Tag: comic books

Skybound celebrates Invincible Month with Spider-Man/Invincible team-up reprint, more Battle Beast

Get ready for the return of the ‘Invincible’ animated series with several comic projects.

Skybound has declared next March as Invincible Month, which will coincide with the fourth season of the Invincible animated series on Amazon Prime. So far the publisher has announced two projects to help celebrate: a reprinting of an intercompany crossover and the return of Battle Beast.

Let’s start with that crossover. Back in 2005, Robert Kirkman was writing Marvel Team-Up and having a pretty good time with the title — while at the same time writing Invincible. Issue #14 of MTU turned out to be a very special issue for Kirkman fans, as he and Cory Walker brought their creator-owned character to the Marvel universe, teaming him up with Spider-Man (and the Avengers). It came at a time when Marvel wasn’t doing a lot of intercompany crossovers, so it was unexpected and fun.

The comic hasn’t ever been reprinted and was never collected by either Marvel or Image, for obvious reasons, but that changed earlier this year when Skybound introduced their “blind bag” variant cover program for Battle Beast #1 — and boy, these blind bag variant things have really taken off, haven’t they? Seems like just about every comic publisher is doing them. Anyway, Battle Beast took an interesting approach, not only offering variant covers, but also mixing in a few original comics for a few lucky fans who happened to buy the right bag — including the second issue of Battle Beast and copies of Marvel Team-Up #14.

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Marvel will publish a prequel to the upcoming Darth Maul animated series

‘Star Wars: Shadow of Maul’ kicks off in March from Benjamin Percy and Madibek Musabekov.

Disney+ will launch a new series featuring the fan-favorite Star Wars villain Darth Maul next year, but before it arrives, Benjamin Percy and Madibek Musabekov will present the prequel comic series Star Wars: Shadow of Maul.

The animated Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord doesn’t have a release date yet, but we know it’ll be set afetr the events of the animated Clone Wars series and, of course, will feature Darth Maul. Maul first appeared in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, where he supposedly died at the hands (and lightsaber) of Obi-Wan Kenobi. As we say in comics, “he got better” after being bisected, with some help from his brother and the Nightsister Mother Talzin, and appeared in not only Clone Wars but also in Solo: A Star Wars series. In comics, he most recently appeared in the Darth Maul: Black, White & Red anthology, which featured a story by Percy.

“I’ve said it before: I’m a giant Star Wars nerd,” Percy said. “My previous experience writing in a galaxy far, far away—Darth Maul: Black, White & Red—was an absolute delight. But those were one-shots. Flirtations with the franchise. With Shadow of Maul, I’m able to share a more expansive story about one of my favorite characters, while also exploring a fresh angle on the Star Wars universe.

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Free Comic Book Day will return in 2026

Comics’ favorite day returns, and one publisher has already announced the first title that’ll be offered.

The Free Comic Book Day website has sprung back to life with an announcement that says the annual promotional event will return on May 2, 2026.

Universal Distribution, one of the suitors as Diamond Comics Distributor and its many businesses went up for auction following Diamond’s bankruptcy, now owns Free Comic Book Day and its branding. In addition to comics, they’re a major game distributor, and they plan to expand the day into “friendly local game stores” as well.

Not every publisher has signed up for FCBD, however; right now the site lists Archie Comics, DC Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Image Comics, Mad Cave Studios, Oni Press, Titan Comics, Udon Entertainment and Vault Comics have signed on, all publishers who fall under Lunar Distribution. According to ICv2, Universal has partnered with Lunar and Diamond UK to distribute titles. On the games side, Upper Deck and Wizards of the Coast are also getting involved.

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DC reveals their ‘Superman/Spider-Man’ creative teams

Like the recent ‘Batman/Deadpool’ one-shots, the issue will feature stories by several creators, including Mark Waid, Jorge Jiménez, Matt Fraction, Steve Lieber, Tom King and more.

As retailers discuss why the recent Batman/Deadpool isn’t selling as well as Deadpool/Batman, DC has announced the creative teams for next year’s Superman/Spider-Man crossover, which arrives in March.

Marvel was the first out of the gate with their crossover issue, as Deadpool/Batman came out in September, followed by the DC issue in November. For this next crossover, they’ll follow a similar plan, with each publisher releasing an anthology headlined by the title characters — only this time, DC’s will arrive in shops first. Marvel has not yet announced when Spider-Man/Superman will arrive.

