Mail Call is a roundup of the announcements we’ve received from comics publishers in our mailboxes recently that we haven’t already covered. Hit the links for more information.
Tai Pham, the Green Lantern that debuted in the pages of the Green Lantern: Legacy graphic novel, will return in 2022 in Green Lantern: Alliance.
Pham’s adventures will once again be told by Minh Lê and artist Andie Tong, as he once again comes face-to-face with his nemesis, Xander Griffin, but this time he’ll have some help from a new Kid Flash.
Here’s the description from DC: When a string of fires starts popping up around Coast City, Tai finds himself stretched thin as he struggles to keep up with school, training, working at his parents’ store, and following Xander’s trail. That is until a new hero, known as Kid Flash, shows up on the scene with an offer to help. Can the heroes find the arsonist before it’s too late?
Green Lantern: Alliance will arrive in stores and on digital platforms on April 5.
Dark Horse to publish ‘The House’
Dark Horse Comics will collect Phillip Sevy and Drew Zucker’s The House into a graphic novel. The miniseries was originally released on comiXology and then the team crowdfunded its collection into a graphic novel.
“When Drew and I began working on The House, well over a decade ago, Dark Horse was one of our top dream publishers,” said Sevy. “We hoped to be able to work with Dark Horse to bring our story to the world. It was a long process with countless hours of hard work, spread out over years, but to have the book coming out through one of the premiere publishers of horror in comics is an honor and testament to the work we put in. We couldn’t be more excited.”
The House arrives in stores Oct. 13.
Marvel announces a new ‘Winter Guard’ series
After some pandemic-related delays, the Black Widow film will finally come out in July, but many of the comics Marvel that were supposed to coincide with the movie release have already come out. So, in August, look for something new featuring Yelena Belova and the Red Guardian, who appear in the film, as they are on the run from the Winter Guard, who are rumored to maybe make an appearance in it as well.
Ryan Cady and Jan Bazaldua are the creative team for The Winter Guard, a miniseries featuring Crimson Dynamo, Vanguard, Darkstar, Ursa Major, Perun and Chernobog hunting down the White Widow and Red Guardian. Check out some preview pages below:
Marvel, BANDAI SPIRITS team for Tech-On Avengers
Marvel has teamed up with Bandai Spirits for a new Avengers miniseries, Tech-On Avengers, a “tokusatsu-inspired action-adventure comic series featuring stellar new armor designs for some of Marvel’s most iconic heroes and villains.” It’s by Jim Zub and Jeff “Chamba” Cruz.
“I grew up on a steady stream of Japanese animation and tokusatsu-centric stories, so bringing those same sensibilities to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is an absolute rush,” Zub said. “The team at Bandai Spirits absolutely crushed it on the hero and villain designs and Chamba is the perfect artist to bring this world to life, with dynamic action art that feels like it popped off the screen and on to the printed page. Tech-On Avengers is bombastic and kinetic, bursting with color and energy. I can’t wait for readers and retailers to get on board this wild ride!”
Bandai Spirits will also release a new S.H.Figuarts action figure line in coordination with the series. Check out some preview pages from the comic below:
The first issue arrives in August.
Grønbekk + Salazar team for Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle
Marvel has announced a second Warhammer 40,000 miniseries, subtitled “Sisters of Battle,” following last year’s Warhammer 40,000: Marneus Calgar. The new miniseries is by Torunn Grønbekk and Edgar Salazar, and it debuts in August.
“I’m beyond thrilled to continue Marvel’s Warhammer 40,000 line with this new series. The Sisters of Battle are everything I adore about 40K. I love everything from their unflinching conviction to their brutal armory (hello, Exorcist!) to the creepiest of all servitors; the Cherub. We’re in a universe where attack is the best defense and suffering is prayer, and I couldn’t be happier to enter the battle with the Adepta Sororitas. (Expect many hymnals and a lot of dead heretics),” Grønbekk said. “I’m ever grateful for the opportunity to contribute a little piece of terror to the vast and unforgiving Warhammer 40K universe (and not only because the countless hours I spend painting miniatures can now be classified as ‘research.’ Thanks, Marvel)! Seeing the story come to life through the art of Edgar Salazar has been a true delight. It takes a particular talent to keep track of all the details essential to the 40K universe, and Edgar is next-level great. Combined with the colors of Arif Prianto, the grim darkness of the far future is brought to life in a style you’ve never seen before!”
