NO. 1: DC COMICS
AVENGERS JLA #2 (OF 4) FACSIMILE EDITION
I had to laugh when I saw this cover originally, because it looks like a page of "school notes" from my elementary school days (only with much better art). That's what I did in school: I drew superheroes. JLA vs. Avengers, round one, round two, round three, who lasted to the end? Then I start all over. I was supposed to be listening to whatever was going on in class, but instead I was drawing lots of tiny superheroes fighting from page to page. (Hey, Larry Zellner next to me was drawing World War II airplanes fighting, so I'm not alone.)
Many of the match-ups I came up with then are used here as well, and not just the expected ones. Green Lantern vs. Iron Man is an odd match, but when I was throwing these teams against each other in the '60s, that's kinda how it had to shake out. "Let's see," I'd think in 1966. "Superman vs. Thor, Batman vs. Captain America, Flash vs. Quicksilver, Wonder Woman vs. Scarlet Witch, Green Lantern vs ... gee, I guess it's gotta be Iron Man."
There are an awful lot of characters in the above illustration that weren't in the JLA or Avengers when I was a kid, so there are more match-ups than I could imagine in 1966. That helps Marvel quite a bit. Back in the Silver Age, I had to regularly "cheat" to keep Marvel in the game after the first round. The Silver Age JLA — just the original seven, mind you — could handily defeat the combined Avengers of the first 100 issues. The DC characters were grossly overpowered in the Silver Age compared to the Avengers, with several (Green Lantern, Flash, Superman) seeming to have no upper limit. In my little adventures, in round one Green Lantern beats Iron Man in seconds, Flash beats Quicksilver in picoseconds and Wonder Woman vs. Silver Age Scarlet Witch lasts about, oh, one panel. I racked my brains to figure ways around it, but the DC characters were just so doggone powerful! There are arguments to be made about who would win in Batman vs. Cap and Superman vs. Thor and — after 1968 — Martian Manhunter vs. Vision. But in each case the odds generally favored DC. Even Atom vs. Ant-Man favored DC. The only really even match was Green Arrow vs. Hawkeye. (As for Aquaman, I'd have Sub-Mariner whale the tar out of him a lot, all puns intended. No, Subby wasn't an Avenger then, nor would he have any reason to help them. I just liked having having the original sea king beat up on the pretender.)
As I got older, though, and started plotting and drawing actual whole comic books, I'd think it through a little more.
I'd ring in the Hulk for example, to keep Superman busy, so Thor could whup Wonder Woman. (They were both myth-based. Throw in Hercules after 1967.) That was a cheat, because Silver Age me didn't really consider Hulk an Avenger. Sure, he was a member for Avengers #1-2, and then appeared as an enemy in #3, but when he left he was pretty much gone for good. He was mentioned in-story sometimes and had a weird, ghostly cameo on the cover of Avengers #17, but he didn't really return for an appreciable appearance until issue #100. That was itself just a glorified cameo, so I just didn't think of him as an Avenger. But for plotting purposes, he was a useful counter to the otherwise unstoppable Superman.
Instead of the expected Cap-Bat fight, I tried Black Panther vs. Batman, and that was a winner. They are both gimmick-based master planners and martial artists with enormous resources, and you can do a lot with that. In one of those fights, I pulled a Lone Wolf and Cub and had the characters just stand and stare at each other for several panels, and this was years before I read Lone Wolf and Cub. And then I had one of them, I forget which one, say, "All right, you win this round." Because both had run through all the various scenarios given their current equipment, and jointly decided on who would likely win. Like Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes. they both could see the end at the start. And, again, this was years before Sherlock Holmes. I figured in the next match, they'd be in a different environment and be equipped differently, and the match would turn out the reverse.
If I threw in the Fantastic Four, the battle began to even out a bit. Invisible Girl wasn't as powerful then as now, but even then I thought she'd hold her own against Wonder Woman, if Thor couldn't bring himself to hit a woman. (And back then, he probably couldn't.) If she and Wanda teamed up, I think they'd win. The Thing added general muscle without an opposite number, unless you count Hawkman, while Reed added strategy and tactics savvy that wasn't countered (Batman was busy). And with Johnny Storm simply being present, the ridiculously many-powered Martian Manhunter was taken off the board. But it still took an army of Marvel characters to even make it a contest!
Looking at this cover, it seems clear to me that Kurt Busiek and I, who are of a similar age, had done many of the same mental exercises as kids. He got to officially write and publish those long-ago daydreams, and since I shared them, I was thrilled to see them in print. I will note for the record that when JLA/Avengers was published, Kyle Rayner and Wally West were the JLA's Green Lantern and Flash, respectively, but Busiek managed to revert time (or something) so that the book featured Hal Jordan and Barry Allen. That's about a big a tell as I can imagine about Busiek basically re-creating his own childhood fantasies. (And mine.)
