‘Age of Revelation’ will take over the ‘X-Men’ titles in October

The Age of Apocalypse-esque event will see Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman jump 10 years into the X-Men’s future, where the Heir of Apocalypse rules a mutant utopia.

Marvel has announced an Age of Apocalypse-style event for the X-Men-related titles called Age of Revelation. Like the 1990s event — which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year — Age of Revelation will show us an alternate world and bring the relaunch of several X-related titles for the duration of the event.

The event will begin in October with Age of Revelation Overture #1 by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman, but if you want to get a sneak peak at what’s to come, Marvel is offering select retailers a “Shadow Drop Variant” next week of X-Men: Age of Revelation #0. (Which sounds similar to what they did with the #0 issue of Moon Knight following last year’s Blood Hunt event).

So what’s the story behind Age of Revelation? Well, if you’ve been following the X-Men titles over the last couple years, you know that Cypher, aka Doug Ramsey of New Mutants fame, has become the heir of Apocalypse. He won a tournament in the X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse miniseries, and most recently reappeared in MacKay and Stegman’s adjectiveless X-Men title as Revelation. He’s gotten a huge power boost, taking his natural mutant power of talking to things to the next level, as he now “commands Earth itself with his voice.” So he decides to make his own mutant haven/paradise, and then we jump 10 years into the future to see how it all works out. (Which is probably not well for the X-Men …)

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Can’t Wait for Wednesday | A fantastic week for comics

Check out new comics and graphic novels arriving this week by Ryan North, Humberto Ramos, Matt Fraction, Mark Buckingham, Dan Jurgens, Bruno Redondo, Kevin Smith, David Marquez, Meredith McClaren and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Wednesday, your guide to what comics and graphic novels are arriving this week.

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:

[This week we say goodbye to the Diamond PreviewsWorld link in our list, as the site is, unfortunately, a shell of its former self in the wake of the bankruptcy and sale. Diamond’s website was very well maintained over the years and a good resource for what was coming from comic publishers big and small, serving not just retailers but also press and fans. ]

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. So check with your retailer to see what’s arriving at their shop this week.

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Robert Kirkman + David Finch’s brutal fantasy epic ‘Skinbreaker’ arrives in September

An old chief and his reluctant heir try to keep their world from falling into ruins.

The Walking Dead co-creator and Skybound chief Robert Kirkman continues to fill up his dance card for the fall. In addition to taking over writing Transformers, Kirkman is also teaming with artist David Finch of Batman and New Avengers for Skinbreaker.

The fantasy epic is about a tribal chief who attempts to pass his mighty sword, Skinbreaker, down to his reluctant heir. Kirkman and Finch are joined by  colorist Annalisa Leoni and letterer Rus Wooton on the title.

“I have wanted to work with David Finch for the entirety of my career,” said Kirkman. “We’ve gotten close many times over the years, but we wanted our collaboration to be something truly special. Skinbreaker is that series. I feel like this book is a high-water mark for both our careers. An action epic that is unrelentingly brutal but also contains a ton of emotion and heart. It’ll shock you and make you cry.”  

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Slugfest | Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, Krypto + more in Marvel’s September 2025 solicitations

Wait, what?

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

No, you haven’t gone crazy — Marvel’s September solicitations include the previously announced Deadpool/Batman crossover, which will not only a story about the two characters in the title by Zeb Wells and Greg Capullo, but also stories featuring several other DC and Marvel meet-ups by an impressive crew of creators. They are:

  • Daredevil and Green Arrow by Kevin Smith and Andy Kubert.
  • Captain America and Wonder Woman by Chip Zdarsky and Terry Dodson.
  • Jeff the Land Shark and Krypto by Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru.

“Two ICONS meeting for the first time!” Thompson said. “It’s such an honor for Jeff to get to be Marvel’s ambassador in this crossover story with Krypto. Anyone who loves comics knows how rare it is for DC and Marvel to crossover, so Jeff getting to be part of this historic moment with Krypto, and Gurihiru and I getting to bring that tale to readers… well, sometimes this job is very cool.”

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Thor walks the Earth as a mere mortal in ‘The Mortal Thor’

Al Ewing + Pasqual Ferry present a shift in tone and story following the end of ‘Immortal Thor.’

Marvel has announced a title tweak and revealed the full cover for their upcoming Thor relaunch, now title The Mortal Thor.

With the final issue of Immortal Thor arriving this week, readers of that issue have already seen what the future holds for the son of Odin — which is a shift from the story Al Ewing has been telling.

