Can’t Wait for Wednesday | Spider-Gwen, a Detective milestone + more

Check out new comics and graphic novels coming this week by Rick Remender, Daniel Acuña, Tom Taylor, Greg Rucka, Mariko Tamaki, G. Willow Wilson, Ryan North, Ed McGuinness, Brian Buccellato, Peter Laird and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Wednesday, your guide to what’s coming to your local comic shop 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:

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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‘Star Trek: Lower Decks: Warp Your Own Way’ wins a Hugo Award

The interactive graphic novel by Ryan North, Chris Fenoglio and team took home the award at this weekend’s Seattle WorldCon.

Star Trek: Lower Decks: Warp Your Own Way, written by Ryan North with art by Chris Fenoglio, Charlie Kirchoff and Jeff Eckleberry, won the 2025 Hugo Award in the “Best Graphic Story or Comic” category.

The graphic novel, which was published by IDW and edited by Heather Antos, features the cast of the popular animated series (which also won a Hugo Award) in a choose-your-own-adventure story involving different paths to death, destruction and coffee.

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Alien Books, Mauro Mantella criticized for anti-trans passage in ‘Valiant Beyond: Bloodshot’ #1

The publisher posted an apology on social media, saying “We will do better,” as the author’s anti-trans social media history became evident.

Alien Books, the publisher of the Valiant comics line, and writer Mauro Mantella have received widespread criticism for a passage that appeared in Valiant Beyond: Bloodshot #1 that featured “thinly veiled transphobic metaphors,” as one comics creator put it.

The comic’s creative team includes Mantella and artists Fernando Heinz Furukawa and Juan Pablo Massa. It’s part of a line-wide reboot of the Valiant line, called Valiant Beyond, that was set to kick off earlier this year but was delayed due to the bankruptcy of Diamond. Valiant’s comics are now distributed by Penguin Random House via IDW Publishing.

What should have been a big launch for the publisher, as Bloodshot was the first Valiant Beyond title to hit comic shelves, was marred by panels whose words mirrored a false but common refrain by anti-trans bigots. For context, the comic features Bloodshot in a Japan plagued by vampires. “There are kids who want to be bitten to become vampires because their favorite influencer says they are one,” Bloodshot’s interior monologue reads. “And parents who force their children into that irreversible change just to feel modern … and believing that they’ll be thankful for it when they grow up.”

Here’s the page:

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Phillip Kennedy Johnson + Nic Klein usher in a new age of monsters in ‘Infernal Hulk’ 

The next chapter in the horror saga begins in November.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Nic Klein’s run on the Incredible Hulk may be ending, but they still have plans for the Jade Giant, the Eldest, the Mother of Horrors and the rest cast they’ve been building for the last two years.

Marvel will relaunch the title as Infernal Hulk in November, and they’ve revealed that Bruce Banner’s days as the Hulk are over — at least for now. Because something far worse is taking over the Hulk.

“I’ve been promising Hulk fans the biggest, boldest status quo change in Hulk’s history, and that time is finally here,” Johnson said. “The next few issues of Incredible Hulk give fans all the answers they’ve been waiting for about Eldest and the Mother of Horrors, and Infernal Hulk is the beginning of a terrifying new normal, not just for the Hulk series but for the entire Marvel Universe.”

Johnson, Klein and other artists like Daniel Earls, have returned the Hulk to his monster roots in Incredible Hulk, introducing even worse creatures than the Hulk. The story has centered on the Mother of Horrors and the Eldest, two horrific beings who have made the Hulk’s life hell — with plans to use his body to wage war on the rest of the Marvel Universe.

“There are monsters way worse and more powerful than anything we’ve seen so far, bigger and stronger than Hulk with origins that go back to the foundations of the Earth. It’s time to take this story to the next level, and no corner of the Marvel Universe will be left untouched before the end,” Johnson said.

Here’s the main cover and a promo image by Nic Klein:

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Nominees announced for the 2025 Ignatz Awards

The Ignatz Awards, given out at the Small Press Expo in September, honor outstanding achievement in independent comics and cartooning.

The Small Press Expo, or SPX, has announced the nominees for the 2025 Ignatz Awards.