JSA #21
(W) Jeff Lemire (A) Diego Olortegui (CA) Pete Woods
WHERE IS JIM CORRIGAN?
The New God Metron takes Doctor Fate, Stargirl, Jakeem, and Kid Eternity back to the events of the DC ALL IN SPECIAL in search of Jim Corrigan after his defeat at the hands of Darkseid. Meanwhile the rest of the JSA continues its battle against the Spectre as it searches for its new host!
Who is Jim Corrigan? When is Jim Corrigan? Why is Jim Corrigan?
Seriously, I hope they hurry up and find him, because the last I knew he was dead dead, having gone on to his reward at the end of the John Ostrander Spectre. We've had multiple Spectre hosts not named Jim Corrigan since. So why is everybody acting like Corrigan is still around to find? Did something happen that I missed or forgot? (Entirely possible.) Or is Jeff Lemire still re-writing continuity? (Also possible.) I'm curious to find out which one.
ABSOLUTE
ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN #16
ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #12: Final issue. Thank H'ronmeer! I loved the first six issues, but stretching it out to 12 was too much of a good thing.
VERTIGO
100 BULLETS: THE US OF ANGER #1 (OF 8): I lost the plot on 100 Bullets before the original series even ended. I felt like it had dropped what I found most intriguing, which was the initial premise. What would people do for that briefcase full of cash? That's a great framework for a series of mystery/crime short stories. Instead, I felt like it had become The Adventures of Lono. (Who's quite an unpleasant fellow.) Anyway, I never finished it, despite the gorgeous Eduardo Risso art. Did I miss anything, Legionnaires?
MORE DC
ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN BOOK OF EL #10 (OF 12)
BATGIRL #21
BATMAN #11
BATMAN/GREEN ARROW/THE QUESTION: ARCADIA #4 (OF 4)
DC X SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: THE METAL LEGION #3 (OF 5)
DC W.I.P. SUPERGIRL WOMAN OF TOMORROW #1: "W.I.P." means an oversize B&W. I don't know what those initials stand for.
DEADMAN #2 (OF 6)
POISON IVY #46
SUPERGIRL: SURVIVE #2 (OF 6)
BATMAN #127 FACSIMILE EDITION: "The Hammer of Thor!" (1959)
COLLECTIONS
BATMAN AND ROBIN (2024) VOL 3: THE QUIET MAN TP
GET JIRO: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION TP
ROBIN: YEAR ONE TP (2026 EDITION): I wanted to read this enough that I bought the whole "Year One" boxed set (which included Nightwing and Batgirl) when it was offered. But I still haven't read it! And now we have Mark Waid and Chris Samnee covering the same material, which I am reading right away. That's sort of telling, isn't it?
NO. 2: MARVEL COMICS
CHALLENGES OF DOOM: MR. FANTASTIC (2026) #1
Written by AL EWING
Art by MIKE HENDERSON
Over the next year, witness the key battles that forged Doctor Doom into Marvel’s greatest supervillain in CHALLENGES OF DOOM, five one-shots by mastermind writer Al Ewing and a mighty group of extraordinary artists! Each CHALLENGES OF DOOM one-shot will deliver a single-issue epic detailing a mythos-making confrontation between Doctor Doom and his archenemies. Packed with drama, suspense and the relentless pursuit of power, the bimonthly series spotlights the incredible moments that tested Doom’s genius and resolve in tales of triumph and torment that shed a whole new light on the iconic super villain! The one-shots kick off in July with CHALLENGES OF DOOM: MR. FANTASTIC, and continue with CHALLENGES OF DOOM: SPIDER-MAN, CHALLENGES OF DOOM: DOCTOR STRANGE, CHALLENGES OF DOOM: MAGNETO, and CHALLENGES OF DOOM: NAMOR.
Featuring art by Mike Henderson (Cable: Love and Chrome), CHALLENGES OF DOOM: MR. FANTASTIC #1 dives into the intense rivalry between Doom and Mister Fantastic as young Victor Von Doom faces Reed Richards in a battle of the minds. Discover the secrets that ignite their legendary feud and the fateful events leading to Doom’s transformation into the infamous super villain.
“CHALLENGES OF DOOM will pit the Lord of Latveria against some of the prime movers of the Marvel Universe as a way of illuminating different facets of Doom’s power, personality, intellect and skill,” Executive Editor Tom Brevoort explains. “Through them, you’ll get a full picture of just why Doom is the greatest of all Marvel’s villains."
I love me some Doctor Doom! But I've been spoiled by Ryan North's characterization, so Ewing better pull out all the stops.