The two publishers announced back in October that they planned more crossovers in 2026, starting with reprints of the issues where Spider-Man and Superman first met back in the 1970s. They also surprised announced a couple of digital crossovers last month on their respective digital platforms. After decades of staying on opposite sides of the streets, it’s fun to see that these crossovers have returned.

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From Tromaville with love: Exclusive ‘Toxic Crusaders’ #4 cover premiere

Take a look at Tristan Wright’s cover, which arrives in stores next February.

Courtesy of Ahoy Comics, we’re pleased to present a look at Tristan Wright’s cover for The Toxic Crusaders #4, which will arrive in stores Feb. 18.

If you hadn’t heard, the mutant misfits are back and grosser than ever. Based on the animated series that turned toxic waste into Saturday morning gold, the five-issue miniseries reunites the Toxic Avenger with his fellow freaks: No-Zone, Junkyard, Major Disaster and the brand-new addition Fungirl.

Written by Matt Bors, the two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and founder of The Nib (which I still miss), this series is a blend of environmental satire and superhero splatter, and continues to channel the spirit of the Toxic Avenger revival at Ahoy. Wright, who is also the interior artist for the series, brings a gloriously grotesque visual style that captures the spirit of the original show.

Issue #4 features the backstory of Headbanger and the emergence of a mutated counter-Crusaders force. The solicit promises “cultists merged with animals and objects to become living turduckens” in what’s described as an “epic and sickening fight scene.”

Check out the cover reveal below:

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Dan Abnett + Marcelo Ferreira launch ‘Imperial Guardians’ in March

Gamora, Captain Marvel, Darkhawk and more will guard the galaxy next year.

Marvel has announced details on the next title spinning out of Imperial, the miniseries/event that restructured and relaunched Marvel’s cosmic line-up.

Imperial Guardians is a spiritual successor to Guardians of the Galaxy, as Gamora leads a team that includes Captain Marvel, Darkhawk, Amadeus Cho and Cosmic Ghost Rider. They’ve been recruited by Black Bolt’s evil brother, Maximus, to “protect the delicate balance of new Galactic Union by ANY means necessary.”

The best part? The title features the return of Dan Abnett to Marvel’s cosmic line, who teamed up with Andy Lanning on titles like Guardians of the Galaxy, Nova and various Annihilation era titles in the early 2000s. But as Abnett points out, it’s a whole new galaxy now …

“The Marvel Cosmic landscape after Imperial has got a very different feel, and it’s rewarding to play around with the aftermath of an event where ‘the good guys won.’ Or did they?” Abnett said. “No victory comes without back-room compromise, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the new Guardians remit.”

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Slugfest | Vertigo returns in DC’s February solicitations

Plus: Gotham City Sirens go Black Label, a return to Dakota, and a DC K.O. special that opens the forbidden door …

Slugfest is a roundup of cool announcements about projects coming to a shelf near you. This edition focuses on DC’s February 2026 solicitations.

One of the big announcements to come out of the 2024 New York Comic Con was the return of Vertigo, DC’s long-running mature readers imprint that was shuttered back in 2019 in favor of DC’s Black Label imprint. While Black Label will continue as the home for more mature stories about DC’s existing characters, Vertigo is back as a creator-owned imprint, and at this year’s New York Comic Con, DC announced a full Vertigo slate for 2026 — which kicks off in February.

The first four out the gate include three new creator-owned titles and the return of another — The Nice House by the Sea, whose seventh issue leads the pack.

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Dani Moonstar headlines her first solo title

Ashley Allen and Edoardo Audino set a new course for the New Mutant.

Dani Moonstar has been a New Mutant, a Valkyrie and an X-Avenger, but now for the first time ever, she’s the star of her own solo title.

Marvel has announced Moonstar as part of their Shadows of Tomorrow line-up, as Ashley Allen, who wrote the character’s recent appearances in Magik, teams with Edoardo Audino on the series.

“I’m so excited to be returning to tell the next chapter of Dani’s story,” Allen said. “She has been such a monumental character in both the Marvel Universe and in people’s lives – exemplifying what it means to be a true leader. I can’t believe this is the character’s first-ever solo series and I can’t wait to show readers what adventure we have in store for Dani!”

