
Still searching for Giant Robot Hellboy, the submarine loses contact with the lab above water when the uncharted waters lead to a truly unknown and terrifying location.
New two-parter that continues the story from Giant Robot Hellboy and connects more deeply to Hellboy and B.P.R.D. lore.
Covers by Duncan Fegredo and James Harren.
With "Returns" in the title, I assumed it was a sequel to a book I've never read. I don't think I suffered too much, though, because a guy named Leo gives us a recap in the first issue. Leo describes how Hellboy was mentally connected to a giant robot, but something severed the connection. Everyone thinks the robot is now inoperative, but Leo believes the robot is still "alive," animated by Hellboy's spirit or brain patterns or something. This all happened underwater off the coast of Africa.
And it happened in service of a MacGuffin called enkeladite, which has opened a wormhole. Leo and the scientists are now in a submarine attempting to close it, but something comes through, and it's basically the Annihilation Wave. This being the Hellboy universe, it's a little weirder and scarier than that, but yeah, it's sentient alien bugs.
And wouldn't you know it, Leo was right and the Hellboy robot returns. Well, as I said, it's in the title, so no surprise. And that's all I'll tell you.
Except that the Duncan Fegredo art is incredible. Seriously, it's ultra-sharp and clear, extermely detailed, even to my aging eyes. It's like a cross between Wally Wood and Jack Kirby, and just outstanding.
***
THE PERFECTLY MONSTROUS LIFE OF ADAM FRANKENSTEIN
Dark Horse Comics and Tiny Onion present The Perfectly Monstrous Life of Adam Frankenstein, a one-shot that expands on the origin story of Adam Frankenstein. Written by Tate Brombal (Everything Dead & Dying, House of Slaughter), illustrated by Soo Lee (Carmilla, Kingdom of Earth), colored by Patricio Delpeche (TexArcanum, The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos Halloween Special), and lettered by Aditya Bidikar (Dawnrunner, Blue Book), this 56-page one-shot will be released in August 2026. It will also feature cover art by David Talaski, Filipe Andrade, and Fernando Blanco and an eight-page “Monsters in Love” short story by Mark Bouchard, Naomi Franq, Héctor Barros and Aditya Bidikar as a flip-book with a special cover illustration by Kendra Wells.
The Perfectly Monstrous Life of Adam Frankenstein reveals the origins of Adam’s horrific creation under the knives of Victor Frankenstein. This epic tale thrillingly adapts Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein for the Chaos Universe and finally answers readers’ questions about the heartbreaking early life of Christopher Chaos’ mentor. Adam Frankenstein must become a protector for all Monsterkind. His immortal mission begins here!
“Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is one of my favorite novels, so to have this opportunity to adapt her groundbreaking story with our own Christopher Chaos twist is monumental for me,” said Brombal. “This is one of the most personal comics I've ever written and to do it alongside Soo, Patricio, Aditya, and the entire Tiny Onion crew just feels incredible. It's tragic, surprising, and full of heart. This Frankenstein is familiar but unlike any adaptation you've seen before."
Praise for The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos:
"The first issue is a perfect setup for a horror comic that struggles with the loneliness of feeling like an outsider." — Fangoria
"Full of detail, life, death, and, at times, whimsy. It’s a book about growing up, taking chances, love, loss, mortality, and morality.” — The Convention Collective
"Simply put, this is the type of book that will remind you why you check out new monthly comics. The idea is clever and odd, the execution equally so, and the visuals fantastic, with clean and polished linework complemented perfectly by the letters and colors." — Comics Beat
"The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos #1 stands tall as an engaging opening to a story rife with whimsy and charm. It contains enough narrative richness within its moments of open table setting to act as both an excellent standalone tale, as well as the first chapter in an expectedly great series." — Comic Watch
"The weird mixture of horror, science fiction, and coming-of-age drama somehow works together beautifully. The horror elements are genuinely scary, the science-fiction elements are interesting and thought provoking, and the coming-of-age drama is touching and relatable." — Capes & Tights
A different slant on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I might have enjoyed it more with better art. As it is, I'm not moved to pick up Christopher Chance, where, from what I can glean, "Adam Frankenstein" — the monster — is a supporting character.
