Comic Book News: Dark Horse, Image, Oni Press, IDW, Mad Cave Studios & More!

DARK HORSE COMICS

POWELL, MIGNOLA, CLOONAN, AND HARREN GATHER FOR FOUR TERRIFYING TALES FOR CHRISTMAS TIME

This December, Dark Horse Books presents Four Gathered on Christmas Eve, four stories from four renowned comics creators: Eric Powell (The Goon, Did you Hear What Eddie Gein Done?), Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Becky Cloonan ( The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, By Chance or Providence), and James Harren (B.P.R.D., Ultramega). Powell will be illustrating his story and James Harren’s with the rest of the writers also illustrating their own stories. Eric Powell and Dave Stewart will be coloring the anthology with letters by Richard Starkings.

Four beloved comics storytellers come together to continue the Victorian tradition of sharing ghost stories on Christmas Eve. They will spin tales of the bizarre and terrifying to keep readers company on a cold Yule night. This is a unique approach to the ghost story format where the creators themselves become part of the story, presented in a deluxe hardcover designed by the award-winning Phil Balsman.

“As someone who unapologetically loves Christmas and spooky stories, I’ve always been intrigued that telling ghost stories used to be a regular part of the tradition,” said Eric Powell. “I’ve been kicking around the idea of doing a Victorian Christmas Ghost book for a while and was thrilled when three of my favorite comic creators agreed to join me.” 

Four Gathered on Christmas Eve (72 pages, 6.25 x 9.25”) arrives in bookstores December 12, 2023 and into comic shops December 13, 2023.

 

THE LEGENDARY RABBIT RŌNIN IS BACK AT DARK HORSE IN “USAGI YOJIMBO: ICE AND SNOW”

Dark Horse Comics partners with Dogu Publishing and renowned creator Stan Sakai for the return of the legendary rabbit rōnin in Usagi Yojimbo: Ice and Snow! The new series features Usagi’s new-found cousin Yukichi, as well as the return of fan-favorite villain, Jei. Along with writing, art, and lettering by Sakai, the series also features colors by HiFi Colour Design.

Usagi and Yukichi are still in the snowy mountaintops of Northern Japan, following Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo story arc, “The Green Dragon.” They are led to the hut of a strange hermit who allows them to spend the night at her home to shelter from the snow storm. Meanwhile, the maniacal Jei and his familiar, Keiko, are on Usagi’s trail when they stumble upon a bandit lair and subdue a band of cutthroats and thieves.

Along with the main cover A by Stan Sakai, fans can also collect two other variant covers for issue #1. Variant cover B is provided by artist Skottie Young, available for standard order (UPC 7 61568 01096 1). Artist Paolo Rivera provides a third cover C (UPC 7 61568 01096 1), which comics retailers can order one copy for every 25 copies ordered of Cover A or B.

Usagi Yojimbo: Ice and Snow #1 (of 5) will be in comic shops September 27, 2023.

 

OUTSIDERS FIND THEIR PEOPLE IN “MONSTER CRUSH”

Discover a new coming-of-age fantasy with LGBTQIA+ themes that speak to those who have ever felt like an outsider. Dark Horse Books presents an unforgettable story of self-discovery and teenage romance with a monstrous twist in Monster Crush. The entire whirlwind adventure of love, gender, and big emotions is written, drawn, and colored by Twitch streamer and cat mom extraordinaire Ellie Franey (Gender Turbulence).

Ruby Reid has struggled with life at Crestwood High since her parents split up. However, when Ella Mooney moved to town, everything changed. Ella isn’t like most teens: she’s never been on a Ferris wheel, never had an ice cream cone, and sometimes she grows fangs and a tail!

It’s not just Ruby who is interested in the new girl; the pair find themselves on the run from a mysterious group that wants to capture Ella and her whole family!

“It has always been my personal and professional goal to create content that features and represents LGBTQIA+ characters.” says artist and author Ellie Franey. “Being in the [LGBTQIA+] community myself, it has been a dream come true to create and bring Monster Crush to life. It is my sincerest hope that young adults of any background can enjoy this heartfelt tale.”

Full of big crushes and even BIGGER monsters, the 272-page (6” x 9”) graphic novel Monster Crush will be in bookstores on March 12, 2024, and comic shops on March 13, 2024

 

PREPARE TO BE SHOOK! BY 13 FUNKDAFIED TALES OF TERROR

Dark Horse Comics and Second Sight Publishing are teaming up to deliver Shook! A Black Horror Anthology. This collection boasts more than 200 pages of dread, brought to life by award-winning Black writers and artists with a cadre of award wins and nominations such as Will Eisner Awards, Ringo Awards, Hugo Awards, and is the largest collection of Glyph Comics Awards winners and nominees in a single publication.

The award-winning group of writers on this project includes David Walker (Number 13), who has received multiple Eisner Awards (Bitter Root, Black Panther Party) and nominations (Naomi), as well as a Glyph Comics Award (Shaft). Alongside Walker is John Jennings (Kindred, The Blacker the Ink, Parable of the Sower), a two-time Eisner Award-winner, whose accolades also include a Hugo Award, Ignyte Award, Bram Stoker Award, and two Glyph Comics Awards. And that’s just the beginning!

Stemming from a love of Southern Gothic horror, this anthology dives deep into the grotesque and fearsome world of the supernatural. Here’s a sneak peek at the chilling stories that lurk within:

In The Last March: Set in a graveyard in the old south, a group of klansmen attempt a lynching and get more than they bargain for from their intended recipient. Story by Rodney Barnes (2023 Eisner Award Nominee, Killadelphia) with art by David Brame (2023 GLAAD Award Winner, Young Men in Love).

In TASTY ITCHY: In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of survivors searching for food must get home before the sun goes down to avoid a bigger threat than hunger. Written by Bradley Golden (Leave on the Light) and art by Flavio Cortés.

Collection editor and COO of Second Sight Publishing Marcus Roberts says, “The Shook! project is a collaboration between John Jennings, Bradley Golden, and myself who all hail from the south. John and Bradley are from Mississippi, and I am originally from Georgia. Our brand of horror has been called Southern Gothic horror and this has been in the making for two years.”

