Can’t Wait for Comics | Frank Miller Presents launches its inaugural titles

‘Ronin II’ debuts this week, along with new titles by Jason Aaron, Alexandre Tefenkgi, Tradd Moore, Brandon Easton, Hendry Prasetya, Jacob Norris, Jay Hosler and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Comics, your guide to what comics are arriving in comic book stores, bookstores and on digital.

I’ve pulled out some of the highlights below, but for the complete list of everything you might find at your local comic shop and on digital this week, you’ll want to check out one or more of the following:

As a reminder, things can change and what you find on the above lists may differ from what’s actually arriving in your local shop. So always check with your comics retailer for the final word on availability.

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Peter J. Tomasi + Maxim Šimić grow a ‘Blood Tree’ at Image in February

The series about the NYPD hunting a serial killer was previously serialized on Zestworld.

Writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Maxim Šimić are laying down the roots of a Blood Tree. The ongoing series about two NYPD detectives hunting a serial killer will launch in February from Image Comics.

Tomasi has been serializing Blood Tree on Zestworld since earlier this year.

“I always wanted to take a shot at writing a taut and haunting crime drama in the tradition of Silence of the Lambs meets Seven,” said Tomasi.

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Fantagraphics launches their Cyber Monday sale early

Get 40% off almost everything on their website for today only.

Technically Cyber Monday is next week, but Fantagraphics doesn’t care — they’ve launched their Cyber Monday sale today, offering 40% off on “just about everything” on their website, plus free USPS media mail shipping on orders over $75.

It includes both backlist titles and new releases, including Jordan Crane’s incredible Keeping Two, Barry Windsor Smith’s award-winning Monsters, their collection of Liniers’ Macanudo comic strip and more from Daniel Clowes, Megan Kelso, Simon Hanselman, Jim Woodring, the Hernandez Brothers and lots of other wonderful creators.

That’s it — that’s the post. Go check out the sale, which ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

Final girl next door: Archie announces new horror one-shot featuring Betty

Micol Ostow, Laura Braga and more visit the ‘final girl’ horror trope in a new one-shot.

Archie Horror continues to find new, fun ways to mash up the Riverdale gang with the horror genre and tropes. Their latest project will cast everyone’s favorite “girl next door” as a “final girl” in Betty: The Final Girl.

Archie’s press release defines a “final girl” as “the clever survivor who carries a relentless plot across the finish line, taking it to the bad guy in the last scene.” For reference, see Halloween, Friday the 13th, Scream and any number of slasher movies out there.

Betty won’t be the only Archie character spotlighted in this issue, as the one-shot will include multiple stories, with a framing sequence written by Micol Ostow.

“I’m a diehard horror fan, and I’ve been obsessed with how seamlessly Archie’s been able to integrate different styles, levels, and aesthetics of spookiness into their Archie Horror library,” Ostow said. “And while I don’t have one favorite scary movie or book, I’ve always been a sucker for the ‘final girl’ trope. It hit me that Betty would make a fantastic final girl: blonde, kick-ass, capable!”

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Superboy, Doom Patrol and more will get new titles in 2023

DC Comics announces several new titles and storyline coming next year as part of the ‘Dawn of DC’ initiative.

DC today revealed plans to launch more than 20 new titles next year in the wake of their close-to-ending Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and the upcoming DC Universe: Lazarus Planet. Dawn of DC, their new publishing initiative for 2023, will feature not only new titles but will also spotlight “fan-favorite superheroes and super-villains that haven’t been front and center for some time.”

“After the near-Multiverse-ending events in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and DC Universe: Lazarus Planet, the DC Universe will be heading toward the light,” said Jim Lee, DC publisher and chief creative officer. “With brand-new series and story arcs from some of the top creative members in comics, Dawn of DC is one of our most ambitious initiatives ever and is a chance for us to tell bigger and bolder stories across our line.”

Here’s the teaser image for what’s to come, which features icons for several upcoming titles that were announced today — with more to be revealed on the right side in the future:

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‘Local Man’ brings together small town crime and early 1990s superheroes

“Part Extreme Studios, part Vertigo Comics. It’s a story about love and loss, and ego, and murder most foul.”

Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs have teamed up for a new comic that’s “part Extreme Studios, part Vertigo Comics” as the duo share their love for those early Image superheroes in Local Man.

“Local Man is Tony and I teaming up to make a comic book that combines what we love about ’90s superheroes, with our shared affections for crime and horror stories,” Seeley told CBR. “Part Extreme Studios, part Vertigo Comics. It’s a story about love and loss, and ego, and murder most foul. But it’s also about nostalgia, and promises not fulfilled—with lots of gritted teeth, and epic head punches.”

Seeley and Fleecs have both had their own success at Image, with titles like Revival and Stray Dogs. Each issue of the series will come in a “flip book” format, with a lead story drawn by Fleecs and a superhero flashback drawn by Seeley. Both are accomplished writers and artists, so it’s good to see them flexing both those muscles here.

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Starks + Kowalski hunt for serial killers in ‘Where Monsters Lie’

Enter the very deadly Wilmhurst Gated Community next February.

Kyle Starks and Piotr Kowalski will pull back the curtain on the life and times of serial killers in Where Monsters Lie, a new miniseries coming from Dark Horse Comics.

The duo will be joined by colorist Vladimir Popov and letterer Josh Reed for the story, which is set at the Wilmhurst Gated Community — which caters to all sorts of killers, murderers and monsters.

