If you've been waiting for a Destiny figure to add to your Marvel Legends lineup, Hasbro is about to deliver - albeit as part of a 2-pack with Rogue. Odds are that won't be an issue for fans who will likely scoop this set up quickly when it drops on July 11th, most likely at 10am PT / 1pm ET right here on Amazon as an exclusive. A direct link will be added to this post after the set goes live. Stay tuned!

The info comes from Hasbro's Dan Yun, though details on accessories and pricing wasn't available at the time of this update. While you wait for the launch, make sure to check out the lineup of Marvel 85th anniversary figures that Hasbro has recently released in the Marvel Legends lineup. Reveals include Superior Spider-Man. Warbird, an Iron Fist and Luke Cage 2-pack, Ghost Rider, Venom, and more. Details can be found below.

The most recent addition to the Marvel 85th anniversary lineup of Marvel Legends figures with a Deluxe, comic book-inspired Odin figure that's now available to pre-order here at Entertainment Earth (free U.S. shipping on orders $79+) and here on Amazon. It will include weapon accessories, swappable hands, helmets, and Odin's mythical ravens Munin and Hugin.

The Marvel Legends The Cabal 3-pack launched last week and is still available to pre-order here on Amazon as an exclusive priced at $74.99.

"Bring the excitement and wonder of the Marvel Universe to your collection with Hasbro Marvel Legends The Cabal figure 3-pack! In celebration of Marvel's 85th anniversary, these collectible Doctor Doom, Taskmaster, and Iron Patriot figures are detailed to look like the characters from Marvel's Siege: The Cabal comic book. 6-inch scale Marvel figures are fully articulated with poseable head, arms, and legs. Marvel action figure set comes with 17 accessories, including fabric cape, alternate heads and alternate hands. Hasbro Marvel action figures' 6 inch scale make them great for posing and displaying in fans' collections."

Hasbro's Hulkbuster figure is inspired by the Iron Man comics. It will stand at over 9 inches tall, and will include swappable hands, armor pieces, and a tony Stark head. Pre-orders for the figure are now available here at Entertainment Earth and here on Amazon priced at $59.99.

"Bring the excitement and wonder of the Marvel Universe to your collection with Hasbro Marvel Legends Hulkbuster figure! In celebration of Marvel's 85th anniversary, this collectible figure is detailed to look like the character from Marvel's The Invincible Iron Man comic books. 6-inch scale Marvel figures are fully articulated with poseable head, arms, and legs. Marvel action figure set comes with 7 pieces, including an alternate head. Hasbro Marvel action figures' 6 inch scale make them great for posing and displaying in fans' collections."

MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES WOLVERINE (MARVEL 85TH ANNIVERSARY) - $24.99 / Available here at Entertainment Earth and here on Amazon: "With unstoppable healing powers and adamantium metal claws, the astonishing Wolverine battles threats alongside the mutant X-Men team. Celebrate the MARVEL UNIVERSE and 85 years of MARVEL COMICS with this MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES WOLVERINE (MARVEL 85TH ANNIVERSARY) figure. This quality 6-inch scale figure features deco inspired by the character's appearance in Marvel's Astonishing X-Men comics. The figure features extensive articulation and is highly posable for display and play. Includes figure and 6 comics-inspired accessories including masked and unmasked heads and hands with and without claws."

MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN (MARVEL 85TH ANNIVERSARY) - $29.99 / Available here at Entertainment Earth and here on Amazon: "When Doc Ock swaps bodies with Peter Parker, gaining his powers and conscience, he becomes the unlikely hero Superior Spider-Man. Celebrate the MARVEL UNIVERSE and 85 years of MARVEL COMICS with this MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN (85th ANNIVERSARY) figure. This quality 6-inch scale figure features deco inspired by the character's appearance in Marvel's The Superior Spider-Man comics. The figure features extensive articulation and is highly posable for display and play. Includes figure and 11 comics-inspired accessories including alternate head and Spider-Arms with removable backpack."

MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES IRON FIST AND LUKE CAGE (MARVEL 85TH ANNIVERSARY) - $49.99 / Available here at Entertainment Earth and here on Amazon: "Luke Cage and Iron Fist reach new heights as heroes when they're called to join the roster of New Avengers, teaming up to fight for justice. Celebrate the MARVEL UNIVERSE and 85 years of MARVEL COMICS with this MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES IRON FIST AND LUKE CAGE (85TH ANNIVERSARY) 2-pack. These quality 6-inch scale figures feature deco inspired by the characters' appearances in Marvel's The New Avengers comics. The figures feature extensive articulation and are highly posable for display and play. Includes 2 figures and 12 comics-inspired accessories including alternate head and hands for each figure."

MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES GHOST RIDER (DANNY KETCH) (MARVEL 85TH ANNIVERSARY) - $49.99 / Available here at Entertainment Earth / Amazon: "When Danny Ketch crosses paths with a cursed motorcycle, he is transformed into the Spirit of Vengeance, wielding supernatural powers as Ghost Rider. Celebrate the MARVEL UNIVERSE and 85 years of MARVEL COMICS with this MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES GHOST RIDER (DANNY KETCH) (85TH ANNIVERSARY) figure set. This quality 6-inch scale figure and vehicle features deco inspired by their appearances in Marvel's Ghost Rider comics. The figure features extensive articulation and is highly posable for display and play. Set comes with 6-inch scale Hell Cycle vehicle with moveable foot peg, semi-translucent fire wheels, and fire stands for displaying on 2 wheels or 1. Includes figure, bike and 9 comics-inspired accessories including motorcycle display pieces and alternate hands and chain for figure".

MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES SKAAR, SON OF HULK (MARVEL 85TH ANNIVERSARY) - $39.99. See at Entertainment Earth: "Bring the excitement and wonder of the Marvel Universe to your collection with Hasbro Marvel Legends Skaar, Son of Hulk figure! In celebration of Marvel's 85th anniversary, this collectible figure is detailed to look like the character from Marvel's Skaar: Son of Hulk comic books. 6-inch scale Marvel figures are fully articulated with poseable head, arms, and legs. Marvel action figure set comes with 5 accessories, including alternate head and alternate hands. Hasbro Marvel action figures' 6 inch scale make them great for posing and displaying in fans' collections. Reimagine Marvel comics-inspired scenes on your shelf with Marvel Legends action figures."

MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES VENOM (MARVEL 85TH ANNIVERSARY) - $24.99 - This Walmart Exclusive is expected to launch on July 25th or 26th during Walmart's next SDCC Collector Con event. When it does drop, you'll be able to find it here. "When Spider-Man breaks free from an alien symbiote, it latches onto Daily Bugle reporter Eddie Brock - who becomes the supervillain Venom, seeking revenge on the web-slinger. Celebrate the MARVEL UNIVERSE and 85 years of MARVEL COMICS with this MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES VENOM (MARVEL 85TH ANNIVERSARY) figure. This quality 6-inch scale figure features deco inspired by the character's appearance in Marvel's Spider-Man comics. The figure features extensive articulation, is highly posable for display and play and comes on collectible cardback packaging with retro-inspired design. Includes figure and 3 comics-inspired accessories including alternate hands and an alternate head."

MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES MARVEL'S WARBIRD (MARVEL 85TH ANNIVERSARY) - $24.99 / Target Exclusive / Release Date TBA: "After damaging her powers while saving Earth's sun, Carol Danvers joins a team of Avengers and takes on the codename of Warbird. Celebrate the MARVEL UNIVERSE and 85 years of MARVEL COMICS with this MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES MARVEL'S WARBIRD (85th ANNIVERSARY) figure. For the first time, fans can add Carol Danvers as Marvel's Warbird to their collection. This quality 6-inch scale figure features deco inspired by the character's appearance in Marvel's Avengers comics with her black Warbird-era costume from her time on the Avengers team. The figure features extensive articulation and is highly posable for display and play. Includes figure and 5 comics-inspired accessories including alternate head, hands, and power FX."

BOOM! Studios will have a special surprise for fans at San Diego Comic-Con, and we've got all the exclusive details. Later this year Jeff Lemire will introduce fans to the world of Minor Arcana, and Lemire couldn't be more excited about the series. The series will kick off on September 4th, but fans will actually have the chance to purchase a Minor Arcana Ashcan at San Diego Comic-Con. Throughout the show, fans can stop by Booth #22229 and pick up the Ashcan, which will feature an extended first look at Minor Arcana #1 as well as an exclusive Tarot variant cover by Lemire, and you can check out the new cover below.

The SDCC-exclusive Ashcan will feature the gorgeous cover you see above, and it will also feature rounded corners to go along with the Tarot theme. Lemire will also be at the show to sign them, and you can pick up the exclusive Ashcan at the BOOM! Studios booth for $30 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

"I can't wait to share Minor Arcana," said award-winning creator Jeff Lemire. "I've been putting everything into it and this exclusive SDCC ashcan will be a chance to share the story early. It's going to be an amazing-looking version of the book with rounded corners, mimicking a tarot card, and a new cover that will only be available at the con. I'll be there to sign them as well. So it's going to be an exciting San Diego!"

What Is Minor Arcana About?

"Theresa, the prodigal daughter of a small-town 'psychic' tarot reading fraud, begrudgingly returns home to care for her ailing mother after having left home for good - or so she thought. Arriving back in her childhood hometown seemingly untouched by time, Theresa learns that there may be more to the magic than she originally believed. And with that, she finds herself caught up in a town that desperately needs her help..."

"Minor Arcana has become my dream project. Combining small-town life with magical realism and supernatural mystery, it lets me stretch my wings and play with all the different kinds of characters and stories I've loved working on since Essex County and Sweet Tooth. Writing and drawing the book myself has allowed me to make it an immersive read that I hope will hook readers as much as it's hooked me," Lemire said.

"I have big plans for the series, having already plotted it through the first 22 issues. If Black Hammer was my love letter to the superhero comics I grew up reading, then Minor Arcana is my love letter to the classic Vertigo comics of my youth, but all filtered through my own style. I really want to get back to doing a true ongoing series that focuses on the importance of single issues again. I love writing and drawing this book and living in the world, and I can't wait to start sharing it," Lemire said.

Minor Arcana #1 will launch with covers by Lemire, Tula Lotay (Barnstormers), Dustin Nguyen (Descender), David Mack (American Gods), and more, and will hit comic stores on September 4th.

Are you excited for Minor Arcana? You can talk all things comics with me on Threads and Twitter @mattaguilarcb!

Writer James Robinson and artist Tony Harris will reunite for a new Starman miniseries, according to a new report. The pair, whose original Starman series ran from 1994 until 2001, will apparently team up with colorist Gregory Wright for a Black Label miniseries. The bookstore-friendly label is home to projects like Superman: Year One, Strange Adventures, and The Bat-Man: First Knight, and caters to mature readers titles that are intended as evergreen titles in the trade paperback market. That's a market where Starman -- which has been in reprints more or less constantly since it ended -- fits right in.

According to Bleeding Cool, who broke the news, fans can expect a formal announcement from DC later this month at Comic Con International in San Diego. The story was "picked up from the gossip at today's London Film And Comic Con," per Bleeding Cool boss Rich Johnston.

Robinson and Harris's Starman centered on Jack Knight, the son of the Golden Age Starman, who battled villains in Opal City with the help of his cosmic staff. First appearing in Zero Hour #1 by Dan Jurgens, the character was nevertheless created by Harris and Robinson. Starman was one of a handful of series to spin out of Zero Hour -- an event that celebrates its 30th anniversary this year -- and it became far and away the longest-running and most successful.

Part of what made Jack Knight a compelling lead was his reluctance to take on the role. In Zero Hour, fans learned that Ted Knight (the Golden Age Starman) had two sons, David and Jack. In the story, Jack, who owns an antique store -- more of a junk shop, really -- and has no interest in taking on the family business. David, however, has always wanted to succeed his father as Starman, and is delighted to get the job. Unfortunately, in Starman #0, the first issue of the series, David takes off for his first night patrol and is immediately shot by someone on the ground, and dies. Jack takes on the name and role -- but not the costume -- of Starman to try to make things right.