The Silver Coin upgrades to an ongoing
Michael Walsh’s one-artist anthology series The Silver Coin will continue past its original four-issue run, as issue #5 arrives in August.
Originally announced as a four-issue miniseries, Walsh will continue to team up with different writers to tell horror stories. Future issues will include collaborations with Joshua Williamson, Ram V, Matthew Rosenberg and Vita Ayala.
“I am beyond excited to continue telling stories in the world of The Silver Coin. The response to the first arc has been overwhelming and it’s provided me with the opportunity to bring in an all-new group of incredible talent for more tales of terror,” said Walsh. “I’m very lucky to be working with people that consistently elevate my own work and push me to grow as an artist and writer. Josh, Ram, Matt, and Vita are all such insightful, creative and unique voices in the world of comics… I can’t WAIT to show off the horrors that we are crafting together.”
Sandman/Locke & Key crossover wraps up in August
The Sandman Universe/Locke & Key crossover event will wrap up in August, and DC Comics has released the main cover and two variant covers for the second issue. The main cover is by series artist Gabriel Rodriquez, who, with writer Joe Hill, has really captured the flavor of the original Sandman series.
Check out the two variant covers, by J.H. Williams III and Kelley Jones:
Young + Corona re-team for a new miniseries
Skottie Young and Jorge Corona, who worked together on the Eisner-nominated Middlewest, are back in August for The Me You Love in the Dark.
The five-issue miniseries is about an artist named Ro who retreats from “the grind of the city to an isolated old house to find solace and inspiration—but the muse within is not quite what she expected.”
Here’s a preview; look for the first issue in August.
Diamond’s Pullbox service to launch June 7
Diamond Comics Distributors has announced that Pullbox, their long-in-development online preorders and subscriptions service for comic fans, will launch June 7.
Pullbox allows fans to use Diamond’s PREVIEWSworld website to place orders directly with their local comic shop, as well as place special orders, track their weekly purchases and more.
“We took advantage of an extended beta test period to add more features and enhance the functionality of these tools,” said Chris Powell, Chief Sales & Service Officer for Geppi Family Enterprises, the parent company of Diamond Comic Distributors. “We have heard from many retailers already that Pullbox has increased their sales while providing added convenience for their customers. I am excited to be rolling it out to a much wider audience with this launch.”
Kyle Starks’ Old Head graphic novel arrives in August
Assassin Nation creator Kyle Starks has a new graphic novel arriving in August called Old Head, which features a former basketball star going head-to-head with Dracula.
“I’m really excited for folks to finally get to read Old Head—an examination of legacy and toxic masculinity viewed through the lens of a father and daughter fighting sex monsters,” said Starks.
Here’s the description from Image: Perhaps best described as Space Jam meets Fright Night, this hilarious new story follows a former basketball star when he returns home for his mother’s funeral. What he doesn’t expect is to learn of her mysterious past, his destiny, and to find himself embroiled in a decades-long blood feud with Dracula himself.
Suicide Squad variants arrive in August
With the second Suicide Squad film arriving this summer, DC has announced a series of Suicide Squad variant covers for August, which will appear on various DC series. Take a look at them all below:
Z2 announces Freddie Mercury biography
Z2 Comics will publish a biographical graphic novel about Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie Mercury: Lover of Life, Singer of Songs will arrive in November. It’s written by Tres Dean and illustrated by Kyla Smith, Robin Richardson, Safiya Zerrougui, Tammy Wang and Amy Liu, with a cover by David Mack.
Marvel announces a new Star Wars: The High Republic miniseries
Via Starwars.com comes news of another Star Wars: The High Republic project from Marvel. Star Wars: The High Republic: Trail Of Shadows is a new mystery story by Daniel José Older, David Wachter and Giada Marchisio, with covers by David Lopez.
“I am beyond excited to be working on this thrilling, creepy, delightful story,” Older said. The project is a fusion of two facets of Older’s personal fandom: “my lifelong love for Star Wars with my lifelong love of noir, crime stories, and mystery.”
Z2 to publish Alter Bridge: Tour of Horror
I really only know who Alter Bridge is because WWE’s Edge uses one of their songs for his entrance, but I’m guessing they have more songs than that. And come November, they’ll also have a graphic novel, courtesy of Z2 Comics.
