Tag: Mad Cave Studios

Mad Cave + Tatsunoko will partner on ‘Speed Racer’ comics

Speed, Trixie, Racer X and more will return to comics.

Mad Cave Studios and Tatsunoko Production will expand their partnership next year with a comic adaptation of Speed Racer, the popular manga-turned-anime that aired in the United States in the late 1960s.

No details have been shared yet on when a comic (or comics) will launch or who the creative team might be. Tatsunoko owns the license for Gatchaman, known to some as Battle of the Planets here in the U.S., and Mad Cave has been working with them on their new line of Gatchaman comics that debuted earlier this year.

“Speed Racer is one of Tatsunoko’s most beloved properties and we’re excited to partner with Mad Cave Studios to bring new and original stories to fans of all generations,” said Mari Yamauchi from Tatsunoko Production in a press statement. “Tatsunoko is incredibly happy with Mad Cave’s work on Gatchaman and we look forward to continuing our journey together with Speed Racer.”

Continue reading “Mad Cave + Tatsunoko will partner on ‘Speed Racer’ comics”

Paul Tobin + Carlos Olivares ‘String’ together a new supernatural thriller at Mad Cave Studios

The first issue arrives in November.

Mad Cave Studios has announced String, a new series about a woman who can see the “strings” that tie together murderers and their victims. String by writer Paul Tobin and artist Carlos Javier Olivares, with colors by Sara Colella and letters by Taylor Esposito, will kick off in November. 

“I’ve always been fascinated by the differences in how people see the world, and Yoon is a culmination of my fascinations. She can see connections others can’t. Secrets others can’t possibly know,” Tobin said. “It’s fun stepping into her world. Intimidating, though, too! And working with Carlos has been the most amazing part of it all, because he and I are doing the exact thing I’m talking about–working the same world in different ways! Whenever he turns in art I’m like, “Ooo! I didn’t expect that! But he’s RIGHT!”

Continue reading “Paul Tobin + Carlos Olivares ‘String’ together a new supernatural thriller at Mad Cave Studios”

Chris Moses + Andrea Giannini team up for ‘Synap’ at Mad Cave Studios

The science fiction title about a defense contractor that builds giant robots begins in November.

Mad Cave Studios has announced they will publish Synap, a new science fiction title by Chris Moses and Andrea Giannini this fall. The story centers on a defense company called Synap that creates giant robots to fight off potential alien invasions and the psychic individuals they recruit to control them.

Moses is an indie creator who has been making and crowdfunding his own comics under the Red Sea banner. This is Giannini’s debut comics project in the U.S.; he’s an Italian artist who has been working as an art assistant for publishing house Feltrinelli since he graduated from art school in 2022. They’ll be joined by colorist James Offredi and letterer Reed Hinckley Barnes.

“Synap is a comic I’ve been extremely excited to put out, combining my love for UFOs, psychics and conspiracy theories into one action-packed series,” Moses said. “It’s been awesome working with Andrea Giannini on his debut project – he is doing awesome work on the interiors! Last, Mad Cave has done a fantastic job supporting us while we create this book and I couldn’t imagine publishing Synap anywhere else!”

Continue reading “Chris Moses + Andrea Giannini team up for ‘Synap’ at Mad Cave Studios”

Mad Cave announces a new manga imprint, Nakama Press

The first titles are expected to arrive next summer.

Mad Cave Studios is adding a manga imprint to their already impressive list of imprints. Nakama Press will publish original manga and licensed titles, along with manhwa from Korea, manhua from China and manfra, which are the French equivalent of OEL manga.

The release says they plan to partner with studios like Japanese animation company Tatsunoko Pro and The Rainbow Group, among others, to “deliver a compelling reading experience that appeals to manga enthusiasts and newcomers alike.”

“Our mission with Nakama Press is to connect readers with stories that resonate universally, transcending cultural boundaries,” said Mark Irwin, President of Mad Cave Studios, “We believe in the power of storytelling to bring people together, and Nakama Press is our way of celebrating that through the incredible world of manga and graphic novels.”

Continue reading “Mad Cave announces a new manga imprint, Nakama Press”

SDCC | Joe Quesada teams with Mad Cave Studios + Dupuis for a new comics line

Amazing Comics will launch with its first comic, titled ‘Disciple.’

Today at the San Diego Comic Con, Mad Cave Studios had a special guest joining their panel — former Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, who wasn’t there just to MC.