Starman ran for 81 issues, and returned with a Blackest Night one-shot in 2010. After 2011's The New 52 reboot, the Starman villain The Shade headlined her own title by Robinson and a variety of big-name artists, including Darwyn Cooke (DC: The New Frontier), Frazer Irving (Batman & Robin), Gene Ha (Superman: Action Comics) Jill Thompson (The Sandman), Cully Hamner (RED) and Javier Pulido (Spider-Man). Starman has been collected in standard trade paperbacks as well as paperback and hardcover omnibuses. The series is widely regarded as one of DC's best comics of the last 30 years, and DC has rarely allowed any other writer to touch Jack Knight, seemingly saving him for Robinson and Harris's return -- a day that seemed like it might never come, but now could be right around the corner.

On Saturday at FanExpo Denver, Ghost Machine revealed the covers for its upcoming comics tied to its new horror universe, Hyde Street. During the panel, Ghost Machine -- the recently formed comics collective publishing through Image Comics -- revealed the cover for Hyde Street #1, the first issue of the monthly, ongoing Hyde Street series, and the It Happened on Hyde Street: Devour one-shot. The debuts are time to release when horror is at its yearly height, with Hyde Street #1 releasing on October 2nd and It Happened on Hyde Street: Devour #1 arriving on the eve of Halloween, October 30th. Ghost Machine will release solicits for both issues on July 19th.

Ghost Machine describes Hyde Street as a "new epic era in character-centered horror." The ongoing series is the latest collaboration by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis, who previously worked together on DC's Blackest Night and Aquaman. Hyde Street also features colors by Brad Anderson, inks by Danny Miki (a recent addition to the Ghost Machine bullpen), and lettering by Rob Leigh. Here's the series's synopsis:

"In every city and town, off every country road and metropolis avenue, if you make a wrong turn in your soul... you might find yourself on Hyde Street. But be careful who you talk to and what you do because the consequences make death itself seem like the easy way out. Introducing Mr. X-Ray, Pranky the World's Most Dangerous Scout, Miss Goodbody, and many more... Out to delight, fright and say good night. What is their secret and that of Hyde Street? Only they know. For now."

Reis created Hyde Street #1 Cover A and Gary Frank provided Cober B. Each cover features the mysterious character Mr. X-Ray. Cover D comes from Mike Deodato Jr., known for his work on DC and Marvel titles including Wonder Woman, Dark Avengers, Infinity Wars, The Incredible Hulk, and The Amazing Spider-Man. Marking his first Ghost Machine variant cover, Deodato drew another Hyde Street character, Pranky. Still to be revealed are additional Hyde Street #1 covers from Kelley Jones and Reis, respectively.

Where Hyde Street focuses on the many threats of this new horror universe, It Happened on Hyde Street: Devour spotlights one of their victims. Here's the synopsis:

"With an impending wedding, Lily needs to lose weight in order to fit into her wedding dress, and struggles to shed some pounds. And what's worse, her super-thin grandmother relentlessly disparages Lily's approach, instead lavishing praise upon a quick-fix miracle supplement called DEVOUR, as hawked by the mysterious health guru Miss Goodbody. Her motto? Get thin... or die trying! In this weight-loss nightmare, when it comes to Devour...all you need is one."

It Happened on Hyde Street: Devour is Maytal Zchut's comics writing debut. She's teaming with artist Leila Leiz, colorist Alex Sinclair, and letterer Rob Leigh. Reis drew Miss Goodbody for It Happened on Hyde Street: Devour #1's Cover A. Leiz drew Cover B, and Frank created Cover C.

In a press release from FanExpo Denver, Johns says, "Everyone at Ghost Machine is incredibly excited for fans to discover the Hyde Street universe. Ivan and I have wanted to collaborate on something new and original for a long time and Hyde Street was the perfect avenue for us to let a darker side of our imagination run wild. The characters will lure you into this world each in their own unnerving way and walking down any Hyde Street in your town will never feel the same again.

"We are so proud to call Maytal a founding Ghost Machine creator and she and Leila have created a truly haunting debut work that will stay with you long after you have devoured it. We can't wait for fans to discover Devour and the fresh and stirring perspective Maytal offers as a new creator."

Zchut adds: "Devourspeaks to the cycle of relentless self-criticism and insecurity many of us experience in relation to our bodies. Told through the horror lens, I explore the pressure to constantly strive for physical perfection that passes from one generation to the next. In collaboration with the endlessly talented Leila Leiz, and the support of the entire Ghost Machine family, I'm so grateful for how this story has come together. Leila's dynamic artwork adds depth to each word, with her brilliant penciling and inking bringing the characters to life. Every element is further enhanced with phenomenal color by Alex Sinclair. And to top it off we are so fortunate to have none other than legends Ivan Reis and Gary Frank crafting outstanding cover art for the book. I'm so excited to finally share Devour with the world!"

Leiz says, "When I read Devour for the first time, I immediately knew that it was a story that I wanted to draw, not only because it's a horror story, but because the theme of obsessive dieting is something that every woman can relate to on some level. Thinner is my favorite horror film. Maytal's rich and diverse writing style treats this complex subject matter with great maturity and sensitivity, which made me rediscover the joy of drawing all over again - and Alex Sinclair's coloring is the cherry on the top. We are surrounded by an amazing team at Ghost Machine, full of talent and passion. That is what makes make this adventure an absolute delight. This is a funny, captivating and really intense story and readers will want to devour the book leaving them with bittersweet taste."

Hyde Street #1 goes on sale on October 2nd. It Happened on Hyde Street: Devour #1 goes on sale October 30th.

The Marvel vs. Capcom series makes for a unique mashup of superpowered heroes, villains, and everyone in between, but it's been awhile since we've gotten a new game in the series. The last game in the series, for example, was Marvel vs: Capcom: Infinite which came out back in 2017 with only an upcoming collection of some of the older games announced since then. The lack of any new Marvel vs. Capcom news hasn't stopped Deadpool himself, however, from dropping a reference to the fictitious Marvel vs. Capcom 4, a game which is one that the fighting game community has been hopeful for over the years.

This Marvel vs. Capcom 4 reference from Deadpool comes courtesy of not the upcoming movie, Deadpool & Wolverine, and is instead found in the latest issue of the current Deadpool comic from writer Cody Ziglar. Deadpool #4 which released on July 3rd features a moment where Deadpool is engaged in an acrobatic shootout. He flips through the air, guns blasting the whole way, before ending up upside down.

Once the smoke clears, Deadpool comments on his high-flying move and says "They should put that move in Marvel vs Capcom 4." The page in question featuring that delivery can be seen below courtesy of Deadpool #4.

Of course, anyone who follows these fighting games and has been hoping for any news regarding new entries in the Marvel vs. Capcom series will know that there's no such thing as Marvel vs. Capcom 4, at least not in any official capacity. Rumors and supposed leaks have tried to say in the past that Marvel vs. Capcom 4 was in development, and it very well might be, but Deadpool's just dropping a cheeky, fourth wall-breaking reference here.

Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite is technically the fourth mainline entry in the series since it followed Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, though it's obviously named differently, so we still haven't gotten a Marvel vs. Capcom 4. There is at least something to look forward to, however, with Capcom announcing earlier this year the release of the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics collection. This release will include Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes and Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes as well as The Punisher, X-Men: Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes, X-Men vs. Street Fighter, and Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter.

One of the fan-favorite figures from the Marvel Cinematic Universe is back from the dead in the comics. The Marvel Universe and the MCU are separate entities, though it's not uncommon to see one influence the other. A major example of this happened when Clark Gregg's Phil Coulson joined a Black Nick Fury in the comics. Agent Coulson died in the MCU and comics, though the MCU brought him back as a central part of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. And now we've reached the point where Agent Phil Coulson's comics return has arrived as well.

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Thanos Annual #1. Continue reading at your own risk!

Thanos Annual #1 comes from the creative team of Derek Landy, Salvador Larroca, Guru-eFX, and VC's Cory Petit, with a backup story by Landy, Sara Pichelli, Mattia Iacono, and VC's Travis Lanham. It kicks off the new "Infinity Watch" crossover that's taking place across Marvel Annuals this summer. It's Thanos Annual's backup story titled "The Death Stone Saga" we're concerned with today. It picks up immediately following the events in the main story in the Thanos Annual, with the new Death Stone leaving Thanos to seek out a human host.

Nighthawk is hot on the trail of the Death Stone, tracking it to a cemetery in Wisconsin using an Infinity Stone scanner. He's confused about there being a new Infinity Stone when there's only been six in existence. When Nighthawk reaches out to grab the stone, it zaps him with a bolt of energy and begins to transform, bringing a skeleton out of its grave and reanimating it. Once the Death Stone enters the chest of the skeleton, it begins forming skin and hair until it takes on the form of the formerly dead Agent Coulson. His gravestone reads, "RIP Phillip 'Cheese' Coulson. He loved heroes and was one."

How did Agent Coulson die in the Marvel Comics Universe?

Whereas Loki killed Phil Coulson in The Avengers, his comic book counterpart met an untimely fate ahead of Marvel's Secret Empire. The event featured a Hydra-influenced version of Captain America attempting to take over the world. Agent Coulson started to distrust Cap, and when our evil Captain America learned of Coulson's snooping, he ordered Deadpool to kill him. Even though Coulson and Deadpool were best buds, Deadpool was loyal to Cap and followed through on those orders.

Coulson also returned during Jason Aaron's tenure on Avengers, serving as a liaison for Mephisto's Squadron Supreme. During the second Heroes Reborn event, Mephisto banished Coulson inside an artifact called the Pandemonium Cube.

What is Marvel's Infinity Watch about?

"Infinity Watch" spans nine annuals this summer and is spearheaded by writer Derek Landy (Captain America/Iron Man). In addition to writing key chapters of the event, Landy will team up with artist Sara Pichelli on backup stories in each of the nine annuals that follow the creation and pursuit of the mysterious Death Stone-bearer who will be revealed in Thanos Annual #1. "The saga will follow up on previous Infinity Stone stories with the return of recent bearers including Star, Overtime, Prince of Power, Quantum, and Multitude, as well as introduce you to the new Mind Stone-Bearer, Worldmind, for the first time!" Marvel's press release reads. "As they deal with their god-like powers and mistrust from their peers, Thanos, fresh off his own dramatic transformation in Christopher Cantwell's recent Thanos limited series, begins a bloody march to claim his dark destiny once more."

"When you write for Marvel, it's all you can hope for to add your thread to the massive tapestry of stories that has been unfolding since 1961," Landy said. "To be asked, then, to spearhead this next chapter is a prospect beyond my paltry imagination. I get to work on characters I've never written before -- Thanos! Hulk! -- and drag them into the story beside the new generation of heroes like Ms. Marvel and Spider-Boy. Thankfully, there is absolutely no pressure because comic fans are a notoriously easy-going bunch who are prepared to forgive if--oh dear God."

There were a number of intriguing twists and turns throughout DC's Absolute Power, but one of the biggest surprises was a key betrayal from a former ally, making the heroes' defeat at the hands of Amanda Waller even more brutal. Spoilers are incoming regarding Absolute Power #1, so if you haven't read the issue you've been warned. Later in the issue, DC's heroes are already reeling from Waller's A.I. and Amazo assault, but things get even worse when Batman learns that Green Arrow is working with Waller on this whole operation. Oliver Queen then reveals to Batman that all of their possible avenues of escape have been cut off, twisting the knife even further.

A Painful Betrayal

As Batman and Robin try to communicate with the other separated heroes on a supposedly hidden frequency, someone interrupts and says "incorrect Bats". Batman recognizes the voice and asks Green Arrow if he's injured and where he is, and that leads to Oliver revealing that he's "on the right side of history." He then goes on to explain that he's been warning them about something like this for a long time, saying that "us humans don't appreciate being looked down on", but adding that they never listened to him.