Sit back and follow along on this journey of terror, suspense, nightmares, and the darkest depths of FEAR! Shook! A Black Horror Anthology will be in bookstores February 28, 2024 and comic shops February 29, 2024.

 

DARK HORSE BOOKS PRESENTS “THE COMPLETE NORSE MYTHOLOGY”

Neil Gaiman’s 2017 bestselling book, Norse Mythology, has been adapted into an 18-issue comic series spanning three separate hardcover volumes. Now, Dark Horse Books will collect the entire series for the first time into one oversized, deluxe collection! The Complete Norse Mythology will include Volumes 1-3 of the comic series, adapted by P. Craig Russell, the Eisner award-winning writer, illustrator, and Hall of Fame Inductee who has adapted Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, Only the End of the World Again, Coraline, and others.

Each short story in the series features art by different artists, including: Mike Mignola, P. Craig Russell, Jerry Ordway, David Rubín, Piotr Kowalski, Jill Thompson, Matt Horak, Mark Buckingham, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Sandy Jarrell, Galen Showman, and Colleen Doran. Dave Stewart and Lovern Kindzierski provide colors, with Galen Showman lettering. This deluxe edition also features cover art by David Mack, a sketchbook section, and a cover gallery.

In Norse Mythology Volume 1, learn about the creation of the Nine Worlds to the epic origin and adventures of Thor, Odin, and Loki.

In Volume 2, explore the origins of poetry—good and bad—in this tale of malicious dwarfs, suspicious giants, and the wise god Kvasir, whose eventual fate leads to the creation of a powerful mead that many will fight and die for.

And in Volume 3, various Norse myths are brought to life, including a wild quest where Thor and Tyr face a multiheaded giantess, fire-breathing sea serpents, and more bizarre mythological creatures; the journey of Odin to the end of the world, and finally we reach the end of the world Ragnarok: the final destiny of the gods.

The Compete Norse Mythology HC (448 pages, 8 x 12.1875”) arrives in bookstores November 21, 2023 and into comic shops November 22, 2023.

 

JURASSIC PARK MEETS ARACHNOPHOBIA IN “SATAN’S SWARM”

 

Dark Horse Books presents Satan’s Swarm, a new horror graphic novel from horror masters Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre) and Piotr Kowalski (Where Monsters Lie, All Eight Eyes), colored by Lovern Kindzierski and lettered by Nate Piekos.

Dr. Philip Morgan invites entomologists, young influencers, and a reporter, amongst others, to his secluded coastal research facility for a mysterious and bizarre study. What they find is a zoo of death, where local residents have been eaten to the bone, and the specimens they have come to understand have them on the menu next.

Perfect for fans of Hellblazer or Witchfinder.

Satan’s Swarm TPB (72 pages, 6.25 x 10.1875”) crawls into bookstores April 2, 2024 and into comic shops April 3, 2024.

IMAGE COMICS

MULTIPLE EISNER AWARD-WINNING DUO ED BRUBAKER & SEAN PHILLIPS
DIG UP A MURDER MYSTERY THIS DECEMBER WITH WHERE THE BODY WAS

The multiple Eisner Award winning, bestselling duo behind Night Fever, Pulp, Reckless, and Criminal—Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips—are back with a new original graphic novel for readers to obsess over titled, Where the Body Was. This hardcover edition murder mystery will feature colors by Jacob Phillips (That Texas Blood, The Enfield Gang Massacre) and is set to hit shelves in December from Image Comics.

Where The Body Was is a tour-de-force from grandmasters Brubaker and Phillips. Starting with a map of the crime scene, this murder mystery follows the ripples that echo through decades of love and loss and passion and violence after one fateful killing. Like a true crime podcast crossed with a long-lost diary, Where The Body Was is unlike anything Brubaker and Phillips have ever done, and a must-have for all avid fans!

“This is a story I’ve been trying to find a way to tell for half my life,” said Brubaker. “Inspired by a bunch of wild things that happened when I was a teenager in Southern California—from small time crimes to a murder plot—this book is kind of a diorama of a crime scene, with all the action confined to one small neighborhood… And it even comes with a map. I can’t wait for our readers to get their hands on this one, just in time for the Holidays.”

A boarding house full of druggies. A neglected housewife. A young girl who thinks she’s a superhero. A cop who wants to be left alone. And a Private Detective looking for a runaway girl. These stories all collide one deadly summer in Where The Body Was—a tale of love and murder in the suburbs—told from a dozen different points of view. All the neighbors on the block have an opinion about the murder and how it happened, but which of them is telling the truth?

Where the Body Was original graphic novel (ISBN: 978-1-5343-9826-9) will be available at local comic book shops on Wednesday, December 6 and independent bookstores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and Indigo on Tuesday, December 12.

Where the Body Was will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

 

From Image Comics’ Syzygy Imprint Comes A HAUNTED GIRL,
a Supernatural Horror Based on Real-Life Struggle with Depression

Coming this fall from Image Comics’ imprint, Syzygy Publishing, is a gripping new four-issue horror series, A HAUNTED GIRL. Co-written by the father-daughter team of Ethan Sacks (Star Wars: Bounty Hunters) and Naomi Sacks, with art by Marco Lorenzana (Incredible Hulk), this paranormal thriller channels terrors both otherworldly as well as the real-life terror that comes with struggles of anxiety and depression.

Cleo, a 16-year-old adopted Japanese-American whose anxiety and depression drives her to suicidal thoughts, is fresh out of the hospital and trying unsuccessfully to reintegrate back into her old life. What she doesn’t know is that her struggles are just beginning as she finds herself encountering an increasingly terrifying succession of ghosts. Is she losing her grip on reality… or is the explanation much, much worse?

“Four years ago, while my daughter was hospitalized, I came up with the idea of a story about a girl who’s battling depression and finds out she’s the sole hope to save the world,” said Ethan Sacks. “That she would find a way to endure and to save everyone she loves. It was meant to be uplifting and cathartic. Now four years later, my daughter is in a place where she could help write that story. To inspire others going through similar struggles. As a father, I’m proud. As a comic book writer, I’m inspired. As a human being, I’m moved.”

