Big news for Dynamite Entertainment as they head to the front of the Diamond catalog. Plus, lots of interesting news from Dark Horse, IDW, Titan, DC, Valiant, Archie and Lion Forge.
Oh yeah, Marvel reboots again.
Here’s the latest in the Comic News Alert!!!
Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment Advances To Premier Vendor Status Through Diamond Comic Distributors
Status Begins with April Previews for June In-Store Titles
Diamond Comic Distributors and Dynamite Entertainment announce today that Dynamite has attained the “Premier” classification, which constitutes Dynamite’s moving to the “Premiere” section of Diamond Previews. The move recognizes the company’s standing as a leading comic book and graphic novel publisher and expands their marketing and sales initiatives to the comic book specialty and bookstore markets.
“This change recognizes the growth and importance of Dynamite Entertainment to our business and the comics industry as a whole,” said Diamond VP-Purchasing, Tim Lenaghan. “We look forward to working with Dynamite for many years to come to help nurture and grow the comic book specialty market.”
“It’s a supreme honor to advance to Premier Vendor status, and truly a reflection of the dedication of everyone at Dynamite, the strength and success of our partnerships with creators and licensors, and the comics we bring to our retail supporters and fans. Everyone involved, especially the comic shops and readers, deserves our utmost respect and gratitude for their support,” says Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. “We work shoulder-to-shoulder with amazing people, and this achievement gives greater visibility to the monumental work that they do. With our new position and reach, we’ll be able to better coordinate with Diamond on many new ways to serve the retail community and further diversify our categories of product.”
Beginning in April (and corresponding to June shipping), Dynamite will feature in the exclusive “Premier Comics” sections of Diamond’s PREVIEWS catalog and PREVIEWSworld.com website, highlighting their new offerings to comic shop retailers and customers on a monthly basis. Dynamite’s move will place them in the forefront of the catalog with other Premier-status publishers including Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and IDW Publishing. In addition to their published offerings, Dynamite’s full range of merchandise – including statues, trading cards, and more – will move into the Premier section of Previews.
Marvel Comics
New creative teams. New series. New directions. New beginnings.
“Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be rolling out new beginnings for a few of our key franchises—new creative teams, new starting points, new storylines—all the big stuff that we’ve been building towards since LEGACY began,” says SVP and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort. “This isn’t a clearing of the slate—while these new starts will kick off with new #1s, we’ll be maintaining the classic LEGACY issue counts as dual numbering on these titles as well. Oh, and don’t read anything into not seeing a character on the Jim Cheung piece…we can only squeeze so many characters onto there without killing poor Jim!”
Avengers #1
Thor Odinson. Steve Rogers. Tony Stark. The Big Three of the Avengers are reunited at last! And just in time to save the world from total annihilation at the hands of their most powerful enemies yet: the 2000-foot-tall space gods known as Celestials.
Behold the coming of the Final Host.
Who will answer the call to assemble for a wild new era of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? Hint: one of them has a flaming skull for a head. And what strange, world-shaking connection exists between the Final Host and Odin’s ancient band of Prehistoric Avengers?
AVENGERS #1
Written by JASON AARON
Art and Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
On Sale 5/2/18
Black Panther #1
A bold new direction for the Black Panther! For years, T’Challa has fought off invaders from his homeland, protecting Wakanda from everything from meddling governments to long-lost gods. Now, he will discover that Wakanda is much bigger than he ever dreamed…
Across the vast Multiverse lies an empire founded in T’Challa’s name. Readers caught a glimpse of it in MARVEL LEGACY #1. Now find out the truth behind the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda!
Ta-Nehisi Coates welcomes aboard fan-favorite artist Daniel Acuña for a Black Panther story unlike any other!
BLACK PANTHER #1
Written by TA-NEHISI COATES
Art and Cover by DANIEL ACUNA
On Sale 5/23/18
Venom #1
In the wake of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s collapse, an ancient and primordial evil has been awakened beneath the streets of New York, and with it, something equally evil has awakened in that most Wicked of Webslingers – VENOM!
Still a Lethal Protector of the innocents in New York, this never-before-seen threat could force Venom to relinquish everything it holds dear – including Eddie Brock! Join two of the hottest creators in comics today, Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman, for a VENOM adventure a thousand years in the making!
