Mayor Poison Ivy declares war on Gotham in ‘Batman: Bad Seeds’ crossover event

The event will kick off in August before blooming across the Batman Family titles in September and October.

If you’ve been reading DC’s excellent Poison Ivy series, you know that 1) Pamela Isley, aka Poison Ivy, is now mayor of Gotham and 2) That isn’t exactly the kind of thing you think would go well, having a former (former?) Bat villain serving as mayor. It’s a powder keg, and it looks like it’s set to blow in Batman: Bad Seeds this August.

DC revealed more details about the event, which they first announced back in February at ComicsPro. It’ll feature Matt Fraction and G. Willow Wilson teaming up with a host of artists to tell the story of one really bad night for Gotham, which will spread into the other Bat titles over the course of 10 weeks.

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Iman Vellani, Marianna Ignazzi + Jordie Bellaire present a ‘classic neo-noir private investigator story’ at Image Comics this summer

The ‘Ms. Marvel’ star makes her solo writing debut on ‘Chachu.’

Ms. Marvel star Iman Vellani will team with artist Marianna Ignazzi and colorist Jordie Bellaire on Chachu, a five-issue miniseries inspired by Vellani’s experiences in Hollywood.

This isn’t the first comic that the young actress has written, as she’s collaborated with other writers on Ms. Marvel stories for Marvel, in addition to starring as the character on the Disney+ show. Now she goes solo as writer as she enters the creator-owned world of comics.

“I’ve always been deeply curious about comics as an art form because of their capacity to hold contradiction—arguably better than any other medium,” said Vellani. “That became especially meaningful to me while writing Chachu, which grew out of this tension between mourning my youth while I still have it, and an incessant urge to come-of-age already.”

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Exclusive | First look at ‘Faceless and the Family: Maze of the Mechanical Aliens’ #2

Matt Lesniewski’s series returns this summer with a new chapter that puts its found family in the crosshairs of the ruthless Carpal Tunnel Gang.

Courtesy of Oni Press, we’re pleased to present this exclusive first look at Faceless and the Family: Maze of the Mechanical Aliens #2, the black-and-white science fiction comic by Matt Lesniewski.

Now Matt Lesniewski is one of those creators you can count on to be doing something interesting and unique in comics, from his Eisner-nominated graphic novel The Freak to his work with Matt Kindt on Crimson Flower. Faceless and the Family, which is about an exiled wanderer on an alien planet seeking redemption and freedom from the armor he wears, first debuted back in 2023. This follow-up miniseries kicks off in July.

In this second issue, Faceless continues his desperate search for a way to free himself from the biomechanical armor fused to his body, even as he and his found family become targets of the Carpal Tunnel Gang. Meanwhile, Katari faces a harrowing decision about his own bio-armor.

Check out the preview, covers and full solicit below, and look for this issue in stores on Aug. 12.

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Marvel says ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #1000 will be the ‘biggest issue in Spider-history’

Joe Kelly, Pepe Larraz, John Romita Jr., Frank Miller, Stuart Immonen, Brian Michael Bendis, Dan Slott and more will contribute to the oversized issue.

Marvel has revealed more details about Amazing Spider-Man #1000, which will arrive in August.

The big milestone issue will feature a main story by Joe Kelly and Pepe Larraz, which will introduce a new villain named Ravage and promises to “change Peter Parker’s life forever.” It’ll also feature contributions from many creators who have worked on the character in the past, as well as some new to the character, including John Romita Jr., Frank Miller, Stuart Immonen, Brian Michael Bendis, Dan Slott, J.M. DeMatteis, Patrick Gleason, Marcos Martin, Peach Momoko and, in his Marvel debut, screenwriter Noah Hawley.

“Writing Amazing Spider-Man #1000 has stirred up a lot of emotions for me, but gratitude is chief among them,” Kelly said. “It’s a true honor to have the opportunity to contribute to Spidey’s legacy with a huge milestone like this. And special bonus – we get to introduce a new villain?! Amazing. Ravage is layered and complex and mysterious, and I can’t wait to unleash him on the readers with this monumental issue!”