MARVEL SWIMSUIT SPECIAL: BRAND NEW BEACH DAY (2026) #1
Written by CODY ZIGLAR, DANIEL KIBBLESMITH, RAINBOW ROWELL & ANTHONY OLIVEIRA
Art by PASQUAL FERRY, VALERIO SCHITI, DAN PANOSIAN, JAVIER GARRON, CARMEN CARNERO & MORE MARVEL ALL-STARS
Last summer, the Marvel Swimsuit Special, an iconic ‘90s comic one-shot, made its long-awaited return in Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends, Foes & Rivals #1! Following its success, get ready for things to get even hotter this July with MARVEL SWIMSUIT SPECIAL: BRAND NEW BEACH DAY #1, an all-new one-shot packed with tongue-in-cheek stories and gorgeous pinups of Marvel heroes from some of today’s top artists including Pasqual Ferry, Valerio Schiti, Dan Panosian, Javier Garrón, Carmen Carnero, and many, many more!
Get YOUR SUPER HERO BEACH BODS READY!
You asked for it, so you’ve got it – Marvel Swimsuit Special is back again! And this time, we’re holding nothing back!
In addition to stunning pinup art, MARVEL SWIMSUIT SPECIAL: BRAND NEW BEACH DAY #1 will include four fun, zany, half-naked stories from across the Marvel Universe:
- No one skips the gym here! Hulk, She-Hulk, Doc Samson and new hero Powerlift break a sweat in a story by Cody Ziglar (Miles Morales: Spider-Man).
- This is how you throw a party in Atlantis! Namor hosts the most epic beach party you’ve ever seen in a story by Daniel Kibblesmith (Loki).
- No one brings the heat like the X-Men! See mutants — of all shapes and sizes — hit the beach in Rainbow Rowell’s story that proves how nothing looks better than self-confidence!
- And the adrenaline really gets pumping in a beach slasher tale starring Spider-Man by Anthony Oliveria (Avengers Academy)!
I really don't understand the point of these kinds of books. Superheroes (especially the women) are already in what amounts to swimsuits, and/or are basically naked with their costumes painted on. As for the stories, they're generally out-of-continuity fluff. Who cares?
STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE — SAW GERRERA #1
Written by MARC BERNARDIN
Art by GABRIEL GUZMAN
WITNESS THE ACT OF REVOLUTION THAT WAS TOO MUCH FOR THE REBELLION!
After proving himself in the Clone Wars, Saw Gerrera was a soldier for the cause of freedom and was willing to do anything to secure it — including leading a mission deep into Imperial territory. At stake: a source of information that would provide a tactical advantage that could shift the balance of power in the Rebels’ favor! But is the price to be paid for that information too high?
Third in a series of five one-shots celebrating the 10th anniversary of Rogue One.
WHAT IF…? SECRET WARS (2026) #1
Written by ALEX PAKNADEL
Art by CAFU
WHAT IF...THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSE SURVIVED THE SECRET WARS? GOODBYE, MARVEL UNIVERSE!
Starring Peter Parker, our beloved friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, as he is forced to survive in a not-so-friendly neighborhood after losing everything! What becomes of the original Ultimate Universe in a post-Secret Wars landscape? How did they defeat the Beyonder? And who does Spider-Man become after losing everything?
Second in a series of eight one-shots.
MORE MARVEL
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #32
DOCTOR STRANGE (2025) #8
FANTASTIC FOUR (2025) #13
IRON MAN (2026) #7
MORTAL THOR (2025) #12
PUNISHER (2026) #6
WADE WILSON: DEADPOOL (2026) #6
COLLECTIONS
CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 1: OUR SECRET WARS TP
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR EPIC COLLECTION: FRIGHTFUL TP
X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION: MUTANT MASSACRE TP
NO. 3: IMAGE COMICS
GEORGE PEREZ'S NEW TEEN TITANS ARTISTS' EDITION HC
Today Skybound in collaboration with Scott Dunbier’s Act 4 Publishing and DC, shared a first look at one of the most important DC comics series of all time in the award-winning Artist’s Edition format as George Pérez’s The New Teen Titans Artist’s Edition lands in comic shops on July 1, 2026.
Continuing a multi-book deal with DC, George Pérez’s The New Teen Titans Artist’s Edition gives a unique view into the series’ creation and features a large selection of the George Pérez’s original art, including beautiful covers and a curated selection of pages from The New Teen Titans #1-40. A heartfelt introduction by Pérez’s longtime collaborator and New Teen Titans co-creator, Marv Wolfman, headlines this stunning 12” x 17” hardcover edition.
A true turning point in comic book history, Marv Wolfman and George Pérez created a massive hit for DC when The New Teen Titans arrived on comic shop shelves in 1980. The team of Robin, Starfire, Wonder Girl, Raven, Kid Flash, Cyborg, and Beast Boy stole readers’ hearts, rivaling even the X-Men for preeminence in the comic market.
For those who love them some Artists' Editions.
NIGHTS #19
Fan-favorite writer Wyatt Kennedy and rising star artist Luigi Formisano’s ongoing vampire series Nights will awaken to an all-new story arc this July from Image Comics. Nights #19 kicks off a blood-curdling new chapter in the story and picks up where the jaw-dropping events of #12 left off.