SPOILERS WARNING if you haven’t read the issue yet …

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Picture + Panel | Mike Curato + K. Wroten on queer communities

We continue our interview series in advance of a live question-and-answer session between the two creators in Boston next week.

Today we continue our spotlight feature on creators speaking at the monthly Picture + Panel event in Boston, which brings together two comic creators to talk about a specific topic — in this case, stories about queer communities.

On July 7, Mike Curato and K. Wroten will join Scott Knox from Boston’s Equality Fund for a discussion on belonging, identity and connection, while exploring how both artists bring LGBTQ+ experiences to life through their distinctive visual voices. 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.

Mike Curato’s debut young adult graphic novel, Flamer, was awarded the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Young Adult and the 2021 Massachusetts Book Award for Middle Grade/Young Adult. It has gone on to be one of the most banned books in the United States these days. He’s also the author and illustrator of the children’s book series Little Elliot and illustrated What If… by Samantha Berger, All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle, Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian, The Power of One by Trudy Ludwig, and If I Were a Fish by Corook and Olivia Barton. Publishers Weekly named Mike a “Fall 2014 Flying Start.” Gaysians is his adult debut.

K. Wroten is an award-winning comics author and illustrator. They are originally from the Midwest and currently live in Brooklyn, New York with their pet snake, Jules. They are the author of the acclaimed graphic novels Cannonball and Eden II; their latest book is Everyone Sux But You. 

Check out the interview below, and big thanks as always 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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Rest in peace, Jim Shooter

The former Marvel editor-in-chief and founder of Valiant Comics has passed away at the age of 73.

Jim Shooter, the prodigy who began his career in comics as a teenager and went on to become editor-in-chief of Marvel, passed away at the age of 73 yesterday. According to writer Mark Waid, Shooter had been battling esophogeal cancer “for some time.”

As Waid points out, Shooter was a somewhat controversial figure in comics, especially during his time at Marvel. But during his tenure, Marvel published Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s Uncanny X-Men, Frank Miller’s Daredevil and Walt Simonson’s Thor — some of the most beloved comic runs of all time. He also introduced Marvel’s first direct-market only title, Dazzler, which was only sold in comic shops, and spearheaded event crossovers like Contest of Champions and Secret Wars (which he also wrote). And he launched the Epic Comics line, giving Marvel a creator-owned imprint. Still, his management style alienated many creators at the time, with many leaving to work for DC or other publishers.

“Jim was an excellent super hero writer, a character creator, an editor with an eagle eye, and a man who gave his all to what he did,” former DC Publisher Paul Levitz wrote. “From my perspective, he was far weaker as an enterprise leader, and unfortunately that was what he most wanted to be. His sense of history was not, in my view, as good as his sense of fiction. But what he did well, he did gloriously…and my inner child will always be grateful for his inspiration.”

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Slugfest | DC opens the ‘Book of El’ in their September solicitations

Plus: More ‘Batman,’ more ‘Bat-Man’ and a Zatanna-themed Halloween special!

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

There’s not a lot of new stuff I haven’t already covered in DC’s September solicitations, but for those looking for a round-up of what’s “new,” you’ve come to the right place. In addition to what I cover here, September will also bring the first issues of C.O.R.T.: Children of the Round Table and The Red Hood.

Let’s start with a Superman project by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Scott Godlewski — Adventures of Superman: Book of El, which reunites the Future State: House of El team. The maxi-series was originally expected to begin earlier this year, but according to Johnson it was delayed so it could be timed to the release of the new Superman film.

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Robert Kirkman + Dan Mora take over ‘Transformers’ with #25

A new era for the Energon Universe title begins in October with an oversized issue.

Robert Kirkman, the founder of Skybound who briefly sat in the writer’s room for the Transformer films, is getting his chance to chronicle the adventures of the Autobots and Decepticons. After ushering in the Energon Universe era with Void Rivals, Kirkman and Superman artist Dan Mora will take over the ongoing Transformers title with issue #25 following Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona’s epic run.

Kirkman and Mora will join colorist Mike Spicer and letterer Rus Wooton in October with an oversized issue that celebrates the series’ second anniversary. The issue will also feature a second story written by Kirkman and drawn by Corona.

“Holy smokes, I’m writing a Transformers comic!” said Kirkman. “I’ve been so invested in this series since the beginning. I’ve marveled at what Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona have brought to some of my all-time favorite characters. When Daniel’s run came to an end, I could stand on the sidelines no more! I just had to get in the ring! It’s a tremendous honor to be a small part of the legacy of these amazing characters. This world has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait for everyone to see what the legendary Dan Mora and I are cooking up!”