Quesada teased in his newsletter this week that he was “hosting” their big “industry shaking” panel, which has something to do with this cryptic, Idaho-obsessed website. It turns out their big news is the launch of Amazing Comics, a new imprint spearheaded by Quesada that will be published in the U.S. by Mad Cave and in Europe by Dupuis. The first title they announced is called Disciple, which Quesada will co-write and draw, along with co-writer Charles Dorfman, inker Wade von Grawbadger, colorist Richard Isanove and letterer Joe Caramagna.

“The true origin of Disciple came about when I met Charles Dorfman, a talented writer with a passion for graphic storytelling,” Quesada said. “Charles pitched an adaptation of Hamlet, which sparked a creative journey that led to the unique version of Disciple we have today. This project blends Shakespearean elements with contemporary genres, creating a rich, mythological world for our readers to explore that begins as a prequel to the original, set in a whole new world.”

Continue reading “SDCC | Joe Quesada teams with Mad Cave Studios + Dupuis for a new comics line”

Hell is for children: Cullen Bunn + Joe Bocardo bring ‘Hexiles’ to Mad Cave Studios

A very personal horror story rises from the depths of the underworld this October.

Horror master Cullen Bunn will team with Night Walkers artist Joe Bocardo on The Hexiles, a new series about six children who find out their true lineage just in time for their father’s demonic debtors to come calling.

Mad Cave Studios will publish The Hexiles beginning in October.

“The Hexiles is a dark tale about destiny, cursed inheritances and people bound by blood… lots of blood,” said Bocardo. “A horror story that found refuge in a cave of madmen, where they love comics and work with true professionalism, and created by Cullen, a diabolical mind capable of turning the worst nightmares into words and convincing you to stay and live in them. As an artist, I couldn’t ask for a better team.”

Continue reading “Hell is for children: Cullen Bunn + Joe Bocardo bring ‘Hexiles’ to Mad Cave Studios”

Fred Van Lente + Chris Panda provide a fast pass to ‘toon-themed terror’ in ‘Murder Kingdom’

The horror/mystery from Mad Cave Studios drops its ropes in October.

Writer Fred Van Lente and artist Chris Panda will set a madman loose inside the “Storybook Kingdom” theme park down in Florida in Murder Kingdom, a new title coming from Mad Cave Studios this fall.

Any similarities to existing Florida theme parks is, of course, coincidental. But Murder Kingdom is about a slasher who starts killing cast members, and it’s up to one fairytale princess to unmask the killer.

“Murder Kingdom riffs on classic slashers and classic fairy tales in equal measure,” said Fred Van Lente. “It’s a giallo whodunit with a tomboy princess detective who has to make sure she and her best friend live to see the sunrise—and that means unmasking the killer. One of my first jobs was as a fry cook at a theme park and I feel like I’ve been working on this project ever since. I’m so thrilled that the team at Mad Cave have helped me bring it to bloody life. And I am so lucky to have Chris on artwork. His work is equal parts adorable and terrifying, resulting in some of the most shocking kills I’ve seen in any horror comic ever.”

Continue reading “Fred Van Lente + Chris Panda provide a fast pass to ‘toon-themed terror’ in ‘Murder Kingdom’”

Slugfest | BOOM! announces a second ‘I Heart Skull-Crusher!’ arc

Today’s round-up includes news on SDCC, Power Rangers, Something is Killing the Children, Groo, Venom War and more.

Slugfest is a roundup of cool announcements about projects coming to a shelf near you. With the San Diego Comic Con rapidly approaching, you’ll probably see more of these over the next few weeks. Hit the links for more information.

As a part of their annual “Road to SDCC” announcements, BOOM! Studios has revealed that Josie Campbell and Alessio Zonno’s I Heart Skull-Crusher! will continue in October.

The BOOM! Box series was announced late last year and began in March as a miniseries, but it looks like it has grown into something more.

“Josie Campbell and Alessio Zonno have even more action-packed, hilarious hijinks in store for us,” said BOOM! Studios Editor Elizabeth Brei. “The new arc is funny, chaotic and shockingly touching, just as you’d expect from Trini and the rest of her Screaming Pain Ball teammates! We’re so excited for readers to discover the surprises still to come!”

Continue reading “Slugfest | BOOM! announces a second ‘I Heart Skull-Crusher!’ arc”

Mad Cave delves into the ‘Underworld’ as they launch a shared universe helmed by Mark London

The first title, ‘Revolution 9,’ arrives in September.