"Issue #19 is the issue that I've been the most excited to tell since the series began! Luigi and I have always believed that Nights is about change, and with issue #19, we're completing flipping the status quo to transition from a comedic slice of life adventure series into a true dark fantasy epic," said Kennedy. "There's going to be danger, death, heartbreak and all sorts of surprises that we're thrilled for readers to experience! We couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity Image has given us to tell this next chapter."
Formisano added: "I had way too much fun cranking the dark fantasy dial on this one! Wyatt and I leaned into an even more frenetic storytelling this time, packed with dramatic shadows, nasty creatures and vampires everywhere. With Vince finally awake and everything closing in, things are about to get very messy!"
In Nights #19, Vince, now a vampire, has finally awoken from a three month long coma and Gray is nowhere to be seen. Chimera's forces are closing in on the duo, determined to capture the monster responsible for the town's destruction but first they'll have to contend with the arrival of the legendary (and bloodthirsty) vampire conquistador, Eda!
"In my opinion, Wyatt and Luigi are one of comics’ best kept secrets, and Nights is one of the treasures that’s hidden in plain sight," said Eric Stephenson, Chief Creative Officer and Publisher at Image Comics. "Every issue of this delightfully unhinged series has been great, and I’m envious of anyone who may be stumbling upon it for the first time!"
STARHENGE BOOK TWO: A KISS FOR ATTICUS #1 (OF 4)
Fan-favorite writer/artist Liam Sharp returns with an all-new, epic sci-fi/fantasy adventure set within his Eisner Award nominated StarHenge universe. The four issue miniseries StarHenge Book Two: A Kiss for Atticus will launch in July from Image Comics.
This breathtaking new chapter in the time-hopping saga will also feature exciting variant covers by Mike Perkins, Barry Kitson, Tony Parker, Ben Stone, and Matylda McCormack-Sharp.
In StarHenge Book Two: A Kiss for Atticus, Amber, Daryl and Merlin appear stranded in strangely familiar realms, without any real sense of who they are or how they got there. Will they be able to find each other, and solve the mystery of their surreal captivity?
"StarHenge has always been more than just a time-and-realm-hopping fantasy series," said Sharp. "It's about creativity, the medium of comics, and telling stories. But it's also about finding our way when we feel lost."
"Liam Sharp is a man on a mission; his ornate linework and his love of art, comics and narrative have been a gift to us for decades. Now with his gorgeous painted series Starhenge, he generously expands on those gifts by pushing his muse, inviting us along and continuing to take no prisoners." —Bill Sienkiewicz
MORE IMAGE
GHOST MACHINE: THE OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK #4 (OF 5)
MALEVOLENT #5
RADIANT BLACK #43
ROYALS #4 (OF 6)
SAVAGE DRAGON #280
SHE-SPAWN #3 (OF 5)
SPAWN #377
SPAWN: SAM AND TWITCH CASE FILES #25
SPAWN: SCORCHED #52
TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION #2 (OF 3)
THE WALKING DEAD DELUXE #140
COLLECTIONS
PURR EVIL TP
INVINCIBLE VOL 16 TP (NEW EDITION)
SPAWN: SAM AND TWITCH CASE FILES VOL 2 TP
NO. 4: IDW PUBLISHING
KILLER INFLUENCES #1
In July, Eisner Award-nominated writer Joey Esposito (The Pedestrian) and artist Valeria Burzo (EC Comics: Epitaphs from the Abyss) present the thrilling true crime serial killer saga KILLER INFLUENCES #1. Melvin’s a serial killer who craves infamy. His problem? He’s so efficient and methodical that he doesn’t have a brand and no one has connected his crimes — except for Kylie, an aspiring true crime influencer who reaches out to him, hoping his story can help her become a star. The unlikely duo will make a pact to accomplish their dreams… and destroy their lives in the process.
The launch titles from the IDW CRIME imprint are all three issue limited series, each one 40+ pages for only $4.99 USD. Contact a comic shop near you to pre-order the debut issues of SEVEN WIVES, KILLER INFLUENCES, and FIXATION.
Covers A David Baldeon & K.J. Díaz, Valeria Burzo & Iñaki Azpiazu
Looks like something that should be at Image. I'll give it a try.
MORE IDW
EVENT HORIZON: INFERNO #3
GODZILLA #12
GODZILLA VS. PORTLAND
TMNT: JOURNEYS #11
NO. 5: DARK HORSE COMICS
Dark Horse Comics and Tiny Onion present Beast of Borikén, a thrilling new tale in the True Weird series featuring el Chupacabra. Beast of Borikén is a five-issue miniseries written by Eisner Award-nominated author Julio Anta (Home, Frontera, This Land is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story), illustrated by Daniel Irizarri (Xino, Cemetery Kids Don’t Die), colored by Patricio Delpeche (TexArcanum, Minor Arcana), and lettered by Lucas Gattoni (Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers, Absolute Green Lantern). Issue #1 will be released in July 2026 and will feature cover art by Daniel Irizarri, Naomi Franq, and Max Fiumara.
