Category: Comic Books

Final girl next door: Archie announces new horror one-shot featuring Betty

Micol Ostow, Laura Braga and more visit the ‘final girl’ horror trope in a new one-shot.

Archie Horror continues to find new, fun ways to mash up the Riverdale gang with the horror genre and tropes. Their latest project will cast everyone’s favorite “girl next door” as a “final girl” in Betty: The Final Girl.

Archie’s press release defines a “final girl” as “the clever survivor who carries a relentless plot across the finish line, taking it to the bad guy in the last scene.” For reference, see Halloween, Friday the 13th, Scream and any number of slasher movies out there.

Betty won’t be the only Archie character spotlighted in this issue, as the one-shot will include multiple stories, with a framing sequence written by Micol Ostow.

“I’m a diehard horror fan, and I’ve been obsessed with how seamlessly Archie’s been able to integrate different styles, levels, and aesthetics of spookiness into their Archie Horror library,” Ostow said. “And while I don’t have one favorite scary movie or book, I’ve always been a sucker for the ‘final girl’ trope. It hit me that Betty would make a fantastic final girl: blonde, kick-ass, capable!”

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Superboy, Doom Patrol and more will get new titles in 2023

DC Comics announces several new titles and storyline coming next year as part of the ‘Dawn of DC’ initiative.

DC today revealed plans to launch more than 20 new titles next year in the wake of their close-to-ending Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and the upcoming DC Universe: Lazarus Planet. Dawn of DC, their new publishing initiative for 2023, will feature not only new titles but will also spotlight “fan-favorite superheroes and super-villains that haven’t been front and center for some time.”

“After the near-Multiverse-ending events in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and DC Universe: Lazarus Planet, the DC Universe will be heading toward the light,” said Jim Lee, DC publisher and chief creative officer. “With brand-new series and story arcs from some of the top creative members in comics, Dawn of DC is one of our most ambitious initiatives ever and is a chance for us to tell bigger and bolder stories across our line.”

Here’s the teaser image for what’s to come, which features icons for several upcoming titles that were announced today — with more to be revealed on the right side in the future:

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‘Local Man’ brings together small town crime and early 1990s superheroes

“Part Extreme Studios, part Vertigo Comics. It’s a story about love and loss, and ego, and murder most foul.”

Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs have teamed up for a new comic that’s “part Extreme Studios, part Vertigo Comics” as the duo share their love for those early Image superheroes in Local Man.

“Local Man is Tony and I teaming up to make a comic book that combines what we love about ’90s superheroes, with our shared affections for crime and horror stories,” Seeley told CBR. “Part Extreme Studios, part Vertigo Comics. It’s a story about love and loss, and ego, and murder most foul. But it’s also about nostalgia, and promises not fulfilled—with lots of gritted teeth, and epic head punches.”

Seeley and Fleecs have both had their own success at Image, with titles like Revival and Stray Dogs. Each issue of the series will come in a “flip book” format, with a lead story drawn by Fleecs and a superhero flashback drawn by Seeley. Both are accomplished writers and artists, so it’s good to see them flexing both those muscles here.

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Starks + Kowalski hunt for serial killers in ‘Where Monsters Lie’

Enter the very deadly Wilmhurst Gated Community next February.

Kyle Starks and Piotr Kowalski will pull back the curtain on the life and times of serial killers in Where Monsters Lie, a new miniseries coming from Dark Horse Comics.

The duo will be joined by colorist Vladimir Popov and letterer Josh Reed for the story, which is set at the Wilmhurst Gated Community — which caters to all sorts of killers, murderers and monsters.

“Piotr and I are so thrilled that word is finally out about Where Monsters Lie,” Starks told The Daily Dead. “We’re extremely excited about this series and for everyone to meet the twisted, terrible monsters of the Wilmhurst Gated Community and what happens when a survivor to their nightmarish murder sprees shows up ready for revenge.  Anyone who has ever loved a slasher movie or wanted to see their favorite horror monsters team up are going to love this one!”

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Dark magic meets 1970s Chicago in Band of Bards’ ‘Monsters & Midways’

Nick Goodwin, Chuck Satterlee and Jeremy Megert bring the swords in a new miniseries that’s coming next March.

Indie publisher Band of Bards has announced a new modern fantasy series, Monsters & Midways, that brings elves and magic to 1970s Chicago.

The comic will feature a heavy metal guitarist who “hasn’t made the big time with his songs of magic, wizards and elves.” But his life changes when he encounters the real thing. The new series is by writers Nick Goodwin and Chuck Satterlee, and artist Jeremy Megert. They’ll be joined by Nicholas Michael on colors and legendary letterer Tom Orzechowski.

“When the team submitted to us, it really wasn’t a hard decision for our editorial team,” said Tim Stolinski, co-founder and co-publisher of Band of Bards. “We are working towards a solid 2023 to build on the progress made in our first year. Monsters & Midways has a strong team and is an exciting story, so it was a simple decision for us.”

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Marvel will launch a second Iron Man title in March

‘I Am Iron Man’ by Murewa Ayodele and Dotun Akande will tell stories set throughout Iron Man’s history.

With Iron Man’s big 60th anniversary coming up next year, Marvel is doubling down on the number of titles featuring the Armored Avenger. In addition to Invincible Iron Man, which debuts in December, Marvel will also launch I Am Iron Man next March.

Writer Murewa Ayodele and artist Dotun Akande will tell stories set at different points in Iron Man’s career. The duo actually have a back-up story in tomorrow’s Iron Man #25, which wraps up Christopher Cantwell’s run on the character with an oversized issue.

