Author: JK Parkin

SDCC | Vault Comics announces ‘Godfather of Hell’ by Cavan Scott + Pius Bak

The neo-noir series begins in October.

Cavan Scott and Pius Bak will show what happens when you send an ambitious mobster to hell in Godfather of Hell, a new series coming this fall from Vault Comics.

The series will focus on Dario Santini, a mobster who meets an untimely death and goes to hell — only to find that hell is just another business opportunity.

“Two of my favorite genres collide in Godfather of Hell: gangster noir and exorcist terror,” said Scott. “Brace yourself for visceral body horror, lashings of black humor, and moments of super-cool swagger brought to life by Pius’ neon-soaked art. It’s sexy, gritty and downright terrifying!”

Continue reading “SDCC | Vault Comics announces ‘Godfather of Hell’ by Cavan Scott + Pius Bak”

SDCC | Marvel’s Star Wars comics pick up after ‘Return of the Jedi’ with ‘Battle of Jakku — Insurgency Rising’

Alex Segura, Leonard Kirk, Stefano Raffaele and Jethro Morales tell the story of the final battle between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire.

Marvel’s current Star Wars titles will end with the 50th issues of Star Wars and Darth Vader, and in the lead-up to the San Diego Comic Con, StarWars.com has revealed what will come next.

Just as the two previous eras of Star Wars comics were set after Star Wars: A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back, this one will take us beyond Return of the Jedi into that fertile, uncharted space between that film and The Force Awakens. And they’ll start with the infamous Battle of Jakku, the final confrontation between an Empire struggling on without its two leaders and the New Republic, aka the evolved Rebel Alliance. It’s also the battle that left the planet covered in dead starships, as seen in The Force Awakens.

The maxi-series Star Wars: Battle of Jakku — Insurgency Rising is by writer Alex Segura and artists Leonard Kirk, Stefano Raffaele and Jethro Morales.

“I cannot say a lot about this yet, but it’s been an absolute thrill to explore this period of time in the Star Wars story and to elevate a fun new villain, especially when paired with such amazing artistic collaborators,” Segura said in his newsletter.

Continue reading “SDCC | Marvel’s Star Wars comics pick up after ‘Return of the Jedi’ with ‘Battle of Jakku — Insurgency Rising’”

Jay Stephens + Oni Press are preparing more ‘Dwellings’ to haunt your nightmares

The bloody ode to Harvey Comics returns with a Halloween special in October and a new miniseries next year.

One of the delightfully horrific surprises to arrive in comics in the past few years was Jay Stephens’ Dwellings, which started life as a crowdfunded project but went on to be published by Oni Press and pick up an NCS Divisional Awards nomination.

And now it’s coming back, as Oni Press has announced not only a Halloween special for October, but also a new miniseries for next year.

The ‘Saturday Morning’ meets ‘Stroke Of Midnight’ retro cute horror is back just in time for tricks and treats! The Dwellings: All Hallows’ Eve Special arrives this October, with all the old-school fake ads and blood-stained vintage kids’ comics stylings you’ve come to squeamishly love,” said Stephens. “This standalone story brings us back to the haunted streets of Elwich for a tale about a tall, dark, and handsome visitor Hell-bent on hunting down the monsters who hide in the town’s shadows. Set in the tight-knit underground ‘Sangunarian’ Elwich goth scene, “Come Hither” flips the classic bloodsucker tale in it’s grave, as a delusional, self-proclaimed ‘vampire hunter’ seduces the black-clad youth one by one in order to lay them to rest for eternity. Happy Halloween, Dwellers!”

Continue reading “Jay Stephens + Oni Press are preparing more ‘Dwellings’ to haunt your nightmares”

Fred Van Lente + Chris Panda provide a fast pass to ‘toon-themed terror’ in ‘Murder Kingdom’

The horror/mystery from Mad Cave Studios drops its ropes in October.

Writer Fred Van Lente and artist Chris Panda will set a madman loose inside the “Storybook Kingdom” theme park down in Florida in Murder Kingdom, a new title coming from Mad Cave Studios this fall.

Any similarities to existing Florida theme parks is, of course, coincidental. But Murder Kingdom is about a slasher who starts killing cast members, and it’s up to one fairytale princess to unmask the killer.

“Murder Kingdom riffs on classic slashers and classic fairy tales in equal measure,” said Fred Van Lente. “It’s a giallo whodunit with a tomboy princess detective who has to make sure she and her best friend live to see the sunrise—and that means unmasking the killer. One of my first jobs was as a fry cook at a theme park and I feel like I’ve been working on this project ever since. I’m so thrilled that the team at Mad Cave have helped me bring it to bloody life. And I am so lucky to have Chris on artwork. His work is equal parts adorable and terrifying, resulting in some of the most shocking kills I’ve seen in any horror comic ever.”