About Beast of Borikén:
In contemporary Puerto Rico, Loli Flores is a fierce activist fighting the overdevelopment of the island by outside investors. When a groundbreaking ceremony is violently interrupted by a supernatural force, Loli discovers that the stories of el Chupacabra are not just echoes from the past, but true tales of a brutal protector of generations extending back to the indigenous people of the island. As Loli uncovers the horrors firsthand, el Chupacabra follows a parallel path, leaving elemental destruction in his wake.
“Beast of Borikén is a tropical horror story inspired by all the creature features I grew up devouring,” said Anta. “It’s both an epic tale encompassing over 500 years of colonialism and resistance and a gory character drama starring Latin America’s most terrifying cryptid, the Chupacabra. I can’t wait for readers to sink their teeth into this book, beautifully illustrated by Daniel Irizarri… no one’s ever seen a Chupacabra this horrifyingly human!”
Irizarri added, “Beast of Borikén has been a homecoming to draw my island and its people as I've witnessed them in all their shapes and sizes, their joy and their rage. It was bold and refreshing of Tiny Onion to take a chance on a different direction for the next chapter of their True Weird series. Julio's story is a sharp portrayal of Puerto Rican resistance that made me feel seen, while also giving us the space to create a modern, snarling interpretation of the Chupacabra as well as our violent history and myths. I'm excited to bring my artistic sensibilities to this pulp-horror story of protester grit and ancient spirits of vengeance.”
“By juxtaposing Mateo’s present treacherous situation with harrowing scenes from Guillermo’s and other migrants’ pasts, Anta pulls no punches, organically weaving together myriad contemporary border issues.”—Publisher’s Weekly, starred review for Frontera
“An extremely beautifully written book.” —Major Spoilers on Home by Julio Anta
“It can often be difficult to incorporate skin-crawling elements into a series, especially one where a creative team is attempting to take on a more energetic, ‘manga’ style with its art, but the team behind Cemetery Kids Don’t Die does so in spades.”—Comicbook.com
“Cemetery Kids Don’t Die stands out as a brilliant example of a comic book that combines story and art magnificently. Zac Thompson and Daniel Irizarri craft a world that is immersive, thrilling, and uniquely executed.”—Capes & Tights
I'll give it a try. But as I said above about an IDW book, this could fit comfortably at Image. I'm not sure what IDW and Dark Horse hope to do by mirroring what is done so well elsewhere.
`
HELLBOY: SEED OF DESTRUCTION #1 (FACSIMILE REPRINT)
Today, at the Comics PRO Comic Book Industry Meeting in Glendale, CA, Dark Horse Comics is announcing a collectible facsimile edition of the first-ever Hellboy comic by the award-winning cartoonist Mike Mignola. Since its inception in 1994, Mignola’s legendary Hellboy has become one of the most beloved, expansive comics universes in the history of the medium, earning both Eisner and Harvey Awards, leading to four film adaptations, and inspiring generations of creators. To celebrate the series’ legacy, Dark Horse Comics is releasing a new facsimile edition of the first-ever Hellboy comic. Co-written by Mignola and John Byrne, with art by Mignola, colors by Mark Chiarello, and letters from Pat Brosseau, Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #1 Facsimile Reprint will include all of the original design and ads from the original edition, including comic art icon Art Adams’ “Monkeyman and O’Brien” backup story. Dark Horse will also publish a 1:25 variant edition featuring new art by MIgnola with colors by Dave Stewart.
With an epic story and jaw-dropping artwork from Mignola, Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #1 transports readers to 1944, where paranormal investigators lead a team of U.S. Army commandos to stop an occult nazi ritual that summons a young demon. What follows is a thrilling, one-of-a-kind adventure that kicks off a decades long journey for Hellboy and comic fans. From his apocalyptic origin in WWII England to the modern-day case of the sole survivor of a doomed Arctic expedition, Hellboy must battle vampire frog creatures and worse in his debut miniseries.This new facsimile reprint is the perfect jumping-on point for new readers and a beautifully designed edition to longtime readers’ collections. .
“Nothing compares to flipping through a #1 issue of a comic book,” says Dark Horse Comics Editor Katii O’Brien. “And longtime fans and new readers alike can experience that with this first issue of Hellboy in its entirety—we’ve worked closely with our art team to reassemble the full comic with its original backup story, ads, and all!”
