Image announces a sequel to Zdarsky, Anka + Wilson’s ‘The White Trees’

The trio of creators returns to the fantasy world they created with ‘The Whisper Queen,’ which begins in May.

Back in 2019, Chip Zdarsky, Kris Anka and Matt Wilson introduced the fantasy world of Blacksand in the two-issue Image Comics miniseries The White Trees. They’ll return to that world in The Whisper Queen, a three-issue miniseries that begins in May.

The White Trees is the best project I’ve ever been involved in, thanks to the gorgeous work by Kris and Matt,” Zdarsky said. “We always knew there were more stories to tell in the world of Blacksand, so getting the gang back together for another wild, action-filled adventure was a no-brainer. It’s years in the making, and I hope everyone is ready to find out what happened next in The Whisper Queen!”

Continue reading “Image announces a sequel to Zdarsky, Anka + Wilson’s ‘The White Trees’”

Question everything you know about the Joker in ‘The Joker Year One’

‘Batman’ goes weekly in February as DC delves into the Joker’s past and future.

DC promises to reveal untold secrets about the origin of the Joker in an upcoming Batman story next year, titled “The Joker Year Zero.,” which will run through three weekly issues in February.

The new storyline is by writer Chip Zdarsky, artist Giuseppe Camuncoli, inker Stefano Nesi, and colorist Alejandro Sánchez, with artist Andrea Sorrentino and colorist Dave Stewart drawing a “juxtaposed” story. It’ll follow the current Batman arc, “Mindbomb,” which also features the Joker.

Here’s a look at the two different art styles, starting with Camuncoli, Nesi and Sánchez’s tribute to The Killing Joke:

Continue reading “Question everything you know about the Joker in ‘The Joker Year One’”

Zdarsky + Acuna avenge the future in ‘Avengers: Twilight’

The new miniseries begins in January.

If you’ve been wondering what’s next for Daredevil scribe Chip Zdarsky at Marvel, today’s The Next Big Thing panel at New York Comic Con brought some good news — he’s teaming up with artist Daniel Acuna for a “final” story starring the Avengers.

In the vein of Marvel’s “The End” projects, this one will feature a future world where the Avengers no longer exist — but Steve Rogers does.

Continue reading “Zdarsky + Acuna avenge the future in ‘Avengers: Twilight’”

‘The All-Nighter’ returns for a final season this Halloween

Chip Zdarsky and Jason Loo reopen the diner for one more night and one more fight.

Chip Zdarsky and Jason Loo’s The All-Nighter will return for a third and final run later this month, as the Comixology Originals series wraps up its run.

The vampires-turned-superheroes will face off with The Takers as they search for their missing friend, finally living up to the dream of being heroes.

“I’m incredibly excited to bring our vampire family adventure to its epic conclusion!” Zdarsky said. “We’ve taken them from flipping burgers to fighting crime, and I can’t wait to show everyone what’s next!”

Zdarskya nd Loo are joined by colorist Paris Alleyne, letterer Frank Cvetkovic and editor Allison O’Toole for The All-Nighter Season 3, which will be released monthly by Comixology Originals. Issue #11 debuts on Oct. 31.

Continue reading “‘The All-Nighter’ returns for a final season this Halloween”

Howard the Duck celebrates his 50th with Zdarsky, Quinones, Kibblesmith, Wu + more

Marvel will publish an anthology one-shot in November.

Howard the Duck, the little cupcake of a drake created by Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik in the early 1970s, celebrates his 50th birthday this year, and to celebrate, Marvel’s throwing a party — or putting out a one-shot, anyway.

The giant-sized Howard the Duck #1 will include a story by Chip Zdarsky and Joe Quinones, the creative team who brought the character back into the limelight about eight years ago.

“That’s right! Me and Joe Quinones are back and contributed a short story to this issue,” Zdarsky said in his Substack newsletter. “It was really fun getting to write our stupid gags again, and Joe has already had a cover shot down by Legal so you just know we’re bringing our A-game again!”

Ed McGuinness’ cover was not rejected by Legal:

Continue reading “Howard the Duck celebrates his 50th with Zdarsky, Quinones, Kibblesmith, Wu + more”

Batman and Catwoman face a ‘Gotham War’ this fall

Dawn of DC continues in the fall with a crossover between Gotham’s most tumultuous couple.

DC Comics has announced a new crossover coming in the fall — Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War, part of their Dawn of DC publishing initiative. The story will run through two one-shots, the regular Batman and Catwoman titles, and a miniseries that will focus on The Red Hood.

Chip Zdarsky and Tini Howard, writers of Batman and Catwoman, have been working toward this story since they each started on their respective title.

“From the moment Tini and I started working on these titles, we realized we had a huge opportunity to build toward something that would shake up the power structure of Gotham City,” Zdarsky said. “The Gotham War is just that: relationships explode, relationships are formed, and it all leads to massive changes! Being able to take these kinds of big swings together has been extremely exciting.”