“I’ve always loved writing. And with A HAUNTED GIRL there was a chance for me to work on a story that is very personal,” said Naomi Sacks. “Cleo, the main character, goes through a lot of the same struggles that I did and feels hopeless at many times as I did. But that she perseveres is inspirational to me, too. “

Cover A by acclaimed creator Joe Quesada and colorist Richard Isanove, with variants by Fico Ossio, Ryusei Yamada, and a logoless, black and white variant by Joe Quesada.

An inspiration to those battling their own demons, A HAUNTED GIRL #1 hits stores October 11.

 

James Tynion IV & Martin Simmonds Launch Universal Monsters: Dracula Comic Book Series

Skybound Entertainment, the creator-led, fan-focused multiplatform entertainment company, in partnership with Universal Products & Experiences, has announced Universal Monsters: Dracula, a new four-issue comic book limited series from the best-selling, Eisner Award nominated team of James Tynion IV (W0rldtr33, Something is Killing the Children) and Martin Simmonds (Swan Songs). The first issue will be available in comic book shops on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.

This collaboration between Skybound and Universal is the latest milestone in a near decade long relationship that encompasses film and video games, and now comic book publishing.

“It’s been an absolute thrill to watch the powerhouse duo behind The Department of Truth breathe new life into this legendary story,” said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound Entertainment. “Perfect for both new fans and horror afficionados alike – the Universal Monsters are as timeless as ever!”

The comic book miniseries will unfold over four suspenseful issues, with the first installment plunging readers into the eerie world of Dr. John Seward after he admits a seemingly delusional new patient to his asylum. Recounting chilling tales of a demonic entity residing next door, the skeptical doctor attempts to rationalize the unexplainable, but his adopted daughter Lucy mysteriously succumbs to the malevolent influence of the enigmatic Count Dracula.

“A few times in my life I’ve had the pleasure of writing about one of the great pop culture icons, but there is something singular about Dracula that made this opportunity too good to pass up,” said James Tynion IV. “The challenge in front of Martin and I is to take the bloody heart of the Universal Pictures classic and find a bold new way to bring the character to life. It’s been one of the most exciting creative challenges of my life, and I am phenomenally excited for you to see the horrors we have in store for you.”

“Dracula has always been a horror favorite of mine, so to get the chance to work on an exciting new interpretation of this character alongside my Department of Truth Co-creator, James Tynion IV, was one I couldn’t pass up,” said Martin Simmonds. “I’m so excited for readers to experience our version of Universal’s classic monster–and I hope you enjoy the direction we take the story.”

In addition to Dracula himself, this series also features some popular characters from the original film, including R.M. Renfield, Mina Seward, Doctor John Seward, Van Helsing, and more. Expect fresh twists, chilling encounters, and a dive into the dark corners of these timeless villains’ narratives.

Universal Monsters: Dracula will be followed by more new limited series spotlighting the iconic monsters from some of the top creators in comics.

Each series will feature variant covers from some of the best artists working in comics today—Joshua Middleton, Francis Manapul, Julian Totino-Tedesco, and Jenny Frison.

Universal Monsters: Dracula #1 will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.

 

SKYBOUND CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF THE WALKING DEAD
WITH MASSIVE VARIANT LINEUP AND WEEKLY DROPS THIS OCTOBER

Skybound has announced its 20th anniversary celebration of The Walking Dead, the groundbreaking comic series created by Robert Kirkman (Invincible). The deluxe version of the series will see weekly releases throughout its anniversary month of October, all leading up to the legendary issue #75, now presented in glorious full color for the first time.

Skybound debuted a stacked variant lineup for these issues, featuring iconic comics talent like J.H. Williams III (Detective Comics, Batwoman), ongoing The Walking Dead Deluxe variant artist Julian Totino Tedesco, (Greg Capullo (Batman), and legendary icon Joe Quesada (Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil, Batman). These all-new covers will appear as variants to The Walking Dead Deluxe #72-75, with each issue presenting the series in full color format for the first time from writer/creator Robert Kirkman, with art by Charlie Adlard and colors by Dave McCaig. Fans will also receive a new look at the worldwide pop culture phenomenon with pinups and exclusive “Cutting Room Floor” commentary by Kirkman, celebrating the secret history of the series.

A special Newsprint Edition of The Walking Dead Deluxe #1 will also be available in comic book shops on October 11, 2023. The 20th anniversary special edition will allow fans to revisit the issue that started it all, now in full color and printed on newsprint for that classic comic feeling!

“I can’t believe we’re already celebrating 20 years of The Walking Dead!” said Robert Kirkman. “What an insane benchmark for us to reach and to have the deluxe color reprint series reaching its 75th issue in this moment is just staggering. These are the greatest fans in the world and their support of this world is unprecedented. I’m so thankful for all the things they’ve allowed us to accomplish.”

On October 8, 2003, The Walking Dead #1 debuted in comic shops and began a historic run from creator Robert Kirkman that would change the face of pop culture. For nearly sixteen years, The Walking Dead rewrote the rules of comic book storytelling, including its surprise ending at issue #193, and has since expanded to include special one-shots, graphic novels, video games and an unprecedented hit television franchise on the AMC network. The franchise continues to grow in new directions, from the Clementine YA graphic novels by superstar Tillie Walden to dynamic new interactive experiences like The Walking Dead: The Last Mile and further expansion of AMC’s The Walking Dead universe.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing readers a packed month of The Walking Dead this October!” said editor, Amanda LaFranco. “For 20 years, the iconic series has been with us, and what better way to celebrate than with TWD Deluxe in your shop weekly and new iconic images to boot! Leading up to the explosive 75th issue, we’re excited to feature a series of covers with grisly walkers and the high-stakes moments the series is beloved for.”

The Walking Dead Deluxe ($3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play every Wednesday of October 2023.  For more info and updates, visit www.skybound.com.

