TOP 10 PUBLISHERS
NO. 1: DC COMICS
BATMAN AND THE MONSTER MEN TP (2026 EDITION)
Thiis 2006 story is a rewrite or retcon (call it what you will) of the Hugo Strange story in Batman #1 (1940), written and drawn by Matt Wagner. The tl;dr is that it's pretty good, and I recommend it if you haven't read it already. It fits between Batman: Year One and Batman: Year Two on your bookshelf.
The longer answer is that Batman meets Hugo Strange for the first time here, whereas in the Golden Age the "Monster Men' story in Batman #1 (Spring 1940) was Strange's second appearance. He had debuted in Detective Comics #36 (February 1940). I haven't read either of those in quite a while, so I can't say for sure, but Strange's debut may not be as definitive as publishing order would suggest. DC was pretty loosey-goosey in those early days as to what went into Detective and what went into Batman — I suspect it was whatever story was ready when the printers' deadline arrived.
And there are reasonable questions here. For example, the blurb at the end of Detective Comics #37 (March 1940) promises the "Monster Men" story in the next issue, but instead Detective Comics #38 (April 1940) gives us the debut of Robin. That was two months after Strange's official debut, but clearly some swapping was going on. And Robin doesn't appear in the Hugo Strange story in Batman #1, whereas he does appear in the other three stories. This suggests (to me, anyway) that "Monster Men" was written (and maybe drawn) before Robin's debut — and possibly before the Strange story in Detective Comics #36. So if Matt Wagner wants to establish that Hugo Strange's first encounter with Batman was "Monster Men," because that works better in establishing Batman's first year, then it works for me.
Wagner also re-wrote the story in Detective Comics #31-32 as Batman and the Mad Monk #1-6, which has also been collected. Both versions of the story are pretty cool.
CLAYFACE: CELEBRITY DIRT #1 (OF 6)
(W) Jude Ellison S. Doyle (A/CA) Fran Galan
AHEAD OF DC STUDIOS' CLAYFACE MOVIE, WITNESS BASIL KARLO BRING THE MUD AND THE PAIN BACK TO DC COMICS!
Before he was Clayface, Basil Karlo was one of the hottest stars in Hollywood. As he breaks out of Arkham once again, he's ready to stage his comeback, but there's just one problem: Someone already beat him to it, and Basil Karlo is already a massive star. But if that's true, what's next for the real Basil? And what does his predicament have to do with young women disappearing in Los Angeles and a new supplement causing hideous transformations in its users? Acclaimed horror writer Jude Ellison S. Doyle and rising star artist Fran Galan join forces for a bold new miniseries that's equal parts body horror and Hollywood glamour.
Once Clayface became an unkillable shapeshifter, I thought he was too over-powered for Batman. Perhaps that was influenced by the fact that the first time I saw Matt Hagen was in World's Finest Comics #140 (March 1964), where even Superman was challenged. Every time he appeared in Batman or Detective I had to park my suspension of disbelief outside my frontal lobe and put the emergency brake on. I still had fun, though, and that's what counts.
ABSOLUTE
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #22
ABSOLUTE CATWOMAN #2 (OF 6)
VERTIGO
BLEEDING HEARTS #6
MORE DC
BARBARA GORDON: BREAKOUT #3
BATMAN #156 FACSIMILE EDITION: "Robin Dies at Dawn!" This affected me deeply when I was, like, seven years old. I read it in Batman #185 (October 1966), an 80-Page Giant reprint issue.
EMPEROR AQUAMAN #19
FURY OF FIRESTORM #4 (OF 8)
GREEN LANTERN #49 FACSIMILE EDITION: "Emerald Twilight" is back.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #18
SUPERGIRL #15
COLLECTIONS
CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS ABSOLUTE EDITION HC (2026 EDITION)
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: THE SILVER AGE OMNIBUS VOL 1 HC (2026 EDITION)
LEX LUTHOR: DIABOLICAL GENIUS — A SUPERMAN GRAPHIC NOVEL TP is for kids.
NIGHTWING BY TOM TAYLOR AND BRUNO REDONDO OMNIBUS VOL 2 HC
ORION TP is by manga artist Ngozi Uzaki (Check, Please!) and may be for kids.
SUPERMAN'S GOOD GUY GANG: FOLLOW THE LEADER HC is for kids.