VENOM #1
Written by DONNY CATES
Art and Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
On Sale 5/9/18
Free Comic Book Day
Free Comic Book Day 2018 is your perfect chance to dive into the Marvel Universe – and Marvel is excited to reveal your first look at the cover of FCBD AVENGERS #1!
With a story from Jason Aaron and art by Sara Pichelli, each FCBD title debuting this May features stories that set the stage for an epic new direction in the Marvel Universe.
DC Comics
Nightwing Gets a New Creative Team; Writer Benjamin Percy and Artist Christopher Mooneyham
Blüdhaven’s Protector Faces Off Against High-Tech Mystery Villain in Issue #44
“The best way to approach NIGHTWING is as a high-octane, adrenaline-fueled mystery and adventure,” says Benjamin Percy on his new assignment writing the famous BATMAN sidekick. “I’m going to crank up the volume on that world, dose it full of steroids and poison, and dream up a digital nightmare that will ultimately impact the entire DCU.”
Beginning this May, writer Benjamin Percy will pen new stories for DC’s ongoing NIGHTWING monthly comic book series. After making his DC debut with DETECTIVE COMICS, Percy then jumped into GREEN ARROW, and has spent the last two years “happily inhabiting the disturbed mind of Damian Wayne for TEEN TITANS.”
Percy’s NIGHTWING, beginning with issue #44 on May 2, launches with a big, bold, game-changing storyline, “The Bleeding Edge,” that will lay the groundwork for a centrally important threat to the DCU. And, says Percy, “it is ironically Nightwing’s off-the-radar status that makes him the ideal detective for the case.
“Consider how Gotham and Blüdhaven are shadow-soaked, crime-ridden environments,” explains Percy. “One of the things I love about Nightwing is his irrepressible optimism. This joy—a love of the game, a showman’s theatricality—is tonally essential to my approach. I see it as a necessary counterweight to material that might otherwise feel oppressively grim. In this way, Grayson really captures the hopeful maxim that has defined the Rebirth era.”
In this arc, change is on the horizon when a new technologist sets his sights on Blüdhaven, creating a holographic, interconnected city where everyone is an individual and part of a larger network. It’s the internet made physical. Gentrification on gigabyte-laced steroids. But when this new utopia encroaches on his turf, Nightwing starts to uncover a sinister plot based not on revenge…but on a reckoning.
Joining Percy in May will be artist Christopher Mooneyham. “He’s got a tight line, cinematic vision, and can ground one moment in emotional realism and elevate the next to eye-popping levels of super-heroic awesomeness,” shared Percy.
NIGHTWING #44 arrives in stores May 2nd. Attached is a first-look at Declan Shalvey’s cover for the issue. Fans can also expect variant covers by Yasmine Putri.
Dark Horse Comics
Joss Whedon and Christos Gage Bring a Reckoning
For Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Dark Horse is proud to announce the return of Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Serenity) and Christos Gage (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel & Faith, Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil, Avengers Academy) to unite the Buffyverse for a battle-filled four-issue series Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 12: The Reckoning this June! Buffyverse alumnus artist Georges Jeanty (Serenity, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) also returns to lend his illustrative skills to the next installment.
Following the world-altering finale of Season 11, Buffy and the Scoobies have had a laid-back year in the saving-the-world department. But as they’ve learned over their years of fighting the forces of darkness and thwarting many an apocalypse, nothing stays quiet for long. When Dawn and Xander’s housewarming party is crashed by some familiar faces with news of an amassing force that must be reckoned with—Wolfram & Hart, a legion of demons, and Harth, a vampire from the future—Buffy finds herself in a time warp that could alter the fate of the world and could spell the end for Buffy, her friends, and the Slayers, forever.
This action-packed miniseries reunites the Buffyverse with the return of Angel, Faith, Illyria, and Fray, the Slayer from the future!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 12: The Reckoning #1 (of four) goes on sale June 20, 2018, and boasts three beautiful variant covers by Stephanie Hans, Georges Jeanty with Karl Story and Dan Jackson, and Karl Moline. The first issue will be available for preorder at your local comic shop in March.