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Mark Waid + Chris Samnee return to Gotham for ‘Batman & Robin: Year One — Dynamic Duos’

The acclaimed creative team picks up where their Eisner-nominated run left off, adding Catwoman to the mix in a new 12-issue series launching in August.

DC has announced a follow-up to the highly acclaimed (and pretty awesome) 2024 maxi-series Batman & Robin: Year One by writer Mark Waid and artist Chris Samnee. Batman & Robin: Year One — Dynamic Duos, another new 12-issue series set in the early days of the duo, will kick off in August.

The original series earned Eisner Award nominations for Samnee, colorist Mat Lopes and letterer Clayton Cowles, all of whom are returning for the new series. The series will feature Catwoman and a new character who may become her sidekick.

“One of the great things about talking story with Chris is that we generally end up with way more than we can actually fit in the books—that’s how excited both of us get when we explore Batman and Robin’s early days,” Waid said. “This is Chris’s dream job, and I could write younger Bruce and Dick forever. Hence Dynamic Duos—Bruce and Dick and Catwoman and a brand-new character who may or may not choose to be Selina Kyle’s sidekick.”

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Anthology that included AI-generated content removed from Eisner contention

The editor of ‘Stardust the Super Wizard Anthology’ has rescinded the book from the ‘Best Anthology’ category.

A comics anthology that featured pages created with AI has been withdrawn from this year’s Eisner Awards. The book’s editor, Van Jensen, rescinded the nomination after it came back to light that a submission in the book by Michael Todasco was generated using artificial intelligence.

Stardust the Super Wizard Anthology, edited by Van Jensen and published by Blue Creek Creative, was crowdfunded through Zoop and featured a stellar line-up of talent, including Mike Allred, Francesco Francavilla, Pete Woods, Ron Marz, Zander Cannon, Cecil Castellucci, Jesse Lonergan, Jeff Parker, Tom Fowler and many more. The stories featured the legendary Fletcher Hanks’ Stardust, a public domain character from the Golden Age known for his zany adventures.

The Daily Cartoonist shared a statement from Comic-Con International that said this year’s judges did not know the anthology included an AI submission, and they “indicated that had they been aware of this information, they would not have voted for its inclusion.” It also noted that Jensen rescinded the submission, making it ineligible for an Eisner.

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Can’t Wait for Wednesday | ‘Absolute Green Arrow’ takes aim at comic shops this week

Check out comics and graphic novels arriving this week by Pornsak Pichetshote, Rafael Albuquerque, Chris Condon, Stefano Caselli, James Tynion IV, Riad Sattouf, Arizona O’Neill and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Wednesday, your guide to what’s coming to your local comic shop this week.

I’ve pulled out some of the highlights for this week 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 check with your retailer to see what’s arriving at their shop this week.

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Dan Buckley to depart Marvel after nearly 30 years

Marvel’s Brad Winderbaum takes on an expanded leadership role overseeing comics alongside television and animation, while Disney executive David Abdo joins the Marvel team.

Marvel has announced a leadership change that will see Marvel Studios executive Brad Winderbaum expand his role to include comics and franchise in addition to television and animation. David Abdo will move over from Disney to become general manager of comics and franchise.

Dan Buckley, the longtime head of comics and franchise, will depart after a nearly 30 years combined with Marvel. Buckley will remain through mid-2027 to support the transition. C.B. Cebulski, current Marvel editor-in-chief, will report to Abdo.

“Brad’s exceptional creative leadership and David’s deep experience in operations and digital innovation will be a powerful pairing as we begin building out the next 90 years of Marvel’s comic book legacy,” said Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios and Chief Creative Officer of Marvel. “Brad brings a proven ability to lead creative teams and craft ongoing, episodic narratives that resonate with our fans around the world, while David offers a strong track record of operational excellence and strategic growth. I’m excited for what they’ll be able to do together.”

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Rick Remender + Steve Epting bring down the ‘Hammerfist’ in August

The ongoing series from Image Comics blends hardboiled crime fiction and splatter horror, as a hitman is forced to fight the supernatural to save his daughter.

Rick Remender and Steve Epting are teaming up on Hammerfist, an ongoing series from Image Comics and Remender’s Giant Generator imprint that will launch in August.