NO. 2: MARVEL COMICS
FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST FOES — SHALLA-BAL #1
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by MARK BUCKINGHAM
Cover by PHIL NOTO
Variant cover by MARC ASPINALL
Variant Cover by MARK BUCKINGHAM
Those haunting words uttered by Shalla-Bal spurred Marvel’s First Family into action this past summer in Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This June, discover more about the Silver Surfer of Earth-828 in FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST FOES — SHALLA-BAL #1, a comic book one-shot by acclaimed writer Charles Soule (Daredevil) and superstar artist Mark Buckingham (Miracleman), returning following his work on previous The Fantastic Four: First Steps tie-in one-shots, including Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 and the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Foes #1.
Each one-shot is set in the world of the blockbuster film, expanding on its history by revealing the team’s earliest adventures as well as the origins of their legendary adversaries. Who was Shalla-Bal before Galactus appointed her with a dark, cosmic destiny? The Fantastic Four: First Steps offered an exciting glimpse, and now, it’s time to learn the entire truth!
THE ORIGINS OF SHALLA-BAL!
Years ago, in order to save her planet, astronomer Shalla-Bal gave up her freedom to become the sustenance-seeking herald of the intergalactic Devourer of Worlds, Galactus! Now, for the first time, learn the secrets of her transformation, her journey and the horrifying decisions that she had to make!
"Already spoiled rotten to have had superstar writers Matt Fraction and Dan Slott collaborate with me on this Fantastic Four series, I was over the moon to discover I'd be joined by the incredible Charles Soule for this next installment!” Buckingham shared. "And over the moon, and far into deep space, is where we are going. To glimpse a dramatic and heart breaking tale from Shalla-Bal's past, beautifully written by Charles, that takes place prior to the events in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
"It continues to be a delight and utter joy to draw this book, and to have a whole issue to indulge in my love for the Silver Surfer, especially after seeing Shalla-Bal so exquisitely brought to life in the film,” Buckingham continued. “I’ve loved bringing the magic of the early FF stories and Marvel Studios’ movie together and delving deeper into the universe of The Fantastic Four: First Steps."
I know y'all know this, but this cover is an homage to the cover of Fantastic Four #72 (March 1968), by Jack Kirby.
And, of course, this Silver Surfer mirrors the one we saw in Fantastic Four: First Steps. I don't know if I was aware of it while watching the movie, but that Surfer was, in fact, Shalla Bal, and not a gender-reassigned Norrin Radd. I don't know if we'll ever see her again, because I'm getting the impression that the MCU is heading for a reset.
JEFF THE LAND SHARK: SUPERSTAR (2026) #1 (OF 5)
Written by KELLY THOMPSON
Art by TOKITOKORO
Jeff the Land Shark’s mega stardom just made him the target of Marvel’s megalomaniacal, interdimensional television mogul, MOJO! The infamous X-Men villain will capture Jeff for his most exciting — and dangerous — misadventure yet in JEFF THE LAND SHARK: SUPERSTAR, an all-new Jeff limited series from returning creative team Kelly Thompson and Tokitokoro! Along for the ride will be his new friend, Ken the Septapus, who debuted last year in the Jeff Week Infinity Comic, and, in their startling introduction, a wild band of superstar X-Men created by Mojo for maximum ratings!
From making a splash in comics, including the Eisner Award winning It’s Jeff Infinity Comic, to catching a tidal wave of popularity from Marvel Rivals, Jeff is a global sensation! Now, he headlines his very own solo series, both on Marvel Unlimited and at your local comic shop, perfect for longtime Marvel readers, newcomers, and anyone in between.
JEFF HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED!
Mojo is determined to create the latest hit show…and sends the Marvel Universe into an UPROAR when he KIDNAPS beloved pet-slash-friend of heroes, Jeff the Land Shark– and his klepto companion Ken! But Jeff’s not the only star of the show—prepare to meet the all-new, all-wild cast of X-Men, including the likes of DAZZLE STORM, MAGIKHOT, WOLVERINE-MAN, RAMBIT and MORE!
“Jeff's second ever mini-series SUPERSTAR will find Jeff becoming an inter-galactic celebrity...but at what cost?! Chaos ensues as we mash together classic allies, old enemies, new friends, and heroic acts for a galaxy spanning adventure!” Thompson teased.
Check out Gurihiru’s cover along with Tokitokoro’s design and stay tuned in the weeks ahead for more news about JEFF THE LAND SHARK: SUPERSTAR, including the reveal of the rest of the Mojo’s Superstar X-Men and Variant Covers!