"I'm sorry, I really am, but I've been warning all you super-folks for a long time that us humans don't appreciate being looked down on. And you wouldn't listen to me. Sure you're great at capping volcanoes...but fixing society's real problems? Actually empowering the powerless? Effecting actual change? You get an 'F'for effort," Queen says. Batman says, "Arrow, you're talking nonsense! You're one of us!" Queen replies, "Not anymore. I'm on Team Waller now. And we're coming for you."

The Full Plan

It's then revealed that this is just one part of an orchestrated plan by Waller to take down superheroes by taking the powers that make them super in the first place, and what better way to help make that happen than to recruit one of their longtime allies? It's then revealed that Waller has teamed up with the Brainiac Queen and Failsafe to create and upgrade an army of Amazo androids designed to take away the powers of their foes, and they manage to do just that once unleashed on the heroes they encounter.

Waller then reveals that, unlike previous confrontations with Amazos, there is no return function for those powers, meaning that effectively their powers are gone forever. Waller's forces have also found ways to absorb energy from technology and devices, and have also found a way to disrupt magic users by making them forget how to cast. They've also sealed off space thanks to the United Planets and have sealed off the time stream and micro-verse, so there appears to be nowhere to run for those left.

What did you think of Absolute Power #1? You can talk all things comics with me on Threads, Twitter, and Instagram @mattaguilarcb!

Jeff the Land Shark is about to be the next victim of Venom War. The symbiote-fueled event of 2024 will pit father vs. son, as Eddie and Dylan Brock go to war over who is the one, true Lethal Protector. Venom War will stretch its tendrils across the Marvel Universe, with several miniseries and tie-ins already announced. Marvel isn't limiting Venom War to just Earth's Mightiest Heroes, however, as Marvel's goodest boy Jeff the Land Shark joins the festivities. Fans have witnessed Jeff the Land Shark's adventures in the Infinity Comics on Marvel Unlimited, but his next big quest takes place inside the Venom War event.

ComicBook can exclusively reveal Venom War: It's Jeff #1 by writer Kelly Thompson and artist Gurihiru. The fan-favorite creative team is behind It's Jeff's hit Infinity Comic, and according to Thompson, they're excited to continue their collaboration while getting to work with some surprising guest stars.

"It's pure joy to work with Gurihiru on anything, and our It's Jeff collaborations are always extra fun," Thompson said in a statement. "But I confess that getting the chance to tell a longer and more complex story -- with an all-star supporting cast in Kate Bishop, Gwenpool, and American Chavez -- was an unexpected treat. And seeing another side of Jeff in this story as we do, felt like a really fun expansion of the character."

What is Venom War: It's Jeff #1 about?

The description for Venom War: It's Jeff #1 reads, "WHAT'S EATING JEFF...AND WHAT'S JEFF EATING?!? That's right--the crossover event of the summer finally reaches the real star of Marvel Comics--Jeff the Land Shark! When Jeff's night of fun is interrupted by the madness of the Venom War, is Marvel's goodest boy going to be able to keep his cool? Or...will he give in to the symbiote's temptations and EAT SOMEONE'S BRAINS?!?! The team behind the hit Infinity Comic brings us an over-sized all-new tale of the world's cutest predator!"

The cover by Gurihiru features Jeff sitting by a mirror on the floor, looking at different superhero costumes to try on. In Jeff's fins are Spider-Man's costume, and we can see costumes for Captain America, Wolverine, Deadpool, the Fantastic Four, Captain Marvel, Thor, Gwenpool, and Black Panther. However, lurking behind Jeff is a Venom symbiote ready to devour our favorite shark.

What is Marvel's Venom War about?

"LAST VENOM STANDING! The Venom Symbiote has bonded with both Eddie Brock and his son Dylan at different points. Now both Brocks are going head-to-head, determined to be the one, true Venom!" Marvel's description of Venom War reads. "Father versus son in a showdown of showdowns that threatens to tear the world asunder! From heavyweight talent champions Ewing and Coello comes a Battle for the 'Biote like you've never seen!"

"This is what we've been building to since the start of this wild and way-out symbiote odyssey - the fateful confrontation between father and son!" Venom writer Al Ewing explained. "Where better to have it than inside the squared circle? And who better to bring this all-action epic to the page with than my old buddy Iban Coello? I'm tellin' ya, goo believer -- this is vehemently varied Venom violence like never viewed, and only one host can wear the symbiote when the dust settles! Who's it gonna be?"

The intergalactic Nova Corps can now add Wolverine to its list of esteemed members. While Logan is famously known as one of the most popular members of the X-Men, he's also been an Avenger alongside Spider-Man when Brian Michael Bendis rebooted Earth's Mightiest Heroes. As for Nova, some of the mantle's most popular characters are Richard Rider and Sam Alexander. But one good thing about alternate timelines is they allow creators to examine characters under a different lens, and that's what is taking place with Marvel's 2099 future timeline. The latest event brings back the Annihilation title while also giving Wolverine a new moniker and mission statement.

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Annihilation 2099 #1. Continue reading at your own risk.

Annihilation 2099 #1 comes from the creative team of Steve Orlando, Ibraim Roberson, Neeraj Menon, Dale Eaglesham, Ra?l Angulo, and VC's Cory Petit. The issue doesn't really hide the fact that Wolverine is playing the part of Nova 2099, with his internal dialogue referencing a healing factor and his general physical appearance. Logan is the last Nova Corpsman in the cosmos, with the full power of the Nova Force at his disposal. And he is forced to use it against a gang of Knull followers.

The outlaws ride into a city feasting on the innocent citizens until Wolverine steps in. Just as it looks like they'd killed Wolverine, his healing factor kicks in and he uses his Adamantium claws to slice the head off the Knull set's leader, Murk. Logan then uses the Nova Force to obliterate the remaining symbiotes. Instead of sticking around for congratulations from one of the local bartenders, Wolverine as Nova flies off to continue roaming the stars.

How did Wolverine become Nova?

While the logistics of why Wolverine ended up on Xandar are blurry, we do know it involved losing an eye and an arm in a fight with Hulks. The wounds Wolverine suffered weren't healing, and the Nova Corps said they'd help. The galactic police force was starting a new program that infused living cells with the Nova Force, and Logan was their first lab rat. Instead of merely having 37 trillion cells in his body, Wolverine had 37 trillion tiny suns under his skin.

Before they could get to Phase Two, exo-parasites attacked Xandar looking to feast on the Nova Force. The exo-parasites infected every single person on Xandar except for Wolverine, who was forced to kill them before the alien infection spread across the galaxy. Wolverine carries the weight of his actions, and it's reminiscent of how Old Man Logan mistakenly murdered the X-Men due to the machinations of Mysterio.

Wolverine teams up with Deadpool on the big screen this summer

In Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) will change the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). The film also stars Matthew Macfadyen as Paradox, and Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova, with the return of Deadpool alums Morena Baccarin as Vanessa Carlysle, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, Karan Soni as Dopinder, Stefan Kapi?i? as Piotr Rasputin/Colossus, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Rob Delaney as Peter, and Lewis Tan as Shatterstar. Aaron Stanford is returning as Pyro from the X-Men film series, with Jennifer Garner rumored to return as Elektra Natchios.

Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D'Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, George Dewey and Simon Kinberg serving as executive producers. Deadpool & Wolverine is written by Ryan Reynolds & Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick & Zeb Wells & Shawn Levy. Deadpool & Wolverine will be released exclusively in theaters on July 26th.

Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, are promoting their upcoming G.I. Joe comic book series with a "Choose Your Side" initiative. The initiative will offer readers a chance to see their names in the pages of the all-new ongoing series G.I. Joe #1, by publicly declaring their loyalty to either G.I. Joe or Cobra. At least some participants will be featured alongside other Insiders in the series' house ads. The "Choose your side" gamification mirrors what Hasbro and Skybound recently did with a G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero reprint omnibus that they funded through Kickstarter.

Readers can pledge their affiliation by submitting a photo of themselves, along with their stated allegiance, to the "Choose Your Side" page on the Skybound Insiders website here.

"Choose Your Side is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of G.I. JOE history and our way of thanking all the amazing fans who have made the Energon Universe the hottest line of comics in the industry," said Arune Singh, VP Brand, Editorial, Skybound Entertainment. "So many fans - including all of us at Skybound - dreamt of having our names in our favorite comics and it's exciting to go one step further by giving Skybound Insiders a chance to see their faces side-by-side fellow members in the biggest new comic book launch of the year!"

"Fans are at the cornerstone of the G.I. Joe brand, and "Choose Your Side" is our way of thanking them for their relentless passion," said Alyse D'Antuono, Vice President, Global Brand Strategy & Management, Action Brands at Hasbro. "We also owe our thanks to our talented and creative partners at Skybound for shining a well-deserved light on our most dedicated fanbase and expanding G.I. JOE's immersive storytelling world. We can't wait to see this special issue unfold."

According to Skybound, every eligible submission will be included once in an issue of G.I. Joe, beginning with the series' launch in November. The ads will run until every eligible submission has been featured. The photo submission portal on Skybound Insiders is open now, and will close on September 8, 2024. To be eligible, users must have a verified Skybound Insiders account, and be 18+ and a legal resident of the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada (excluding Quebec).

Here's the official synopsis for the series:

From the superstar creative team of writer Joshua Williamson (Duke, Cobra Commander), artist Tom Reilly (Duke) and colorist Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33), the biggest comic book launch of the decade will introduce a bold new vision of G.I. Joe and Cobra to the Energon Universe in G.I. Joe #1 on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

Conrad Hauser, Codename Duke, has assembled a special force known as G.I. Joe to battle the rising power of the mysterious COBRA in the aftermath of the Autobots and Decepticons' arrival on Earth. But the enigmatic Cobra Commander has unleashed the power of Energon like never before! Featuring the First Appearance of an ALL-NEW character and many familiar faces, this is the comic that will change everything you think you know about G.I. Joe...and that's only half the surprises in store!

G.I. Joe will become another tentpole of the Energon Universe, the crown jewel of the historic collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, who has introduced a brand-new era of the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises in one shared comic book universe. Fans should expect can't-miss moments from every issue of the Energon Universe, as secrets are unveiled along the path to answering the BIG questions from some of the biggest franchises in comics today.

G.I. Joe #1 will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

DC's long-awaited Absolute Power is finally here, and it did not disappoint. There's a lot to break down regarding the issue, and the first one up to bat is how Amanda Waller hit DC's heroes in a way they never expected. Spoilers are incoming for Absolute Power #1, so if you haven't read the issue yet you've been warned. Early on Amanda Waller reveals her assembled team of Queen Brainiac and Failsafe, and how they have together created Task Force VII. Task Force VII is the key to their plans, as they are designed after the former Justice League's power set, and since they are Amazos, they also have the ability to absorb the heroes' powers but have been given an upgrade. Waller takes away the very powers that make them superhuman, and the biggest reveal is that there's no way to get them back.

Superpowered No More

Working with Failsafe and the Brainiac Queen, Waller creates an army of Amazos that are able to steal away powers, and we see that happen with Superman, Connor, and Jonathan, as they all lose their powers and fall back to Earth. We also see the Justice Society of America affected as well as Aquaman and Doom Patrol. Mister Terrific, the Flash Family, and Wonder Woman are all confronted by this new army, and many are having their powers drained throughout the issue, though Waller isn't stopping there.

Not only is she taking powers, but she is also targeting other abilities and skill sets to complete her takeover. Task Force VII has been designed to take powers but also have the ability to drain devices, and we see that happen with Doctor Fate, who is having his helmet drained of its magical abilities. Speaking of magic, that isn't available either, as Waller reveals those who use magic will no longer remember how to conjure it, and that is presented through the disappearance of Spectre.

It's also revealed that Waller has sealed away the timestream and the micro-verse, so there's no escaping there either, but one more gut punch awaits the former Justice League. Waller says that unlike previous Amazos, these are completely new designs with new technology, so even if they manage to defeat them, there is no return mechanism for their powers. Their powers are never coming back, and that's where the issue ends.

