Category: Comic Publishers

Dan Buckley to depart Marvel after nearly 30 years

Marvel’s Brad Winderbaum takes on an expanded leadership role overseeing comics alongside television and animation, while Disney executive David Abdo joins the Marvel team.

Marvel has announced a leadership change that will see Marvel Studios executive Brad Winderbaum expand his role to include comics and franchise in addition to television and animation. David Abdo will move over from Disney to become general manager of comics and franchise.

Dan Buckley, the longtime head of comics and franchise, will depart after a nearly 30 years combined with Marvel. Buckley will remain through mid-2027 to support the transition. C.B. Cebulski, current Marvel editor-in-chief, will report to Abdo.

“Brad’s exceptional creative leadership and David’s deep experience in operations and digital innovation will be a powerful pairing as we begin building out the next 90 years of Marvel’s comic book legacy,” said Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios and Chief Creative Officer of Marvel. “Brad brings a proven ability to lead creative teams and craft ongoing, episodic narratives that resonate with our fans around the world, while David offers a strong track record of operational excellence and strategic growth. I’m excited for what they’ll be able to do together.”

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Marvel’s Midnight Universe features dark takes on your favorite heroes

Jonathan Hickman, Ben Percy, Scie Tronc and more head to the darkside in the new line of comics that kick off this summer.

Marvel Comics is plunging its most beloved characters into the dark with the Midnight Universe, a new publishing line kicking off in August with three titles.

The initiative launches with Midnight X-Men #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Matteo Della Fonte on Aug. 5, followed by Midnight Fantastic Four #1 by Benjamin Percy and Kev Walker in September and Midnight Spider-Man #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and French artist Scie Tronc, making his Marvel Comics debut, in October.

“From the original New Universe to two Ultimate Universes, Marvel has a long history of creating and inspiring bold worlds filled with unforgettable characters and fresh ideas that feel new yet recognizable at the same time,” Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski said. “With the new Midnight line, we’ve given some of our most outstanding creators the opportunity to delve into the darkest corners of their imaginations and birth some of the creepiest, most terrifying takes on the Marvel Universe you’ve ever seen.”

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DC Pride 2026 puts Galaxy and Dreamer at the center of a major Justice League event series

Years of character-building across DC’s YA and main comics lines culminate in ‘Justice League: Dream Girls,’ a four-issue Pride Month event co-written by Nicole Maines and Jadzia Axelrod

It’s Trans Day of Visibility, which seems like an excellent time to mention DC’s Pride 2026 plans.

Their plans represent something the publisher has been building toward for years — LGBTQIA+ heroes not just celebrated in standalone anthology specials, but placed at the center of a continuity-driven Justice League event series. This year’s initiative spans YA graphic novels, mainline comics and a new four-issue miniseries, anchored by Galaxy and Dreamer. It’s also spanning several months, rather than just Pride Month in June.

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DC’s Summer of Supergirl brings new comics, anthology, an Elseworlds series ahead of this summer’s film

From Sophie Campbell’s ongoing run to a new Elseworlds survival story, DC is giving Kara Zor-El her biggest publishing moment ahead of her new film.

DC is rolling out an ambitious publishing initiative tied to the upcoming Supergirl film, which comes out June 26, and the comics line supporting it spans multiple formats and creative teams.

Just like we saw with Superman last year, DC has declared this summer the “Summer of Supergirl,” which will kick off with the previously announced Supergirl: The World anthology on June 2. June will also bring:

  • Summer of Supergirl Special #1, an anthology one-shot
  • Supergirl: Survive #1, an Elseworlds tale
  • Facsimile editions of Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #23 and Lobo #1
  • An oversized artbook DC W.I.P.: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1
  • Variant covers across many of DC’s June titles
  • And of course, the regular Supergirl monthly title by Sophie Campbell.

You can find more details on each of them below.

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Founder Mike Richardson out at Dark Horse Comics after 40 years as Embracer installs interim CEO

The founder of one of comics’ most influential independent publishers was removed from his position this week by parent company Embracer Group, which purchased Dark Horse in 2022.