Here in my dotage, whatever residual interest I had in anthropomorphic animals (left over from my childhood) has long since died. But maybe kids would like this? I can't tell if it's "serious" (i.e., in continuity) or not. If it is in continuity, it's not going to be in my head canon.
MORE MARVEL COMICS
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FACSIMILE EDITION (2026) #14: You know this one. It's the first Green Goblin. It has a guest appearance (really a cameo) by the Hulk. It had Steve Ditko's generic movie director. What else could you possibly want?
BLACK CAT (2025) #12
CIVIL WAR: UNMASKED (2026) #3
DAREDEVIL (2026) #4
SORCERER SUPREME (2025) #8
STAR WARS: SHADOW OF MAUL (2026) #5
UNCANNY X-MEN (2024) #31
WOLVERINE (2024) #23
X-MEN '97: SEASON TWO (2026) #2
COLLECTIONS ON SALE 07/08/2026
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: TORN TP
DEADPOOL MODERN ERA EPIC COLLECTION: X X BABY TP
HULK: SMASH EVERYTHING TP
SPIDER-MEN: WORLDS COLLIDE [MARVEL PREMIER COLLECTION] TP
NO. 3: IMAGE COMICS
BLOOD & THUNDER #15
DIE LOADED #7
DO A POWERBOMB: BLACK AND WHITE #1 (OF 3)
EXQUISITE CORPSES RASCAL RANDY #1 (OF 5)
FORGED #12 (MR)
FREE PLANET #14
GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #330
MASK #2
SEASONS #11
TRANSFORMERS #34
WITCHBLADE #23
W0RLDTR33 #21
WRESTLE HEIST TP
NO. 4: IDW PUBLISHING
OPERATION: IRON COFFIN #1 (OF 3)
The recently resurrected Dracula, one of the world’s greatest monsters and most infamous vampires, is hell-bent on redemption. The mission he takes to make that redemption possible? Teaming up with British Allied forces during World War II. They’ll air-drop him onto a Nazi train containing a horde of soldiers, augmented villains, and a vampire plague that, if released, will create a new generation of vampire terrors. Dracula will have to battle his way through the train, confronting his past sins and facing off against the wicked Hazel and Ivy, who are calling the shots for the Nazis … and who have a vested interest in Dracula’s failures.
The action horror book of the year is here, from critically acclaimed writer Kenny Porter (Superboy: Man of Tomorrow, DC Mech) and rising star artist Tyrell Cannon (Fantastic Four Fanfare).
"the coolest new horror comic in years" - Jesse Schedeen, IGN
"absolutely insane [...] Dracula goes John Wick on nazis" - Ryan Scott, Fangoria
"more than lives up to the hype" - Shaun Corley, Screen Rant
It's hard to think of Dracula as an ally of any kind, after a lifetime of movies, comics and TV shows where he is utterly unredeemable. But in retrospect it's surprising that nobody has done this before. Sure, Vlad Tepes was an awful man. Even in an era known for cruelty, he had a reputation for cruelty beyond the pale. Still, it was mostly cruelty to the Turks. Tepes committed his depradations in defense of his kingdom from conquest by the Muslim Ottoman Empire, and therefore, by extension, he could be considered to be have been defending all of Christendom. After all, once the Ottomans defeated Dracula and turned Wallachia into a vassal state, they made it all the way to Vienna.
But he was definitely defending his homeland, and wouldn't be any happier with athiest Nazis occupying Wallachia than Muslim Ottomans. So the enemy of my enemy rule applies.
THE ROCKETEER: INFILTRATOR! #1
It’s the height of World War II, and Betty is a Nazi collaborator! Or so we’re led to believe. As Allied planes mysteriously explode in midair across Europe, rumors of a Nazi superweapon compel the U.S. to send its fastest asset undercover: the Rocketeer! With Betty posing as a defecting American actress in a German motion picture, Cliff Secord, a.k.a. the Rocketeer, accompanies as her brother and manager. And since neither has experience in deep-cover work, the Allies send a handler to support them — a debonair MI6 agent who assumes the role of Betty’s co-star.
The Rocketeer will need to maintain his cover, destroy a superweapon no Allied agent has actually seen, and keep Betty away from the handsome British secret agent with a penchant for beautiful women. It’s a lot for a reckless stunt pilot to handle!
Gabriel Hardman (Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia) and rising star artist Dean Kotz (The Savage Sword of Conan, Black Hammer: Visions) team up to tell the most dangerous Rocketeer story yet!
