Month: March 2025

Can’t Wait for Wednesday | ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ arrives, Venom’s identity revealed + more in this week’s comics

Check out new comics arriving by Al Ewing, Jahnoy Lindsay, Carlos Gomez, Phil Hester, Ram V, Anand RK, Charles Soule, Steve McNiven, Melissa Chan and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Wednesday, your guide to what comics are arriving in comic book stores, bookstores and on digital. This week brings a new edition to DC’s Absolute Comics line as well as the resurrection of a cult classic under the Black Label line. The new Venom stands revealed this week, plus Moon Girl celebrates an anniversary and IDW kicks off a Lore War.

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. With Diamond going through bankruptcy proceedings, distribution has become even more questionable, with deliveries and arrival dates changing. So check with your retailer to see what’s arriving at their shop this week.

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Introducing Picture + Panel | Tina Lugo + Marjorie Liu reveal why their favorite things are monsters

We kick off a new interview series in advance of a question-and-answer session between the two creators in Boston next week.

Today we introduce a new feature here at Smash Pages featuring two comic creators talking about specific topics –like, in today’s feature, monsters.

Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Each conversation explores a specific topic, ranging from the fun and exciting to the strange or serious. Produced in partnership by the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Porter Square Books and the Boston Figurative Arts Center, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for the unique form of expression that is the comics medium.

We’re happy to bring some of that discussion online in advance of each session. Next Monday Tina Lugo and Marjorie Liu will visit the Boston Figurative Arts Center in a Q&A moderated by author Sara Farizan. You can find more details on the event here.

Tina Lugo is an international tattooer and illustrator living in Providence, Rhode Island with her dog, Lou. She is the creator of The Changeling graphic novel series, published by Silver Sprocket. Tina’s work is heavily influenced by 90s manga and anime with a focus on queerness and Taíno representation.

Marjorie Liu is an attorney and New York Times bestselling novelist and comic book writer. Her work at Marvel includes the series X-23, Black Widow, Han Solo, Dark Wolverine and Astonishing X-Men. She is also the co-creator of Monstress from Image Comics, which has won multiple Hugo Awards, British Fantasy Awards, Harvey Award and five Eisner Awards, making Liu the first-ever woman—and woman of color—to win an Eisner in the Best Writer category.

Big thanks to Gina Gagliano and Jason Viola, who organize the monthly series in Boston and brought this Q&A series to Smash Pages!

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Slugfest | Marvel in June brings us Godzilla, Silver Surfer, Joe Quesada + more

Miles Morales got Ultimate, the X-Men go Giant Sized, Deadpool turns 350 and much more in Marvel’s June solicitations. Did we mention Jeff the Land Shark?

Slugfest is a roundup of cool announcements about projects coming to a shelf near you. This edition focuses on Marvel’s June 2025 solicitations. Hit the links for more information.

Godzilla’s all over the place, whether you’re talking about all his various series over at IDW, the June DC solicitations that find him meeting the Justice League again or in Marvel’s own solicitations, where he once again is touring around the Marvel Universe and facing off with Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and, in June, with the Avengers.

David F. Walker and Georges Jeanty present the latest Godzilla vs. Marvel one-shot, as Godzilla continues his trip through time and comes into conflict with the Avengers team circa Brian Michael Bendis’ run in 2004 and beyond.

“As a child, I was raised on Godzilla movies, and as an adult, the New Avengers was a beautiful reminder of why I love comics,” Walker said. “The lineup of iconic characters in the New Avengers was a beautiful mix of quirky personalities and big adventures that kept me coming back every month. Bringing Godzilla and the New Avengers together for an epic showdown has allowed me to work with characters I have loved for a long time, in a way that I hope is as entertaining for fans to read as it was for me to write.”

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Lil’ Jinx, Betty + Veronica would ‘Please, Please, Please’ like to meet their idol in ‘Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest’ #334

Check out a preview of a new story by Timmy Heague and Dan Parent coming next month from Archie Comics.

Courtesy of Archie Comics, we’re pleased to share a preview of Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #334, which arrives in stores April 30.

The story features Lil’ Jinx, who has been starring in the Archie Horror line as of late, but the only thing scary in this story are some rabid Sabrina Serena Carpenter fans — maybe they had too much Espresso. Betty, Veronica and Jinx have entered a contest to meet their idol, and the competition is fierce. This one is written by Timmy Heague, with artwork by Dan Parent and Bob Smith, colors by Glenn Whitmore and letters by Jack Morelli.

This will be the second appearance of Jinx as a teenager in the classic Archie universe, as she’ll also appear in World of Archie Digest #149, which comes out next week.

Check out the preview below, along with some classic Archie material that’ll appear in the digest.