***
MORE DARK HORSE
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: TOTAL PARTY KILLERS #2
***
COLLECTIONS
THE ART OF OCTOPATH TRAVELER: 2020-2023 HC
***
NO. 6: DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
RED SONJA SHE DEVIL WITH A SWORD #5
(W) Rory McConville (A) Pablo de Bonis (CA) Stuart Sayger
A bold new series, continuing the Dynamite Debut of writer Rory McConville (King Spawn) and artist Pablo de Bonis! In this issue: Red Sonja vs. Demoroq as the hordes of Rising Sun engulf Khorshemish! Who will live? Who will die? Find out in this stunning issue! Cover artists include: Stuart Sayger, Lucio Parillo, Joseph Michael Linsner, Mike Rooth and a stunning piece of Cosplay by Katy Rose!
This issue is a huge story turning point, with a lot of important deaths. It's a decent Hyborian tale, with passable art. My one complaint is that a demon is summoned who eviscerates anyone who gets close, but somehow Sonja battles him without dying. I know it's her name in the title, but it makes her seem superhuman, when she shouldn't be.
Now someone unexpected and awful is on the throne of Koth, and Sonja doesn't like that one bit. I'm looking forward to the next issue, where I expect the titian-haired tigress to settle the matter. Six issues is about right for a TPB. so I do expect an ending.
***
SUPERNATURAL WAYWARD SPECIAL #1 (ONE-SHOT)
(W) Paulina Ganucheau (A/CA) John Amor
The split starts here — in a shocking one-shot issue that sets the table for the explosive event to come! Sam and Dean Winchester are bound by blood and purpose — so what horrible, hellish forces could drive these brothers to travel separate roads? You'll find the answers here. ... This issue features a PREMIUM MYSTERY BLIND BAG which contains 1 of 6 possible FOIL covers included in the bag. Please Note: The number of Blind Bags is limited. Allocations may occur.
I've never watched Supernatural, but I thought, "Here's a one-shot, I can get a taste of what it's like." I didn't need much more than a taste. I don't know Sam from Dean, and given the lackluster art, I'm not going to learn from this comic book. The many references to things I don't know about doesn't help my comprehension, and I lost interest pretty quickly.
Supernatural fans may enjoy this, but it's not going to make any converts.
***
MORE DYNAMITE
BEN 10 #5
RED SONJA VS ARMY OF DARKNESS TP
STITCH #8
VAMPIRELLA STRIKES VOL 2: HELL IS FOR HEROES TP
***
NO. 7: VIZ MEDIA
A STAR BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN VOL. 7
NANA 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION VOL. 5
SUPER PSYCHIC POLICEMAN CHOJO VOL. 5
ULTIMATE EXORCIST KIYOSHI VOL. 3
***
Replies
NO. 8: BOOM! STUDIOS
MINOR ARCANA #18
NO GODS, NO MASTERS #1
Illustrated by Jacoby Salcedo
Cover Design or Artwork by Jacoby Salcedo
When afternoon detention is interrupted by the sudden and violent emergence of a kaiju, three New York City teenagers with seemingly nothing in common will band together to survive the apocalypse!
Catch the debut of an all-new series from writer Julio Anta and artist Jacoby Salcedo that tells a different kind of kaiju story!
Felipe is still getting accustomed to life in New York City, and when a kaiju ravages Manhattan, he’ll need the help of two of his classmates to rescue his mom from a wrecked subway station.
From the Eisner-nominated team behind Frontera and This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story comes a new adventure that, amid the blockbuster destruction of a kaiju rampage, focuses on the people and communities most impacted.
I'm guessing there will be as much coming-of-age as kaiju action.
***
NO. 9: KODANSHA
HOW TO GRILL OUR LOVE VOLUME 1
INITIAL D OMNIBUS VOLUME 11
NINA THE STARRY BRIDE VOLUME 17
SHUGO CHARA! 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION VOLUME 3
TUNE IN TO THE MIDNIGHT HEART VOLUME 9
***
NO. 10: ONI PRESS
CRUEL KINGDOM 2 #1
ALWAYS REMEMBER: HEAVY IS THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE CROWN ... UNLESS THE KING IS ABOUT TO GET IT LOPPED OFF!