“I’m thrilled to have this chance to contribute to the legacy of Dave Stevens’ The Rocketeer,” commented Hardman. “I was first exposed to both the character and Stevens’ almost impossibly lush artwork when I picked up THE ROCKETEER ADVENTURE MAGAZINE from Comico at a comic shop as a teenager. It played directly into my love of pulpy storytelling of the 1930s and 1940s so having the chance to tell a tale in that world feels like a perfect fit for me. We’re adding a dose of wartime espionage into the mix as Cliff and Betty bring their unique skills to a mission to uncover a Nazi superweapon while using Betty’s acting career as a cover. Though they may lack experience in the spy game, they’ll have help from a dashing MI6 agent who unluckily for Cliff takes an amorous interest in Betty. I couldn’t be more excited about collaborating with artist Dean Kotz on this series. I’ve admired his work for years and this project is both a perfect fit for his style and an ideal story for us to collaborate.”
“I'm so stoked to be working with Gabriel on THE ROCKETEER: INFILTRATOR!,” added Kotz. “Gabriel is a master of pulp storytelling, and he's cooked up an awesome spy thriller premise with so many fun things to draw. When Cliff's not wearing his rocket zipping around WWII bombers and fighter planes, we get to see him out of his element in the shadowy world of international espionage. Meanwhile, Betty's undercover on a glamorous movie set being romanced by a secret agent. This book hits all the perfect pulp notes.”
Not for me, but perhaps for thee.
KLOUD 9: THE STAR SOLDIER
SEVEN WIVES #2
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: 35TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
STAR TREK: ALIENS (IDW CLASSIC COLLECTIONS)
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES VOL. 10 (THE IDW COLLECTION)
THE TWILIGHT ZONE #9
VALIANT BEYOND: THE X-O MANOWAR #9 — THE PILGRIMAGE #1: I'm not sure how IDW has come to be publishing Valiant. Maybe if I'd paid more aattention to the comics press I'd know. Anyhow, they seem to be.
ZORRO'S LEGACY #1: This is by Dan Abnett and Aaron Lopestri, which actually sounds pretty good.
NO. 5: DARK HORSE
FOUNDATIONS #1 (ONE-SHOT)
This summer, Jonathan Hickman, Mike del Mundo, Mike Huddleston, and Nick Spencer’s ambitious science-fiction universe, Three Worlds / Three Moons, comes to print at Dark Horse! Initially published at 3w3m.com, Three Worlds / Three Moons is the brainchild of the award-winning and best-selling team of Hickman (X-Men, East of West), del Mundo (Spawn: Unwanted Violence, Avengers), Huddleston (Decorum, The Strain) and Spencer (Amazing Spider-Man, The Fix), spanning comics, graphic novels, and more. Dark Horse Comics will publish all of these stories, in comic shops and bookstores beginning July 2026. The Foundations one-shot, written by Hickman and Spencer, illustrated by del Mundo and Huddleston, and lettered by Rus Wooton, will be the first title published in the line and will set the scene for the sprawling sci-fiworld.
“We are incredibly excited for the opportunity to partner with Dark Horse so that comic stores and comic fans can get to experience this project that has been years in the making,” said 3W/3M creator Jonathan Hickman.
About Foundations:
Across a distant solar system and countless millennia-long cycles, a war has been fought between the forces of magic and science, and order and chaos. When astronaut and explorer Tajo Vallar undertakes a doomed expedition to a dormant moon full of mysteries, the conflict begins anew, and it will be more dangerous than ever before!
Christian Ward, James Stokoe, Juni Ba, Ram V, Al Ewing, Steve Epting, Stephen Green, Tini Howard, Phil Hester, and more will be joining the universe in yet-to-be-announced projects, so stay tuned for what’s next in the 3W/3M line!
That's sure a lot of big-time names. If it's multi-media, why haven't I heard about it before? Maybe I did, and though they were talking about Isaac Asimov.
STAR-CROSSED #1 (OF 5)
The Millarworld expands as Dark Horse, writer Mark Millar and acclaimed Italian artist Corrado Mastantuono (Topolino, Nick Raider) colorist Niso Mastantuono and letterer Clem Robins (Hellboy, 100 Bullets), take readers along on a kill-or-be-killed hunt for the ultimate bounty; the greatest thieves in the universe and the price on their heads in Star Crossed. Featuring covers by Mastantuono, Stuart Immonen (Superman, All-New X-Men) in both color and black & white, in addition to a ratio variant by Eisner Award-winning artist Jae Lee (Inhumans, Gargoyles), with colors by June Chung (Thundercats, Space Ghost). The series spans five issues, with the first issue arriving in July, 2026.