Ignatz by Léa Murawiec

The Ignatz Awards recognize independent/alternative comics, graphic novels and more, and are typically given out during the Small Press Expo every Fall. Named for the mouse that appears in the Krazy Kat comics by George Herriman, the logo changes each year as a new artist draws the mouse and his weapon of choice, the brick. The logo for this year was drawn by Léa Murawiec, who won the award in 2024 for Most Promising New Talent.

Anyone can vote in the Ignatz Awards, as it is all done over email. Ballots were mailed to the existing SPX mailing list today, and those not on their list can sign up for a ballot and get added to our email lists at the SPX website. Voting ends on Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Congrats to all the nominees:

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DC’s ‘Batman/Deadpool’ will include crossovers between Doctor Strange + Constantine, Harley Quinn + Hulk, more

Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Joshua Williamson, Denys Cowan, G. Willow Wilson, Bruno Redondo, Hayden Sherman and more will contribute to the comic.

We’ve heard a lot about Marvel’s plans for the first part of the Marvel/DC crossover that was announced back in May, and now DC has revealed more about Batman/Deadpool, which will arrive in November.

DC describes their side of the meet-up between Batman and Deadpool as  “a metaphysical car crash between two storytelling philosophies,” as Grant Morrison and Dan Mora “that’s equal parts cosmic horror, slapstick noir, and metafictional therapy session. It’s the kind of comic book that knows it’s a comic book, revels in being a comic book, weaponizes its comic bookiness—and dares you to keep reading anyway!” It’ll be one of five stories in the comic.

The back-up stories include:

  • Writers Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV and Joshua Williamson join forces with artist Hayden Sherman for a John Constantine and Doctor Strange meet-up.
  • Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo are doing a Nightwing (Dick Grayson) and Wolverine (Laura Kinney) crossover, “where acrobatics meet adamantium in a story that cuts deep.”
  • Mariko Tamaki and Amanda Conner “unleash chaos and charisma” in a Harley Quinn vs. Hulk showdown.
  • G. Willow Wilson and Denys Cowan bring together Static and Ms. Marvel.
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Doctor Strange’s adventures in Asgard continue this winter

Derek Landy + Ivan Fiorelli will helm a new ‘Doctor Strange’ ongoing series in December.

Doctor Strange’s time in Asgard is just beginning. Following the One World Under Doom spinoff Doctor Strange of Asgard, the former sorcerer supreme of Earth will continue his Asgardian adventures in a new Doctor Strange ongoing series.

Doctor Strange of Asgard writer Derek Landy will write the series, joined by interior artist Ivan Fiorelli and fantasy artist Alex Horley on covers. The good doctor finds himself with a new role in Asgard — sorcerer supreme — but he’s also unable to return to Earth after recent events in Thor. Luckily Thor’s sister, Angela, is there to help him out.

“You might think that Stephen Strange is on firmer ground now that he’s become Sorcerer Supreme of Asgard, but he’s about to be shoved face first into dangerous new territory, and his only guide is the baddest Angel of them all — Angela!” Landy shared. “I’m beyond thrilled to be working with Ivan and Dono [Sánchez-Almara] on continuing Strange’s adventures away from Midgard, and the fact that we also get to delve a little deeper into Angelic society on Heven, and how it interacts with the rest of the Ten (now Nine!) Realms, is a huge and unexpected bonus. In a determined effort to stay true to the origins of the character, the story we’re telling is only going to get bigger, crazier, and more mind-bending — and we’re inviting all of you along for the ride.”

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Two animated heroes will team up again in ‘Batman/Static: Beyond’

Two Kids WB staples will return in a six-issue miniseries this fall.

Fans of Batman Beyond and Static Shock, get ready — the two heroes will come together once again in the DC Elseworlds miniseries Batman/Static: Beyond by Evan Narcisse and Nikolas Draper-Ivey.

The duo previously teamed up on the Static Shock animated series when Static went forward in time and ended up helping Terry McGinnis, the future Batman, save Static’s future self. They also appeared together most recently in the pages of the Milestone 30th Anniversary Special.

This story will take place in the future, showing us more of the adult version of Static, as well as Justice League Beyond.