New Readers Welcome

While the series does pull from those other books, those who haven't been keeping up with those other stories shouldn't hesitate to jump right into this. "A little bit, but I think we do a pretty good job making sure everything's in context and making sure everyone knows, and we spell out for new readers," Wait said. "Even if you haven't been reading DC comics for a couple of years, by the time you get to page eight or nine or whatever, I think you get a pretty good sense of what's at stake, who the players are, and what they want. So I would encourage you, even if you are a casual DC fan, not inclined to pick up everything, I think this is something that will scratch every itch."

What Is Absolute Power About?

"THE HEROES OF THE DC UNIVERSE ARE POWERLESS! THE TRINITY OF EVIL HAS WON! ...THE RESISTANCE MUST RISE! DC's epic summer event kicks off with a bang, as the combined might of FAILSAFE and the BRAINIAC QUEEN has at last given Amanda Waller the ability to steal the metahuman abilities of every hero and villain on planet Earth. As chaos erupts in the streets and a massive misinformation campaign sways public opinion to her side, the founder of the Suicide Squad methodically targets each superhero dynasty one at a time, starting with SUPERMAN. But even in this darkest of hours, a resistance is forming... and BATMAN is out for vengeance. It's a shocking blitzkrieg across the globe that is decades in the making - and will shape the course of the DC Universe for years to come! Brought to you by the superstar talents of MARK WAID and DAN MORA - it all starts here!"

What did you think of Absolute Power #1? You can talk all things comics with me on Threads and Twitter @mattaguilarcb!

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Absolute Power #1.] "Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound" no more: Superman is powerless. After weaponizing artificial intelligence to discredit superheroes using AI-generated deepfake videos, Amanda Waller -- head of the government's Bureau of Sovereignty -- wielded her unchecked powers to steal the superpowers of metahuman heroes and villains alike.

DC had been teasing that Absolute Power, from Batman/Superman: World's Finest creative team Mark Waid and Dan Mora, would depower the DC Universe's superheroes for the crossover event spanning a four-issue series (and tie-ins with ongoing runs of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, and Green Lantern). And in this week's issue, titled "Powerless," Waller -- with Failsafe, the Brainiac Queen, and Task Force VII, her own "Justice League" of power-stealing Amazo androids -- did just that.

As "The Wall" launched the blitzkrieg that stripped superheroes of their powers, the now-mortal Man of Steel lost his invulnerability to bullets just as Superman was shot by a panicked criminal's gun. Superboy and Jon Kent were nearby to rush the critically wounded Superman to a hospital, but they then lost their powers mid-flight. The issue ended with the depowered Superman bleeding out and the world's superheroes powerless to stop Waller's literal power grab.

The Absolute Power cliffhanger was resolved in a backup story in Batman #150 (written by Chip Zdarsky and drawn by Mike Hawthorne, also on stands Wednesday). The oversized milestone issue picks up where Absolute Power #1 left off: with the Dark Knight determined to stop Failsafe, the "uber-Batman" robot controlled by Bruce Wayne's backup personality, the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh.

Batman went to Titans Tower in Bl?dhaven in hopes that Cyborg could disable Waller's Task Force VII, only to find that Waller infected him with a virus. Cyborg revealed that Waller's power source is a Mother Box, a dangerous Apokolips-made supercomputer that Batman plans to steal with help from a thief: Catwoman.

There were two more revelations. First, the Flash is one of the only heroes who hasn't lost his powers, which he's used to stay on the move at super speed. Second, Superman survived with the help of Mr. Terrific, and he's recuperating in the silver-and-black Superman suit the Kryptonian wore when recovering in his return from the dead after The Death of Superman.

But Superman isn't the only powerless superhero getting a new look in coming issues of Absolute Power. Solicitations for future issues reveal that the Batman-led resistance -- including Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter -- armor up for their fight against the Trinity of Evil and their super-powered Task Force VII.

"The biggest thing was I wanted to create a real sense of peril and drama without endangering the universe," Waid told ComicBook in an exclusive interview. "Because those crossovers have been great, but it's not my wheelhouse exactly to do the big cosmic stories. So that was goal number one. Then I started thinking about it, and, 'What is the worst thing that you can do to these characters? What great sense of loss can you imprint upon universally all of them?' It's not just a matter of taking away their loved ones or their friends, because some of them have loved ones, some of them don't, or whatever. What's the one thing universally across the board you can do? And that's to make them stop being superheroes."

Absolute Power is the culmination of a story that has been building in of recent issues of DC's comics -- including Batman's "Dark Prisons" arc and Superman's "House of Brainiac" -- and 2022's Dark Crisis and 2023's Beast World consequential events.

Paying off those story threads "wasn't the challenging part, because a lot of that, especially in the case of the Titans, for instance, they were laying the groundwork [in Beast World]," Waid added. "For Flash, same thing -- laying the groundwork for Amanda Waller taking bigger swings. So that wasn't really an issue. Brainiac Queen being the third leg of the Trinity of Evil made perfect sense to us because she's able to bring something that Failsafe and Waller can't to the table."

As for more casual fans coming to DC's blockbuster event that started with a bang, Waid said readers immediately "get a pretty good sense of what's at stake, who the players are, and what they want. So I would encourage you, even if you are a casual DC fan, not inclined to pick up everything, I think this is something that will scratch every itch."

An upcoming Spider-Man story arc teases death for the wall-crawler. Writer Zeb Wells and artist John Romita Jr. are nearing the end of their run on The Amazing Spider-Man, so that means it's time for Marvel Comics to start marketing what's to follow. Readers have witnessed Mary Jane Watson start a new relationship with Paul, Norman Osborn take on a heroic identity as the Gold Goblin, Ben Reilly's transformation into the villainous Chasm, Ms. Marvel's death and resurrection, a Gang War, and much more. But now, the Grim Reaper is coming for the Spider-Man Family.

Marvel released a teaser for "The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man," a 10-issue arc launching this fall in Amazing Spider-Man that takes place following the end of Zeb Wells' run on the title. We also gained details on the creative team for "The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man." Per the Marvel press release, "Following Zeb Wells' landmark run, writer Joe Kelly and Justina Ireland alongside artists Ed McGuinness and Gleb Melnikov bring you a new Spidey epic titled THE 8 DEATHS OF SPIDER-MAN. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information on this 10-issue arc launching this fall!"

The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man teaser art revealed

The artwork for "The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man" features a red-stained sky with eight gravestones marked in the ground. Of course, these gravestones could signify the deaths of eight individuals in Peter Parker / Spider-Man's life. The web-slinger has worked hard to make it so he doesn't suffer any more losses, after being plagued by the tragic losses of Uncle Ben, Gwen Stacy, and many others.

There is also the controversial "Spider-Man: One More Day" story arc that saw Spider-Man make a deal with Mephisto to save the life of Aunt May. In return, Spider-Man had to give up his marriage to Mary Jane. In this scenario, Peter traded his marriage for Aunt May's safety.

What is Zeb Wells' final Spider-Man story about?

Marvel released teaser art for Amazing Spider-Man #58, which begins the final showdown with Tombstone. "Tombstone's revenge! Spanning multiple issues, Spidey's most brutal battle begins in Amazing Spider-Man #58," the press release reads. "Hitting stands in September, the visceral issue will kick off the climactic final arc of Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr.'s epic run!" The art by John Romita Jr. shows Spider-Man perching on a building in a pouring thunderstorm, with rain falling all across his costume. Fans may be wondering why Tombstone is the chosen villain to end this era of Spider-Man comics, but Wells has been setting this up ever since he helped relaunch Amazing Spider-Man.

The Krakoan Age of mutantkind is over -- but from the ashes comes a new era of the Uncanny X-Men. There's a new leader (Rogue), a new team (Wolverine, Jubilee, Gambit, and Nightcrawler), a new status quo (Professor X is Inmate X, and the X-Men are outlaws), a new home (in Louisiana, after Xavier's school was transformed into Graymalkin Prison), and a new creative team (DC's Wonder Woman writer Gail Simone and Avengers artist David Marquez).

Marvel on Wednesday revealed the trailer for the upcoming relaunch of Uncanny X-Men, the second of three flagship X-titles set in the all-new From the Ashes era (along with Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman's X-Men in July and Eve L. Ewing and Carmen Carnero's Exceptional X-Men in September). Uncanny X-Men #1 goes on sale August 7th with a lineup of variant covers from superstar artists Jim Lee (X-Men), Leinil Francis Yu (Wolverine), Andy Kubert (Ultimate X-Men), and more.

The official synopsis states, "With Professor X gone and his school transformed into a nightmare reflection of itself, the series sees Rogue step up to be the pillar of Xavier's dream alongside Wolverine, Gambit, Nightcrawler, and Jubilee. From their new base of operations in New Orleans, the Uncanny X-Men are back to being the outlaw heroes the world hates and fears -- and the light in the darkness for mutants everywhere! Mutantkind made a big statement with Krakoa, and now, life is harder for them than ever before, but Rogue's X-Men will be there to welcome mutants to their newfound family.

"A core group of essential X-Men rise From the Ashes to face a world without a home -- and without Professor X! All bonds among the mutant community seem to be slipping away, and Rogue reluctantly finds herself as the hero designated to bring them back together... but a fearless, malignant power is out there hunting mutants, and it has a terrible secret that may destroy what remains of the X-Men."

"The X-Men are fractured in the aftermath of the end of Krakoa, scattered across the globe without a central base of operation," Marvel Comics VP Executive Editor Tom Brevoort said when announcing the next X-Men era. "What that means in practice is that all three titles carrying the name X-Men are core X-Men series-they all center around one of the major aspects of what the team has been about at different points. This is very much by design. We want to field a wide assortment of X-titles with different styles and tones and approaches, an X-Men book for virtually any taste."

X-Men #1 is on stands July 10th, followed by Uncanny X-Men #1 on August 7th and Exceptional X-Men #1 on September 4th.

Dark Horse has announced a second collection of Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins graphic novels. ComicBook can exclusively announced that Dark Horse Comics will release a second and final volume of Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins Library Edition, a collection of several graphic novels detailing the origins of The Mighty Nein. The new Library Edition will collect the origin stories of Mollymauk Tealeaf, Beauregard Lionett, Fjord Stone, and Caduceus Clay. Each Mighty Nein Origins graphic novel's creative team includes both Matthew Mercer (the DM of Critical Role) and the cast member who played that character, along with a host of talented writers, artists, colorists, and letterers. Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins Library Edition Volume 2 will be available in bookstores on December 3rd and in comic shops on December 4th.

You can check out the new cover for the collection, by Robynn Frauhn, down below.

Dark Horse has an extensive Critical Role comics line that includes The Mighty Nein Origins graphic novel collection, a series of Vox Machina Origins miniseries detailing the pre-stream origins of the popular Vox Machina adventuring group, and a Tales of Exandria miniseries that explores further tales about various Critical Role side characters.

In addition to the new Library Edition, Critical Role has a busy rest of the year planned. The show's popular Exandria Unlimited miniseries will return this month in place of weekly Critical Role episodes and the third season of The Legend of Vox Machina is due out later this year.

The following stories appear in Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins Library Edition Volume 2:

? Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins--Mollymauk Tealeaf by Matthew Mercer, Taliesin Jaffe, Jody Houser, Hunter Severin Bonyun, Cathy Le, and Ariana Maher.

? Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins--Beauregard Lionett by Mae Catt, Marisha Ray, Matthew Mercer, Guilherme Balbi, Diana Sousa, and Ariana Maher.

? Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins--Fjord Stone by Chris "Doc" Wyatt, Kevin Burke, Travis Willingham, Matthew Mercer, Selina Espiritu, Diana Sousa, and Ariana Maher.

? Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins--Caduceus Clay by Taliesin Jaffe, Matthew Mercer, Kendra Wells, Selina Espiritu, Eren Angolini, and Ariana Maher.