MAD CAVE STUDIOS

Mad Cave Studios and Tatsunoko Production Partner To Publish GATCHAMAN Comics

Mad Cave Studios and Tatsunoko Production have officially partnered to publish Gatchaman comics for adult and teen readers.

Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (科学忍者隊ガッチャマン) is a Japanese animated franchise about a five-member superhero ninja team created and produced by Tatsunoko Production, with the original anime series debuting back in 1972. The series centers around five young superhero ninjas employed by Kōzaburō Nambu of the fictitious International Science Organization to oppose Galactor, an international terrorist organization of technologically advanced villains who are trying to control Earth’s natural resources, such as water, oil, sugar, and uranium. Recurring themes of Gatchaman involve conservation, environmentalism, and the responsible use of technology for progress.

Under the agreement, Mad Cave Studios will be publishing new Gatchaman stories that take place in the world of the original series setting, staying true to the timeless classic.

“Mad Cave couldn’t be more excited to partner with Tatsunoko and bring Gatchaman back to North America,” said Mark Irwin, Mad Cave Studios Senior VP of Business Development. “We have big plans for the science ninja team, and look forward to sharing their fantastic adventures with readers, new and old.”
“Gatchaman has entertained and influenced fans around the world for over 50 years, and it could not be a better time to introduce their futuristic world to a new generation of readers,” said Kaz

Haruna, Tatsunoko Production Director of International Business. “Tatsunoko is absolutely excited to work with the team at Mad Cave Studios.”

The first Gatchaman release is slated for 2024.

 

Announcing EDENFROST by Amit Tishler

Mad Cave Studios is excited to announce Edenfrost, the forthcoming Historical Fiction/Fantasy series written by Amit Tishler (Animals, Mr. Pickles), with art and colors by Bruno Frenda (Heavy Metal, Carnivalia), and letters by Ringo Award-winning Taylor Esposito.

After losing their parents in a pogrom, teenage siblings Alex and Yuli use the mystical power of a Golem to survive the chaos of the Russian Civil War. In a harrowing journey through war-torn Ukraine, the duo will face the harsh reality of warfare, ethnic bias, and national pride as they fight for their own place in the world.

Edenfrost is a deeply personal and pertinent story, born from an amalgamation of my own philosophies, interests, family history, and artistic passions,” said Amit Tishler. “I wanted to create an epic journey that’s exciting and entertaining but also delivers a nuanced and insightful message about the concept of identity. Utilizing my lifelong interest in history, I infused fantastical elements into a historically authentic setting, throwing my young, wide-eyed protagonists straight into its deep, dark waters. I want readers to experience this chaotic chapter of human history through Alex and Yuli’s eyes and understand their story’s relevance to our world today. But more than anything, I want everyone to enjoy the mystery, tension, and thrilling action that this emotional rollercoaster has to offer, and I can’t wait for you to read it.”

“Edenfrost is a project to which I am particularly committed, as it is the first time as an artist that I have been entrusted with a complete miniseries, and in this particular case I also had the opportunity to challenge myself as a complete artist, processing the pages from the layouts down to the colors. Amit won me over immediately when he showed me the prologue, and I can say that Edenfrost is a captivating and action-packed work, I hope it can impress you as much as it did with me!”

Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel, Amit Tishler is known for his work on projects for Cartoon Network, HBO, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and more. Edenfrost and the other stories he’s producing for Mad Cave Studios are aimed at inspiring audiences and challenging their notions of morality, loyalty, and personal identity through powerful themes, emotionally complex characters, and biting social and political commentary. This is the first series release in the Mad Cave Studios partnership with Amit Tishler. Edenfrost (1 of 4) is slated for release November 2023

ARANCIA STUDIO

Arancia Studio Announces OGN Based on Legendary Director Federico Fellini’s Story, Napoli-New York

Arancia Studio, the Italian creative atelier focused on comics and IP development, today announced Napoli-New York, an original graphic novel written by French acclaimed writer Jean-David Morvan, based on the film manuscript of the same name by revered director Federico Fellini. The project was one of the last works from the legendary Italian director and was co-written by Opium Den writer Tullio Pinelli.

Napoli-New York is a fictional story based on historical, real-world events from Naples in 1946, following one of 200 city air raids during World War II. After the collapse of her house, Celestina, a child tested by her complicated life, embarks on a journey with a clever and ingenuitive street urchin (a “scugnizzo”) named Carmine. The two plan to travel to New York City in search of Celestina’s older sister Agnese, who has taken residence there with her American husband. However, a chance meeting with Joseph Garofalo, a grumpy naval officer who discovers the two stowaways, will change the course of their young lives.

The graphic novel is set to be written by French comics legend Jean-David Morvan, whose books have sold more than three million copies worldwide. Morvan will team up with rising-star Italian artist Ste Tirasso.

“During my life as a scriptwriter, I invented stories and universes, worked on biographies and adaptations, but there’s one thing I’ve never done before: adapt a manuscript meant for a movie into a graphic novel, especially from such a master,” says Jean-David Morvan. “The story takes place in  two cities: New York City, which I know very well, and Naples, which I don’t know yet. I plan to take time to visit and really feel the spirit of the city, so that everything I learn can become part of my script.”

The graphic novel will be released internationally in 2024. News on publishing partners for this first-ever adaptation will be announced this year as well.

Additionally, renowned Rome-based production company Paco Cinematografica, which produced Oscar-winning Giuseppe Tornatore’s The Best Offer, with original music by Oscar-winning Ennio Morricone, and the highly anticipated D’Innocenzo Brothers’ Sky Studios series Dostoevskij, is now producing the film’s adaptation of the manuscript by Fellini and Pinelli, directed by Oscar-winning director Gabriele Salvatores, starring Italian A-lister Pier Francesco Favino.

FLOATING WORLD COMICS

Santos Sisters Halloween Special Unites Horror Comic Legends

Las Brisas – The Santos Sisters are back for a spooky Halloween special, and this time they’re bringing some friends along for the ride. The Santos Sisters Halloween Special, published by Floating World Comics, will feature the Santos Sisters teaming up with Cassie and Vlad from Hack/Slash, Mercy Sparx and the Gutt Ghost.