Dark Horse Heads To Antarctica With Lara Croft
Artist Phillip Sevy Returns to Join Writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly for “Tomb Raider: Inferno”
Everyone’s favorite adventurer Lara Croft is back for a brand-new adventure in Tomb Raider: Inferno. Dark Horse and Crystal Dynamics are thrilled to welcome back veteran Tomb Raider artist Phillip Sevy for another globe-trotting adventure!
Sevy joins Tomb Raider: Survivor’s Crusade writers Jackson Lanzing (Gotham City Garage, Joyride, Hacktivist, Grayson) and Collin Kelly (Gotham City Garage, Joyride, Hacktivist, Grayson) as they continue Lara’s quest to uncover the secrets of an enigmatic criminal organization known as Trinity, even if it means following them to the ends of the earth. With Lara hot on their trail, Trinity is on high alert and armed with a new command officer, who is ready for any surprises Lara may have in store for them. It’s time for Lara Croft to come face to face with a side of Trinity she has never seen before.
Dark Horse’s Tomb Raider comics continue the story from the Rise of the Tomb Raider games from Crystal Dynamics. Tomb Raider: Inferno is designed to be a perfect jumping-on point for new readers.
Tomb Raider: Inferno #1 (of 4) goes on sale June 13, 2018.
Titan Comics
Titan Celebrates Mickey Spillane’s 100th Anniversary With An All-New Mike Hammer Comic Book Series!
To celebrate the centenary year of Mickey Spillane, Titan Comics is excited to announce Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer, a brand-new Hard Case Crime comic book series, based on a story originally written by Mickey Spillane and adapted by Max Allan Collins (Road To Perdition, Quarry’s War) – coming in June 2018.
Following his debut novel, I, The Jury in 1947, Mickey Spillane became one of the best-selling novelists of all-time, with more than 225 million copies of his books sold internationally. Famed, yet controversial for the depictions of sex and violence in his novels, Spillane created Mike Hammer, one of the most famous of all fictional detectives, and even starred as Hammer in one of the many movies made from his books.
Mickey Spillane’s tough-talking, brawling, skirt-chasing private detective Mike Hammer returns to comics in Titan’s new Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer series. When a chance encounter with a captivating femme fatale leads to a violent mob retaliation, hard-boiled detective Mike Hammer finds himself dodging both bullets and broads as he undertakes the most dangerous case of his career.
Entitled “The Night I Died,” Titan’s new comic series is based on an unproduced 1950s Spillane screenplay. Now, with this new comic book series, readers can experience an authentic yet brand-new take on the bestselling writer’s much-loved detective – written by Collins with art by rising star Marcelo Salaza and colorist Marcio Freire.
“Spillane’s contributions to the genre are without parallel,” said Titan Comics editor Tom Williams. “What better addition to the Hard Case Crime comics family than his signature character, Mike Hammer? Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer is sure to become a hard-boiled classic.”
Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer is part of Titan Publishing’s wider year-long celebration of Spillane’s work and legacy which includes the Titan Books publication of Killing Town, the very first Mike Hammer novel, begun by Spillane around 1945 and recently completed by Collins. Killing Town had been set aside by Spillane to write his and Hammer’s famous 1947 debut, I, The Jury; and Hard Case Crime publication The Last Stand — Spillane’s never-before-published final novel — was completed by Spillane just before his death in 2006.
“I am thrilled to join Marcelo and Marcio in bringing Mickey Spillane to the comic book form — particularly since Mickey was a top Golden Age comic book writer himself,” said series writer Max Allan Collins. “His Mike Hammer — probably the most influential private eye of all — was initially created with comics in mind. ”
“It’s a privilege to work with Max Allan Collins, Mickey’s hand-picked successor and fellow Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, to celebrate the Spillane Centenary,” said Hard Case Crime editor Charles Ardai, “No one could be a better choice to shepherd Mickey’s legendary detective, Mike Hammer, onto the comic book page than the author behind Road to Perdition, Dick Tracy, Wild Dog and Ms. Tree.”
Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer is part of Titan’s new Hard Case Crime comics imprint, which has seen recent publications including Quarry’s War written by novel series creator Max Allan Collins, Triggerman by visionary director Walter Hill (The Warriors), Peepland, by crime author Christa Faust and Gary Phillips, a new adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – Millennium, Normandy Gold by crime authors Megan Abbott and Alison Gaylin, and Babylon Berlin – a graphic novel adaptation of the book that inspired the new TV show currently showing on Netflix.
Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer Issue #1 is available to order from the April edition of Diamond Previews.
Titan Comics Announce Tank Girl 30th Anniversary Plans
Celebrating The Original Hit-Girl With The ‘Year of Tank Girl’!
It’s been 30 years since the dynamic partnership of Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett (Gorillaz) unleashed Tank Girl upon the world! To celebrate Tank Girl’s 30th Anniversary, Titan Comics is launching the ‘Year of Tank Girl’ in 2018 – a year-long celebration with new comics, graphic novels and special events, including a global Tank Girl Day event on Saturday, October 20.
Originally published in 1988 as a black and white comic strip in UK magazine Deadline, Tank Girl has gone on to become a cult icon in the 30 years since her first appearance, with numerous comics and graphic novels, and even her own feature film in 1995, which boasted an all-star cast including Lori Petty, Naomi Watts, Malcolm McDowell, Ice-T, and Iggy Pop, and directed by Doctor Who’s Rachel Talalay.
Set in a futuristic Australia and drawing heavily on contemporary British pop culture and punk visual art, Tank Girl follows the bizarre, psychedelic and anarchic adventures of the titular outlaw who lives in a tank with her mutant kangaroo boyfriend, Booga.
Since Hewlett’s departure as regular artist in 1998 (going on to create ground-breaking music band Gorillaz with Blur’s Damon Albarn), the comic series has continued to attract top artistic talent, including Philip Bond (Kill Your Boyfriend, Vimanarama), Ashley Wood (Spawn, Zombies vs. Robots), Jim Mahfood (Clerks, Spectacular Spider-Man), Mike McMahon (Judge Dredd), Glyn Dillon (film storyboard and concept artist, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One), Rufus Dayglo (Judge Dredd), and current fan-favorite series artist, Brett Parson (New Romancer).
As Tank Girl prepares to celebrate 30 riotous years in 2018, Titan Comics is proud to announce its ‘Year of Tank Girl’ campaign.
Celebrations kick off in April 2018 with Tank Girl: Full Color Classics 1988-1989 – the first of six prestige editions presenting those original seminal strips from Deadline in glorious color, just as Hewlett and Martin envisaged them three decades ago. Colored by Tracy Bailey (Fighting American) and Sofie Dodgson (Tank Girl: Bad Wind Rising), this is a new take on the classic strips. Plus, it includes rare and unseen artwork, as well as photos from the early days of the Martin and Hewlett partnership.
April 2018 also sees the release of The Way Of Tank Girl, a fantastic hardcover gift book full of Tank Girl’s most personal and bonkers brainwaves, musings, and secret weaponry. Original creators Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett, with artists Brett Parson and Ashley Wood, bring together a collection of strips, poems, covers, and extracts from Tank Girl’s 30-year career. It’s Tank Girl’s philosophy on life, distilled from her filthiest, dirtiest, stupidest best
Tank Girl also leaves her mark on Free Comic Book Day on Saturday May 5, with a special Tank Girl FCBD edition. Entitled ‘A Brief History of Tank Girl’, this special comic features tales from Tank Girl’s past that illustrate how she became the loveable, unhinged rogue she is today! Plus, it features a cover by Jamie Hewlett! Fans can pick up this free comic at their local comic store on May 5.
A brand-new comic series starts in June 2018 with Tank Girl All Stars, which sees fan-favorite Tank Girl artists from her wild history return! Featuring Brett Parson, Chris Wahl, Ashley Wood, Philip Bond, Jim Mahfood, and Mick McMahon!
June 2018 also sees the critically-acclaimed 2017 series The Wonderful World Of Tank Girl hit stores in collection format. It features four stand-alone stories starring Tank Girl and her supporting cast, including: ‘Tank Girl Strikes Again’, The Man from Tank Girl’, ‘The Importance of Being Tank Girl’ and ‘Tank Girl Takes a Trip’.