Here’s a look at issue #25’s main cover by David Nakayama:

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Nominees announced for the 2025 Russ Manning Award

The annual awards program recognizes the comic industry’s most promising newcomers and will be presented alongside the Eisner Awards in July at Comic-Con International.

Comic-Con International has announced the nominees for this year’s Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award, which will be presented in July.

Named for the creator of Magnus, Robot Fighter, the award recognizes a new artist who “shows a superior knowledge and ability in the art of creating comics.”

Previous winners include Dave Stevens, Eleanor Davis, Jeff Smith, Marion Churchland, David Petersen, Tyler Crook, Dan Mora, Lorena Alvarez, Nate Simpson, Luana Vecchio and Zoe Thorogood. The Mushroom Knight creator Oliver Bly won the Manning Award last year.

Here are this year’s nominees:

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Guest Column | Meredith McClaren on ‘Meat Eaters,’ health, identity and transformation

In advance of her new graphic novel ‘Meat Eaters’ arriving in stores, the creator shares a personal essay about her health struggles and how they relate to her protagonist’s journey.

Today we welcome Hinges creator and Black Cloak artist Meredith McClaren to the blog, where she shares her deeply personal reflections on health, identity and transformation.

These themes also appear in Meat Eaters, her new graphic novel from Oni Press that arrives in stores July 7. It follows Ashley, a young woman looking to escape her stagnant small town life, but whose carefully laid plans are shattered when she wakes up one night covered in blood—and discovers she’s dead. As Ashley grapples with this shocking transformation and the changes happening within her, McClaren weaves a powerful story that resonates with her own experiences of unexpected life upheavals.

My thanks to the author for sharing this with us. It’s a wonderfully written essay with illustrations in the same style that I see on her Tumblr, which I recommend you follow if the essay resonates with you. You can also check out her travelogue on visiting Greece.

FUN TIMES
By Meredith McClaren
Author and Illustrator of MEAT EATERS

Your body will betray you.

(That’s a bummer of a starter sentence. Sorry. But stay with me, I have a point.)

Your body will betray you. It’s a universal human experience. I’m sorry. There’s no getting away from it. Some of us get there faster than others but we all eventually find ourselves in the unenviable position of feeling truly, utterly, devastatingly betrayed by our bodies.

For me it started with a tickle at the back of my throat that never went away.

I tried describing it to people. ‘You know how it feels when you suck in a big breath of cold air?’ It’s the way your throat feels tight. Constricted.

‘Sounds like asthma.’ One of my friends said.

But I wasn’t coughing. Yet. It was just a tickle. And it was always there.

The coughing came later. Over months. Over a year. Just one or two. A day. Everyday. Then it was a couple of times a day. Every time I woke up. Every time I went to bed. Sometimes an extra one somewhere in the middle.

It wasn’t until a friend’s wedding that I really reconciled that there was a problem. And I couldn’t really ignore it anymore. 

‘You cough a lot.’ My Dad said.

‘I know.’ I said.

Destination wedding in Flagstaff. A higher elevation. I was coughing. And I knew it wasn’t just the thinner air.

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Exclusive Preview | ‘Playtime: The Post-It Note Drawings’

Aron Wiesenfeld’s new book is currently up on Kickstarter.

Acclaimed painter and Eisner-nominated artist Aron Wiesenfeld is bringing his unique talents to a unique medium — post-it note drawings.

The artist’s latest project, Playtime: The Post-It Note Drawings, is a complete collection of his ink drawings on Post-it notes and is now up on Kickstarter.

“It’s always good to put limitations on yourself,” Wiesenfeld said. “In this series I only allowed myself to use black pens on a 3×3-inch square of yellow paper. It became a challenge to see if I could capture some of the key elements I love in large oil paintings: mood, atmosphere, time of day, weather conditions, character, and story.  I wasn’t always successful, but was often pleasantly surprised with the results anyway.  When you see your lines blown up, every quiver of the hand is captured there.  No falseness, or flourishes of style are even possible, it’s just too small for any of that.  The results always felt ‘real’ to me. One of my heroes is Gustave Doré, who, constrained by the printing limitations of his time, was able to tell visual stories that felt like paintings, but limited to only using black and white engraving lines.”

You can check out an exclusive preview from the book below, and you’ll find more information about the book on Kickstarter.

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