The Santos Sisters are Ambar and Alana, two sisters who have magical powers. They’ve faced all sorts of supernatural threats in their hometown of Las Brisas, but this Halloween, they’re in for their biggest challenge yet.

A new evil is lurking in the shadows of Las Brisas, and it’s not afraid to show itself. When the Santos Sisters are attacked by a group of masked figures, they know they need help. Luckily, their friends Cassie and Vlad, Mercy Sparx and the Gutt Ghost are all in town for the holiday.

Together, the Santos Sisters and their friends must face the forces of darkness and save Las Brisas from a terrible fate. Along the way, they’ll learn more about their own powers and abilities, and they’ll forge new bonds of friendship. But most importantly, they’ll discover that even on the darkest night, there is always hope.

The Santos Sisters Halloween Special is written and illustrated by Greg and Fake with help from Marc Koprinarov and Graham Smith. The issue will feature a purple variant cover. The issue is scheduled to be released on October 18, 2023.(special thanks to Tim Seeley, Josh Blaylock and Enzo Garza) “We’re so excited to be bringing the Santos Sisters back for a Halloween special,” said Floating World Publisher Jason Levian. “This issue is going to be a lot of fun, and we can’t wait for fans to see what’s in store.”

The Santos Sisters Halloween Special is the first in a series of crossover specials from the Santos Sisters. “We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to bring our fans together,” said Greg of Greg and Fake. “These crossover specials are a great way to do that, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for these characters.”

ONI PRESS

Oni Press to Publish ARMY OF ONE by Bestselling Writer Tony Lee and Artist Yishan Li

Oni Press, the multiple Eisner and Harvey award-winning publisher of comic books and graphic novels, is publishing ARMY OF ONE by New York Times-bestselling author Tony Lee and artist Yishan Li in March, 2024. This original graphic novel provides a fresh and original take on the concept of the multiverse and the hero’s journey.

A thousand years ago, a mighty battle pitched two of the greatest sorcerers against each other, Brother Havoc and Sister Fortune. In the end Brother Havoc won, shattering his rival into a thousand shards. Now, a millennia later, teenager Carrie Taylor not only learns that she is one of these shards, but that each shard created an alternate universe, with multiple versions of her out there—and a great evil is bent on destroying them all. Carrie must team with a handful of “alternate” Carries from across the universes to fulfill a prophecy that will bring Sister Fortune back from limbo to defeat this evil, but the more Carrie travels from broken universe to broken universe, she realizes she might not be working for the “good guys”—nor, perhaps, is she one of these shards after all. If that is indeed the case, then who is she?

“When we pitched this, multiverse stories in comics were rare, but now they’re ten-a-penny,” said Tony Lee. “But over the years, the story changed and grew as we progressed deeper into it; it became less about the worlds, and more about the loneliness of a character while surrounded by others, and how even one person can create a revolution. Finishing the third book in the series during a global pandemic really brought that home, and after four years wait since it was first announced, I can’t wait for people to finally see the journeys of Carrie and her fellow Shards, as they try to fulfill a prophecy given by an unreliable narrator!”

“Tony and I have known each other for almost twenty years and have been talking about working together for over a decade,” said Yishan Li. “So when Tony finally talked to me about Army of One’s story idea at SDCC 2016, I immediately said yes to drawing it. You have no idea how excited I am now to see Army of One finally released!”

“Films like Everything, Everywhere All At Once, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse have brought mainstream awareness to the idea of the multiverse,” said Oni Press Editor-in-Chief Sierra Hahn. “ARMY OF ONE tells a multiverse story in a way that only comics can — unencumbered by special effects and CGI— spanning multiple dimensions and realities to create a unique but universal coming of age story.”

ARMY OF ONE will be available in stores in this universe on March 5, 2024.

 

Oni Press To Publish LySandra Vuong’s WEBTOON Smash Hit COVENANT
The Supernatural Queer Romance Arrives In Print With All-New Cover Art
First of Three Volumes Arrives Spring 2024

With more than 21 million reads and over 630,000 followers, COVENANT is one of the most popular comics on WEBTOON and the remarkable comics debut of LySandra Vuong, also known as Explodikid. The critically acclaimed, fan-favorite series follows a powerful exorcist with no faith in God, who is tasked to protect a seemingly normal human from rising demonic forces. The series features a slow-burn queer romance and explores religious faith, the weight of destiny, and what it means to be good in a world plagued by demons. The multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher Oni Press will publish the WEBTOON smash hit in print for the first time with the first of three volumes being released in April 2024, featuring an all-new, never-before-seen cover by Vuong.

“COVENANT combines classic shounen manga tropes with fantasy Catholicism to tell an action-packed story in which angels talk to us and demons walk among us,” said LySandra Vuong. “Covenant is an unconventional comic. It’s supernatural, a little blasphemous, a little sexy, and unapologetically queer.”

In a world where priests are decked out in holy tattoos and brandish machine guns in the face of demons, a powerful exorcist and a mysterious boy cross paths . . . in a college classroom. Erza’s faith is waning when God intervenes and sends him on a mission to protect Sunny, an outwardly normal human, from demonic forces. Looks can be deceiving, however, as Sunny proves to have hidden secrets and a bloody past nipping at his heels. Between Erza’s sunny sarcasm, and Sunny’s closed-off distant demeanor, the two struggle to find any common ground to bridge the gap. Yet, as much as the two bicker and retain distance, neither can help but be drawn to the other. With his church under scrutiny and the threat of war on the horizon, will Ezra find his conviction in time to keep Sunny safe? Will Sunny even accept his help? Or will they both suffer the consequences?

“A few years ago, in a time where many publishers still frowned upon manga-inspired art styles, I thought the only place for my story would be the wild west of webcomics, where all sorts of wacky and weird comics live,” said Vuong. “To see Covenant coming to print, to bookstores, to a physical format, with such an amazing publisher as Oni Press is beyond my wildest dreams.