In August 2018, The Legend Of Tank Girl – an all-new, bumper collection – hits stores. This highly-anticipated edition features the madcap adventures of Alan Martin and Brett Parson’s best-selling, 2017 graphic novel trilogy; ‘Two Girls One Tank’, ‘Tank Girl Gold’, and ‘World War Tank Girl.’ Packed with dozens of guest artist covers, previously unseen artwork, and character and vehicle sketches, this is the trilogy as you’ve never seen it before!
October 2018 – the actual 30th Anniversary of Tank Girl – is set to be a packed month of events, signings, comics, variant covers, and book releases. October 9 sees the release of a fun Tank Girl Coloring Book – where fans can make their own pages and pin-ups of their favorite anarchist as colorful as her language! The Tank Girl All Stars hardcover collection hits bookstores on October 16, and the following day, October 17, sees the launch of a brand-new Tank Girl comic series from Alan Martin! This busy month culminates on Saturday October 20, as Titan Comics launches Tank Girl Day – a global event celebrating everything Tank Girl! The event will see new comics and collections, variant covers, signings, and events across the world at comic shops, bookstores, retail chains, libraries, and digital platforms.
Valiant Comics
Valiant Presents the HARBINGER WARS COMPENDIUM – A 750+ Page Behemoth Collecting the Groundbreaking Comics Event!
Valiant is proud to announce the HARBINGER WARS COMPENDIUM – A MASSIVE, 750+ PAGE COLLECTION representing the march toward the original groundbreaking crossover event that collided the opposing factions of the Valiant Universe together for the very first time in an extra-sized, softcover format!
Collecting the entire first years of both HARBINGER (#1-14) and BLOODSHOT (#1-13) alongside the HARBINGER WARS event series (#1-4) in complete chronological order for the first time between two covers, get the whole story behind the definitive Valiant crossover event – just as HARBINGER WARS 2 gears up for an all-out assault on Valiant’s most formidable heroes in May!
Featuring critically renowned runs by Eisner Award winner Joshua Dysart (IMPERIUM, Unknown Soldier) and acclaimed writer Duane Swierczynski (Black Widow) alongside a truly all-star cast of artistic firepower – including Clayton Crain (Carnage), Khari Evans (Carbon Grey), Manuel Garcia (Black Panther), Trevor Hairsine (DIVINITY), Clayton Henry (ARCHER & ARMSTRONG), Barry Kitson (Justice League: Year One), Pere Pérez (FAITH), Mico Suayan (BLOODSHOT REBORN), and more – retrace the footsteps of the dueling series that brought Bloodshot, the Harbinger Renegades, and Toyo Harada together for the first time amid the wreckage-strewn fallout of the Las Vegas Strip right here with the oversized and essential HARBINGER WARS COMPENDIUM!
When an untrained and undisciplined team of super-powered test subjects escape from Project Rising Spirit and onto the Vegas Strip, Bloodshot and the Harbinger Renegades will find themselves locked in battle against a deadly succession of opponents – and each other. As the combined forces of the H.A.R.D. Corps, Generation Zero, and omega-level telekinetic Toyo Harada all descend on Las Vegas to vie for the control of Rising Spirit’s deadliest assets, the world is about to discover the shocking price of an all-out superhuman conflict…and no one will escape unscathed. Who will survive the Harbinger Wars?
Featuring the first modern appearances of Bloodshot, Faith, Generation Zero, Toyo Harada, Livewire, Peter Stanchek, and dozens more, the HARBINGER WARS COMPENDIUM is the ultimate entry point into the most celebrated superhero universe anywhere on the stands today! Arriving just in time for the fifth anniversary of HARBINGER WARS’ initial impact, get both the renowned runs of HARBINGER and BLOODSHOT, plus the complete HARBINGER WARS saga, together in one deluxe package on May 2nd!
Lion Forge Comics
Lion Forge To Publish The Continuation of Four Time
Eisner-Winner Gene Ha’s Mae
Lion Forge Announces All-New Edition of the Kickstarter Turned Comic Shop Sensation in Mid 2018
At the annual ComicsPRO meeting in Portland, the St. Louis based publisher of “comics for everyone” announces the publication of Gene Ha’s Mae.