Savage Dragon #271, in stores today, feels like an event book, except that nobody is really at risk of dying and there's no big, cosmic threat. But it cuts back and forth between plot threads led by Malcolm Dragon, Maxine Dragon, their kids, and Malcolm's half-sister Angel Murphy. Each one has some very plot-relevant stuff going on and, at one point, three of the four stories are all engaged in different fights, with Larsen cutting back and forth between them -- one of which is likely to raise some hackles, as it continues the theme of Mickey Mouse being a serial sexual abuser.

That particular aspect of Mickey -- played here as a Hollywood legend who can't accept no for an answer -- was based on his personality in Plane Crazy, the second and less famous of the Disney/Mickey cartoons to enter the public domain in January. In it, Minnie Mouse made her first appearance, with Mickey relentlessly pursuing her romantically despite her repeated rejections.

"He was a real creep to begin with," Larsen told us in June. "That was the state of entertainment at the time. Skirt chasers were something of a staple back in the early days. That sort of thing was prevalent for decades in comics and cartoons. Nobody stopped to think about how terrifying it was for the poor woman being doggedly pursued."

Larsen joined ComicBook to talk about Savage Dragon #271, but the interview is spoiler-filled, so head to your local comic shop or pick up Savage Dragon #271 on a digital reading platform before you continue.

This is maybe the most fast-paced action we've had in a while, but it's all fairly low-danger. There's never really a sense that Malcolm, Maxine, or the kids are going to get hurt on their adventures. Did you just feel like you wanted to speed up the pace a little bit?

There was a lot to cover. As is often the case, whatever plans I may have had when I wrote solicitation copy have fallen by the wayside in favor of whatever base impulses I had at the moment I was sitting at the drawing board.

Initially, I had hoped to have wrapped up #270 and not have it spill directly over into the next issue but the closer I got to the end of the issue it became clear that I just couldn't wrap it up satisfactorily.

I tossed in Alpha Male at the last minute so that this issue wasn't Malcolm vs. Mickey Mouse. That seemed too small and in that case, it would make Malcolm seem like too much of a bully. I wasn't really expecting it to fill up the entire next issue!

I love how the Angel/Glum reveal played out. Was it always the plan to have it be a fairly short-term mystery? I assume the full story will play out over a longer term.

It seemed kind of ridiculous to not have her figure it out at this point. Not with all of the evidence in front of her. Sometimes I just set characters in motion and sit back and watch how things unfold, and this was one of those. I have some nebulous idea of where this is all headed, but that could change if a better idea comes along. Sometimes it's nice to have a wildcard to contend with.

Given that Dragon still ended up serving a bunch of years for stuff that happened while Kurr was in his body, does Frank still have a long road ahead? Or is it different because Dragon's body made him an obvious danger to society even after the villain was gone?

We'll have to wait and see how this all plays out. There are a number of ways I can go here and I'm weighing multiple options. Surely, if word got out that it was Mr. Glum's mind in Frank's body that there would be a lot more charges being thrown at him. Mr. Glum did take over the world, after all.

Does Paul have security clearance to be able to "make an exception" for Walter? I guess I forgot he was officially SOS.

I suppose so. I'm supposing there was something of a time jump in #270 from where Angel suggested contacting Paul to Paul fighting by Malcolm's side. I would suppose there was something of a process necessary to get him onboard.

Is Mickey subject to rules of cartoon violence? Like, is he really not feeling it that much when Maxine beats his ass?

Yeah -- he's pretty much invulnerable. The stars indicate some level of pain but he's clearly not a bruised, bloody mess after taking a rock to his head, so he's able to roll with whatever she's throwing at him and I would imagine that it was somewhat cathartic to be able to really let him have it, especially after he popped her one.

I'm really glad to see our pseudo Alex Jones getting wiped out. I don't think I would have had much patience for that guy. But should we worry about yet another powerful suit of armor out there in the middle of this mess? Or am I just paranoid because we started these interviews back when Flash Mercury was in the Overlord suit?

Super suits are a thing in this world and anybody could conceivably get one if they have to scratch to get one built. I don't plan on this particular suit getting passed around like a reefer at a summer camp the way Overlord's armor was. But it's not impossible that we might see others have something built for them.

Who were those first two people who kicked Mickey before Minnie came along? Just good Samaritans, or was it Malcolm?

They were good samaritans. Malcolm's wearing shorts. People don't always jump into the fray like that, of course, but given just how crazily that rascally rodent was acting, and how vulnerable Maxine was, it didn't seem too hard to imagine passersby stepping in to lend a hand.

I love seeing Paul and Alex with the kids. It almost feels like a different book sometimes, though. Is that ever something you have to work around in terms of making a particularly jarring segue?

I don't mind a jarring segue. At least then there's no confusion as to where we are and what we're looking at. The more awkward transitions are cases where scenes are too similar and the reader is confused.

Here, we were shuffling back and forth between Angel talking to Frank/Glum in jail, Glum/Frank and Little Angel in Dimension-X, Malcolm and the Bay Guardian battling the Alpha Male at the Bay to Breakers, Maxine fighting the vengeful vermin at Bay to Breakers and Paul and the kids together with Walter at the Bay Bridge and later at home with Alex. That's a lot of plates to keep up in the air.

Reign 2 picks up with Wilson Fisk having emerged from the rubble of the Empire State Building to become a tyrant king of Manhattan. The entire world outside the island has completely collapsed and those who remain under Kingpin's rule appear to be the only living beings on the planet. Meanwhile, Peter has essentially been living in the Matrix. He begins the issue hooked up to a machine, living inside his imagination with a still-breathing Mary Jane.

Much to Peter's dismay, he's awoken by a young vigilante known as Kitty-Kat, who was hired to bring him back to the real world so he can save it. Somehow, things only get more unhinged from there.

Unlike the original Reign, its sequel doesn't seem to have anything original to bring to an older Peter. He's just a man filled with regret, hoping to slowly die in a fantasy world of his own creation. This Peter is stuck in the past and there's really nothing new about that, which makes the big hook of the series that much more frustrating. Rather than dealing with the future he fears so much, Peter is returning to the past once again.

The time travel element that will likely influence the rest of the series appears to be taking away from perhaps the best idea Reign 2 had going for it. This seemingly hopeless future, where the people of New York face an almost certain apocalypse while under the thumb of a tyrant is devastatingly relevant in 2024. There's a layer of reliance on technology that also seems worth exploring. But both of these creative concepts are being undercut by nonsensical narrative choices as Reign 2 barrels toward its second issue.

The character designs in this series are bound to be as controversial as the story itself. Kingpin is grotesque and often hard to look at, but not in a cool, horror movie creature sort of way. His entire aesthetic is simply off-putting. And then there's Spider-Man himself, an old man with a long white beard flowing out of the bottom of his mask. With the randomly zany expressions on his face and that spindly frame, Peter spends much of this issue looking a lot like Jafar's elderly alter-ego in Aladdin.

Reign 2's final pages make a grand villainous reveal that I'm not keen on spoiling here, but it's hard to envision a future in which that twist brings anything but mess and frustration. I'd be happy to be proven wrong on this count, but I'm just not sure how that character in that role can possibly work.

Spider-Man: Reign is a strange exploration of Spider-Man that, despite a couple of strong ideas, continues to worsen with time. Reign 2 feels like a whole lot of the same.

Published by Marvel Comics

On July 3, 2024

Written by Kaare Andrews

Art by Kaare Andrews

Colors by Kaare Andrews and Brian Reber

Letters by Joe Caramagna

Cover by Kaare Andrews

What makes the Free Agents stand apart from their numerous crime-fighting brethren? To start, the superheroes known as Salvo, Pike, Katari, Shakti, Ridge, Maraud, and Chalice might be in the nebulous Image universe, but they are also a long way from home. Rather than starting their adventures in the same world as Al Simmons and Mark Grayson, the Free Agents find themselves stranded after fighting against countless battles across the multiverse. Unfortunately, they are no longer able to find their way home, and while they have established new lives on Earth, old threats may drag them back to the fight.

No comic reader will debate that the superhero genre is already a jam-packed one. It's difficult to create new code names for heroes and villains as almost every word in the dictionary is associated with a crime fighter and/or villain hellbent on ruling the world. Busiek and Nicieza are no strangers to creating superheroes while also tackling some of the biggest names in the business such as The Avengers. That's what makes Free Agents so disappointing in that the writing duo isn't able to truly make these characters, and their setting, compelling enough to separate them from so many other hero teams out there.

On paper, the series has a strong enough hook to reel fans in when it comes to a far-away-from-home superteam that is now trapped in protecting a world that is not its own. Unfortunately, the Free Agents have so many different characters and moving pieces that make up their world that nearly all of it gets lost in the shuffle. There's an interesting attempt to follow the main heroes in their day-to-day lives but spreading out panel time between so many characters means that readers don't have much space to get to know these characters. For an opening salvo, Free Agents #1 would have been better served focusing on a few perspectives rather than so many, or emphasizing their mundane lives or superheroics, but not both.

Swinging around to the idea of originality in pushing a new superhero team, the characters themselves simply don't have enough definition individually set themselves apart. Readers don't receive sufficient space to wrap their heads around the Free Agents' current predicament. We also don't get enough focus on each character individually, which would be fine for an opening salvo, but it doesn't feel as though there are enough compelling hooks to keep readers in their seats to want to experience what's still to come.

Stephen Mooney's artwork suffers from a lot of the problems that the overall stories does in that it feels cluttered and loses some detail that would be necessary to introduce a new superhero team to Image Comics. Normally, it's easy enough to look past some minor problems with comic book artwork but on more than one occasion in Free Agents #1, there is a lack of structure in the composition that sets the issue back. I would often find myself lost between locales and times as transitions were unclear and backgrounds lacked detail to inform readers where exactly the story was moving. While there are some strong images in the premiere's final pages, they are diamonds in the rough.

It's sad to see Free Agents stumble with its opening issue especially given the pedigree of its creators, but that's indeed what this alternate-reality superteam does. Free Agents #1 is unable to coalesce around some of its more interesting ideas, making it feel more like a missed opportunity than anything else.

Published by Image Comics

On July 3, 2024

Written by Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza

Art by Stephen Mooney

Colors by Triona Tree Farrell

Letters by Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith

Cover by Stephen Mooney and Triona Farrell

The relationship between comic books and their covers has always been fascinating to me. The better part of the past century has proved that a striking cover image can push forward ideas that revolutionize the entire industry, plague an otherwise-fine book with controversy, or falsely advertise a plot point. Amid the more than half-dozen variant covers of this week's Absolute Power #1, the beginning of DC's latest line-wide event, one provides a striking encapsulation of the story within. It's not the main cover, but Chrissie Zullo's gloriously cartoonish "Sandbox" variant cover, which shows a child version of Amanda Waller excitedly (or maniacally, depending on your interpretation) playing with dolls of the Justice League's heroes. After years of teasing Waller's grand plan to take power in the DC universe, Absolute Power #1 puts it into action in a frustrating frenzy, one that is largely saved by the fact that the title has two of the industry's best creators, Mark Waid and Dan Mora, at the helm.

Absolute Power #1 shows Waller, having acquired the talents of the maniacal Batman villain Failsafe and a newly-reborn Brainiac Queen, launching her no-holds-barred fight against the metahumans of the world. After destroying the credibility of the superhero community in the eyes of the public, Waller instigates an all-out war that will strip countless heroes of their powers and potentially reshape the DC universe as we know it. Together, heroes from across the world must form an alliance to stay alive, as even that challenge becomes increasingly impossible.

Waid is no stranger to using a DC universe-spanning threat to tap into larger cultural themes; his and Alex Ross' work on 1996's Kingdom Come is regarded to be one of the most poignant stories of that decade, if not all of modern DC, thanks in part to its dense portrait of heroism and legacy. He also is no stranger to compelling character dynamics, as exemplified everywhere from 1998's JLA: Year One to his and Mora's recent work on Batman / Superman: World's Finest. All of this does make Absolute Power #1 into a much stronger reading experience than it easily could be, one that crackles with urgency and a sense of rapport from countless characters, even as they spout frantic lines of exposition. The issue is also surprisingly relevant to our current moment, offering commentary on artificial intelligence and misinformation that is only growing more necessary by the day. Even as the issue descends into its bleakest territory, it almost presents the larger event as a fascinating puzzle, as the reader is left to wonder exactly how the superhero community can get out of this situation.