Welcome, traveler ... back to the blood-drenched ramparts of ye olde EC Comics that yearn for MORE tales of sadistic sorcery and malevolent magic! Yes, draw your sword and start swinging, because CRUEL KINGDOM lives again with an ALL-NEW volume of fatal fantasy, told in the immortal EC Comics manner by a magnificently malicious cast of all-star storytellers!
In this CRUEL KINGDOM, there is no “happily ever after” ... and sometimes the witch hunter becomes the hunter in the end, heh heh! Come, warm yourself by the pyre as vengeance-fueled writers David M. Booher (Canto), Matt Bors (The Toxic Avenger), and Jude Ellison S. Doyle (Dead Teenagers) turn the screws in tandem with axe-wielding artists Ryan Kelly (Lucifer), Lukas Ketner (Count Crowley), and David Lapham (Stray Bullets) to extract answers to the burning question of every knight and squire: Must every wizard’s tower also have an executioner’s dungeon buried down below? At EC Comics, we say, “YES, OF COURSE! NOW PROCEED WITH THE BEHEADING, YOU FOOL!”
More fantasy-horror, and I'll be there.
SEE VARIANT COVERS
***
Are these coming out? Maybe!
ARCHIE: THE DECISION & OTHER STORIES DELUXE EDITION
THE EC COMICS TREASURY OF TERROR VOL. 1
***
MORE PUBLISHERS
ABRAMS
MARVEL DIMENSIONS HC
Abrams ComicArts and Marvel Comics are excited to announce the publication of Marvel Dimensions, an all-new graphic novel written and illustrated by Alex Ross that twists the Marvel Universe in ways readers have never seen before. This follows Ross’ award-winning national bestseller, Fantastic Four: Full Circle, and brings an entirely new kind of storytelling to the growing Marvel Arts line. It will be edited by Charles Kochman, editor-in-chief of Abrams ComicArts and Ross’ longtime editor.
Marvel Dimensions opens with a sweeping tour through the classic origins of Marvel’s most iconic characters. Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Wolverine, and many others appear in dramatic, fully painted spreads that echo their earliest stories. A narrator describes each moment with confidence, guiding the reader through these touchstones of Marvel’s history. But as the story moves forward, the tone begins to shift. The voice behind the narration is not who the readers expect and carries a motive that slowly pushes the narrative somewhere darker and far more unpredictable.
Once this change becomes clear, the book expands into something larger and more surprising. Storylines twist in on themselves, characters behave in unexpected ways, and events ripple across the Marvel Universe with growing tensions. Ross uses the structure of the book to create anticipation and pull the reader deeper into a mystery that keeps widening. Every new sequence reveals another layer, building toward a final act that reframes everything that came before it. A bonus 32-page comic book is included that is pivotal to the storyline.
The Marvel Arts line was created by Abrams ComicArts and Marvel Comics to give creators room to experiment with structure, format, and the visual language of superhero comics.
Marvel Dimensions shows how far that creative space can reach. Ross draws from across the Marvel Universe, including the Human Torch, Captain America, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Black Panther, Phoenix, Wolverine, and the Avengers, building a story that feels both classic and completely new.
Other books in the Marvel Arts line include the aforementioned Fantastic Four: Full Circle by Alex Ross; The Super Hero’s Journey by Patrick McDonnell; The Avengers in the Veracity Trap! by Chip Kidd and Michael Cho; X-Men: Elsewhen Volume 1 by John Byrne; Thor: Behemoth of the Black Moon by Eric Powell; and Doctor Strange: Endless Nightmare by Kevin J. Anderson, Raúl Allén, and Patricia Martín.
Ross’ long relationship with Marvel includes Marvels, the Earth X trilogy, and a vast body of cover art that has shaped how generations visualize these characters. With Marvel Dimensions, Ross approaches the Marvel Universe from a new angle with new character invention that invites readers to question what they think and what they know. Marvel Dimensions may be the latest title in the Marvel Arts line …but it is only the beginning.
“This is my longest work to date that I have written and drawn myself,” explains Alex Ross. “Dimensions is like a combination of my most famous works, Marvels and Kingdom Come, where my love of comics history and ambitious world-building collide.”