The book made its debut on Kickstarter in 2015, where the project surpassed its initial goal by over $50,000! Mae saw a second life serialized at Dark Horse, and will now be collected in an all-new edition in July!
“I’m so proud for Mae to join Lion Forge, and to add editor Andrea Colvin to the Mae creative team” says Gene Ha. “I’ve always meant Mae to reach both comic shops and book stores, and no company is better suited than Lion Forge to get our books to all of those readers. Stay tuned, we have so many more amazing stories to share!”
“I’ve been a Gene Ha fan for years,” said Andrea, Lion Forge Vice President–Executive Editor, “and so of course I was thrilled at the chance to bring his creator-owned series over to Lion Forge. Mae is a page-turning high-fantasy adventure in the best comics tradition, and its focus on not just one but three strong female characters makes this exactly the kind of story I’m looking to publish at Lion Forge.”
Mae’s sister Abbie has been missing for seven years. So when she just shows up in a bar one night, Mae is more than a little shocked. Even more shocking is where Abbie has been–a parallel world in which she was queen of a cat army and battled monsters of seemingly infinite variety.
And this is just our story’s beginning. When monsters and other impossible creatures start making their way to our world, and abduct the girls’ father, Mae joins Abbie in a strange and fantastical universe in which everything they thought they knew–about themselves, their family, their world–is challenged.
Mae Volume 1 will be released in comic shops on June 20, 2018, and will continue in an all-new series launching the same day.
Archie Comics
Archie’s SuperTeens Return in a Super Fun New Crossover Event!
The superpowered team-up 50 years in the making is finally here! Riverdale’s most unlikely heroes, the SuperTeens, will meet Archie Comics’ flagship hero team, The Mighty Crusaders, in a two-issue crossover event flying to comic shops this summer.
Created by a super-team of Archie Comics veterans — writers Ian Flynn, David Williams, and Gary Martin, and artists Kelsey Shannon, Williams, Martin, and Jack Morelli — the madcap action launches with ARCHIE SUPERTEENS VS. CRUSADERS #1 on June 20.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen the SuperTeens,” Ian said, “so it’s fantastic to see them jumping back into action. And folks will likely still be hungry for more Mighty Crusaders goodness. The meeting of these two super-teams has been a long-time coming and it’s got all the fun and excitement you could expect from a collision of these two properties!”
Longtime Archie fans have been thrilling to the alternate universe adventures of Riverdale’s heroes since Archie’s alter ego, Pureheart the Powerful, stumbled onto his powers in 1965’s LIFE WITH ARCHIE #42, by Frank Doyle and Bill Vagoda. The rest of the gang suited up over the following years, including Super Teen (Betty Cooper), Evilheart (Reggie Mantle), Captain Hero (Jughead Jones), and Miss Vanity (Veronica Lodge).
This new limited series event will see Archie and the gang encountering Archie Comics’ more traditional heroes in a caper packed with more hamburgers than any other superhero comic on the stands. It’ll take the two most powerful superhero teams in the world to save Riverdale – but can they work together to get things done? Either way, it’ll be fun for all of us to read and find out for ourselves!
IDW Publishing
Transformers Original Graphic Novel Starring Bumblebee Arrives Fall 2018
IDW Publishing is thrilled to announce that in 2018 Bumblebee from the TRANSFORMERS franchise will star in his very own original graphic novel! The perfect jumping on point for the next generation of TRANSFORMERS fans, Transformers: Bumblebee – Win If You Dare gives readers the opportunity to join in the fan-favorite character’s adventures. Life can feel rough when you aren’t the fastest or the tallest Autobot, but Bumblebee is up to the task!
When his best friend is hurt, Bumblebee takes it upon himself to finish the mission—and prove his worth to his fellow Autobots along the way. Things get tense as Bumblebee and a new human friend infiltrate a series of incredible races, hunting down dangerous foes and a devastating secret. It’s an exciting new, action-packed ’80s adventure! X-Men ’92 co-writers Chad Bowers and Chris Sims along with artist Marcelo Ferreira (Back to the Future, Transformers: Windblade) have crafted a nostalgia-tinged, yet equally fresh standalone story.