MORE DARK HORSE
FRANKENSTEIN: NEW WORLD — THE SPEED OF DARKNESS #3
THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA: THE WHITESTONE CHRONICLES VOLUME 3--THE BRIARWOODS HC
SHAOLIN COWBOY: STAYING A.I.LIVE #1
YOUNG HELLBOY: THRILLING SKY ADVENTURES #2
NO. 6: VIZ MEDIA
None
NO. 7: DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
RED SONJA NOIR: THE PLUNDER AND THE PRINCESS #1 (ONE-SHOT)
Writer: David Avallone
Artist: Edson Novaes
The crimson-maned warrior of song and legend muscles her way into trouble once more in this all-new tale of hard-boiled Hyboria!
Red Sonja sells her services and attends a wedding on the island of Zaralina — an enclave for the rich and wealthy merchant class! Events soon take a turn for the dark and nefarious as she finds herself in the middle of wedding guests, thieves, wizards and ... a dragon?!
Gimlet-eyed wordsmith DAVID AVALLONE joins artist Edson Novaes for this special 40-page one-shot packed with two-fisted betrayals and bloody retribution - all wrapped in treacherously alluring covers from LESLEY "LEIRIX" LI, ROBERT HACK, and cosplay by MOLLY STEWART!
I've never heard of either of the creators, but I do love me some Red Sonja, and one-shots are the simplest way to read comics, so I'll certainly at least flip through it.
And that is definitely a new cosplay model. She looks more formidable than the last one.
VAMPIRELLA: SUMMER SPECIAL 2026 #1 (ONE-SHOT)
Writer: Erica Schultz
Artist: Adriana Melo
Even immortal vampires (or is she an alien? both!) need a little bit of time off for rest and relaxation. Diehard fans know too that Drakulonians do not share the weakness to sunlight that traditional undead vampires do, so she's totally clear to hit the beach. But despite being shore-compatible, other parts of Vampirella's life inevitably lead to complications in even the best planned vacation getaways!
Suddenly in "Rising from the Ashes" the raven-haired, sharp-toothed antiheroine finds herself a whopping 2,000 years in the past. Immediately up to her eyes in drama - instead of the surf she was relishing - it'll only get even crazier when the nearby volcano starts rumbling and is certainly not dormant. Vampi was looking for an island getaway, and she's getting more than she bargained for!
This epic, extra-sized issue is bloodsuckingly brought to fans by writer Erica Schultz. This marks a heralded return to Dynamite for her, following fan-favorite runs on Charmed and Xena. Her star has only soared even higher in the meantime, with prolific contributions to Marvel's X-Men, Daredevil, and Spider-Man franchises, including steering the first-ever Hallows' Eve series, as well as long runs with Spawn.
Schultz is joined by a Dynamite family newcomer in comparison, as beloved industry veteran Adriana Melo takes on the task of bringing this idyllic vacation gone wrong to the page, following only one past cover for Red Sonja during the run of her frequent collaborator Gail Simone. Melo is a perfect fit for Vampirella, with extensive and cherished contributions to titles including Birds of Prey, Power Girl, Witchblade, Ms. Marvel, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, and more.
Another one-shot! And I've been meaning to get back into Vampirella. Nice jumping-on point.
And there appears to be a new Vampirella cosplay model, too. What's happening Dynamite? You know change is hard for comics fans!
MORE DYNAMITE
LILO AND STITCH 626 #2
RED SONJA: SHE DEVIL WITH A SWORD #3
NO. 8: BOOM!
The BOOM! website hasn't been updated since February.
NO. 9: KODANSHA
WHAT IF I SAID, "I LOVE YOU"? VOLUME 1
I HAVE A CRUSH AT WORK VOLUME 4
HOW TO TREAT A LADY KNIGHT RIGHT VOLUME 2
FALL IN LOVE, YOU FALSE ANGELS VOLUME 5
NINA THE STARRY BRIDE VOLUME 16
NO. 10: ONI PRESS
CRUEL UNIVERSE 2 #12 (OF 12): Not the end, surely.
MORE ONI
ADVENTURE TIME (2025) VOL 2: FRIENDS TO THE END TP
ADVENTURE TIME QUADRUPLE FEATURE #1 (OF 4)
FACELESS AND THE FAMILY: MAZE OF THE MECHANICAL ALIENS #1 (OF 4)
MORE PUBLISHERS
ARCHIE
ARCHIE COMICS CELEBRATES AMERICAS 250TH (ONE-SHOT)
(W) Various (A) Various (CA) Dan Parent
America is celebrating its 250th birthday, and who better to ring in the occasion than the beacons of Americana—Archie Andrews and all his friends and family in Riverdale! Take a walk down memory lane (no, not THAT Memory Lane), as we revisit some of the best U.S. and U.S. history stories from Archie’s 85 years!
Maybe. I'll flip through it at the LCS and see how much of it is by my preferred Archie artists and writers.
DRAWN & QUARTERLY
DECLARATION EMANCIPATION ILLUSTRATED TP
"R.Sikoryak revisits the Declaration of Independence on the 250th anniversary of its signing."
I used to be proud and interested in 1776 stuff, but now it just depresses me.