“It goes without saying that Alex is a once-in-a-generation artist and a storytelling master, and this book showcases that on all fronts,” shared C.B. Cebulski, Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief. “We’re thrilled to continue working with Abrams and Alex to bring his vision and legendary talent to the page, and we can’t wait for fans to dive into the masterpiece he’s created.”
Marvel Arts has scored a bunch of knockouts in a row, so I'll definitely order this.
***
FANTAGRAPHICS
GRIFTERS FLOATERS AND PUNKS HC A REIMAGINED FIELD GUIDE FOR THE 50 ...
COMPLETE CREPAX VOL 10: SURREAL STORIES HC
NAUGHTY BITS #1 FACSIMILE EDITION (MR)
ON THEIR FRONTLINES VOL 1: THE LIVES OF JAPANESE WAR BRIDES TP
After Japan lost the War, the country was thrown into devastation. No one felt this devastation as much as Japanese women, who, left with few paths to choose from, took low-wage jobs, fell into sex work, and wed American G.I.s. In their affecting graphic novel debut, Marina Lisa Komiya follows the lives of two Japanese women and the American soldiers they marry in this tumultuous time period. Best friends (and possibly more) before the war, Haru and Yoriko are separated in the evacuation of their town during the air raids. As they search for each other afterward, Haru gets by as a waitress, while Yoriko sells her body at a brothel. Their fortunes change when they each meet respectful American soldiers, who take their hand. Arthur, a Japanese American, grapples with the inner conflict of his dual identity, while Scott is at once fascinated by Japanese culture and wracked with guilt over the destruction American forces have wrought. Amidst the postwar desolation, love finds a way, in this powerful work of manga that explores sexuality, identity, and unlikely cross-cultural connection.
Another chapter in world history I know very little about, but would like to. (There are a lot of those.)
One thing, though: When the solicitation reads "Best friends (and possibly more)," it is definitely more. It's a tease that doesn't tease at all, so why not just say it?
***
HARPERCOLLINS
FRONTERA TP
As long as he remembers to stay smart and keep his eyes open, Mateo knows that he can survive the trek across the Sonoran Desert that will take him from Mexico to the United States. That is until he’s caught by the Border Patrol only moments after sneaking across the fence in the dead of night.Escaping their clutches comes at a price, and lost in the desert without a guide or water, Mateo is ill-prepared for the unforgiving heat that is sure to arrive come sunrise. With the odds stacked against him, his one chance at survival may be putting his trust in something, or rather someone, that he isn’t even sure exists.If you’d asked him if ghosts were real before he found himself face-to-face with one, Mateo wouldn’t have even considered it. But now, confronted with the nearly undeniable presence of Guillermo, he’s having second thoughts. Having spent his afterlife guiding migrants to safety, Guillermo knows things about the Sonoran Desert far beyond what could be explained by a mere hallucination. But even as Mateo forms an uneasy partnership with Guillermo, survival is still uncertain.The Sonoran Desert, with its hostile temperatures and inhabitants, is teeming with danger as the Border Patrol, rogue militias, and animals prowl its deadly terrain. As his journey stretches on, Mateo will have to decide exactly what and who he’s willing to sacrifice to find home.
Not the kind of book you expect to see these days about illegal immigration.
***
MASSIVE PUBLISHING
SQUID GIRL MAGAZINE #1
She haunts the aquatic seascape with her mysterious servants, battling mankind's ongoing cruelties with her uniquely incredible Humanoid and Squid genetics!
I assumed at first that these Massive magazines were reprints of Skywald or other Warren knock-offs from the '70s, whichever ones were in public domain. But they appear to be original, only in the style of 1970s B&W horror magazines like Warren. It makes me want to check them out. Has anyone tried them?
Also this week: Madame Tarantula #2 and Eyrie #12. BTW, that's "Eyrie," a high, inaccessible nest of a bird of prey, not "Eerie," something strange, weird, or mysterious in a way that causes fear or unease. Because "Eerie" is taken.