Continue reading “Batman and Catwoman face a ‘Gotham War’ this fall”

Saladin Ahmed + Aaron Kuder will take over ‘Daredevil’ in September

Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checcetto’s run ends in August.

With Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checcetto’s epic (and Eisner nominated) run on Daredevil coming to an end this summer, Marvel has announced that Saladin Ahmed and Aaron Kuder will take over the title in September.

“I wanted to only take this job on if I felt like I had a new, unique take on Matt and on Hell’s Kitchen,” Ahmed said. “And so that’s at the center of this… him and his world, but it’s the Marvel Universe. What I’ve really enjoyed in talking with other editors, other offices, is finding ways through these first couple of arcs we have planned to keep this centered on Matt, keep this centered on his people, in his world, but to bring (in a very organic and surprising fun way) some familiar Marvel figures that I think are going to blow people’s mind when they pop up on the page!”

Continue reading “Saladin Ahmed + Aaron Kuder will take over ‘Daredevil’ in September”

Chip Zdarsky + Marco Checchetto’s Daredevil saga will end in August

“This is what God has done.”

Writer Chip Zdarsky has announced via Substack and his social media that he and artist Marco Checchetto’s epic run on Daredevil will come to an end in August.

“This is what God has done” the teaser reads, noting that “The saga ends” in August. The imagery mirrors the original teaser that was used to announce their run back in 2018.

Continue reading “Chip Zdarsky + Marco Checchetto’s Daredevil saga will end in August”

‘What a time to be (un)alive’: Zdarsky + Loo’s ‘The All-Nighter’ returns for a second season

The vampires-as-superheroes series continues with issue #6 this Tuesday.

The vampires-cosplaying-as-superheroes story The All-Nighter by Chip Zdarsky and Jason Loo will return later this week for a second season.

ComiXology Originals has announced The All-Nighter #6, which follows the first five-issue arc that debuted last fall.

“I’m thrilled to be continuing this story with Jason,” Zdarsky said. “He’s become quite popular these days and has more than once said, ‘Who are you again?’ when I email him, so the fact that he’s delivering the best work of his career on volume two of The All-Nighter is fantastic! I think every comic book reader in the world should be reading this book, that’s just my humble opinion!”

Continue reading “‘What a time to be (un)alive’: Zdarsky + Loo’s ‘The All-Nighter’ returns for a second season”

Image will release print editions of Tynion + Zdarsky’s Substack comics

Both comics arrive in comic shops in June.

Image Comics has announced plans to publish print versions of two Substack comics — Public Domain by Chip Zdarsky and The Closet by James Tynion IV and Gavin Fullerton.

Zdarsky has been publishing Public Domain via his Substack newsletter almost since the newsletter went live last year, while The Closet debuted just a few weeks ago on Tynion’s Tiny Onion newsletter.

“In June, issue one will hit shelves, and it’ll be an ongoing monthly series (as long as my hand/arm/brain hold out)!” Zdarsky said about Public Domain, which he both writes and draws. “So for those of you who are NOT paid subscribers, you can check it out then and come back here to sign up and find out what happens next!”

Continue reading “Image will release print editions of Tynion + Zdarsky’s Substack comics”

Mail Call | Say hello to the New (Old) Fantastic Four

Check out news and announcements from Marvel, IDW, AfterShock, Drawn and Quarterly, and more.

Mail Call is a roundup of cool things we’ve received in our mailboxes from comics creators, publishers and more. Hit the links for more information.

Back in the early 1990s Wolverine, Spider-Man, Ghost Rider and Hulk had a brief team-up in the pages of Fantastic Four while the actual Fantastic Four were out of town. It was a fun story by Walt Simonson and Art Adams that only last a few issues. But now Marvel will revisit that team — and time period — in The New Fantastic Four, a limited series by Peter David and Alan Robinson.

“Although their original stint was extremely short-lived, the alternate version of the FF has had its fans for years, including myself,” David said. “I am fortunate Marvel has given me the opportunity to revisit with them and take their battles to new heights in a new location with new allies and new enemies.” 

Like Maestro and X-Men Legends, this story takes place in the past, shortly after the quartet’s first appearance.

Continue reading “Mail Call | Say hello to the New (Old) Fantastic Four”

‘Devil’s Reign Omega’ paves the way for a new ‘Daredevil’ series in June

Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto will continue to tell stories about Matt Murdock and Elektra after the event series ends.

Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto will continue their epic run on Daredevil following the end of Devil’s Reign, as both Matt Murdock and Elektra will star in a new title that promises “the darkest Hell’s Kitchen to date.”

Marvel gave the Daredevil comic a break as the two creators turned their attention to Devil’s Reign, the current event series featuring Mayor Kingpin trying to ban, blackmail and arrest all New York City superheroes. But following the end of the big event, Daredevil will be back in June with a new first issue.

“This is the start of our fourth year on the title! And the plan for it is about as big a swing as we could possibly take,” Zdarsky told Marvel.com. “I’m super excited for readers to see where we’re taking our Daredevils!”

Continue reading “‘Devil’s Reign Omega’ paves the way for a new ‘Daredevil’ series in June”