FANTAGRAPHICS
EIGHTBALL #1 FACSIMILE EDITION
This series that made Daniel Clowes famous! Oh, wait, that was Ghost World. Anyway, I've got the complete series in a collection somewhere, which I've never read.
WALT DISNEY'S UNCLE SCROOGE VOL 30: LOST BENEATH THE SEA HC
Volume 30 of the Carl Barks Library, which was originally supposed to end at, what, 26? 27? Well, it didn't end. And in for a penny ...
HARPER COLLINS
Harper Collins has apparently decided to release an avalanche of graphic novels all at once, some of them movie/novel adaptations. I'm not going to look them all up, but here's a link to the website if you find any of them interesting.
THE ODYSSEY TP
PRINCESS DIARIES: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL TP
WARRIORS GRAPHIC NOVEL VOL 1: THE NEW PROPHECY TP
1984: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL HC
ANIME ARCHIVES HC
CLICK TP
GARLIC AND THE VAMPIRE TP
HOOKY VOL 3 TP
KIRBY'S LESSONS FOR FALLING IN LOVE TP
MAKING COMICS TP
NEW KID TP
SIMPSONS COMICS COLOSSAL COMPENDIUM VOL 2 TP
HERMES PRESS
DARK SHADOWS PAPERBACK LIBRARY NOVEL VOL 3: STRANGERS AT COLLINWOOD TP
(W) Marilyn Ross (CA) Photo
The third book in this reprint series, “Strangers at Collins House,” will feature the original painted cover depicting Victoria Winters and the complete text, re-proofed and error free. These reprints will present each installment in the series with its original cover, but, unlike the Paperback Library books will present the titles in a larger 6 inch by 8 inch format. Each book in the series was written by William Edward Daniel Ross who used the pen name Marilyn Ross. Victoria Winters at last feels she has a clue to her own identity when she meets elderly Henry Collins. He secretly gives her the jewels which once belonged to his lost love – a woman Victoria strongly resembles. After receiving the gift, Victoria is suddenly terrified by attacks on her life which are masked as accidents. Surrounded by danger, Victoria wonders if she is to be the victim of ruthless thieves – or a hidden murderer desperate enough to keep her from learning about her past.
I hear there are some Dark Shadows fans lurking around here somewhere.
TITAN COMICS
WAR OF THE WORLDS: THUNDER CHILD HC
Titan Comics’ War of the Worlds: Thunder Child graphic novel follows the crew of the eponymous ironclad torpedo ram, the HMS Thunder Child, as they face the Martian invaders from H.G. Wells’ classic 1898 science-fiction tale War of the Worlds. Set to be released in March 2026, the story unfolds against the backdrop of strange occurrences, culminating in the Thunder Child’s final heroic showdown.
This is a terrifying and thrilling story soaked in blood, sacrifice, and loss – the first act in a new take on the well-known classic, featuring a unique cast and its own story to tell. It is a tale of horrors and conflicts of the crew as they experience the first desperate days of the Martian invasion and face the possible collapse of civilisation itself, threatened both from the stars… and from within.
The team working on War of the Worlds: Thunder Child share an impressive background. Writers Matt Hardy (Cadavers, Last Exit to Brighton) and Rob Jones (Hell in Stalingrad) teamed up with artist Kevin Castaniero (The Reason for Dragons, Cocaine Disco) to bring to life this dramatic original graphic novel that parallels the events in the classic story.
“We set out to make this both a contemporary piece that could be accessible to new readers whilst also something that fans of the book, the musical, or any other adaptation of Wells’ work would enjoy,” said artist Rob Jones about adapting H. G. Wells’ classic.
Matt Hardy, the writer and editor behind War of the Worlds: Thunder Child, emphasised how the artwork enhances the story: “Kevin Castaniero’s detailed, sometimes brutal art and his ability to convey the painful emotions have elevated the impact of our story and its power to resonate with readers.”
PRAISE FOR THE WAR OF THE WORLDS: THUNDER CHILD VOL. 1
“A gripping story with a fantastic cast and a great respect for the source material. 5/5” Mark Scott (Big Comic Page)
“Offering stunning art, a great-looking story, Thunder Child is a tensely enthralling sci-fi steampunk adventure drama, with a cast of complex characters.” Down The Tubes
“There is a blockbuster feel…a big budget vibe that sometimes only comics can accomplish.” SHIFT
“For comic readers, it's recommended. For Wells fans, it's essential. All aboard the Thunder Child!” Altered Instinct
War of the Worlds was an early favorite in my fantasy-reading life, and I have no problem with a new take on it. Will definitely check this out.
DOCTOR WHO: THE FIFTEENTH DOCTOR: THE PRISON PARADOX VOL. 2
Author: Dan Watters
Artist: Sami Kivela
Publisher: Titan Comics
SC, 112 pages, FC, $17.99
ISBN: 9781787748439
On sale June 16, 2026
The Doctor and Belinda star in a spectacular new adventure as they encounter new foes and new friends aboard an inescapable prison facility in a forgotten part of the universe.