“Static is a former teen hero who grew up to take on even more responsibility for his city and the larger world, while Terry is still figuring out how to do those things in his own way,” Narcisse said. “Terry’s still a high school student but he’s also got the weight of the Batman mantle and the expectations that come with it as key parts of his life now. As an adult member of the Justice League, Virgil’s at a different part of his journey. But he’s driven by an adolescence where systemic injustice changed what it meant to live in his hometown of Dakota. Their approaches to making the world a safer, more just place are extremely different. That difference energizes the big question they have to deal with: can they learn to work together during a critical moment when everything they’ve taken for granted has fallen apart? The whole creative team is going to try and answer that question in Batman/Static: Beyond with a story where deep emotions collide against the backdrop of an uncertain future.”

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Nominees announced for the 2025 Harvey Awards

Winners will be announced at the New York Comic-Con in October.

The Harvey Awards committee has posted the nominees for the 2025 Harvey Awards, the annual awards program given out at the New York Comic-Con. The awards recognize graphic novels, manga, digital comics and “adaptations” across seven categories.

Nominees were selected by “a curated committee of industry voices including creators, publishers, retailers, educators, and librarians.” Industry professionals who have been previously approved for a Professional or Artist Alley badge at any ReedPop comic convention between 2016 and 2025 are eligible to vote between now and Sept. 2. You can find more details on the Harvey Awards website.

Congrats to this year’s nominees:

Continue reading “Nominees announced for the 2025 Harvey Awards”

Smash Pages Q&A | Mike Del Mundo on his new art book from Clover Press

The innovative artist talks about his process and approach to creating some of Marvel’s most striking covers and artwork.

Mike Del Mundo has left a bold and imaginative mark on the world of comics through the use of vivid color palettes, surreal compositions and really cool, concept-driven covers.

Since his breakout run of covers for X-Men: Legacy, he’s brought his distinctive storytelling style to interiors on Elektra, Thor, Avengers and more, earning multiple industry nominations and awards along the way. Now, his career-spanning body of Marvel work is being collected in The Marvel Art of Mike Del Mundo, the latest high-end release in Clover Press and Marvel’s boutique art book series.

The Kickstarter campaign, which is now live, offers the 224-page hardcover alongside exclusive prints, posters, a special sketchbook showing his creative process and other collector’s items.

I caught up with him on the release of the book, his innovative approach to covers, the Three Worlds / Three Moons project and more.

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Can’t Wait for Wednesday | ‘Space Ghost’ haunts comic shops once again

This week brings new comics by David Pepose, Jonathan Lau, W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo, Chris O’Halloran, Chip Kidd, Michael Cho, Stephanie Phillips, Marc Guggenheim, Tommaso Bianchi and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Wednesday, your guide to what’s coming to your local comic shop this week. This is a fun week for comics, with a new Space Ghost series, more TMNT/MMPR shenanigans, a colorful approach to Superman and much more.

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:

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.

Continue reading “Can’t Wait for Wednesday | ‘Space Ghost’ haunts comic shops once again”

Oni Press launches Kickstarter for ‘Carbon-Based: The Art of Lewis LaRosa’

Check out some exclusive artwork that’ll appear in the oversized hardcover art book.

A new artbook from Oni Press will spotlight Lewis LaRosa’s 20+ year career in comics, as the publisher launches a Kickstarter for Carbon-Based: The Art of Lewis LaRosa.

The 250-page volume will feature LaRosa’s raw line art, along with rarely seen covers, character designs, concepts and more from his work for Marvel Comics, Valiant Entertainment, Epic Games, BOOM! Studios, Creative Beast Studio and more—including Bloodshot Reborn, Divinity, Harbinger, Punisher MAX, Savage, Shadowman, Uncanny X-Men, A Vicious Circle, X-O Manowar and more.

“It’s happening, guys! Thanks to the fine folks at Oni Press, a retrospective of my art spanning over 20 years is in the oven,” LaRosa said. “What an incredible honor. From my early days at Marvel launching Punisher MAX to my years helping relaunch the Valiant Universe, this will showcase some of my best work in one lovely tome. I’m making sure to include some rarely seen odds and ends, as well as insight into my old school analog process revealing how the sausage is made. Whether it’s the muscly figure work, sleek robots or prehistoric dinosaurs, hopefully these images will inspire you to pick up the pencil and DRAW!”

Here’s a look at the cover:

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