Day: May 17, 2025

Ngozi Ukazu returns to Apokolips for ‘Orion’

The sequel to ‘Barda’ will arrive in stores in 2026.

Ngozi Ukazu, creator of the wonderful Check, Please, brought the New God Big Barda, along with others from Jack Kirby’s Fourth World comics, to DC’s young adult graphic novel line last year. That graphic novel, Barda, will get a sequel next year that will focus on another New God — Orion.

In the first volume, Barda started the story as the right hand of Granny Goodness and has been tasked with an impossible task — break their prisoner, the unbreakable Scott Free. But something broke in Barda on the fiery Apokolips in the story of first loves. The new volume details Orion’s life on New Genesis as he his fears about not really belonging there are confirmed when Highfather reveals his true lineage.

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AfterShock Comics emerges from bankruptcy

The company plans to start publishing comics again.

In other bankruptcy news this week, AfterShock Comics has announced that they have emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to begin publishing comics again.

AfterShock, the publisher of Animosity, Bunny Mask, Babyteeth and more, filed for bankruptcy protection in late 2022 “due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the press release. They’ve been fairly quiet ever since, and honestly I figured we’d never hear from them again (although their website has never gone dark in that period).

“The pandemic and subsequent writer’s strike impacted our business in ways nobody could have predicted,” said AfterShock Comics CEO Jon Kramer. “While we still believe that securing financing in the spring of 2020 to grow out our business and keep everyone working was the correct strategic move, business conditions proved unstable and, in spite of positive interest on the investment front from numerous parties, the ongoing uncertainty amidst the prolonged pandemic disrupted our momentum.  Though recognizing the effect it might have on our extremely important relationships with creators, fans, distributors and retailers, the restructuring process was the best avenue we could have pursued to protect our assets and the work of all those who created content for AfterShock.”

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Universal Distribution + Ad Populum complete the purchase of Diamond; begin layoffs

It’s official now: Universal Distribution and Ad Populum, the second-place bidders in the Diamond bankruptcy auction, have completed the purchase of several Diamond assets, including the comics distribution business and Alliance Game Distributors.

Universal will take home Alliance Game Distributors, while Ad Populum gets Diamond Comic Distributors, Diamond Book Distributors, Diamond Select Toys & Collectibles, Collectible Grading Authority and other related assets. Diamond UK remains separate from this sale process.

“We are thrilled to officially welcome Alliance into the Universal Distribution family,” said Angelo Exarhakos, president and CEO of Universal Distribution. “This acquisition marks a transformative step forward in our mission to deliver exceptional service and value to retailers and publishers across North America. By combining Alliance’s respected legacy and expansive network with Universal’s operational strengths and innovation-driven approach, we are poised to elevate the distribution experience across the industry. We look forward to building on the trusted relationships Alliance has cultivated and continuing to support the growth and vibrancy of the hobby gaming community.”

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