***
PRANA PUBLISHERS
WAR GODS TP
When Metis, an admiral’s daughter and a humble fisher boy named Zeus rebel against the tyrannical Titan empire, it sparks a revolution that boils over across all of Ancient Greece! WAR GODS is a dynamic and beautifully illustrated epic fantasy saga that reimagines the Greek gods as mortal heroes whose accomplishments rise to the status of legend. Written by Brian Nathanson, illustrated by Josh Hood, colored by Nikos Koutsis, and lettered by DC Hopkins.
The Odyssey has raised interest in the Greco-Roman myths to levels I've never seen before in my lifetime. So this is well-timed, although it seems to assume the reader is familiar with the Titanomachy (in order to diverge from it).
***
TITAN COMICS
SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN ORIGINAL COMICS OMNIBUS VOL 08
The EIGHTH volume in this popular Omnibus series features the return of Captain Bor’agh Sharaq and the resurrection of the Devourer of Souls! Also featuring unseen bonus material and an all-new introduction from Conan comics legend, Gary Kwapisz. Collecting: Savage Sword of Conan (1974) #102-116; Marvel Comics Super Special (1977) #35.
Sherman, set the Wayback Machine.
***
UFO GRENDIZER #2: It's a manga, which hasn't excited much interest in these guides. So I'm not going to post everything. But there is a trailer, and I can't resist trailers.
***
VAULT
PROJECT PERSEUS #1
It’s a race against time! When a disgraced member of a cryptid hunting squadron vanishes with a time-traveling apparatus, Slug Stephens must sober up from a decade-long bender to track down an all-too-familiar friend turned foe. With a legendary lineup of cover artists, featuring Esad Ribíc, Brett Bean, Pete Carroll, Jorge Corona, and more, Jack Mulqueen (Nightlife Noir) and Edison Neo (TMNT, Godzilla) bring readers a stylish and hilarious adventure across treacherous jungles, frozen oceans, and deadly dive bars.
Sadly, NOT about the Greco-Roman myths. Read the room, guys! We want stories about the real Perseus! Accept no substitutes!
***
VAMPIRE THE MASQUERADE: THE COMPLETE COMPACT EDITION TP
Vault Comics’s acclaimed Vampire: The Masquerade comic series will be returning to print in an all new compact edition. The comics are based on the bestselling tabletop role-playing game published by White Wolf.
The complete compact edition includes all ten issues of Vampire: The Masquerade — Winter’s Teeth together with all three issues of World of Darkness: Crimson Thaw. Vampire: The Masquerade — Winter’s Teeth was written by Tim Seeley and drawn by Dev Pramalnik, with back-up stories written by Tini and Blake Howard and drawn by Nathan Gooden. World of Darkness: Crimson Thaw was written by Tim Seeley, Jim Zub, and Danny Lore and drawn by Julius Ohta.
“The sheer creative force behind our Vampire: The Masquerade series is dazzling,” said Vault CCO and Editor-in-Chief, Adrian Wassel. “Tim Seeley (Eisner-nominated; Nightwing) captures the humanity at the center of the World of Darkness with Cecily and Ali, and it’s balanced perfectly against Tini and Blake Howard’s (Catwoman) ensemble ‘Anarch Tales’ that invite readers into a vast sandbox with ease. When Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian) and Danny Lore (Transformers) joined to capture the rage of the Garou, it felt like we’d assembled the greatest writer’s room in history. Meanwhile, Devmalya Pramanik (Moon Knight) and Nathan Gooden (Barbaric) create a new landscape in the shadows of the Twin Cities that feels dangerously alive in a way that cannot be described, only appreciated. Having Julius Ohta (Punisher), Corin Howell (Lilith), and Stephen Molnar follow in their footsteps was the blood red cherry on top.”
Later this year, Vault and White Wolf will announce more details of an all new Vampire: The Masquerade comic series coming from Vault in 2027.
“I started playing Vampire: The Masquerade in middle school, and have loved this story world ever since,” said Vault’s CEO, Damian Wassel. “It’s an honor to get to play in our little corner of the universe. Winter’s Teeth brought together a team of all-star creators, who delivered a fun, horrifying, brilliant clever piece of Vampire: The Masquerade lore. Fans have been clamoring for it to come back to print, and we think they are going to love this affordable compact edition. We can’t wait to dig into more storytelling in this world. And we look forward to sharing plans for some much more elaborate editions soon too.”