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Slugfest | Simians + superheroes clash in Marvel’s February solicitations

Plus: Moon Knight! Ultraman! Predator! Shadows of Tomorrow! Black Panther! And … Jar Jar Binks?

Slugfest is a roundup of cool announcements about projects coming to a shelf near you. This edition focuses on Marvel’s February 2026 solicitations. Hit the links for more information.

Marvel’s First Family will explore a whole new planet — one filled with apes! — in February, marking the first-ever crossover between the Planet of the Apes franchise and the Marvel Universe. Which seems overdue, given that Marvel’s history with the franchise goes back to the 1970s.

Written by Josh Trujillo with art by Andrea di Vito, the four-issue Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four finds Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny traveling to Ape City, where they’ll encounter Cornelius, Zira, Dr. Zaius — and an array of their own familiar foes. (Like Red Ghost? This seems like a story tailor made for the Red Ghost and his crew).

“I grew up watching Planet of the Apes marathons on Saturday afternoons, so it’s a huge thrill to write for these iconic characters!” Trujillo said. “Having Marvel’s First Family butt heads with Cornelius, Zira and Dr. Zaius is just too much fun, and I can’t believe I’m the one who gets to tell this epic tale. It’s a mash-up decades in the making, and I hope you come along for the ride!”

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Roger Langridge returns to the Muppets for a hard-boiled ‘Noir’ series

The acclaimed Muppets veteran returns for a two-issue series launching in February from Dynamite Entertainment.

It’s time to dim the lights: The legendary cartooning talent behind BOOM! Studios’ beloved The Muppet Show comic series returns to the characters with an all-new mystery, Muppets Noir, coming from Dynamite next year.

Roger Langridge will write, draw and letter the series, which will feature Kermit getting knocked out with an errant brick (as these things happen) as he’s reading a detective novel. While the rest of the gang tries to wake him, Kermit’s transported into the hard-boiled world of his fictional hero, Flip Minnow, P.I., where he attempts to solve the mystery of the Snoozing Sleuth. Dearbhla Kelly joins Langridge as colorist.

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Leonide the Vampyr returns in a miniseries by Mike Mignola + Rachele Aragno

The creators will reveal more of the young vampyr’s backstory in March.

Hellboy creator Mike Mignola is reuniting with artist Rachele Aragno for Leonide The Vampyr: The House of Yonda, a new two-part horror series launching in March from Dark Horse Comics. They’ll be joined by colorist Dave Stewart and letter Clem Robins.

The creators first introduced readers to the young vampyr Leonide in two one-shots released in 2022: Leonide The Vampyr: Miracle at the Crow’s Head and Leonide The Vampyr: A Christmas for Crows. Those initial stories followed the charming, yet terrifying, Leonide as she bewitched unsuspecting villagers while being pursued by an undead priest determined to stop her bloodthirsty schemes. The character originated from one of Aragno’s sketches posted on social media in 2021, which captured Mignola’s attention and sparked their collaboration.

“I’m madly in love with Leonide and her story,” Aragno said. “When Mike and I created her, I didn’t believe she could have such a vast world behind her, filled with stories, ancestors and a gothic castle. I could draw her for hours, guided by Mike’s words, which gives power to everything he does. These two comics will reveal a new backstory for this little vampire that will help us understand and love her even better.”

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Exclusive | George Northy + Rachele Aragno unleash holiday havoc in ‘Yuletide’ #3

Check out our exclusive preview of the final issue, which arrives in stores Dec. 17.

If you like your holiday comics with a splash of folklore, chaos and unapologetically weird energy, then we have a great gift for you today.

Here’s your first look at Yuletide #3, the oversized 40-page finale to the festive miniseries from writer George Northy and artist Rachele Aragno. The comic will hit shelves Dec. 17 from Oni Press, tying a bow on the series.

After centuries trapped inside a sacred relic, the Yule Witch Perchta has been accidentally unleashed by three Pennsylvania teens just days before Christmas. And she’s brought a monstrous entourage that includes the infamous Yule Cat and the ghostly Meri Lywd on her mission of revenge.

Issue #3 brings all that chaos to a head. As Perchta’s creatures overrun the streets, it falls to a ragtag band of the town’s brightest, oddest and most underestimated kids, along with an ancient warrior elf, to pull off a Christmas miracle.

Check out the preview below.

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