Mike Richardson, who founded Dark Horse Comics in 1986 and served as CEO ever since, has been removed from his position by parent company Embracer Group. Gaming executive Jay Komas, who previously served as head of Embracer’s Middle Earth Enterprises division, will serve as interim CEO.

The Hollywood Reporter shared a statement Embracer sent to business partners and creators regarding the news:

“As part of our long-term vision to better align Dark Horse within a more connected and forward-looking group structure, we are implementing changes to modernize the business and strengthen collaboration across publishing, games, film, merchandise and other key areas,” Embracer said. “Our goal is simple: to ensure Dark Horse is positioned for sustained success while continuing to serve creators, partners and fans at the highest level.”

Richardson’s long road in comics started off in comcis retail with his Oregon-based store Pegasus Fantasy Books, which was later renamed Things From Another World. In 1986, he began publishing comics with a concerted effort to protect creators’ rights.

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IDW Publishing partners with Sanrio for new ‘Hello Kitty’ comic series

Mariko Tamaki and Cody Lemieux helm ‘Hello Kitty: Hello World!’, which will debut in July.

IDW Publishing has entered into a partnership with Sanrio to publish Hello Kitty comics. The line launches with Hello Kitty: Hello World!, a new ongoing series written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Cody Lemieux, arriving in July.

“It’s truly an honor to team up with Sanrio to create Hello Kitty comics,” said Davidi Jonas, CEO of IDW Publishing. “We’re thrilled to craft comics that celebrate the cute and fun spirit of the franchise while uplifting readers of every age. We can’t wait for these comics to bring inspiring and joyful stories to comic shops everywhere.”

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‘2000 AD’ will return to U.S. comic shops every week beginning in May

The long-running British anthology, home to Judge Dredd and a galaxy of original series, will be printed and distributed within the U.S. for the first time in its 49-year history.

British comics publisher Rebellion announced at ComicsPro today that 2000 AD will return to American comic shops on a weekly basis beginning in May, in partnership with Lunar Distribution. It marks the first time in the anthology’s 49-year history that individual issues will be printed and distributed within the United States.

Under the new arrangement, American readers will receive issues of 2000 AD just two weeks after the UK on-sale date — an upgrade from the months we previously had to wait for copies. Issues will also no longer be poly-bagged. Retailers can begin ordering through Lunar’s March edition of its “Next Phase” catalog.

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Oni Press and Archie Comics announce wave of classic collections for fall 2026

The publishers will release seven collected editions spanning 85 years of Archie history, alongside the three new ongoing series that were previously announced.

Oni Press and Archie Comics have announced a robust slate of new collections timed to the 85th anniversary of Archie Andrews’ debut, with the first titles arriving in September 2026.

The announcement, made ahead of this week’s ComicsPro industry meeting, includes seven collected editions across two formats: a line of compact editions reprinting stories from the “New Riverdale” era, and a series of premium deluxe hardcovers spanning decades of Archie history.

The releases coincide with the three all-new series that Oni and Archie previously announced for this fall, including Archie by W. Maxwell Prince, Fábio Moon and Nick Cagnetti; Sabrina the Teenage Witch by Corinna Bechko and Kano; and Archie in Hell by Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook.

“We’re so thrilled to be deepening Oni’s exciting new partnership with Archie Comics even further beyond our slate of brand-new, upcoming series and far into the most beloved corners of the Archie library with a selection of Riverdale’s most cherished stories from recent decades,” said Sierra Hahn, Oni Press Editor-in-Chief. “Whether you’re a longtime Archie devotee or a first-time reader, each of these volumes is a warm, welcome introduction to this storied cast of characters. And, over time, we’ll be reaching back even further into the vaults to spotlight and celebrate the long and influential legacy of Archie Comics in all its many forms. As we gear up for the new Archie #1 this fall, there’s never been a better time to visit Riverdale!”

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Ghost Machine will launch its first crossover event this summer

‘Who Are the Unbelievables?’ rebrands the publisher’s Family Odysseys universe and introduces new characters like The Trillion Dollar Kid.