In Star-Crossed:
When the universally famous Space Bandits robbed the richest women in the universe, they expected a little trouble and a bounty on their heads. But they didn’t expect the number to be so high, and every single bounty hunter in the galaxy to be on their tails wherever they go.
I've cooled considerably on Mark Millar's work — since about Kick-Ass, i'd say. Since But maybe you haven't.
WITNESS POINT #1 (OF 4)
Dark Horse Comics presents Witness Point, a new four-issue comic series written by actor Nathan Fillion and screenwriter/comic author Heath Corson (From the World of Minor Threats: The Brood, Animal Kingdom) and illustrated by award-winning illustrator Soo Lee (Carmilla, Kingdom of Earth). Issue #1 of the bloody Midwestern noir will feature cover art by Lee and Shawn Martinbrough with Chris Sotomayor and will arrive in comic shops in July 2026.
About Witness Point:
Welcome to Baraboo, Wisconsin, a friendly town full of cold beers and warm hearts — heck, it’s even the headquarters of the Ding-A-Ling Circus — a place where everyone gets along . .
At least, they did, until the naked, dismembered body of a US Marshal was found in the town square, revealing Baraboo’s dark secret: It’s the dumping ground for the Witness Protection Program. Turns out, for the past 40 years, every criminal, con man, and killer who flipped on their pals has been relocated to “Witness Point.”
Now, the long-suffering local sheriff, Carter “Kite” Calhoon, and a contentious deputy marshal, Priya Khabrani, are forced together to solve the murder only days before the town’s beloved Harvest Festival. Which won’t be easy in the face of rising paranoia and tempers as everyone in Baraboo wonders just what kind of lowlife they’re living next to . . .
“Heath pulled me into his world with Witness Point, and I immediately knew this was a story that would lend itself to a comic series. I’m excited to be collaborating with the incredibly talented and celebrated artist Soo Lee, whose recent work on ThunderCats: Cheetara, The Wizard of Oz, and Disney Villians: Maleficient is nothing short of extraordinary,” praised Fillion. “Working with Soo, alongside my partners at Collision33 — Michelle Chapman and Josh Levy — and the team at Dark Horse Entertainment to bring this engaging story to life has been a thrill. I love this project and can’t wait for readers to experience it.”
“Nathan is an intuitive storyteller who imbues every medium he works in with his quick wit, iconic characters, and bottomless humanity,” said Corson. “I feel like we've managed to siphon a decent amount of it into Witness Point.”
Lee added, “Witness Point isn't your typical crime story that you think it is, so I wanted it to reflect that in the art as well. The setting is unusual with unusual suspects and characters, in all sense of the word so I wanted the colors and visuals to match that.”
Sounds like fun. Count me in if the art's good.
MORE DARK HORSE
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT MIMI GREEN #2
STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC ADVENTURES--PATHFINDERS #3
COLLECTIONS
THE CREDITS ROLL INTO THE SEA VOLUME 1 TPB
CREEPY PRESENTS: STEVE DITKO TPB
THE GOON: A BUNCH OF OLD CRAP OMNIBUS VOLUME 3 TPB (DH REPRINT)
THE GUY IN THE CHAIR TPB
THE MAGIC ORDER OMNIBUS VOLUME 1 TPB
RED BOOK VOLUME 1 TPB
SYNTHETICS VOLUME ONE TPB
NO. 6: VIZ MEDIA
HIMA-TEN!, VOL. 1
MY HERO ACADEMIA: TEAM-UP MISSIONS, VOL. 8
NOT YOUR IDOL, VOL. 4
NUE’S EXORCIST, VOL. 7
ONE PIECE, VOL. 112
OTAKU VAMPIRE’S LOVE BITE, VOL. 8
PHANTOM BUSTERS, VOL. 4
SNOW WHITE WITH THE RED HAIR, VOL. 27
SUPER PSYCHIC POLICEMAN CHOJO, VOL. 4
THE KING’S BEAST, VOL. 18
THE KING’S BEAST, VOL. 18 (LIMITED EDITION)
THUS SPOKE ROHAN KISHIBE, VOL. 3
YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 46
NO. 7: DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
ALADDIN #1
Readers are invited to hop on their magic carpets and join Dynamite Entertainment for the latest hotly anticipated comics project in their line of licensed Disney classics, as Aladdin jumps into action this May!