“COVENANT takes the exorcist sub-genre that has made stories like Constantine so beloved into a refreshing and modern direction with action sequences that recall the flare of shounen manga like Blue Exorcist and the slow burn romance of a Kaori Yuki or CLAMP series,” said Oni Press Editor-in-Chief Sierra Hahn. “We can’t wait to introduce a brand new audience to the powerful and unique storytelling of debut creator LySandra Vuong.”

The first volume of the three-volume supernatural action webcomic collects episodes 1–18 of the hit WEBTOON comic COVENANT beautifully reformatted into 6×9. COVENANT will be available in stores April 24, 2024.

Oni Press Presents SOGGY LANDING, An Epic Stoner Fantasy By the Brothers McGovern and Ian Densford

This fall, Oni Press, the multiple Eisner and Harvey award-winning publisher of comic books and graphic novels, is publishing SOGGY LANDING by the Brothers McGovern and Ian Densford, an epic fantasy story of a perma-stoned wizard bear’s quest to save their beloved magical island from evil robber baron cults.

“Soggy Landing isn’t for kids, it’s for cool kids and I hope tons of kids read this book and have to hide it from their stupid parents,” said co-author Alec McGovern. “We’re super stoked to work with Oni Press, a publisher with a spine. Soggy Landing is the tip of the iceberg. We’re excited to explore our wilder, raunchier and more violent fantasies next.”

“Soggy Landing is a silly book, and there should be more silly books. Without them, we’re doomed,” added co-author Andrew McGovern.

Not very long ago, Soggy Landing was an island paradise. Now, it’s a brutal settler city ruled by a group of wealthy, cultists called “The 13” who are immune to a leafy plague ransacking their community. As a battle between the haves and the have-nots comes to a head, a free-spirited wizard bear named Otso and her friend, Slipper, join The Broken Wheel in an uprising against colonial forces controlling the magical island they love. A hallucinatory journey to the center of the island leads them to a series of discoveries more jarring than the last in this magical fantasy adventure that explores a post-global war community pitted against thieving barons and diabolical cults.

“We wanted to create a story of resistance in a fantasy setting where we could lampoon these contemporary robber barons, stick a finger in the eye of the powerful and selfish, and try to kill them,” said artist Ian Densford.

“Soggy Landing is about a different, wacky world, sure—but it’s also about what’s happening now,” said editor Zack Soto. “This is a story of resistance, and finding camaraderie in increasingly inhospitable situations.”

SOGGY LANDING will be available in bookstores on August 1 and in comic shops on August 2, 2023.

ENCYCLOPCALYSE PUBLICATIONS

Award-Winning Filmmaker Vincenzo Natali Releases Debut Graphic Novel Tech

What would humans do if they got ahold of alien technology? In Vincenzo Natali’s upcoming graphic novel TECH, they’d exploit it for profit. Releasing on September 22, 2023 from publisher Encyclopocalypse Publications, TECH furthers Natali’s passion for sci-fi horror into the realm of literary fiction.

“We have been admirers of Vincenzo’s unique vision and imagination ever since Cube blew our minds. Working with him on TECH, which is a stunning and visionary piece of art, has been a dream.” says Sean Duregger, Managing Editor of Encyclopocalypse Publications.

TECH explores a not-too-distant future in which mankind has cracked the code for alien engineering. Obtaining such insight carries a hefty price tag that Earth’s miscreants are willing to pay – and lowly courier Shel can deliver. Business is booming, but it’s a dangerous occupation; one that she would’ve abandoned long ago if not for her daughter’s expensive medical treatments. Unbeknownst to Shel, however, is that the same secrets she’s peddling on the black market are the very key to living the life she so desperately yearns for.

“TECH is the realization of a lifelong dream to write and illustrate my own graphic novel,” says Natali. “As someone who works in the film and television space, I reveled in the freedom of a form unrestricted by time, money, and the machinery of Hollywood. The result is the most direct and undiluted translation of my imagination to words and images.”

Vincenzo Natali is a wildly successful director and screenwriter, whose credits include the cult hits Cube and Splice. His talents have been displayed across multiple outlets, including helming episodes of 2020’s The Stand miniseries and, most recently, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities and Amazon Prime’s adaptation of William Gibson’s The Peripheral.

On why he chose Encyclopocalypse to help bring TECH out into the world, Natali had this to say, “The good people at Encyclopocalypse understand the inherent value of genre and are connoisseurs of its strangest and darkest corners, which is where I thrive. I feel immensely fortunate to have fallen into their orbit.”

TECH will be available wherever books are sold on September 22, 2023.

IDW PUBLISHING

SCOTT SNYDER AND HAYDEN SHERMAN PULL READERS
INTO THE UNKNOWN WITH DARK SPACES: DUNGEON

When a family moves from the busy city to the relaxing woods of New Hampshire, they’re hoping to find a quiet rural life. Instead, the family discovers a terrifying secret: a twisted and terrifying dungeon on their property with a threatening message: “TELL NO ONE.”

Now, the father will do anything to protect his family. Upon realizing anyone could be behind the depraved dungeon, fear and paranoia begin to take hold as he tries to discover the truth. Who can he trust? And just how far will he go to protect his family from the horrors of the dungeon?

Scott Snyder and Hayden Sherman, the award-winning creators behind DARK SPACES: WILDFIRE, reunite to present DARK SPACES: DUNGEON, a gripping and emotionally-charged thriller that explores some of humanity’s darkest and most captivating fears.

“Getting to explore the worlds of DARK SPACES has been a career highlight without question, and doing so alongside my dear friend and trusted editor Mark Doyle just makes it all the better,” stated Snyder. “The ability to forgo supernatural elements in favor of highlighting the true light and darkness of our reality has been able to take me back to basics in a truly exciting fashion. I’ll say this – if DARK SPACES: WILDFIRE was modeled after noir, then DARK SPACES: DUNGEON is a stone-cold thriller. It might be the darkest story I’ve ever written, while at the same time some of the most fun it’s ever been developing a new series.”