The narrative problem with Absolute Power is, arguably, one that Waid inherited from the past few years of Waller stories in DC comics, which have foregone her complex views on chaos and order in favor of a simpler nihilism. Waller has, for lack of a better term, been "Flanderized" for the sake of the larger conflict, leading her to take action in dark ways that are increasingly improbable, and coupled with an unflinching stance on why she believes she is in the right. Even if some twist is on the horizon that walks back her staunch anti-superpower beliefs, the events of Absolute Power have already done heaps of damage to her presence in DC continuity going forward. Without getting into spoilers, that same dissonance can be felt with another hero who has allied themselves with Waller, despite decades of canon evidence to suggest they hold an opposite view, although fans have already speculated that they are operating as some sort of double agent. Again, this tightrope of storytelling and potential character assassination would be much more harrowing if anyone outside of Waid was at the helm, but there's absolutely no telling at this point how these plot points will land.

Mora embraces the Herculean effort of rendering locales and characters scattered across the DC universe, effortlessly transporting the reader from one dire situation to the next. As has been the case with his work on World's Finest, it is absolutely electrifying seeing Mora's interpretations of different characters' aesthetics and physiques, whether in the throes of battle or in a fleeting quiet moment. This works wonders as the actual events of Absolute Power #1 grow more upsetting, without ever becoming too dark or gruesome to look at. Alejandro Sanchez's color work bathes the entire setting in hues that are dark, but still evoke a sense of vibrance. Ariana Maher's lettering effortlessly carries the reader through the chaos, all while delivering thematic gut punches at just the right moments.

Absolute Power #1 might be the rare comic book where the execution vastly outweighs its central concept, as Waid, Mora, and company give it their all in rendering DC's next monster event. That does not excuse the issue of its flaws, namely the grandfathered-in characterization of its central villainess, but it does prevent the event from veering towards total narrative desolation. Luckily, through various tie-ins and one-shots, we'll get plenty of chances to see if and how Absolute Power ultimately proves itself, but at least the artistry on display makes the central title interesting.

Published by DC Comics

On July 3, 2024

Written by Mark Waid

Art by Dan Mora

Colors by Alejandro Sanchez

Letters by Ariana Maher

Cover by Dan Mora

Readers need nothing more than the brief recap page summarizing the conclusion of Devil's Odyssey, in which Grendel Prime returns to a desolate Earth in the far flung future after failing to find an inhabitable alternative planet for humanity to colonize, to dive into this story. Fans of high fantasy and dystopian sci-fi alike are bound to find themselves enjoying this introduction. Centuries have passed since the crumbling empire sent Prime into space and what remains of humanity since its collapse bears more in common with medieval Europe than Prime's energy weapons. He is a stranger in a strange land and his unique perspective serves to effectively introduce readers, both new and old, to this new world order.

Prime's tour of this new Earth arrives in three phases across the first issue, laying all the groundwork required for the forthcoming defiance suggested by the title. There is an initial wasteland filled with corpses and anti-Grendel signage, then the discovery of isolated refuges still possessing electricity and dominated by "Necro Lords," and finally an encounter with serf-like peasants beyond those walls. It's a model of storytelling efficiency that lays out the setting, power structures, and conflicts to come. Even if familiarity with past Grendel stories enhances one's appreciation, the story itself is entirely accessible to any reader with a passing familiarity of fantasy tropes.

Wagner fills these pages with details. Each new splash encourages readers to parse every inch before following Prime through these distinctive settings; much of the exposition is provided through visuals, rather than endless captions. The human encampment near the issue's end reads like a less humorous MAD Magazine spread filled with unnamed characters, locales, and creatures all going about their own business. Even in the midst of desolation, humans remain active social creatures and readers get a sense of how life goes in this time through observation.

Prime proves an efficient protagonist as he primarily serves to reflect this new world, much as he did when discovering sentient species across the universe in Devil's Odyssey. He is a singularly driven and capable warrior now lost without a clear mission and reduced to essential questions of survival. This places the emphasis on understanding how this setting functions and it does not take long for Prime to discover trouble, along with a pair of more talkative companions.

The arrival of companions and a new purpose also provides Wagner an opportunity to showcase the violent sequences that have defined Grendel throughout its many variations. It's a stellar example of clarity in storytelling as every figure is carefully tracked and every action met with a consequence during a brief battle. Fast, unpredictable, and horrific - Wagner not only portrays violence well, but captures the terror accompanying it within these panels.

In many ways Grendel: Devil's Crucible - Defiance #1 acts as prologue, (re-)introducing readers to Grendel Prime as a lone knight seeking purpose on an Earth only familiar enough to prove unsettling. Fusing elements of high fantasy and science-fiction together, Wager lays out this world with clarity that no extended exposition is required. Readers can immerse themselves in the never-ending battle between the powerful and powerless with the Grendel mask returning to alter that dynamic. It is a masterclass in effective comics storytelling and a surprisingly inviting issue #1 for any reader tempted to explore the Grendel saga.

Published by Dark Horse Comics

On July 3, 2024

Written by Matt Wagner

Art by Matt Wagner

Colors by Brennan Wagner

Letters by Rob Leigh

Cover by Matt Wagner and Brennan Wagner

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for DC's Absolute Power #1, on sale now.] They're threats that even the superheroes of the DC Universe are literally powerless against: artificial intelligence and deepfakes. Wednesday's Absolute Power #1 -- the first in a four-issue crossover event series written by Mark Waid (Kingdom Come) and drawn by Dan Mora (Batman/Superman: World's Finest) -- sees Suicide Squad founder Amanda Waller steal the metahuman powers of every hero and villain on planet Earth in the wake of 2022's Dark Crisis and 2023's Beast World events, which granted an unchecked Waller power to override the U.S. President in times of crisis.

As the head of the Bureau of Sovereignty, Waller took over the Hall of Justice -- the former headquarters of the since-disbanded Justice League -- and turned it into the Hall of Order. Then Waller's Task Force X seized the island nation of Gamorra in a coup, made the Justice Leaguer Green Arrow an agent of "the Wall," exploited Brainiac tech to wield the absorption abilities of his Brianiac Queen, and, finally, reactivated the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh's Failsafe robot and his army of Amazo androids.

Absolute Power begins with Waller, Failsafe, and Brainiac Queen -- a triumvirate of villains colloquially referred to as the Trinity of Evil -- branding superheroes "a legitimate threat to world order" as Waller issues "a plan of action that will eliminate their threat once and for all."

Waller's authoritarian regime seizes control of all media and publishes AI-generated deepfakes framing superheroes for atrocities across the globe. The Captain (formerly Shazam), Supergirl, Green Lantern, Blue Beetle, Firestorm, and the Titans are among the heroes who appear to be slaughtering civilians in the fabricated footage, spiking an internet-fueled "super-paranoia." The deepfaked videos turn public opinion against superheroes. Black Lightning, Knight and Squire, and Animal Man are victims of mob violence, targeted for what Waller has framed as a global superhuman terrorist attack.

"'Superheroes' are anything but. They create more trouble than they avert," Waller says. "They have absolute power, and they answer to no one." But Waller's disinformation campaign to discredit superheroes is just phase one, and as it turns out, the purpose of the global hack was to draw the superheroes into the open.

"We here at the Bureau of Sovereignty have been horrified by the now-constant danger of devastating metahuman attacks against ordinary citizens," Waller says in an uncharacteristic address to the public. "Effective immediately, in the wake of these unprecedented superhuman strikes that have claimed so many lives worldwide these last few days, my Bureau is dispatching our ultimate solution to the existential danger posed by all superhumans."

In phase two, Waller activates Task Force VII: the power-stealing Amazos. The Justice League's robot counterparts are Last Son (Superman), Depth Charge (Aquaman), Paradise Lost (Wonder Woman), Velocity (The Flash), Jadestone (Green Lantern), Global Guardian (Martian Manhunter), and Failsafe (Batman), who originally planned to upload alternate versions of Zur from across the multiverse into the bodies (over in Chip Zdarsky's ongoing Batman run).

Superpowers are stolen. Devices are disabled. Magic abilities are forgotten. Batman realizes too late that the attack is a blitzkrieg... and that Green Arrow is on Team Waller. Arrow reveals that Waller barricaded the multiverse, brokered a deal with the galactic-governing United Planets to contain the chaos to Earth, and sealed away the Microverse and sealed the Timestream. Superman, no longer faster than a speeding bullet, is gunned down. Waller's Task Force VII defeats the depowered superheroes, and they're rounded up by her armored B.S. Agents.

"What's taken is irretrievable. There is no return mechanism," Green Arrow tells the superheroes. "Your powers are never coming back." Next: super no more!

Absolute Power is on sale now and the event continues with tie-ins in Batman #150, Green Arrow #13, Green Lantern #13, Superman #16, Wonder Woman #11, and Green Arrow #14. Absolute Power: Origins #1 and Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1-#3 all go on sale in July, followed by Absolute Power #2 (of 4) in August.

One of DC's most iconic comic stories is about to inspire a new documentary. On Tuesday, a teaser trailer was unveiled for The Legend of Kingdom Come, a new documentary chronicling the creation of Mark Waid and Alex Ross' landmark 1996 miniseries Kingdom Come. The Legend of Kingdom Come is directed by Remsy Atassi and produced by Sal Abbinanti. A Kickstarter campaign for the documentary will be launched this fall.

"Alex Ross can take almost any person and make them into a comic fan - when I met Alex in 2016 he did it to me," says Remsy Atassi. "Alex's creations tap into the essential DNA of superheroes, elevating them to an almost mythic level. There is no better example than his 1996 book KINGDOM COME, which is an essential graphic novel because it looks like nothing else yet, has influenced so much. Over the course of over 30 interviews with key collaborators and industry icons, this project became a journey of discovering how deep that influence runs. The Legend of Kingdom Come is an exploration of the mad, relentless dedication that goes into producing this stunning art form - and what it takes for an artist to achieve greatness."

What Is The Legend of Kingdom Come About?

The Legend of Kingdom Come is is an origin story about the iconic, best-selling 90s-era graphic novel Kingdom Come, going behind-the-scenes and inside the mind of its artist: comic book legend Alex Ross. For the first time, fans will have the opportunity to hear directly from the creative team of Mark Waid and Alex Ross along with a wide range of comic luminaries through exclusive interviews and original footage, reflecting on the legacy of Kingdom Come and the evolution of the comic book industry. The documentary features commentary by Todd McFarlane, Paul Dini, Julie and Shawna Benson, and more.

"I have loved drawing and reading about superheroes since I was a young child," Ross said in a statement. "When Mark and I were creating Kingdom Come--one of my earliest works--I set out to do exactly what I loved. I brought so much of myself and the people in my life into it. I knew it was special, but I had no idea it would have such an impact on comics, pop culture, and my career. I'm so proud that what we made back then still resonates today. I hope people enjoy this film."

"Collaborating with Alex on Kingdom Come was a high-water mark in my career," Waid echoed. "Watching scenes I'd put on paper come to vibrant life beneath his brush was an unforgettable experience, and I can't wait for fans to finally get a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at what I consider to be Alex's greatest work."

There's nothing like a series getting optioned to light a fire under it! Proof and Negative Burn enjoy some of the spotlights, while the hype for future projects in Superman, Deadpool and Wolverine propel several others. A new character in Shadow Angel debuts, while old-timers like Lobo get the modern treatment. Dr. Doom is still going strong, while Marc Spector returns from the dead. The Boys make a random appearance (thanks, Amazon), and the fandom got yet another killer Golden Age horror homage! The list is full of awesome books this week, so dive into this week's Top Ten!

Want to know what comic books are trending each week and why? COVRPRICE.COM uses live sales analytics to identify and compile the most robust market price guide, highlighting the weekly top trending comics. No opinions. Just data. Each week, they present a newly updated list of the TOP 10 COMICS trending in the aftermarket. These trends are due to rumors, fan-favorite covers, story-driven content, and content-related news.