Welcome to Agrabah! The creative team — writer James III and artist Agnese Eterno — brings a thrilling, all-new series from one of the most revered films from the Disney Renaissance era.
Everyone's favorite diamond in the rough, Aladdin, is on top of the world as this new comic series starts. The former street rat is united with his love, Princess Jasmine. He's got his trusty buddies Abu and the magical carpet. While Genie is free of his lamp and able to do as he wishes. But trouble always seems to haunt Al, and he'll need the help of everyone he loves to save himself and the entire city of Agrabah!
Acclaimed writer, comedian, podcaster, and all-around powerhouse James III (Good Burger 2, Fairy OddParents: A New Wish, All That) channels his timeless, all-ages expertise that fans got to know in the latest Stitch series into another childhood favorite of his, now an adult favorite and unparalleled responsibility for generations new and old.
The illustrious Italian artist Agnese Eterno joins him for this latest adventure into Agrabah, a rising star trained and affiliated with the legendary Arancia Studio of superstar Mirka Andolfo.
"Writing Aladdin is an opportunity I don't take lightly," said writer James III. "Not to be old, but the Aladdin VHS was one of the few tapes we owned growing up and we wore it out! I'd run around the house imitating Genie and Iago (for which I later won the 3rd grade talent show, thank you very much!) And my light-up Jafar staff was a prized possession. We're doing our best to capture the flare of the original while telling new stories for today's audience."
I've never seen the movie, but I like the source material so much that if I were to buy one modern Disney book, it would probably be this one.
FIRE AND ICE: DARKWOLF #1
Writer: Dan Panosian
Artist: Andrey Lunatik
Born from the immortal imagination of fantasy illustrator supreme Frank Frazetta, Darkwolf storms into a new era of savage fantasy-brought to life by writer Dan "Urban Barbarian" Panosian and powerhouse artist Andrey Lunatik.
Dynamite's acclaimed exploration of the world of Fire and Ice continues in this new series! It all begins when a mother and her twins flee the warlock who sired them-until a masked warrior descends from the mountains and unleashes hell upon their pursuers.
But saving them is only the beginning.
Violent. Mythic. Unrelenting.
This is Darkwolf, and the legend begins here-a fierce, visceral rebirth of one of fantasy's most iconic warriors.
I don't know anything about the Fire and Ice franchise, except a vague memory that it might have started in video games. But clearly they steal from the best, because this Darkwolf fella looks like "What If Conan and Batman had a love child?"
MORE DYNAMITE
ALTERED STATES: WARLORDS #2
BEN 10 #3
THUNDERCATS X SILVERHAWKS #4
NO. 8: BOOM! STUDIOS
BABY GARFIELD #4
BE NOT AFRAID
GARFIELD BOOK ONE
VAMPYRATES! #1: Pirates in a world ruled by vampires.
NO. 9: KODANSHA
SPACEWALKING WITH YOU VOLUME 3
SHIMAZAKI IN THE LAND OF PEACE VOLUME 9
BLUE SUMMER HAZE VOLUME 1
TUNE IN TO THE MIDNIGHT HEART VOLUME 8
FLYING WITCH VOLUME 14
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS: FOUR KNIGHTS OF THE APOCALYPSE VOLUME 22
RENT-A-GIRLFRIEND VOLUME 37
MF GHOST VOLUME 3
NO. 10: ONI PRESS
EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS BOOK ONE LIBRARY EDITION HC
EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS BOOK ONE LIBRARY EDITION SLIPCASE & PORTFOLIO HC
Here's your chance to see what Jeff and i have been talking about.
MORE ONI PRESS
DESTINATION KILL #3 (OF 4)
FREAKS SQUEELE VOL 1 HC
FREAKS SQUEELE VOL 2 HC
LADIES OF THE KNIGHT TP
LOVE AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION HC
MORE PUBLISHERS
ARCHIE COMICS
ARCHIE COMICS 85TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTS BETTY & VERONICA SWIMSUIT SPECIAL (ONE SHOT)
(W) Various (A) Dan Decarlo, Harry Lucey, Various (CA) Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski, Rosario Tito Pena
We’re back with another collector’s item comic starring America’s favorite BFFs Betty and Veronica! Hit the beach with this special collection of some of the best and most eye-catching Betty and Veronica swimsuit images, pin-ups, fashion pages, and one-page comics, collected for the first time ever in a comic-size format!