Alter Bridge: Tour of Horrors is written by Emily Ryan Lerner and drawn by “a cast of top artists.” It’s actually a horror anthology, as Alter Bridges’ new ghoulish roadie tells scary stories around the campfire … er, tour bus. In addition to the regular version, Z2 will also offer a deluxe version that comes with a vinyl edition of Alter Bridges’ first album.
Star Trek: The Mirror War starts in September
Who is ready for an evil Jean-Luc Picard? Scott and David Tipton are, as they dive into Star Trek’s Mirror Universe in a new series for IDW Publishing.
It kicks off in September with Star Trek: The Mirror War #0, illustrated by Carlos Nieto. This zero issue features a new story of “Mirror Picard” as “he’s summoned to Earth to face the wrath of his emperor, deftly weaving threads from past Mirror Universe tales in a way entertaining to newcomers and the initiated alike.”
That zero issue will be followed by an eight-issue miniseries, plus four specials that will spotlight different Next Generation crew members. The first special, in December, will focus on Data.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to return to the Mirror Universe,” said Scott Tipton. “What’s in store for our Mirror Jean-Luc Picard and his Enterprise crew? New faces, new places and old grudges. Picard’s ambitions are grander than ever, and nothing short of the throne itself will satisfy him!”
Drink like Gotham’s finest with Gotham City Cocktails
If you’ve ever wanted to host your own Gotham-themed party, DC has you covered — Gotham City Cocktails features recipes for food and drink based on the many heroes and villains that inhabit Gotham.
You, too, can sip a Dark Knightcap while eating Batarang Brownies, or drink a Joker-themed Full Deck while chowing down on Monarch Theatre Popcorn — it’s flavored with lime zest and Bruce Wayne’s tears.
The recipe book is by André Darlington and is available now.
Flashpoint Batman returns in Infinite Frontier
DC Comics has revealed a few more details and a whole bunch of covers for the upcoming Infinite Frontier miniseries by Joshua Williamson and Xermanico, which launches in June.
The miniseries features Alan Scott, Roy Harper, President Superman, Barry Allen, Psycho Pirate, Agent Chase and Director Bones of the DEO, and, in a return appearance, Flashpoint Batman. There’s also a Secret Files issue coming at the end of June. Here are the series’ regular covers for issues 1-4, plus the Secret Files one:
And each issue will also feature a Bryan Hitch variant cover, which all interconnect to form a single image:
More Marvel’s Voices: Pride variant covers
Marvel is showing off four more variant covers for their upcoming Marvel’s Voices: Pride anthology, which arrives in June.
The above cover, featuring Karma, is by Ernanda Souza, and you can also check out covers from Russell Dauterman, Kris Anka and Jeffrey Veregge below:
Preview: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1
DC has released a preview of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1 by Tom King, Bilquis Evely and Mat Lopes, which arrives in stores June 15. They’ve also revealed the covers for issues #2 and 3.
Here’s the preview:
And here are the covers to issues #2 and 3, along with a variant cover for issue #1 by Gary Frank:
Preview: Rainbow Bridge
As previously reported, AfterShock Comics has a new young adult imprint, Seismic Press, and the first graphic novel they’ll release under that banner is Rainbow Bridge by Steve Orlando, Steve Foxe, Valentina Brancati and Manuel Poppo. And now they’ve released some preview pages and more details from that graphic novel:
Here’s the description from the two Steves: “Rainbow Bridge is about a 14-year-old boy, Andy, whose lifelong canine best friend passes away right before Andy is about to start high school. Andy has relied on Rocket for support ever since he was a toddler and Rocket was a pup, and now he’s not so sure about handling such big life events without Rocket in his life. When Andy gets overwhelmed and runs off to a spot that was important to the two of them, a dizzyingly colorful splash of light swoops down and carries Andy away to the Forever Fields, the afterlife paradise for animal companions. It turns out the Rainbow Bridge that pet lovers always talk about when an animal passes away is real, but humans are NOT supposed to cross it—especially humans who are still alive. If the Rainbow Bridge allowed Andy across, it must mean there is powerful unfinished business between him and Rocket. And as Andy soon discovers, animals who linger with unfinished business run the risk of turning into wraiths, vengeful, shadowy spirits that haunt the outskirts of the Forever Fields, driven by unresolved pain and trauma.“