Top 10 Comic Books Rising in Value for the Week of 07/01/24

1: PROOF #1 | IMAGE | 2007: This book may have dropped in 2007, but they're aiming for the 90s nostalgia if the optioned announcement is any indication. This series received the 'option' treatment in June, marketed as a cross between the X-Files and Men In Black. Thanks to the announcement, this book has been tearing up the aftermarket after being a $2 book for years! We tracked it at a high sale of $135 for an NM copy and a current VF raw FMV at $43.

2: MOON KNIGHT: FIST OF KHONSHU #0 - ALESSANDRO CAPPUCCIO - SECRET (1 PER STORE) | MARVEL | 2024: Rarely do we see pre-sales hitting this list, and rarely do Marvel heroes stay *dead* for very long. This book bucked one trend and confirmed another! Fans are pumped for Marc Spector's return in this prequel series. Marvel took it a step further and attached a secret variant to the book, causing collectors to zero in on it as there are very few other variants to attract their attention. That caused a surge in the aftermarket before the book dropped on the 3rd. We tracked it at a high sale of $150 for an NM copy and a current NM raw FMV at $60.

3: NEGATIVE BURN #7 | IMAGE | 2006: When a series gets optioned, there are often ancillary books that also get attention. This book falls in line, as it's the first appearance of John "Proof" Prufrock, a sasquatch from the series "Proof." Considering these books were previously incredibly cheap, it was an easy snag for numerous collectors last week, rocketing up the charts to take a spot in the Top Ten! We tracked it at a high sale of $60 for an NM copy and a current NM raw FMV at $33.

4: SUPERMAN #32 - JOHN ROMITA JR. & KLAUS JANSON - REGULAR - WRAPAROUND | DC | 2014: We're in speculation season now! James Gunn is taking on an incredible challenge by bringing yet another Superman depiction to modern audiences. It's a risk, but there is a TON of excitement regarding the decision and the direction he's heading. Being an early project in the new DCU, the Superman film is already being worked on. Set leaks and photos have been dotting the internet already. Whenever that happens, internet sleuths dissect images like their lives depend on it (shout out to those folks!) Due to the sleuthing, speculation is brewing online that a certain Mister OZ was spotted in set photos. There is also conflicting speculation that it was Ultraman who was spotted. Some fans decided to heck with it and secured the first appearance of Mister OZ to be safe. Luckily, it's a cheaper book to take a flyer on! We tracked it at a high sale of $46 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current NM raw FMV at $6.

5: ACTION COMICS #1066 - MARK SPEARS (1:25) | DC | 2024: If you've seen this list over the years you know Lobo is pretty popular. Release a cover like this book from Mark Spears, and the aftermarket speaks for itself. It's hard to put your finger on WHAT makes it such a killer cover, but it's just so Lobo. Fans said "yes, please" and secured some copies on the aftermarket for those who missed out on the LCS or had an LCS that didn't hit the ratio to acquire it. We tracked 21 copies sold, at a 7-day growth trend of 7%, with a high sale of $70 for an NM copy and a current NM raw FMV at $58.

6: BLOOD HUNT: RED BAND EDITION #4 - BETSY COLA - TALES FROM THE CRYPT #28 HOMAGE (1:25) | MARVEL | 2024: Another Blood Hunt Golden Age homage, another hot aftermarket book! These Blood Hunt variants have been seeing astronomical aftermarket pricing as fans continue to secure copies any chance they get. Marvel is doing something out of the ordinary (for them), and so far, it's been all love from the fanbase. Receiving variant homage covers like this one from Betsy Cola is just the icing on the cake! We tracked it at a high sale of $124 for an NM copy and a current NM raw FMV at $70.

7: THE BOYS #1 | DC | 2006: It's the Boys season, so the IP is currently dominating the online space. So far, it's been another well-received season and one that is sparking even more discussion than it did previously. That's hard to imagine, but the political commentary the show is known for was cranked up a notch. Thus, the dialogue surrounding the series has as well. It was also recently announced that there is a hard exit for the series, which will conclude with Season 5. There is a ton of material left to cover and opportunities to do more with the series once the main series ends. It's become one of the most recognizable IPs out there, with fans routinely opting to revisit the book that started it all and add it to the PC. We tracked it at a high sale of $360 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current NM raw FMV at $107.

8: DETECTIVE COMICS #1086 - SEBASTIAN FIUMARA (1:25) | DC | 2024: What a cover, and what a new character! This book introduces Shadow Angel, a recognized "agent of chaos." Sound familiar? One of the most popular villains of all time, the Joker, is also an agent of chaos. Over the years, he's brought out the best in Batman, and fans hope Shadow Angel can do even a modicum of that. If the connection couldn't be clearer, Fiumara lit up the way with this 1:25 ratio variant. We tracked it at a high sale of $60 for an NM copy and a current NM raw FMV of $43.

9: DOOM #1 - SANFORD GREENE - REGULAR | MARVEL | 2024: This book has been hot since it dropped, and it's still going strong! Dr. Doom is an incredibly popular villain, the book has a dynamite cover, AND there's a tribute to late rapper MF Doom within. It checks the boxes for numerous collectors, but the hype surrounding it has dropped slightly, bringing prices back down to earth as well. Graded copies are starting to hit the aftermarket, contributing to the price downturn but an upswing in volume. We tracked it at a high sale of $45 for an NM copy and a current NM raw FMV of $35.

10: WOLVERINE #10 - DIRECT EDITION | MARVEL | 1989: Whoever is running the Deadpool and Wolverine marketing team needs a raise. Fans were clamoring for Sabretooth to return for the film. Before it was even released, we got a TV spot featuring the buildup of a showdown between Wolverine and, yes, Sabretooth. Naturally, fans visited the aftermarket to secure the first battle between the long-running foes and the first appearance of Silverfox as the cherry on top. We tracked it at a high sale of $210 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current NM raw FMV at $32.

New Comic Book Day will officially be arriving a little bit later for DC fans. As of this week, DC's weekly comics will be shifting to a Wednesday release schedule, breaking a years-long pattern of the publisher releasing new titles on Tuesdays. This means that this week's big releases, including Absolute Power #1 and new issues of titles like Batman, Birds of Prey, Shazam!, and Poison Ivy will not be released in stores until Wednesday, July 3rd. This move from Wednesdays to Tuesdays was announced earlier this year at the ComicsPRO Comic Industry Conference. For now, the change will only impact weekly releases, with new collected editions and graphic novels still arriving on Tuesdays.

DC initially pivoted to Tuesday from the industry standard of Wednesday in 2020, amid supply chain disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. That initial decision also came amid the company's distribution move from Diamond Comics to Lunar Distribution and Penguin Random House, with other publishers like Marvel and IDW soon following suit.

What Is Absolute Power About?

Absolute Power is a new event miniseries shepherded by writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora, who have partnered on DC series such as Batman / Superman: World's Finest and Shazam!. The four-issue series shows how Amanda Waller will use the strategic and military might of Failsafe and the otherworldly technology of the Brainiac Queen to steal all metahuman abilities from every super hero and super-villain around the globe, a threat so dire it will take the combined efforts of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Super Heroes of the DC Universe to defeat it.

"I wanted to create a real sense of peril and drama without endangering the universe," Waid told ComicBook in a recent exclusive interview. "Because those crossovers have been great, but it's not my wheelhouse exactly to do the big cosmic stories. So that was goal number one. So then I started thinking about it, and, 'What is the worst thing that you can do to these characters? What great sense of loss can you imprint upon universally all of them?' It's not just a matter of taking away their loved ones or their friends, because some of them have loved ones, some of them don't, or whatever. What's the one thing universally across the board you can do? And that's to make them stop being superheroes."

My Hero Academia's epilogue continues unfolding in the manga, and Chapter 426 has revealed that one of the top pro heroes is ending their career for good!

My Hero Academia Chapter 426 SPOILERS Follow!

Chapter 426 of My Hero Academia's manga is called "The Hellish Todoroki Family: Final" and true to its title, it focuses on the final status quo of the Todoroki Family, after the war with All For One. The Todoroki Family gathers to speak with Dabi (Toya Todoroki), who is still hanging onto life imprisoned in a life-support restraint device. There are multiple resolutions folded into that family reunion with Dabi - including the reveal that patriarch Enji Todoroki - aka no. 1 pro hero Endeavor - has retired from pro hero duty.

It wasn't just the All-Out War and Final War arcs that broke Endeavor's spirit via the reveal that Toya had become Dabi: the final battle where Hawks and Endeavor teamed up to face All For One in his main body left Endeavor maimed with an amputated arm, and injuries so extensive that he's permanently confined to a wheelchair.

Enji tells his son Toya that "Dabbie" was ultimately successful in his campaign of vengeance, since "Endeavor the hero is dead and burned away."

Endeavor accepts his crippled body and the end of his career as a hero as penance for how he treated his family, and how obsessive he was about becoming the top hero over All Might. Enji also decides to pay off his Karmic balance by doing the one thing that Toya never got from him but always wanted: his attention:

"From now on, I'll come here every single day to talk with you," Enji tells Toya. "I realize it's far too late, but let's talk." Endeavor offers the rest of the family the same, proposing they use "the time that Shoto made sure we'd have together," to talk things out. He shows the most vulnerability and compassion ever, telling his kids and wife, "If you hate me? So be it. Speak your mind. Lay into me! Let me have it!"

Later on, Endeavor gives a final monologue that provides a final resolution to his arc. His son Natsuo doesn't accept the new era of Enji's fatherly love, proclaiming he's going to marry his girlfriend and remain estranged from his father. Endeavor makes it clear that he's not expecting everyone to suddenly fall in love with him, saying in no uncertain terms that:

"I'll be making amends and apologizing for my sins for the rest of my life - whether you're all around to see it or not. And I'll shield you kids from the fiery fallout to the best of my ability. If there's a reason I survived, that's got to be it."

There was a lot of fan debate about whether or not Endeavor had to die a heroic death in order to balance out his many wrongdoings as a father. Instead, MHA creator Kohei Horikoshi has arguably taken a more mature route to Endeavor's arc, by forcing him to leave the "hero" behind and finally take up his responsibilities as a man.

My Hero Academia's manga epilogue can be read at Shonen Jump.

DC's graphic novel line has led to some ambitious stories, recontextualizing the publisher's heroes and villains in new ways -- and one of them is now getting a sequel. During DC's panel at the 2024 ALA Annual convention (via PopVerse), Ngozi Ukazu confirmed that a sequel to her recent graphic novel Barda is currently in the works. This new sequel will revolve around fellow New Gods character Orion, who starts out as the object of the titular character's affection in Barda before she crosses paths with Scott Free / Mister Miracle. This Orion sequel does not currently have a release date.

"No spoilers, but there is something in the works," Ukazu told ComicBook in an exclusive interview. "I am really excited that I might get to really investigate other Fourth World characters."

What Is Barda About?

In Barda, Darkseid is...and life on Apokolips is tough--but then, it is hell, after all. And no one knows this better than Barda, Granny Goodness's right-hand warrior. But Barda has a secret...she is in love. Or she is drawn to the idea of it, anyway, whether it be the beauty of a flower; her affection for her closest friend, Aurelie; or the mysterious and fierce enemy warrior Orion, who isthe only match for Barda's strength.When Granny decides Barda is becoming too soft, she assigns Barda a task that might be more than she can handle--to break the seemingly unbreakable Scott Free. And as Barda questions why Scott has such hope and what he might have done to provoke such hatred from Granny, she finds herself drawn to him in a way she never expected.The only thing is, we do not speak of love on Apokolips...

"These were comics that were for kids," Ukazu told ComicBook. "Kids would go to the comics rack, pick it up. Kirby loved throwing around a word like "Holocaust", like "apocalypse." Slavery and evil were taking place, and it's really, really brutal. Very intense. Honestly, I really didn't do much, because I was like, "If it was for kids then, then I'm kind of even lightening it a little bit with my art style, which is more open and cute, with the humor in it, with the romance." Yeah, I honestly think those comics were, even, maybe darker."