The Doctor continues his adventures through time and space alongside a team of allies from across the universe, fellow prisoners held captive in a maximum security space prison! Each has a story to tell and a role to play in uncovering the mysteries of their incarceration.
ANNIE THE ADIPOSE: The Adipose are a parasite race, only able to reproduce through the death of others. When discovered they are euthanized or imprisoned to prevent interplanetary epidemics. Conviction: Existence as a parasitic lifeform.
H-8 THE CYBORG: A ship of Theseus of pilfered cybernetics, H-8 doesn’t remember what part of him is biological anymore, or what species he started out as. A hulking being obsessed with firepower, he’s bristling with weapons- including a Dalek gun attached to his arm! Despite this, he’s surprisingly affable. You’d like him. Conviction: Weapons theft.
FELIK THE SLITHEEN: Embarrassed by her family’s history, Felik fled them to become the pirate scourge of two galaxies. Endlessly hunted by her own kind. Conviction: Piracy.
MEEZAN THE TENTACULON: An aquatic squid being made entirely out of twisting tentacles; Meezan is the last of her kind and very sad about it. After her underwater planet became a desert, she returned to try and flood it. Which was not taken well by the land-dwelling species that had come to settle there. Conviction: Attempted terraforming without a permit.
I'm not reading Titan's Doctor Who, so I don't know how good or bad it is. But I had already uploaded this preview before I knew uploading art was an issue, so here ya go.
FIRST ISSUES!
I don't normally post every first issue — usually I post the ones I think have an interesting cover or premise. But there are just so many this week, I'm just going to list them and let y'all pursue any YOU think are interesting.
JADE WARRIORS #1 (Ex Posse)
MADAME TARANTULA MAGAZINE #1 (Massive)
SEVEN YEARS IN DARKNESS SEVENTY-TWO KEYS #1 (ONE-SHOT, Massive)
RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD UNTOLD TALES OF TARMAN #1 (Prana)
SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT DARK WINTER #1 (OF 2, Prana)
THREE STOOGES AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY 10TH ANNIVERSARY #1 (Prana)
CATCHING HELL FEAT REGGIE BANNISTER #1 (Prana)
LAST STARFIGHTER #1 (Mad Cave)
POP KILL #1 SEASONAL FLAVORS (Mad Cave)
TEAM AMERICA RACING FULL THROTTLE EDITION #1 (ONE-SHOT, CSN)
DEAD ACRE #1 (Vault)
Replies
(Hey, Larry Zellner next to me was drawing World War II airplanes fighting, so I'm not alone.)
I think I was probably drawing space battles.
Green Lantern vs. Iron Man is an odd match...
Makes me think of...
The Silver Age JLA — just the original seven, mind you — could handily defeat the combined Avengers of the first 100 issues.
The Avengers from the first 15 issues could handily defeat the ones of #16-100.
As for Aquaman, I'd have Sub-Mariner whale the tar out of him a lot, all puns intended.
Aquaman beat Subby in Marvel vs. DC (with a whale, oddly enough), but only because Peter David was writing Aquaman at the time and he was more popular.
I pulled a Lone Wolf and Cub and had the characters just stand and stare at each other for several panels...
That happened in Marvel vs. DC, too (but between Batman and Captain America).
I forget which one, say, "All right, you win this round."
In Marvel vs. DC, Batman won due to a fluke of fate (and because Batman is more popular than Captain America).
BATMAN #127 FACSIMILE EDITION: "The Hammer of Thor!" (1959)
Talk about Marvel vs. DC!
I really don't understand the point of these kinds of books.
Me either.
GEORGE PEREZ'S NEW TEEN TITANS ARTISTS' EDITION HC
This one was solicited for July 29 release, but the Ditko Spider-Man on shipped four weeks early, so could be.
SHAOLIN COWBOY: STAYING A.I.LIVE #1
First Concrete and now Shaolin Cowboy? I'm in heaven!
THREE STOOGES AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY 10TH ANNIVERSARY #1
America Mythology has published 21 Three Stooges comics, all of them numberded "1". Talk about yer non-sequential numbering!
My Guess: "W.I.P." = "Work In Progress"
I was gonna guess "West Indianapolis Police," but yours is probably more likely.
For Red Sonja Noir, I don't know the artist, but I'm a fan of the writer, David Avallone. He's been the writer of the various Elvira miniseries (barring the recent teamup with Harley Quinn) for the last few years, and always delivers a funny, clever script. And he loves noir stories! His father was a mystery novelist, too, so it runs in the family. And I just listened to a great podcast with him discussing my favorite movie, Miller's Crossing.
I'll have to make sure to put this on my list.
Now I'm definitely going to read it. Thanks!
Enjoy!