“Piotr and I are so thrilled that word is finally out about Where Monsters Lie,” Starks told The Daily Dead. “We’re extremely excited about this series and for everyone to meet the twisted, terrible monsters of the Wilmhurst Gated Community and what happens when a survivor to their nightmarish murder sprees shows up ready for revenge.  Anyone who has ever loved a slasher movie or wanted to see their favorite horror monsters team up are going to love this one!”

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More than 40 titles announced for Free Comic Book Day 2023

New titles from Image, Oni, BOOM! and more will debut on May 6 next year.

Diamond has revealed the rest of the 2023 Free Comic Book Day line-up, which puts an additional 31 titles into the mix. Add’em to the “gold sponsor” titles announced earlier this week for a total of 44 free comics that will be available to retailers and fans on May 6.

Some of the highlights of the “silver sponsor” titles include:

  • The Sacrificers, a new Image Comics title by Rick Remender and Max Fiumara.
  • A preview of Punch Up, a new graphic novel from Oni Press by Zack Sterling.
  • Ten Speed Press has a preview of I Am Stan, the new Stan Lee biography by Tom Scioli.
  • BOOM! Studios will preview Mech Cadets by Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa, which sounds like a sequel to the wonderful Mech Cadet Yu. Update: Actually they are reprinting the first issue of the miniseries rather than releasing something new. BOO! I want a new series!
  • There’s also Animal Crossing, Nightmare Before Christmas, the Freak Brothers, the Smurfs and many more familiar names.

Check’em all out below.

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Betty & Veronica fight crime with Fly Girl in ‘Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest’ #309

Check out an exclusive preview of a new story coming in next week’s digest from Archie Comics.

Courtesy of our “fly” friends at Archie Comics, we’re pleased to present a preview of Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #309, which comes out Nov. 23.

This digest will include two new stories, in addition to a selection of classic Archie material. Our preview today includes pages from “Super Sale!” by Ian Flynn and Ryan Jampole, which features an appearance by Kelly Brand, aka Fly Girl, aka the daughter of the original Fly Girl Kim Brand. As eagle-eyed continuity followers might remember, Kim passed on the mantle to Kelly in the 2012 Mighty Crusaders series.

Check out the preview and solicitation information below.

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Dark magic meets 1970s Chicago in Band of Bards’ ‘Monsters & Midways’

Nick Goodwin, Chuck Satterlee and Jeremy Megert bring the swords in a new miniseries that’s coming next March.

Indie publisher Band of Bards has announced a new modern fantasy series, Monsters & Midways, that brings elves and magic to 1970s Chicago.

The comic will feature a heavy metal guitarist who “hasn’t made the big time with his songs of magic, wizards and elves.” But his life changes when he encounters the real thing. The new series is by writers Nick Goodwin and Chuck Satterlee, and artist Jeremy Megert. They’ll be joined by Nicholas Michael on colors and legendary letterer Tom Orzechowski.

“When the team submitted to us, it really wasn’t a hard decision for our editorial team,” said Tim Stolinski, co-founder and co-publisher of Band of Bards. “We are working towards a solid 2023 to build on the progress made in our first year. Monsters & Midways has a strong team and is an exciting story, so it was a simple decision for us.”

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‘Felix the Cat’ moves to Bottlerocket + is now up on Kickstarter

Rocketship Entertainment’s new imprint will crowdfund a softcover of the comic by Mike Federali, Bob Frantz and Tracy Yardley.

Rocketship Entertainment, which has brought many webcomics and other projects to print, has announced a new imprint aimed at younger readers — Bottlerocket. And one of their first projects will be Felix the Cat, which was previously announced to be coming from Source Point Press.

The project is already up on Kickstarter, and based on the preview artwork and creative team, it does look like this is the same project that was first revealed last year. The book itself is being created by Studio Stario, which is headed up by the comic’s writer, Mike Federali, who I spoke to last year about the project. He’s joined by Bob Frantz and artist Tracy Yardley.

For the Kickstarter, Bottlerocket is raising funds to publish Felix as hardcover and softcover collections, rather than as single issues, with other tiers offering prints by Thom Zahler and Art Baltazar.

“We’ve put a lot of love and time into this story, and I’m so grateful that it’s making its way to the fans,” said writer and Studio Stario president Mike Federali in the press release. “Felix has always been a favorite of mine, so it was very important to take the time with NBCUniversal to get it right. Being able to bring new Felix stories to life is a dream come true, and I hope the fans enjoy the ride as much as we did.”

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Marvel will launch a second Iron Man title in March

‘I Am Iron Man’ by Murewa Ayodele and Dotun Akande will tell stories set throughout Iron Man’s history.

With Iron Man’s big 60th anniversary coming up next year, Marvel is doubling down on the number of titles featuring the Armored Avenger. In addition to Invincible Iron Man, which debuts in December, Marvel will also launch I Am Iron Man next March.

Writer Murewa Ayodele and artist Dotun Akande will tell stories set at different points in Iron Man’s career. The duo actually have a back-up story in tomorrow’s Iron Man #25, which wraps up Christopher Cantwell’s run on the character with an oversized issue.

“Iron Man has been my favorite character in all of fiction for years now,” Ayodele said. “I’ve loved the character for so long that I had written a proposal for this series even before Dotun and I broke into comics. So, we are super grateful that Marvel made our wildest dreams come true by giving us this opportunity to tell stories that celebrate 60 years of the awesome existence of Tony Stark… Every issue of I Am Iron Man is set in an iconic era of Iron Man, explores some deep emotional wounds of Tony Stark, is adrenaline-pumping with exciting set pieces, and is rendered in beautiful illustrations by Dotun Akande (my favorite comic book artist and best friend). It’s the series for Iron Man fans and anyone that has ever wanted to get into Iron Man comics.”

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