Just because I'm a Luddite who doesn't play video games doesn't mean I don't know that many others do. And these comics are based on one that I assume is popular. So maybe gamers will like it. Or maybe regular comics fans will like it, those whose LCS stocks shelf copies of Vault Comics.
"Vampire the Masquerade" actually began as a tabletop RPG that was all the rage in the 1990s and is still very well known (and readily available). It spawned quite some of light counter-culture with a bit of "urban gothic" flavor and, sure, varied merchandise and other media products.
Thanks, Luis!
Why is the Chief persona non grata?
And this Legion better be a success quickly or there will be another reboot!
Teen Titans:
Of the four young Titans listed, Cap -- Fairplay, Cheshire Cat, Proxy, and Wildcard -- two of them actually are existing characters, as you recommend. Chesire Cat is Lian Harper, the daughter of Speedy and Cheshire (and I believe also trained by Catwoman at this point); Fairplay is Mr. Terrific's son, rescued by The Flash from the forces of Apokalips. As for Proxy and Wildcard, I dunno. But if one of them turns out to be a character with legs, that's not bad.
Spider-Woman:
There's no way I'm buying this, but I'll file it away for future reading on Marvel Unlmited. Particularly since I've just read a ton of Ann Nocenti's late 80s work on Daredevil, and it really struck a chord with me.
Legion of Super-Heroes:
I'll likely be at the comic book store right when it opens so I get to read this one. I'm counting down the hours. Sixteen and a half to go!
With the team of Williamson and Sherman, I have a feeling this one will be a hit, at least for a while. I sure hope so!
Doom Patrol:
Philip, the Chief is personal non grata because he apparently engineered the accidents the original DP had that gave them their superpowers. I think that's been the case since the Morrison issues (unlike the retcons for other members of "Project Superman," like Will Magnus, Edwin Alva, and the one that really sticks in my craw, Martin Stein).
That's funny because I just read the X-Men Epic Collection that contained Fantastic Four Vs the X-Men where it was alleged that Reed purposely did not put shields on the rocket to deliberately create the FF. While not true (I think), it certainly seemed plausible. Even the Thing who was NOT happy said it made sense!
So Martin Stein planned to create Firestorm. Does that mean he was faking his amnesia or did he know that was going to happen? And I guess Firestorm is not the Fire Elemental anymore.
Oh, I totally forgot about his amnesia. I don't think that's been addressed!
Maybe his amnesia was extensive enough that he forgot about his participation in the project completely -- so he can genuinely be the Martin that was helping Ronnie, unaware of his own complicity. Though I don't think that works with what we've been given in the new series; I think he engineered Lorraine's transformation to Firehawk, too.
Despite my misgivings about Martin, I am enjoying the new series.
This can't be a Black Label book ... it doesn't star Batman!
Don't forget Superman: Year One by Frank Miller and J.R., Jr. ;)
[Weird Al]'s waaay past his 15 minutes.
He just doesn't look "right" to me without his moustache.
SPIDER-WOMAN 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1: This will be followed in November by Spider-Woman #1
More "Marvel math" (anything for a "new number one").
TALES OF WONDER #1 (OF 5) - Haven't much from Steve Skcroce lately. I may check this one out.
As it is, I'm not moved to pick up Christopher Chance, where, from what I can glean, "Adam Frankenstein" — the monster — is a supporting character.
My interest in Frankenstein's monster has waned.
MARVEL DIMENSIONS HC - Marvel Arts has scored a bunch of knockouts in a row, so I'll definitely order this.
I pre-ordered this one and am expecting it to be on my P&H when I go to my LCS tomorrow.
Sherman, set the Wayback Machine.
"WABAC" is an acronym that wasn't defined until the 2014 movie as "Wavelength Acceleration Bidirectional Asynchronous Controller" (FYI).
Although he doesn't have the cultural currency he had at his peak, Weird Al still has plenty of fans, and is still making good work. And from what I've heard, his band are some of the most talented musicians out there -- able to shift from style to style effortlessly, depending on what the song calls for.
Anyway, I'm definitely buying that one.
It might have been the first time Strange and Doom co-starred, but I can't swear to that.
You're probably thinking of Spider-Man Annual #14 (1980), although they didn't meet face-to-face.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next