“Iron Man has been my favorite character in all of fiction for years now,” Ayodele said. “I’ve loved the character for so long that I had written a proposal for this series even before Dotun and I broke into comics. So, we are super grateful that Marvel made our wildest dreams come true by giving us this opportunity to tell stories that celebrate 60 years of the awesome existence of Tony Stark… Every issue of I Am Iron Man is set in an iconic era of Iron Man, explores some deep emotional wounds of Tony Stark, is adrenaline-pumping with exciting set pieces, and is rendered in beautiful illustrations by Dotun Akande (my favorite comic book artist and best friend). It’s the series for Iron Man fans and anyone that has ever wanted to get into Iron Man comics.”

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Barnes + Lins team for new alien invasion series ‘Monarch’

The new series will launch from Image Comics next year.

Killadelphia writer Rodney Barnes and Immortal Hulk artist Alex Lins will bring the horrors of an alien invasion to the streets of Compton in Monarch, a new series coming in February from Image Comics.

“I’ve always loved films like Attack the Block and War of the Worlds, so I decided to put them together to see what would happen. The result? Monarch,” said Barnes. 

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New comic helps promote the importance of vaccinations

‘One for All, All for One’ is available digitally today and will be released in print later this month.

With vaccinations becoming a hot political issue over the last few years, a UK nonprofit is kicking off a campaign to help drive “conversations about vaccines, community protection, trust and working together in research.”

Part of that campaign includes the launch of a new comic, One for All, All for One, that’s available digitally today and will be released in print later this month. The comic is written by Planet Divoc-91’s Nabeel Petersen and illustrated by Cape Town street artist Mohamed Hassan.

“Vaccines are one of the most effective tools that we have to protect people against life-threatening infections,” said Prof. Bella Starling, co-director of One for All, All for One. “Yet vaccine hesitancy is on the increase worldwide, prompted by misinformation, poor access and infrastructure, suboptimal communication from clinicians, public health and policy makers, and lack of awareness. For me, the co-creation of the comic’s narrative (with scientists, healthcare workers, community and faith leaders, young mothers, young adults and artists) is one of the most important aspects of this project.”

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Artemis hunts the gods in ‘Hunt. Kill. Repeat.’ from Mad Cave Studios

Mark London, Francesco Archidiacono + more pit the Goddess of the Hunt against her former family in a new series coming next March.

Hell hath no fury like a goddess scorned, something that Zeus and company will find out first hand in the new Mad Cave Studios series Hunt. Kill. Repeat.

The new title is written by Mark London with art by Francesco Archidiacono and Marc Deering. Lee Loughridge and Rus Wooton round out the team on colors and lettering, while Ryan Kincaid will provide covers.

“From Francesco Archidiacono’s perfectly executed penciling to Lee Loughridge’s vibrant colors, Hunt. Kill. Repeat. came to life exactly the way I had envisioned it in my mind,” London said. “It’s been a wild ride and truly invigorating to work with such talented individuals like the artists mentioned above, but also Marc Deering, Rus Wooton, Ryan Kincaid and Chris Fernandez. I am beyond excited for the fans to get this double-sized first issue in their hands and for everyone to see what we have in store for them with Hunt. Kill. Repeat.“

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The Corinthian faces venture capitalists in a new ‘Nightmare Country’ miniseries next year

The Sandman Universe series by James Tynion IV and Lisandro Estherren returns.

Nightmare Country, the Sandman Universe series featuring The Corinthian, will return next year as another miniseries — Nightmare Country: The Glass House. James Tynion IV and Lisandro Estherren, who worked on the previous series, will return.

“I’m thrilled to announce that Nightmare Country’s follow-up miniseries, The Glass House, is coming early in 2023,” said Tynion. “The Corinthian is going to be making his way to Silicon Valley, where he will go head-to-head with angels, demons and a breed of creature far more terrifying that anything he’s faced before—venture capitalists. Lisandro and I are excited to continue this nightmare tour through modern America and can’t wait for you all to see what we’ve got in store for you.”

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Spider-Gwen encounters more clones in a new miniseries

‘Spider-Gwen: Shadow Clones’ by Emily Kim and Kei Zama introduces a new set of familiar villains designed by Peach Momoko.

Following the events of the recent Spider-Gwen: Gwenverse miniseries that pit a multiverse of Gwen Stacys against the villain Finale, Marvel has announced Spider-Gwen: Shadow Clones by Emily Kim and Kei Zama.

The miniseries will feature the character sometimes known as Ghost Spider battling an army of Gwen Stacy clones based on various Spider-Man villains, including Sandman, Vulture and more. The new verisons of Gwen have all been designed by artist Peach Momoko.

“I was a little nervous taking on Spider-Gwen because she’s such an iconic hero,” Kim said. “But the rich story premise and fantastic team has made the process a blast. I’ve quickly fallen in love with Gwen and her unique voice and am excited for people to see how she handles a crazy slew of Gwen clones.”

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Dark Horse reveals details on three ‘Star Wars High Republic’ titles

Dark Horse heads back to the Jedi Council’s past for several new all-ages adventures.

Dark Horse has revealed details on three new Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures titles they have in the works.

Dark Horse announced they had picked up the license to publish all-ages Star Wars titles last year, a license previously held by IDW Publishing — and one that’s distinctly different from the publishing license Dark Horse had in years past, the one now held by Marvel. Earlier this year Dark Horse released Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories, their first foray back into the Star Wars universe.

The three new titles are set during the High Republic timeline, which is many decades before the stories told during the Skywalker saga films. So far the stories have spanned novels and comics, and focus heavily on the Jedi Council.

Here’s a look at the three new titles:

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