Snyder added that collaborating with Sherman again has allowed the duo to reach a whole new level. “The work Hayden is doing here has taken our creative partnership to new depths, and I cannot wait for you all to explore those with us.”

For Sherman, it’s the themes that Snyder is exploring that really makes an impact. “The fears that Scott is examining in DUNGEON are guttural, stomach churning, and (I have to imagine) entirely universal. It’s a whole different sort of story than WILDFIRE, while maintaining the grounded thriller core that defines much of DARK SPACES.” Snyder’s efforts allowed Sherman to experiment with art, striving to pull readers directly into the horrifying story. “This is the perfect opportunity for me to push in a much different visual direction, something that can do proper justice to this new terror! It’s such a pure joy to be back creating this follow up alongside Scott and the whole IDW Originals team.”

IDW co-publisher Mark Doyle is incredibly thrilled for fans to experience Snyder and Sherman’s next DARK SPACES collaboration. “This series is a place where Scott and Hayden really try to push each other creatively in different ways and with DUNGEON they are pushing even further. This is going to be a really dark thriller and readers will be shocked by the turns this story takes!”
DARK SPACES: DUNGEON is the latest installment in the DARK SPACES line of anthology stories. Curated by Snyder himself, DARK SPACES emphasizes character-driven and grounded psychological thrillers that also shine a spotlight on rising stars in the comic book industry.

DARK SPACES: DUNGEON #1 goes on sale October 11, 2023, featuring primary covers by Sherman, colors by Patricio Delpeche, letters by Andworld Design, and variants by Eisner award-winning artist Dustin Nguyen (American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares), with more variant artists to be revealed soon.

 

IDW PRESENTS COZY HORROR IN NEW SERIES BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES

In the tranquil and welcoming little town of Woodbrook, humanoid animals happily live in harmony. This cute community isn’t quite as calming as it seems, though. On the surface, Samantha is the friendly face who owns and manages the hardware store. But beneath the surface lies something more terrifying. She visits the nearby city to let her violent urges loose and buries her victims in the woods… But what happens when the killing comes back to her harmonious home town and Samantha isn’t the only one unleashing her inner animal?

IDW Publishing proudly presents BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES, a cozy horror series arriving this October and unlike anything else currently on the stands. This twisted yet adorable tale is written, illustrated and colored by Patrick Horvath (Haha: Sad Clown Stories) with lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (CRASHING).

“One of my guiding principles for this series is to strike a balance between cute, fun, dark, and disturbing, and I think that readers will be very pleased with the results,” commented Horvath. “A lot of the creative work that I do tends to be these dark little existential explorations, carving a path through the dread of having your life up-ended. For as strange, or insane, or idiosyncratic your interior life might be, that type of story resonates with a ton of people. Every person goes through it in some form or other, and with BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES that person happens to be a cuddly brown bear who is a serial killer and owns a hardware store.”

Horvath is confident the weird and shocking premise will keep readers eager to witness how the adorable yet appalling events unfold. “It struck me as sort of profane, but setting this story in an idyllic little town of animal-folks just felt like the absolute right move. You can’t help but want to see how the events play out issue-by-issue, watching the horror unfold in this adorable community.”

“BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES is proof of the magic you get when you trust creators’ voices and give outstanding talent like Patrick the freedom to let loose,” commented Maggie Howell, Group Editor for IDW’s Originals line. “He came to us with a dream to mix the cute with the unconscionable and this book never loses its grip on that goal. For every shocking page turn there are a hundred delightful and terrifying Easter eggs.”

Howell added, “It’s a perfect example of a creator doing his best possible work on a project that’s uniquely his own and it shines through in the reading experience. Everyone who joins us in cozy Woodbrook is going to savor this story… and it’s a testament to Patrick’s skill and vision that they’ll worry they’re savoring it a little too much.”

BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES #1 goes on sale October 18, 2023, featuring primary covers by Horvath and Story Book variant covers by Riley Rossmo (Harley Quinn).

DSTLRY

DSTLRY ANNOUNCES THE DEVIL’S CUT CONTAINS STORIES THAT WILL CONTINUE AS SERIES IN 2023 AND 2024
Eight Full Series to Spin Out of Publisher’s Debut Release

DSTLRY, the next-generation publisher redefining creator-owned comic books and collectibles, announced that eight of the 11 stories contained in The Devil’s Cut will continue as series in the fall of 2023 and throughout 2024, making The Devil’s Cut an instant collector’s item and key issue.

“With The Devil’s Cut, a majority of the self-contained stories lay the foundation for series to come,” said DSTLRY CCO Chip Mosher. “To be crystal clear, these eight stories found in The Devil’s Cut are not previews, but the first appearances of new worlds from our Founding Creators and Friends.”

The eight stories from The Devil’s Cut that will be expanded into full DSTLRY series include:

• “Spectregraph” by James Tynion IV, Christian Ward, and Aditya Bidikar
• “Shepherd” by Marc Bernardin, Ariela Kristantina, Lee Loughridge, and Bernardo Brice
• “8 Rules to Make It Out in One Piece” by Elsa Charretier, PK Colinet, Nick Filardi, and Clayton Cowles
• “A Blessed Day” by Mirka Andolfo, Fabio Amelia, Arancia Studio, and Steve Orlando
• “The Stowaway” by Jock
• “Deleted Scene, #2” by Brian Azzarello, Eduardo Risso, and Jared K. Fletcher
• “White Boat” by Scott Snyder, Francesco Francavilla, Andworld Design, and Tyler Jennes
• “What Blighted Flame Burns in Thee?” by Becky Cloonan, Tula Lotay, and Richard Starkings

The Devil’s Cut features a main cover by New York Times-bestselling artist Jock, an open-to-order variant cover by Francesco Francavilla, and incentive variant covers by Becky Cloonan (1:10), Tula Lotay (1:25), Joëlle Jones (1:50), and Mirka Andolfo (1:75).

