Smash Pages Q&A | Ben H. Winters on ‘Benjamin’

The creator of TV’s ‘Tracker’ talks dead sci-fi authors, sunny noir and why comics let you do “any damn crazy-ass thing you want to.”

Ben H. Winters has built a career out of defying easy categorization. He’s the Philip K. Dick Award-winning novelist behind The Last Policeman trilogy and Underground Airlines, a TV writer whose credits include FX’s Legion and Apple TV’s Manhunt, and the creator of Tracker, currently one of the biggest hits on CBS. If that sounds like a lot, it is, yet somehow he’s also found time to dive headfirst into comics.

After contributing to Oni Press’s acclaimed revival of the EC Comics line, Winters has now made his miniseries debut with Benjamin, illustrated by the Leomacs. The book follows Benjamin J. Carp, brilliant, slightly self-destructive sci-fi author who died in 1982, as he wakes up inexplicably alive in 2025 Los Angeles, forced to investigate the impossible mystery of his own existence. It’s surreal, funny and deeply strange in the best possible way. The trade paperback collection of Benjamin is out now from Oni Press.

I got the chance to talk to Winters about how he came to comics, what makes Benjamin tick, and what it’s like to bounce between network television and deeply weird graphic novels. He also let slip some details about what’s coming next.

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Oni Press announces four creator-owned graphic novels for fall 2026

The slate ranges from a 1990s D.C. punk murder mystery to a mostly wordless intergalactic chase.

Oni Press has announced four creator-owned graphic novels arriving this fall, spanning middle-grade adventure, young adult fantasy, literary horror and science fiction.

“This fall we have creator-driven graphic novels for readers of every age,” said Oni Press Editor-in-Chief Sierra Hahn. “A murder mystery in an uncanny world not entirely dissimilar from our own. A space adventure with heart and heartache. A ghost that inadvertently brings two outcasts closer together. And a young woman facing an impossible task amidst a yearning for self-discovery.”

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Feeling paranoid? The fine folks at Mind MGMT want to hear from you

Dial up the new comic coming from Matt Kindt later this year.

Feeling paranoid? Do strange things happen around you? Then the folks at Mind MGMT, the fictional (maybe?) organization created by Matt Kindt, would like to hear from you.

With the comic returning at Oni Press later this year as Kindt’s Flux House imprint prepares to relaunch with the publisher, they’re kicking off a fun promotion involving you, your phone and any psychic abilities you may have, as noted on this flyer:

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Curt Pires + Juan Gedeon go anthropomorphic in ‘Super Mondo Mega Mutts’

The four-issue series from Oni Press follows a team of transformed dogs fighting for justice in a lawless corner of Los Angeles.

Oni Press has announced Super Mondo Mega Mutts, a four-issue series by writer Curt Pires and artist Juan Gedeon. The miniseries will kick off in July.

The series is set in downtown Los Angeles one year after a fragment of an inter-dimensional civilization collided with the city, creating a lawless zone called “The Gleam” where the laws of physics no longer apply. When government contractors send four research animals into the area to recover alien technology, the dogs emerge radically transformed, gaining human-level intelligence and a mission of their own. The four mutts — Wolf, Frankee, Griffy and Freddy — team with a mentor called Mojo to fight back against federal forces and gangs wielding stolen alien tech.

“It’s been thrilling to watch Oni Press reach new heights the last couple years under the tenure of Hunter [Gorinson, President & Publisher], Sierra [Hahn, Editor-in-Chief] and the whole team—and I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing them one of my best ideas ever,” Pires said. “This is a book that is big, bombastic and heartfelt, one that’s capable of bringing new folks into comic shops—and I’m ecstatic to be creating it with my masterful collaborator, Juan Gedeon.” 

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Joe Palmer makes his solo debut with dystopian thriller ‘Destination Kill’ from Oni Press in May

The British cartoonist writes, illustrates and hand-letters the four-issue series, set in a future London on the brink of a worker uprising.