“The exciting thing about this book is that it really hits all the highs of TRANSFORMERS for fans new and old,” said IDW Associate Editor, David Mariotte. “It has action, adventure, racing and robots, but it also has a lot of heart and humor that comes through in this simultaneously retro and very modern package.”
“This story is just a ton of fun,” said Michael Kelly, head of publishing at Hasbro. “Bumblebee is the ultimate underdog, and everyone loves an underdog. IDW has done a fantastic job bringing this iconic character to life for a new generation of fans.”
This new OGN will be available in comic shops and book stores September 11, 2018 for $9.99. It is available for pre-order now using ISBN: 978-1-68405-227-1.
BOOM! Studios
Fraggle Rock Returns at BOOM! Studios
Discover Your Favorite Fraggles, Doozers, Gorgs, Silly Creatures & More in May 2018
BOOM! Studios and The Jim Henson Company are excited to announce FRAGGLE ROCK #1, an all-new four-issue limited series arriving in comic shops May 2018. In honor of the 35th Anniversary of Fraggle Rock, the Fraggles are back in all-new stand-alone adventures, each by distinct creative voices and presented in an 8″ x 8″ format perfect for longtime fans to share with the next generation. It all begins with a story written and illustrated in beautiful watercolor by Jared Cullum (Jim Henson’s Labyrinth 2017 Special), as Mokey Fraggle is losing her love for creating her art and needs her friends’ help to rediscover her inspiration.
FRAGGLE ROCK #1 features a cover by Jared Cullum, along with a connecting subscription cover by Jake Myler (Fraggle Rock: Journey to the Everspring). Each issue of FRAGGLE ROCK will have a connecting subscription cover featuring a different Fraggle. Retailers who order all four subscription covers will unlock an orderable additional fifth connecting cover that will be shipped with Issue #4.
“Fraggle Rock was an exceptionally unique show where the characters were never 2-dimensional. They have authentic feelings, character flaws, and learned, as we do in life, through stumbling to the right decision in a very immersive and connective way,” said Jared Cullum. “It will always resonate with our hearts.”
FRAGGLE ROCK is the latest release from BOOM! Studios’ ambitious Archaia imprint, home to graphic novels such as Mouse Guard by David Petersen; Rust by Royden Lepp; Bolivar by Sean Rubin; Jane by Aline Brosh McKenna and Ramón K. Pérez; and licensed series like Jim Henson’s The Power of the Dark Crystal and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Coronation.
“We’re proud to celebrate 35 years of Fraggle Rock with all-new stories from an eclectic group of creators,” said Cameron Chittock, Editor, BOOM! Studios. “Each issue captures the spirit of the series in an exciting way, honoring the tradition Jim Henson established of telling stories with genuine heart and a confident belief that what we share outweighs our differences.”
Lumberjanes Celebrates 50 Issues of Friendship!
Discover The Historic 50th Issue of The Worldwide Phenomenon in May 2018
BOOM! Studios is proud to announce LUMBERJANES #50, the historic anniversary issue of the landmark original series that’s sold nearly a million copies worldwide. This oversized issue pays tribute to Mal, Ripley, Molly, April, Jo, and the many adventures at Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s camp for hardcore lady-types that’s brought countless new fans to comics.
Launched in 2014 under BOOM! Studios’ YA-focused BOOM! Box imprint by series co-creators Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn Allen, and Noelle Stevenson, Lumberjanes was originally solicited as a limited series, but the overwhelming response from fans transformed it into an ongoing series that has become a New York Times best-seller, been nominated for prestigious awards including the GLAAD Media Award and the Eisner Awards (for which it has won twice), and have even crossed over with heroes from the DC Comics Universe (in Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy). The Lumberjanes have expanded to middle-grade novels at Abrams Books, a diverse array of merchandise from pins to patches, and a feature film in development at 20th Century Fox.