Continue reading “Lil’ Jinx, Betty + Veronica would ‘Please, Please, Please’ like to meet their idol in ‘Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest’ #334”

Comixology announces four new science fiction titles for 2025

Taki Soma, Marc Guggenheim, John Broglia, Chuck Austen and more have new projects at the digital comics publisher coming this year.

In advance of this weekend’s WonderCon, Comixology Originals has announced four new digital titles that’ll debut between now and the end of July. All four fall into the science fiction category and include two new comic series, a sequel and an original graphic novel.

“Comixology Originals has been releasing compelling creator-owned comic book series and original graphic novels in a variety of genres—fantasy, sci-fi, horror, superhero—since its start,” said Jeff DiBartolomeo, Comixology’s GM and CTO. ”This year, science fiction is back in a big way–from the recent release of the original graphic novel Major Thomás by Omar Morales, to these four new projects, with more underway.”

The line-up includes a new “first contact” miniseries by Taki Soma and John Broglia, and an adventure series set 1,000 years in the future by Marc Guggenheim and Harvey Tolibao, both of which will debut in April. May will bring a third season of Chuck Austen and Pat Oliffe’s EdgeWorld, while the OGN Outer Lands by TV writer Matthew Arnold and Northlanders artist Davide Gianfelice arrives in August. You can find more information on all four projects below.

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Exclusive Preview | ‘The Mask of Haliya: Echoes of the Forgotten Past’ launches on Kickstarter

Check out some of the interior artwork for the new project from Kwento Comics and Clover Press.

For Women’s History Month, Kwento Comics and Clover Press is launching the second volume of their graphic novel series, The Mask of Haliya: Echoes of the Forgotten Past. This Young Adult urban fantasy is a powerful celebration of Filipino-American identity, mythology, and the transformative power of storytelling.

Written by Kaitlyn Fajilan and brought to life by the art team of Susan Bin and Vik Caedo, this graphic novel follows Marisol Reyes, a Filipina-American teenager navigating magical inheritance and personal discovery. As Mari grapples with an emerging power passed down through her great-grandmother, the narrative weaves together ancient mythology with contemporary coming-of-age struggles.

“In this latest volume, Mari’s emotional journey takes quite the turn. As someone who has always maintained a very guarded front, Mari starts to emerge from her cocoon under Bella’s tutelage,” Fajilan said. “Slowly, her internal perspective shifts from that of worrying that all she does is hurt people, to believing that harnessing her ‘true’ self can allow her to *help* people. She dares to hope that she can make real friendships, win her mother’s approval, perhaps even fall in love. However, as the girl comes more and more into her own, that new sense of self begins to splinter. A *second* Mari emerges–a darker one, one that is simultaneously tumultuous and composed. A persona that that may or may not be connected to the moon goddess Haliya. The formation of this new identity is sure to bring about further complications and revelations, culminating in a seismic battle that launches us into the second half of this arc.”

Now available on Kickstarter as a 192-page deluxe hardcover, The Mask of Haliya will be available for 21 more days and has a goal to raise $5,000.

“Kwento Comics is rooted in the Filipino word kwento, meaning ‘story,” said Kwento Comics co-founder and CEO Cecilia Lim. “We believe in the transformative power of storytelling to inspire, empower, and connect communities across the globe. Every story we tell, every panel we create, and every character we breathe life into reflects our mission: to uplift diverse voices and celebrate the richness of Asian heritage, culture, and identity.”

Check out our exclusive preview below.

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Alliance Entertainment acquires Diamond Comic Distributors + other assets in bankruptcy auction

Subject to the approval of the bankruptcy court, Alliance will purchase Diamond Comic Distributors, Alliance Game Distributors, Diamond Select Toys & Collectibles and Collectible Grading Authority.

A new player has entered the comics distribution business, as Alliance Entertainment, “a global distributor and wholesaler specializing in music, movies, video games, electronics, arcades, and collectibles,” has bought several assets in the bankruptcy auction for Diamond.

Diamond declared bankruptcy in January, which brought speculation, rumors and chaos into the comic business — well, more than usual. According to their press release, Alliance has bought four of the 12 businesses that went up for auction as part of the bankruptcy proceedings. Those businesses include Diamond Comic Distributors (U.S.), Alliance Game Distributors (no relation), Diamond Select Toys & Collectibles and Collectible Grading Authority.

“This is a transformative opportunity to expand our leadership in the world of gaming and physical collectibles and deepen our reach into thriving fan-driven categories,” said Jeff Walker, CEO of Alliance Entertainment. “With their legacy of exclusive titles, deep retail relationships, and strong presence in comics, tabletop games, and collectible merchandise, these businesses are highly complementary to our existing distribution and fulfillment model. We see powerful cross-selling potential between our product lines and customer bases, expanding the reach of our expanded product portfolio across both mass retail and specialty channels.”