The Devil’s Cut will be on sale at local comic shops and digitally via www.dstlry.co on Wednesday, August 30. Digital copies will be available directly from DSTLRY until September 6. After September 6, digital owners can resell their copies on the DSTLRY marketplace at a price of their choosing, with a percentage of each resale going directly back to creators. Retailers can place print orders now through Lunar Distribution (FOC: July 2; 0623DY327) and Diamond Comic Distributors (FOC: July 3; JUN231789).

For more information on The Devil’s Cut, DSTLRY’s founding creators, and to sign up for news regarding the publisher’s upcoming drops, visit www.dstlry.co and follow the publisher on social media via @DSTLRY_Media.

AHOY COMICS

AHOY Comics’ Latest Anthology is the Hilariously Unbelievable PROJECT: CRYPTID

For the last five years, AHOY Comics has asked its readers to believe in the weird and sublime — whether it’s a friendship between Jesus and a superhero, a grandmother who fights eldritch horrors, or a space squadron run entirely by cats. This fall, AHOY Comics’ latest jam-packed anthology, PROJECT: CRYPTID, will feature unbelievably hilarious and hilariously unbelievable tales about cryptids from around the world. Featuring comics and short stories from well-established creators as well as new voices, PROJECT: CRYPTID will transport readers from the depths of Loch Ness to the wilds of the Yeti’s Himalayan Mountains to the Ohio backroads where the Loveland Frogman lurks, asking the important questions like are any of these mysterious, unthinkable creatures actually real? And more importantly, are they funny?

The anthology will feature comics and stories from writers Mark Russell, Paul Cornell, Alisa Kwitney, Alex Segura, Bryce Ingman, Paul Constant, Liana Kangas, Henry Barajas, AA Rubin, Joe Illidge, Melissa Olsen, Zander Cannon, Gene Ha, Hanna Bahedry, Matt Ligeti, Stuart Moore and more, as well as art by Jordi Perez, Madeline Seeley, PJ Holden, Mike Spicer, Mauricet, Steven Bryant, Peter Krause, Richard Pace, Jamal Igle, Ted and Ro, Lew Stringer, Lane Lloyd, and more.

“Everybody needs something to believe in, especially these days,” said editor Sarah Litt. “We here at AHOY believe that anything is possible — and possibly, everything is possible. From mothmen to chupacabras to Mongolian deathworms, the creatures in PROJECT: CRYPTID will test the limits of your faith in reality. You’ll believe something is out there, although maybe not the truth.”

“I’m excited for this. And not just because they let me write a story about Yeti justice,” said writer Mark Russell. “AHOY has assembled a murderers’ row of writers and artists and parachuted them into a forest of weird. This is the kind of comic I’d want to read as a fan.”

“Combining horror and critters is the peanut butter cup of comic deliciousness,” said writer Alisa Kwitney. “Also, cryptids exist. I had a Bigfoot encounter in Davie, Florida, when I was staying overnight at the Sunny Daze Nudist Camp back in ’76. Mauricet, my artistic partner in crime, claims to have kept a small mandrake in his drawer for years but finally had to throw it out when it grew large and its screams could be overheard in the neighboring apartment.”

“I’ve always loved my pet Mongolian deathworm, Dave, and maintained slightly indignant diplomatic relations with the fairies at the bottom of my garden, so it was a delight to work with the great monster artist P.J.Holden and the doyen of classic British cartoonists Lew Stringer on these two hopefully comedic tales of creatures that should exist, but don’t or vice versa,” said writer Paul Cornell.

“Five years of AHOY?! It doesn’t seem possible!” said editor-in-chief Tom Peyer. “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the comic books of our lives. September ’23 will mark the fifth anniversary of THE WRONG EARTH #1, the first comic we ever shipped. Jamal Igle, June Brigman, Stuart Moore, Mark Russell, Greg Scott, Grant Morrison — these artists and writers who helped launch AHOY — will return, and new creators will join them in the wildest celebration this young century has seen! The boisterous bacchanalia begins with our bestial new anthology PROJECT: CRYPTID and continues with a wave of projects, familiar and new, through the end of the year.”

PROJECT: CRYPTID will be published monthly by AHOY Comics and available in stores on September 6, 2023.

 

Mark Russell and Peter Snejberg’s Monstrously Funny CEREAL Is a Dark and Distinctly Adult Take on Breakfast Cereal Monsters

The Graphic Novel Presents Three Tasty, All-New and Never-Before-Published Stories,
Alongside Every Chapter From the Fan Favorite EDGAR ALLAN POE Horror Humor Anthologies

They lurk in the shadows—and in your shopping cart. The dangerous and the damned, the monstrous and the mutilated, the devils who snarl at innocent children from boxes of sugar cereal. AHOY Comics is proud (and slightly terrified) to present CEREAL, a dark, distinctly adult, and lovingly funny take on an earlier generation’s beloved monsters from writer Mark Russell (Second Coming) and artist Peter Snejbjerg (BPRD: Hell on Earth, The Boys). The volume collects every chapter from AHOY’s Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of… anthologies, as well as an all-new three-part conclusion.

“Monsters play such an expansive role in our collective conscience, being used for everything from giving face to our deepest fears to selling us breakfast cereal,” said Russelll. “This book looks at monsters from every angle at once. It sees them as we are — as cartoonish but scary, as comical, and yet, still sad.”

The Marquis de Cocoa, recently transformed into a vampire, braves the agony of sunrise to throw his famous breakfast parties, where he plays his deadly games with such oddly familiar characters as the Quaker, Beau Berrie, and The Brute. This is their secret backstory, a chilling tale of a war of monsters who kill without remorse and stay crunchy in milk. Three climatic chapters—42 never-before-published pages of comics—complete this volume which ComicMix called “a satirical farce of everything that’s near and dear to every kid who grew up watching Hammer monster movies and eating cereal for breakfast.”

“CEREAL is a delicious slice of satire,” said AHOY Comics Editor-in-Chief Tom Peyer. “I can’t wait for readers to load up on pop rocks, down a bunch of soda, and discover the charm of The Marquis de Cocoa, the Quaker, Beau Berrie, and The Brute.”

CEREAL will be available in stores on October 12, 2023.