Oni Press will publish Destination Kill, the solo debut of British artist Joe Palmer, beginning in May. Palmer will write, illustrate and hand-letter the four-issue series, which follows two detectives in 2125 London caught between a powerful corporation and an armed uprising of displaced workers.

Destination Kill started life as an image in my mind of a lone, masked builder armed with a pistol, standing on the snow-covered rooftop of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London,” said cartoonist Joe Palmer. “That image really stuck with me, and over time, it evolved into this fantastical story of a transatlantic train and a citywide builder-led revolution that I knew I had to make someday. This book is me taking the (long overdue!) step of being in total creative control of my work, which turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I wasn’t consciously thinking about it at the time, but at least part of the reason for doing this was to put something out in the world that represents me and my personality, and I feel like I’ve done that.”

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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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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.

Oni Press summons West Coast horror in ‘Estuary: A Ghost Story’

Tim Daniel, D.B.Andry and Maan House present ‘a modern gothic tale for the smartphone age.’

Sun-bleached cliffs, crashing Pacific waves and four centuries of buried sins collide in Estuary: A Ghost Story #1, a four-issue limited series that drags the haunted history of old California out from under the tide, where Spanish missions and restless spirits lurk beneath the postcard-perfect surface of the Golden State.

Written by Tim Daniel and David “D.B.” Andry, who worked together on Crush Depth and Morning Star, and illustrated by Mine is a Long Lonesome Grave artist Maan House, Estuary: A Ghost Story pairs character-driven dread with atmospheric visuals, channeling California’s mythic past into a slow-burn supernatural nightmare. Also, it makes use of Andry’s grade-school diorama skills, something I can attest most California students get to experience:

Estuary: A Ghost Story is a pretty perfect example of Tim and I writing what we know,” Andry said. “Both of us hailing from Northern California and growing up in and around San Francisco, Bodega Bay and Monterey, this book captures the haunted vibes, the mystery, the romance and the sense of history of these areas. Myself being raised Catholic, tying the other-worldly elements of Estuary to the very real past of the Missions I grew up making dioramas of, was both natural and cathartic. This was a story that poured out of Tim and I, more like something waiting to be discovered rather than something created.”

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Oni + Archie announce a publishing partnership

Oni will publish comic series, collections and graphic novels featuring the Archie characters beginning in the fall of 2026.

Oni Press has announced that they’re partnering with Archie Comics to publish a new line of comics and graphic novels featuring the Archie characters. The partnership will begin next fall.

“From the world of comics – where Archie’s stories led so many to pick up their very first comic book – to the long-running success of Riverdale, Archie’s cherished cast of characters have few rivals in terms of their visibility or influence on global pop culture,” said David Steward II, Chairman of the Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group. “This new partnership is one of the most significant moments in Oni Press’ three decades as a leading publisher of independent comics, and, in collaboration with the Archie team, we look forward to writing a memorable new chapter in the history of these legendary characters that will set the stage for decades worth of stories yet to come.”

The first three series they’re teasing are 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. Based on the creators invovled, these sound like they’ll continue the spirit of the “new” Archie and the Archie Horror lines we’ve seen in the past.

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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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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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Cullen Bunn + Christopher Mitten return to ‘The Autumn Kingdom’ next year

Sommer and Winter’s quest to rescue their parents brings them in contact with ‘The Wraithbound Queen.’

Cullen Bunn and Christopher Mitten’s Autumn Kingdom, which came out last year, is getting a sequel. Oni Press has announced Autumn Kingdom: The Wraithbound Queen will kick off in February, continuing the story of two girls, Sommer and Winter, who seek to rescue their parents from a realm ruled by faeries, monsters and demons.

“When I started writing Autumn Kingdom, I knew I had a big, epic story to tell,” Bunn said. “I also knew that I needed to break it into easy-to-digest chapters. In a lot of ways, it’s like the classic dark sword and sorcery tales of old. You can jump in with Wraith Queen and easily follow and enjoy the story. You’ll know there’s a bigger world to explore, but that only adds fuel to the world-building fire!”

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