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Can’t Wait for Wednesday | Faith Erin Hicks unwraps ‘The Mummy’ at Skybound

Check out new comics and graphic novels arriving this week by Jim Lee, Jeph Loeb, Patrick Zircher, Patton Oswalt, Tim Seeley, Gail Simone, David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, Sanford Greene, Patrick Horvath and more.

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

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. With Diamond going through bankruptcy proceedings, distribution has become even more questionable, with deliveries and arrival dates changing. So check with your retailer to see what’s arriving at their shop this week.

Continue reading “Can’t Wait for Wednesday | Faith Erin Hicks unwraps ‘The Mummy’ at Skybound”

Christopher Monfette + Miguel Martos explore the supernatural South in ‘TexArcanum’

Dark Horse Comics will publish the miniseries beginning in July.

Dark Horse Comics has announced the “horror in the Heartland” comic TexArcanum, a fun play off of Texarkana, the city that sits close to the Texas-Arkansas border. The title will mesh “unfamiliar mythologies and American identities into one new story,” according to the publisher.

The miniseries is by television writer/producer Christopher Monfette (Star Trek: Picard, Marvel’s Vision, 12 Monkeys) and artist Miguel Martos. They’ll be joined by colorist Patricio Delpeche and letterer Michael Heisler. 

“Avery might wear a cowboy hat, drive a pick-up and talk with the dry wit of a Middle-American noir-PI, but he travels through pockets of culture and folklore that are seldom explored and yet the very definition of this country,” said Monfette. “American horror is too often defined by Western European scares – vampires, werewolves, Victorian-style ghosts – and the truth is that this country is made up of communities who’ve brought their own unique folklore along with them.”

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‘Marvel United: A Pride Special’ will feature stories by Al Ewing, Wyatt Kennedy, Kei Zama + more

After receiving criticism in 2024, the publisher will publish a Pride anthology with ‘Pride’ in the title.

Marvel has announced plans to release Marvel United: A Pride Special this June in conjunction with Pride Month. The anthology will feature four stories “celebrating LGBTQIA+ creators and characters” and is a return to an anthology that calls out “Pride” in the title, something they received criticism for last year.

In 2024, Marvel received criticism for X-Men: The Wedding Special, which replaced the usual Marvel’s Voices: Pride special they published for three years prior. While the content was similar to a Pride anthology, as it featured multiple stories about LGBTQIA+ characters in addition to the main story about Mystique and Destiny’s wedding, dropping “Pride” from the title came at a time when many companies were facing backlash for their Pride activities. Everyone from Target to Budweiser were being raked over the coals by conservative groups, and many felt that it looked like Marvel was backing away from potential backlash of their own. Add to that, last year also brought a line of “ally” covers that did not go over well for the publisher, as it looked like they were putting a focus on straight characters during Pride Month.

(I should note that Marvel does have plans for a line of Pride Month variant covers again this year, but they have not revealed them yet. Hopefully they are a bit more dynamic than last year’s covers).

Continue reading “‘Marvel United: A Pride Special’ will feature stories by Al Ewing, Wyatt Kennedy, Kei Zama + more”

Slugfest | Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong, round 2

DC’s June solicitations bring us a Trinity miniseries, Superboy by Mark Waid and Skylar Patridge, George Perez tribute covers and more.

Slugfest is a roundup of cool announcements about projects coming to a shelf near you. This edition focuses on DC’s June 2025 solicitations. Hit the links for more information.

Last year’s king-sized crossover featuring King Kong, Godzilla and the Justice League gets a sequel series in June, as Brian Buccellato and Christian Duce once again helm the follow-up, Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2.

The sequel will feature Amanda Waller trying to create her own titans to combat any future kaiju attacks, as the Justice League travels to King Kong and Godzilla’s world and enters Hollow Earth. King Ghidorah, Rodan and Mothra will all appear, as well as a kaiju-sized Killer Croc.

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Three Count | MODOK, Gaza, David Lynch’s Superboy

Here are three things to celebrate, read and savor this week.

Three Count spotlights, as the title suggests, three things from comics today. It’ll be three things with links, no more, no less. One hell of a drug.

To Celebrate: March’s Most Magnificent Mental Organism Makes a Return

The calendars have turned, and with them comes the triumphant return of Marvel’s most cerebral celebration: March MODOK Madness! Thanks to the tireless efforts of dynamic duo Pedro Delgado and Brendan Tobin, this beloved showcase of oversized-cranium creativity is back for another year of artistic homage to everyone’s favorite Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing.

They are, of course, more than 20 days into this year’s effort, which means you have that much more MODOK art to click over to and enjoy. Here’s a sample of what to expect, by each of them:

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