In LUMBERJANES #50, from writers Shannon Watters & Kat Leyh and artists Dozerdraws & Brooklyn Allen, join April, Mal and Ripley as they make several very cool and also pretty gross discoveries deep in the tunnels beneath the Mess Hall. Up above in the civilized world, Jo and Molly join Emily, Diane, and the Zodiac cabin for a fun and totally chill game of total world conquest! This issue also contains a special short story illustrated by Brooklyn Allen.
“It remains stunning that the series has made it this far. I’m humbled every day by the chance that we’ve been given because readers embraced and loved this series and these characters. What a gift, what a journey,” said Shannon Watters. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
LUMBERJANES #50, featuring a main cover by Kat Leyh (Roadkill Witch), connecting variants by Veronica Fish (SLAM!) and a special wraparound foil cover connecting both Veronica Fish variants, is the latest release from BOOM! Studios’ award-winning BOOM! Box imprint, home to groundbreaking original series such as Giant Days by John Allison, Lissa Treiman, and Max Sarin; Misfit City by Kiwi Smith, Kurt Lustgarten and Naomi Franquiz; Fence by C.S. Pacat and Johanna The Mad; and Goldie Vance by Hope Larson and Brittney Williams.
“We would not have been able to make it to fifty issues of Lumberjanes if it wasn’t for the readers that have found, read, and supported the book. This comic is a labor of love comic born of love – for best friends, for making memories and, most importantly, for who you are inside,” said Dafna Pleban, Editor, BOOM! Studios. “We’re celebrating 50 issues of friendship in the way that only Mal, Ripley, Molly, April and Jo can…which means LUMBERJANES #50 is gonna be unlike any anniversary comic you’ve ever read.”
Over The Garden Wall Returns From BOOM! Studios & Cartoon Network
Discover The Secrets of The Unknown in An All-New Original Graphic Novel in November 2018
BOOM! Studios, in partnership with Cartoon Network, is proud to announce OVER THE GARDEN WALL: DISTILLATORIA OGN, an all new original graphic novel set in the Emmy Award-winning Cartoon Network mini-series arriving in stores November 2018. While exploring the Unknown, Greg and Wirt suddenly find themselves back home—only it looks like they brought Beatrice back with them?! Now, it’s up to them to help Beatrice return safely to the Unknown before anyone realizes she can talk. But it looks like something sinister might be happening in the shadows and everything might not be as it seems. It’s a mad dash filled with friendship, love, Sara, and learning that home might be a lot further away than you think.
Eisner Award-winning writer Jonathan Case (Dear Creature) and Eisner Award-winning Over the Garden Wall artist Jim Campbell present an all-new story perfect for long time fans and new readers alike in OVER THE GARDEN WALL: DISTILLATORIA OGN.
“As a borderline-scary fan of Over the Garden Wall, I’m excited to find myself at the helm of a new adventure for Wirt, Greg, and Beatrice. Really, really excited, you guys,” said Jonathan Case. “With Distillatoria, we’ll revisit some familiar and beloved bits: the Unknown, the Wirt-poems, the rock facts…but we’ll also explore new and (I hope) surprising territory. I dearly hope this new book is a good time for all my fellow old souls and romantic weirdos. And of course, all the lovers of Greg.”
“At this point drawing Over the Garden Wall feels like home to me,” said Jim Campbell. “I love this world. I’m really excited about exploring a lot of the new, weird, and creepy imagery Jonathan has conjured up for this story. But it’s also got some of my favorite settings and characters from the show we haven’t seen in the comics yet. This is going to be a good one.”
OVER THE GARDEN WALL: DISTILLATORIA OGN is the latest release from BOOM! Studios’ critically acclaimed KaBOOM! imprint, publisher of world-class licensed series such as Adventure Time, Steven Universe, Peanuts, and Garfield, along with original series like Brave Chef Brianna by Sam Sykes and Selina Espiritu, and The Deep by Tom Taylor and James Brouwer.
“OVER THE GARDEN WALL: DISTILLATORIA is a fun filled adventure with Wirt and Greg having to deal with some strange twists and turns as they find themselves suddenly home after being trapped in the Unknown,” said Whitney Leopard, Editor, BOOM! Studios. “Jonathan and Jim have made an insanely talented team and this is definitely going to be a story that you don’t want to miss.”