As usual, I'l flip through and see how much of it is reprints by my favorite artists, and how much is ... something else. If I do decide to get it, I will certainly pick one of the Dan DeCarlo covers.
ARCHIE COMICS CELEBRATES AMERICAS 250TH (ONE SHOT)
(W) Various (A) Various (CA) Stan Goldberg
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!
See above.
FANTAGRAPHICS
PRINCE VALIANT: PERIL OF THE ROUND TABLE HC:
This is a reprint of the comics adaptation of Prince Valiant the movie (1954), by Paul S. Newman and Bob Fujitani. It seems to be in the same format as the regular "Prince Valiant" comic strip collections, which alone makes me interested. I'm very invested in trade dress!
By Katie Skelly
Out past the edge of town, there exists a strip club called Heaven that only some can find. Some say it's a mirage. Others say you can't miss the giant neon heels lighting up the desert night skies.
Dolly can't find a place to belong. After losing her identity as a gymnast and navigating family turbulence, she's adrift from school and friends. When a mysterious presence beckons her to Heaven, she wonders if she may just have found her place -- but just what does it want in return?
Katie Skelly's first graphic novel since her acclaimed Maids in 2020, Heaven finds out what happens when the artist's quintessential cool girl characters let their guards down and let the world in. Out 7/7!
“The latest fanged femme fatale fiction from Katie Skelly” — The Comics Journal
“What unfolds is a surreal meditation on belonging, transformation, and the terrifying freedom of early adulthood.” — AIPT
“Katie Skelly’s new book, Heaven, has a sort of mythical strip club at its center, one that vanishes, only allowing some to find it.” — Comics Beat
I'm 100% in favor of strip clubs in comics. Anyway, they sent me a preview, so here you go.
MAD CAVE
FLASH GORDON THE MOVIE ADAPTATION TP
(W) Bruce Jones (A) Al Williamson (CA) Will Conrad
A new collection of hard-to-find issues of the 1980 FLASH GORDON comic book adaptation of the beloved film, drawn by Al Williamson, a star of the comics industry and a long-running artist on the Flash Gordon strip. Flash Gordon - the movie adaptation! First released in 1980 on the heels of the now classic film, this 3-part adaptation by legends Bruce Jones and Al Williamson is getting a brand-new release! Relive the thrill of the beloved movie and revel in the extraordinary art of a comics master and long-time contributor to the Flash Gordon strip!
Wait, hold on. Bruce Jones and Al Williamson did the movie adaptation? Geez, I want to see this a lot more than I want to re-watch that movie!
TITAN COMICS
CONAN AND DRAGONERO #3 (OF 7)
(W) LUCA ENOCH, STEFANO VIETTI
(A) LORENZO NUTTI
COVER A: MAX VON FAFNER
COVER B: LORENZO NUTI VARIANT
COVER C: MAX VON FAFNER FOIL VARIANT ($14.99)
Publisher: Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures
FC, 32pp, $4.99, IN-STORES: 8 JULY 2026
Pulled to the mysterious land of Erondár by dark forces, Conan comes face to face with the famed dragon slayer, Dragonero, and the two warriors must set aside suspicion to stand back-to-back against a supernatural force poised to doom both their worlds.
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I know y'all know this, but this cover is an homage to the cover of Fantastic Four #72
Not Marvel Team-Up #137, then?
It's hard to think of Dracula as an ally of any kind... But in retrospect it's surprising that nobody has done this before.
Tom Scioli did (lower left corner).
That's sure a lot of big-time names. If it's multi-media, why haven't I heard about it before?
Perhaps because Dark Horse doesn't offer a previews catalogue as other publishers do...?
PRINCE VALIANT: PERIL OF THE ROUND TABLE HC
This is one of the things I anticipated to ship this month, but I didn't expect it until the week after next.
FLASH GORDON THE MOVIE ADAPTATION TP - Wait, hold on. Bruce Jones and Al Williamson did the movie adaptation? Geez, I want to see this a lot more than I want to re-watch that movie!