Continue reading “Fred Van Lente + Chris Panda provide a fast pass to ‘toon-themed terror’ in ‘Murder Kingdom’”

SDCC | Kelly Sue DeConnick + David López reunite for the magical realism miniseries ‘FML’

The eight-issue series arrives in November from Dark Horse Comics.

Kelly Sue DeConnick and David López, the creators behind Marvel’s well-regarded reboot of Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel some years ago, are reuniting for a new creator-owned series that’s coming from Dark Horse Comics this fall.

FML, which stands for … well, search it up … is about a teenager and his mom navigating a world of modern terrors, punk rock music and magical realism. DeConnick has been teasing it in her newsletter and dropping in Easter eggs, like a website for a band from the comic where you can already buy FML T-shirts. DeConnick and López are joined on the project by colorist Cris Peter and letterer Clayton Cowles, both of whom are veterans of DeConnick’s Bitch Planet.

“David and I have been talking about doing something creator-owned together since Captain Marvel, but it took years for the stars and our schedules to properly align,” said DeConnick. “Now that we’re here though, it almost feels planned — like we needed exactly as long as it took us to grow and change, both as artists and as people, so that we could come back together for this big swing.”

Continue reading “SDCC | Kelly Sue DeConnick + David López reunite for the magical realism miniseries ‘FML’”

Slugfest | DC’s October solicitations bring new creative teams + storylines

Plus: A new Creature Commandos title by David Dastmalchian and Jesus Hervas!

DC’s October solicitations arrived this week, showcasing all the new storylines and changes to creative team that Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson promised in their video earlier in the week. Yes, the sun has set on the Dawn of DC, and now we’re moving into the All In era.

 I pulled out some of the highlights below. To see DC’s full solicitations, you can find them over on The Beat.

Continue reading “Slugfest | DC’s October solicitations bring new creative teams + storylines”

Garcia, Mendez + Culebras bring ‘Day of the Dead Girl’ to Magma Comix

The supernatural mystery begins in October.

Author and wrestler AJ Mendez (Crazy Is My Superpower) and actress Aimee Garcia (Dexter, Lucifer) are no strangers to comics, having written licensed titles for IDW like Glow and Dungeons and Dragons. Their next project is an original, though, for Magma Comix — a supernatural mystery that ties into Mexico’s Day of the Dead festival and features artwork by Spanish artist Belén Culebras.

Day of the Dead Girl is about a coroner investigating murders within a witch coven led by her brujas mother. They have to put aside their differences to stop a supernatural serial killer.

“Growing up, I didn’t see comics that reflected my Mexican heritage, so I’m thrilled to create Day of the Dead Girl with AJ and spotlight our rich Latino culture to readers,” Garcia said. “Not only will Belén Culebras’ stunning visuals thrust readers into the midst of a joyful Day of the Dead celebration, but this story will cut to the core of what binds us all together … death.”

Continue reading “Garcia, Mendez + Culebras bring ‘Day of the Dead Girl’ to Magma Comix”

Steve Orlando, Álvaro López + Laura Braga return to Endor for ‘Ewoks’

The four-issue miniseries featuring the cuddly ‘Star Wars’ warriors begins this fall.

The Ewoks will return to comics this fall in a new miniseries by Steve Orlando, Álvaro López and Laura Braga. To mark the 40th anniversary of the TV movie Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure, Marvel will reveal a crisis that occurred on the Endor moon following the events of Return of the Jedi.

“Forty years of Ewoks! Sometimes, a lot of the times, this job is just a dream—and for someone who grew up watching Return of the Jedi after every single Sunday Ski Trip, getting the chance to celebrate them and explore their world in the aftermath of the second Death Star’s fall is truly beyond belief,” Orlando said. “When I was young, the Ewoks got me in the door—Wicket was my hero, a young hero like me (like I was back then) going on adventures with Princess Leia herself!”

The Ewoks are a somewhat divisive subject for Star Wars fans, seen either as savage, noble warriors or a “bunch of muppets,” depending on who you ask. But their legacy stretched beyond Return of the Jedi, starring in two made-for-TV movies, an animated series and a comics series as part of Marvel’s Star line.

Continue reading “Steve Orlando, Álvaro López + Laura Braga return to Endor for ‘Ewoks’”

SDCC | Wrestling legend Vampiro hits the road in ‘Vampiro: Rockabilly Apocalypse’

Massive Publishing and Masked Republic team up for a hellish roadtrip comic by Michael Kingston, Kevin Kleinrock and artist El Terrorifico Dr. Napalm.