Ghost Machine, the Image Comics imprint of Geoff Johns and friends, will launch its first summer crossover event, “Who Are the Unbelievables?” The event will also formally rebrand one of Ghost Machine’s four original creator-owned universes, previously known as “Family Odysseys,” as “The Unbelievables.”

Ghost Machine was announced in 2023 by Geoff Johns and several frequent collaborators, built around the idea that creators would co-own all characters and universes developed within the imprint. Its four universes include the horror-themed “Hyde Street,” Johns’ “The Unnamed” universe featuring Geiger and Junkyard Joe, a science fiction universe featuring Johns and Jason Fabok’s Rook, and now “The Unbelievables,” which is anchored by The Rocketfellers by Peter J. Tomasi and Francis Manapul and Hornsby & Halo by Tomasi and Peter Snejbjerg.

The crossover will span four issues and introduce several new characters, chief among them The Trillion Dollar Kid, a 13-year-old secretly tracking individuals with extraordinary abilities whom he dubs “The Unbelievables.” The character was created by Johns, Tomasi and Manapul. Other new characters joining the universe include The Deadtones, described as a rock band of misfit monsters on the run, and Jean Genie, a genie navigating freedom after centuries of servitude.

Here’s a map detailing where they all live:

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DC Comics will mark 40th anniversary of ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ with yearlong celebration

The landmark series by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley will be honored with new editions, variant covers, facsimile reprints and more.

DC Comics will honor the 40th anniversary of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, the landmark four-issue series by writer/artist Frank Miller, inker Klaus Janson and colorist Lynn Varley with a yearlong celebration that includes new editions, reprints, variant covers and more.

The celebration kicks off later this week at the ComicsPro meeting, where Miller and Janson will appear together for a panel for comics retailers. Also beginning this month, DC will release monthly Facsimile Editions of The Dark Knight Returns #1–4, reproducing the single issues complete with their covers, original advertisements and back matter. A DC Compact Comics Edition will arrives April 7.

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IDW will launch a new Crime imprint in May

The new imprint will launch with ‘Seven Wives’ by Zoe Tunnell, V Gagnon and Tesslyn Bergin-Dicoi.

IDW has announced a new imprint to complement IDW Dark, the horror line they announced last year. IDW Crime will feature — you guessed it — crime comics.

The line will feature stories about “twisted, everyday acts of humans that we just can’t look away from,” and will launch with projects by Zoe Tunnell, V Gagnon, Joey Esposito, Amy Chase and more.

“Crime has a deep, often under-celebrated history in comics, from hard-boiled noir to social thrillers that pushed the medium to be bolder, sharper and more adult,” said IDW Senior Group Editor Heather Antos. “With the IDW Crime imprint, we’re honoring that legacy while giving it a modern spotlight — elevating creator-driven stories that feel urgent, character-forward, and unapologetically human. These are stories about obsession, consequence and the ability to hold a mirror up to society, and we couldn’t be more excited to help bring them back to the forefront of mainstream comics.”

Here’s a look at the three titles IDW announced today:

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Oni Press moves to Penguin Random House for comics, book distribution

The new deal will kick off in August.

Oni Press and Penguin Random House have announced that Oni will move all of their comics and book distribution to Penguin Random House beginning in August.

This includes Oni’s frontlist and backlist trade books, as well as single issue comics “across all sales channels worldwide,’ including the direct market. Oni Press is currently using Lunar Distribution for comics distribution, who they began working with back in 2021.

“There is simply no better partner than Penguin Random House in maintaining and growing Oni’s longstanding relationship with retailers and readers,” said David Steward II, Chairman of the Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group. “As the gold standard for both book market and direct market distribution, we’re proud to partner with PRHPS to increase the reach for Oni’s distinguished, award-winning library and hit the ground running in support of what is sure to be the company’s most formidable line-up of new releases across our long history.”

The deal also includes their sister publisher, Magnetic Press, whose graphic novels they began distributing last year and is now an imprint of Oni Press.