I re-read this not too long ago (and I re-watched the movie), around the time I was reading Al Williamson Star Wars newepsper strips and The Empire Strikes Back movie adaptation. BUT, if you can, DAP to acquire a copy of Flesk Publication's 2009 Al Williamson's Flash Gordon: A Lifelong Vision of the Heroic, which includes every Flash Gordon comic Williamson ever worked on (Gold Key, movie adaptation, Epic limited series, etc.), on high quality, slick paper in glorious black and white. And if you think it's better than the movie (whatever you think of the movie)... you're right. If the new edition is in color, I may have to take a look myself.
But in retrospect it's surprising that nobody has done this before.
It has been done at least once before that I know of, in a short story called "The Devi is Not Mocked", by Manly Wade Wellman. I couldn't find a publication date for it, but it was adapted for an episode of Night Gallery (1969-1973), so it's at least that old.
In it, a German general stationed in Transylvania near the Borgo Pass commandeers a castle to serve as a base for himself and his men. He is welcomed by the castle's sole occupant, who greets the Germans genially. In fact, he arranges for the Germans to be the "guests of honor" at a midnight feast held by himself and his like-minded friends.
Oh dear. Not going to be a gut nacht for Herr Kommander.
I recall that episode. Night Gallery was nothing if not uneven, but that one is memorable, if predictable.
Perhaps because Dark Horse doesn't offer a previews catalogue as other publishers do...?
They actually do, at least digital ones. I've been getting them for months, but the files are too big to post. I'm open to suggestion.
If you ever do re-watch the 80s Flash Gordon movie, I highly recommend checking out the commentary track by Brian Blessed. It is a DELIGHT.
IIRC, Brian Blessed seemed to be in an entirely different movie from all the other characters. Then again, Brian Blessed is always one of a kind.
And if you think it's better than the movie (whatever you think of the movie)... you're right.
I remember being disappointed when the movie came out. Not Doc Savage disappointed, but in those days I was really antagonistic to any comics-oriented movie or TV show that even hinted at camp. The TV show had reduced Batman to a joke among the mundies, and I didn't want that to happen to any more characters. Anyway, now that Batman has been redeemed and comics material is being taken more or less sriously, I'm much more forgiving of a variety of tones in adaptations. I would probably enjoy a re-watch of Flash Gordon at this point. (But I don't think I'd ever talk my wife into it.)
I may have to take a look myself.
"What will you do now, Earthman?" Oh, wait, you just told me. Sorry, I was having a flashback to the glorious days of 1980.
Our rewatch (my first watch, actually) was a coordinated long-distance Covid-era effort among me and my college roommates & their spouses, all of us hitting play at the same time and cracking wise over Discord. It was an absolute joy. Watch it with a group and you'll all have fun, even if it's at the movie's expense.
The reason I said "whatever you may think of it" is because I've seen it three different times and came away with three (slightly) different opinions. I didn't see the movie at all in 1980, based entirely on the opinion of my peers. They went in expecting Star Trek/Star Wars, and if you go in with that mindset you're going to be disappointed. I didn't see it for the first time until the early 2Ks, when I bought the "Saviour of the Universe Edition" on DVD (will artwork by Alex Ross). I had just come off watching all three of the Buster Crabbe movie serials and I loved it! It wasn't supposed to be "Star Wars"... it actually hued much more closely in style and tone to the 1930s-era serials. (In that respect, Star Wars and Flash Gordon had the same inspiration, but different interpretation/execution.) Of course, if I had seen it in 1980, there's no guarantee I would have had any different reaction than my friends did.
I watched it for a second time a couple of years later, and didn't like it as much. Then I watched it for a third time recently and my reaction was somewhere in the middle. If Star Trek is aimed to appeal to the average 12 year old, and Star Wars to the average 10 year old, then Flash Gordon is designed to appeal to the average eight year old. that tought occurred to me when I watched it a few weeks ago, and thought it might appeal to my niblings (at this stage in their development) moreso than the other two. Go into it with that mindset and you (and Jon, if you can talk her into it) will be fine.
It occurs to me that I already have the movie adaptation in color (reprinted in Dark Horse's Flash Gordon Archives v5), but the reproduction is crap, so I still plan to give this new edition a look. Speaking of Dark Horse, yes, I now realize that they do have a catalogue (on paper as well as online), because I just pre-ordered Marvel Black & White: Barry Windsor-Smith's Weapox X, The Marvel Comics Covers of Jack Kirby v3, and Jim Starlin's Dreadstar Omnibus v3 from it. (There's one of the bigger publishers which doesn't offer a paper catalogue, but I can't think now of which one it is.)