Mad Cave Studios CEO Mark London has written several titles for the fledgling publisher over the years, including Battlecats, Hunt.Kill.Repeat. and Honor & Curse. Now he’s teaming up with several different artists to launch a new shared universe called “Underworld.”

London will write three new miniseries this fall: Revolution 9, which debuts in September, followed by Hour of the Wolf in October and Exit City in November. Each interconnected, four-issue miniseries will lead into Endless Night, a crossover event set to launch in 2025.

“The Underworld line is an homage to Mad Cave Studios’ humble beginnings,” London said. “Ten years ago, I remember pouring my soul into creating IPs that would kick-start our little publisher—everything from assassins to detectives, hunters to slayers, all going against impossible odds. I’m excited to build toward the Endless Night crossover, a grand design that will push the boundaries of this universe, taking readers on an unforgettable journey through darkness and redemption.”

Continue reading “Mad Cave delves into the ‘Underworld’ as they launch a shared universe helmed by Mark London”

Corporate greed + revenge fuel the new series ‘The Body Trade’ from Mad Cave Studios

Zac Thompson, Jok and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou kick off the neo-noir series this September.

Writer Zac Thompson, artist Jok and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou are heading down to Florida for the tale of an ex-convict trying to find his son’s corpse in The Body Trade, a new series coming from Mad Cave Studios this fall.

“I’ve wanted to create this comic for years and collaborating with Jok is a dream,” Thompson said. “Through his lines and colors he’s built this incredible mood on the page that captures the gaudy excess of Florida balanced against the horrific stylings of an industry of death. Together we’ve created a story that’s both a fierce revenge yarn and an interrogation into a seedy corporate underbelly of America. The Body Trade is a raw and unflinching neo-noir where an ex-convict goes up against the intense might of corporate power and will do anything to win. But what when there’s nothing illegal about what you’re up against—how do you expose the truth?! And will anyone care when you do?”

Thompson has been quite busy lately, with Into the Unbeing, Blow Away and Cemetery Kids Don’t Die all debuting in the first half of 2024.

Continue reading “Corporate greed + revenge fuel the new series ‘The Body Trade’ from Mad Cave Studios”

Mad Cave Studios launches their 2024 Talent Search

Entries are due by the end of August.

Mad Cave Studios has announced their 2024 Talent Search, which they’ve conducted for the past seven years. Previous winners have gone on to work with Mad Cave and other publishers, including Anthony Cleveland, Jay Sandlin, David Hazan, Shane Connery Volk and many more.

The type of talent they’re looking for changes every year; up until 2022, they were looking for writers and artists, but that year they expanded it to include colorists and letterers. This year they are doubling the number of winners in each category, as they are looking for two writers, two illustrators, two colorists and two letterers to work on upcoming projects.

Continue reading “Mad Cave Studios launches their 2024 Talent Search”

Dan DiDio + Jim Calafiore revive ‘Defenders of the Earth’ at Mad Cave Studios

The eight-issue series featuring Flash Gordon, the Phantom and more will launch in August.

As part of their revival plans for Flash Gordon, Mad Cave Studios has announced the creative team for Defenders of the Earth, an eight-issue series based on the animated TV show. Former DC Publisher and current Frank Miller Presents publisher Dan DiDio will write the series, with Jim Calafiore of Exiles, Secret Six and Leaving Megalopolis fame on art.

Defenders of the Earth ran for 65 episodes back in the mid-1980s, and featured Flash Gordon teaming up with other King Features comic-strip characters to battle Ming the Merciless. Flash, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician and Lothar, Mandrake’s assistant, were joined by their children as they, um, defended the Earth.

“As a fan of the original animated series, I was excited by the opportunity to work on this title,” said DiDio. “I’m hoping to build on some of the show’s classic elements and move them in new directions while exploring the personalities and lives of the characters that make the series great. One of the best aspects of the series was finding a way to unite the show’s four disparate, iconic stars following the end of their war with Ming. What sets it apart from other books featuring Flash Gordon, Mandrake, The Phantom, and Lothar is the added generational aspect of the story—that’s the fun part of writing. The father/son relationships of Flash and Rick, and Lothar and LJ; the father/daughter relationship of The Phantom and Jenna; and the mentor/protege relationship of Mandrake and Kshin are really the heart of the story. What makes and breaks these families is key to saving the world from a new and more deadly challenge.”

Continue reading “Dan DiDio + Jim Calafiore revive ‘Defenders of the Earth’ at Mad Cave Studios”