Following the recent launch of the Luchaverse comic featuring Rey Mysterio, Massive Publishing and Masked Republic have announced another title featuring a wrestling legend — Vampiro: Rockabilly Apocalypse.

Although originally from Canada, Vampiro made his name wrestling and promoting in Mexico starting in the 1990s. He has also appeared in WCW, TNA and NWA, and as a commentator on Lucha Underground (which is ripe for a comic reboot *coughcough*).

The comic will be written by Michael Kingston and features art by Martin Pouso, aka El Terrorifico Dr. Napalm, a cartoonist, illustrator, musician and tattoo artist from Montevideo, Uruguay.

“I was featured in dozens of comics in Mexico in the 90s, but it’s always been one of my dreams to have my very own book.” Vampiro said, “The vision for the series Masked Republic and Michael Kingston laid out was right up my alley – fast cars, rock and roll, and an impending apocalypse to fend off.  I really think that both fans of mine and comic readers who just love great stories and may be less familiar with who I am are going to love being along for this wild ride.” 

Continue reading “SDCC | Wrestling legend Vampiro hits the road in ‘Vampiro: Rockabilly Apocalypse’”

SDCC | Dark Horse announces ‘Arcbound’ by Scott Snyder, Frank Tieri, Tom Hardy + Ryan Smallman

The science fiction maxi-series will kick off in November.

It wouldn’t be Comic-Con season without some announcements of celebrities writing (or producing, or “based on a concept by”-ing) comics. In this case, Venom actor Tom Hardy is working with an impressive array of talent to bring a comic called Arcbound to Dark Horse.

Hardy is working with veteran writers Scott Snyder and Frank Tieri, and artist Ryan Smallman and colorist Frank William on the science fiction story.

“I’ve been lucky enough throughout my career to work with some of the biggest, most inventive talents in the industry. So when I was given the opportunity to work with Frank Tieri, Ryan Smallman, and, of course, Tom Hardy, I jumped at it,” Snyder said. “These are all creators that have an innate understanding of how characters tick and what makes their narratives sing across all kinds of media. Getting to craft a brand new universe with such immense creative voices is beyond a treat for me, and I can’t wait to share what we’ve been crafting this past year with all of you. Arcbound is going to blow you away!”

Continue reading “SDCC | Dark Horse announces ‘Arcbound’ by Scott Snyder, Frank Tieri, Tom Hardy + Ryan Smallman”

Marvel celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month this year with ‘Ghost Rider: Robbie Reyes Special’

Created 10 years ago by Felipe Smith and Tradd Moore, the young Ghost Rider returns to comics in a Marvel’s Voices special.

Jason Aaron left Robbie Reyes trapped inside the God Quarry at the end of his Avengers run, but if you’ve been wondering what the former Avenger has been up to, you can find out in October’s Ghost Rider: Robbie Reyes Special.

The anthology, which will include the Marvel’s Voices branding on the cover, will feature a new story by writer Carlos Hernandez and artist Moises Hidalgo that not only shows what Robbie Reyes has been up to since getting stuck, but also how his family and friends have reacted to the loss.

Continue reading “Marvel celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month this year with ‘Ghost Rider: Robbie Reyes Special’”

SDCC | Jeff Lemire + Teddy Kristiansen present a ‘new beginning’ in ‘Black Hammer: Spiral City’

The seven-issue miniseries set in a chaotic new world begins this fall.

Rumors of the demise of the Black Hammer universe were … well, not exactly exaggerated, but sometimes endings bring new beginnings.

With that in mind, Jeff Lemire returns to a rearranged universe with Black Hammer: Spiral City, which “follows a new cast of heroes struggling to survive in a chaotic new world.” The miniseries also features artwork by Danish comics artist Teddy Kristiansen, who you probably know from drawing The Sandman, It’s a Bird and a lot of other great-looking comics.

“Teaming with one of my all-time favorite artists, Teddy Kristiansen, I knew this book needed to be special,” said Lemire. “It’s a brand-new era for the Black Hammer Universe. New stories, new characters, and a whole new direction. Black Hammer: The End was the culmination of the last eight years of storytelling, and now Black Hammer: Spiral City is truly a new beginning. It’s both a great jumping on point for curious readers, and a bold new direction for long time fans.”

Continue reading “SDCC | Jeff Lemire + Teddy Kristiansen present a ‘new beginning’ in ‘Black Hammer: Spiral City’”