The series is about Mike Denton, a hitman/absentee father who must awaken a supernatural weapon powered by love to save his daughter from an ancient darkness called Black Noon.

“Hammerfist is for people who grew up on those unhinged genre films of the VHS era, over-the-top, hard-R, wildly original, but never forgetting to be fun,” Remender told IGN. “A hardboiled crime story that mutates into an ultra-violent, Raimi-style horror story following a low-rent killer who becomes the only thing standing between us and eternal darkness. Getting to see it come to life in the hands of a master like Steve Epting is a dream come true. I’ve wanted to collaborate with him for years, and the pages speak for themselves, cinematic, brutal, and emotional. Paired with Matt Hollingsworth’s color there just isn’t a better art team.”

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Kevin Smith, Andy McElfresh + R.B. Silva team for ‘Spider-Man/Hulk: Fire and Brimstone’

The five-issue miniseries arrives in August.

Marvel has announced another miniseries bringing together Spider-Man and the Hulk. Spider-Man/Hulk: Fire and Brimstone, by writer/director Kevin Smith, The Tonight Show writer Andy McElfrsh and One World Under Doom artist R.B. Silva, will kick off in August.

With Hulk and Punisher both appearing in this summer’s big Spider-Man flick, Brand New Day, both characters are getting panel time in addition to screen time with the wallcrawler this summer. Both characters are appearing in Spider-Man: Long Way Home in June, while a story set in the early days of the Punisher and Spider-Man’s relationship, titled The Punisher vs. the Amazing Spider-Man, will arrive in July.

“I’ve played with Peter Parker and swung with Spider-Man before but this is the first time I’m having Hulk issues,” Smith said. “Andy and I are dropping two of Marvel’s most well-known scientists into a spiritual story of Biblical proportions as we exorcise the Incredible Hulk—and I’m not talking cross-fit!”

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Mad Cave Studios announces charity anthology ‘You Are on Native Land’

All profits from the September anthology will be donated to Not Our Native Daughters.

Mad Cave Studios will release You Are on Native Land: A Charity Comic for Indigenous Rights, an anthology collecting work by Indigenous comics creators, in September.

All profits from the book will be donated to Not Our Native Daughters, a Native-led, survivor-led organization dedicated to addressing the Missing, Murdered and Exploited Indigenous Women and Girls crisis.

“Storytelling has always been a way our people carry truth forward,” said contributing poet Kelly Lynne D’Angelo. “Being part of You Are on Native Land means honoring that responsibility — not just to be seen, but to be heard, celebrated and held.”

The anthology will also include contributions from Jon Proudstar, Gord Hill, Chas Lowry, Jackie Fawn, Steph Littlebird, Roy Boney, Jim Terry, David Cutler, David Mack and others. It also includes a reprint of Tribal Force #1 by Proudstar and Chris Williams, the first comic to feature a superhero team made up entirely of Indigenous heroes.

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Your 2026 Eisner Award nominees

The winners will be announced this summer at the San Diego Comic-Con.

Comic-Con International has announced the nominees for this year’s Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, which will be given out on July 24 in San Diego.

DC leads all publishers with 16 nominations, plus 10 shared with other publishers. Absolute Martian Manhunter has six nominations, including Best Limited Series, and Absolute Batman has 5, including Best Continuing Series, where it’s up against Absolute Wonder Woman. In addition to be a sales hit, the Absolute line, critically speaking, is working.

Fantagraphics had 14 nominations, spread across graphic memoirs, U.S. editions of international material, and archival collections.

Speaking of the Absolute line, Deniz Camp leads all creators with 5 nominations: Best Limited Series for Absolute Martian Manhunter, Best New Series for Assorted Crisis Events, two Best Single Issue nominations and Best Writer. He’s competing against himself, which is a remarkable position to be in. James Tynion IV has four nominations, while Juni Ba, Javier Rodriguez, Jesse Lonergan, Linnea Sterte, Kelly Thompson and Eric Zawadski all received three.

Comics’ biggest night will also recognize the new inductees into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame, 18 of which are automatic inductees and six of which will be decided by voters.

Congrats to this year’s nominees!

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