Barda is now available wherever books and comics are sold.

Spider-Man and Green Goblin are preparing for the Ultimate showdown. Ultimate Spider-Man #7, out July 31st, marks the beginning of the second arc of Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto's Ultimate Comics run, which introduced readers to an older Peter Parker and a heroic Harry Osborn of Earth-6160. With a teenage Tony Stark assembling the new Ultimates six months in the future to forge his superhero resistance network and unmake the world ruled by The Maker's Council (as seen in Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri's Ultimates series), Iron Lad has his next destination: coming issues of Ultimate Spider-Man.

Marvel Comics has released the first interior artwork from the pages of issue #7 (below), offering a glimpse at Spider-Man sparring with Green Goblin after their defeat at the hands of Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin; Oscorp scientist Dr. Otto Octavius upgrading Harry's Green Goblin armor; Peter and Harry's wives, Mary Jane and Stane/Stark CEO Gwen Stacy, at an apartment building; and Kingpin conspiring with Henri Dugarry, a.k.a. Captain Britian, ruler of this world's European Coalition.

The issue synopsis also teases a reunion between Peter and Tony, who sent the radioactive spider to set him back on the course to become Spider-Man after The Maker prevented the spider bite 20 years earlier (in Ultimate Invasion #1). While Spider-Man and the Green Goblin hone their skills -- they defeated the Kingpin's assassin, Bullseye, but were outmatched by Fisk's superhuman physique -- Kingpin is forming his own team: the Ultimate Sinister Six.

Ultimate Spider-Man #7 Preview Pages

Ultimate Spider-Man #7 (July 31, 2024)

THE ULTIMATES RETURN! NEW ARC STARTS HERE! After their intense battle with the Kingpin, Green Goblin and Spider-Man both know they aren't as ready to reshape the world as they hoped. Harry and Peter get to work, while Ben and Jonah work on "the truth"... And problems for their resistance arise when the ULTIMATES return!

Ultimate Spider-Man #8 (August 21, 2024)

KINGPIN'S SINISTER SIX! Kingpin gathers a team to deal with his masked-vigilante problem... But a group of super villains isn't the only challenge Spider-Man will face! Meanwhile, Green Goblin joins forces with...Doc Ock?

Ultimate Spider-Man #9 (September 25, 2024)

THE SINISTER SIX MAKE THEIR FIRST STRIKE! But WHO are the Sinister Six? The first member throws down with Spider-Man and Green Goblin in this action-packed issue! Plus, with Tony Stark's return, Peter must also explore the limitations of his new suit...

The X-Men's first Krakoan Age ended in X-Men #35 (or Uncanny X-Men #700 if you prefer legacy numbering). However, the ending X-Men fans got in that issue wasn't always the plan for the island nation of mutants. (SPOILERS for the issue follow). In X-Men #35, Krakoa returned from the White Hot Room, the birthplace of the Phoenix that exists outside of reality, having been sent there during the "Fall of X." For those still living on Krakoa, 15 years had passed. They only returned to Earth one last time to say their goodbyes, let off those who wanted to return to their past lives and take on anyone who wanted to go with them before returning to the White Hot Room.

Krakoa no longer exists on Earth, but in the White Hot Room, as something like a mutant paradise, an idea to strive to reclaim. However, that wasn't always the plan.

X-Men Editor Had Different Plans for Krakoa's Ending

Speaking to AIPT for its weekly "X-Men Monday" interview series, outgoing X-Men editor Jordan D. White pulled back the curtain to reveal that many ideas were tossed around concerning the Krakoan saga's ending. For a while, that looked like allowing Krakoa to remain on Earth but led by a lesser character such as, for example, Maggott. The idea was to allow for Krakoa's continued existence but under the guidance of a character who wouldn't require the new X-Men line to pay much attention.

"There was a time... get ready Maggott fans, you're going to be devastated. [Laughs] There was a time when we were talking about how we were going to pivot away from Krakoa," White revealed. "When I would talk about the future of Krakoa, I would be like, "But then it's being run by President Maggott." That was my code for "someone is running Krakoa who we don't have to do comics about." [Laughs] So I would always be like, "President Maggott is handling that, we don't have to worry about that anymore." But that did not come to pass."

In truth, White didn't want to end Krakoa and hoped to keep it a part of the landscape of the Marvel Universe, even if it was no longer the narrative focus of the X-Men line. However, the idea of Krakoa leaving Earth, like a child leaving home, seemed to fit better as an end to the story.

"I mean, listen, I'll be real with you. I didn't ever want Krakoa to go away," White admits. "I wanted Krakoa to be a piece of Marvel forever. So it was a bummer for that not to be the case. But Kieron had a pitch that changed the nature of what Krakoa would be. And then it took a little while to land on it living in the White Hot Room. But we talked a lot about it and we went back and forth on a lot of ideas, and we landed on this one that I think works really well.

"It's a bittersweet ending. It's a sad ending because their child moved on beyond them. Krakoa outgrew the X-Men -- but they did save it. People wanted it dead and they fought for it and they won. And now, the thing that they made gets to be what it wants to be. And that's not with them right now. But hopefully, it will return someday."

What's next for the X-Men?

With the Krakoan Age ended, Marvel is gearing up for the X-Men: From the Ashes relaunch. The new Marvel initiative will introduce an all-new line of X-Men comics with more familiar, traditional premises.

The flagship X-Men titles of the From the Ashes era are X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and Exceptional X-Men. Other ongoing titles include team books X-Force and X-Factor, multiple new solo series starring Storm (who is also joining the Avengers), Wolverine, and Phoenix, and NYX, a series about a group of young mutants living in New York City, co-starring Ms. Marvel and the other Wolverine (Laura Kinney). Marvel has also announced three limited series joining the X-Men: From the Ashes lineup: a four-issue Dazzler series, a five-issue Sentinels series, and a five-issue Mystique series. There will also be an X-Men: From the Ashes Infinity Comic exclusive to Marvel Unlimited launching in June.

X-Men #35 is on sale now. X-Men: From the Ashes begins in X-Men #1, which goes on sale July 10th.

Ryan Coogler, the director best known for helming Creed and The Black Panther, is currently in production on an untitled vampire film, which is set to star his longtime collaborator, Michael B. Jordan. According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Coogler has another project in the works. The creative has officially signed on to produce Universal Pictures' adaptation of A Vicious Circle, the BOOM! Studios graphic novel series that was created by Terminator Zero showrunner and The Batman Part II writer, Mattson Tomlin, along with artist Lee Bermejo. The screenplay will be written by Tomlin with Coogler producing via his Proximity Media banner.

A Vicious Circle will also be produced by Proximity's Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler in addition to Boom!'s president of development, Stephen Christy. The project is described as "John Wick meets Looper" and is "a two-hander action thriller" that follows "assassins from the future hunting each other through time."

What Is Ryan Coogler's Vampire Movie About?

According to previous reports, not much is known about Coogler's new film. While folks have been referring to it as "Ryan Coogler's vampire movie," it's only been confirmed that the film is a supernatural thriller. There have been rumors that the movie will be set in the Jim Crow-era South and will feature vampires in addition to southern supernatural traditions. There have also been reports that Jordan is playing twins in the project. The Hollywood Reporter previously said there were whispers of Delroy Lindo's role having a "musical element."

Coogler will be producing the untitled project alongside Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian. Two-time Academy Award-winning composer Ludwig G?ransson, who has scored all four of Coogler's previous films, will executive produce the new movie alongside Rebecca Cho and Will Greenfield.

This project marks Coogler's fifth feature film, all of which have also involved both Jordan and G?ransson. Jordan starred in 2013's Fruitvale Station, 2015's Creed, and 2018's Black Panther. He returned for a small role in 2021's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, keeping their collaboration streak intact. G?ransson composed the music for all four of those films, winning his first Oscar for his work on Black Panther. He recently earned his second Academy Award for scoring Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer.

Stay tuned for more updates about Cooger's future projects, including the adaptation of A Vicious Circle, which does not yet have a release date.

Mystique is getting a solo series as part of Marvel's X-Men: From the Ashes relaunch. Declan Shalvey will write and draw the five-issue limited series, which sees Mystique embarking on a "tale of action and espionage" in the seedy underworld of the Marvel Universe. The new Mystique solo series comes after an eventful Krakoan era for Raven Darkholme, as she reunited with her long-dead wife Destiny, reconnected with the son she abandoned, Nightcrawler, and came to an understanding with her adoptive daughter, Rogue. However, while Krakoa once offered amnesty for all mutants, Krakoa is gone, and Mystique's past stands to catch up with her. Here's the series synopsis provided by Marvel Comics:

"On Krakoa, Mystique reunited with her wife Destiny and forged new relationships with her children Rogue and Nightcrawler. Now that the mutant nation has fallen, Mystique's vicious methods are required once more to protect mutants everywhere! With a hit list as long as her rap sheet, Mystique's actions catch the attention of Nick Fury, erupting in a deadly game of cat and mouse as the elusive shapeshifter infiltrates her way across the Marvel Universe. Complete with a new costume, Mystique's new saga harkens back to her beloved early '00s spy series as she takes on a new and pivotal role in the current mutant landscape.

"How do you track a subject with a history that contradicts itself? How do you stop a force whose motives change like quicksilver? How do you stop a target that can be anyone? That's the question that confronts Nick Fury as he stumbles upon a web of lies and espionage leading back to Mystique. From the ashes of Krakoa, the shape-shifting mutant terrorist returns to remind the world exactly why it hates and fears her."

In a press release, Shalvey says, "Mystique is hands down one of the most compelling characters to come from the Marvel Universe. To have an opportunity to put my own stamp on such an iconic character and showcase her in a series of her own is a unique privilege. As a rabid X-fan since childhood, I'm having a blast channeling all my X-enthusiasm into writing and drawing this project. In this series, Mystique is reeling from the fall of Krakoa. She's a rogue element with no accountability putting a mysterious plan into action, ruthlessly destroying anything and anyone in her way."

X-Men: From the Ashes

X-Men: From the Ashes is a new Marvel initiative that sees the publisher launching an all-new line of X-Men comics with more familiar, traditional premises. The initiative follows the fall of Krakoa and the cancellation of the previous line of X-Men comics.

Mystique joins a still-growing lineup of upcoming X-Men series. The flagship X-Men titles of the From the Ashes era are X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and Exceptional X-Men. Other ongoing titles include team books X-Force and X-Factor, multiple new solo series starring Storm (who is also joining the Avengers), Wolverine, and Phoenix, and NYX, a series about a group of young mutants living in New York City, co-starring Ms. Marvel and the other Wolverine (Laura Kinney). Mystique is the third limited series announced as part of the initiative, following a four-issue Dazzler series and the five-issue Sentinels series announced yesterday. There will also be an X-Men: From the Ashes Infinity Comic exclusive to Marvel Unlimited launching in June.

Mystique #1 goes on sale in October. The X-Men: From the Ashes era kicks off when X-Men #1 goes on sale on July 10th.

• MYSTIQUE #1 (OF 5)
• Written by DECLAN SHALVEY
• Art and Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY
• On Sale 10/16

Ghost Machine announced today that they are filling out their roster, signing exclusive deals with fan-favorite inkers Andrew Currie and Danny Miki, as well as veteran designer Steve Blackwell. The trio have been working with Ghost Machine already, but are now exclusive to the publishing line, which is an imprint of Image Comics run by its creators and featuring a variety of titles, all of which kicked off in recent months and feature a shared multiverse of storytelling in which each title feels stand-alone. In an industry first, all of Ghost Machine's creators jointly own and run the company, sharing in all of Ghost Machine's publishing, media, merchandising and licensing. Each creator is exclusive to the company for their comic book work after completing their current projects elsewhere.

The Ghost Machine talent roster is a who's who of big-name talent who have worked on books like Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Aquaman, Stargirl, JSA, The Flash, The Ultimates, Black Lightning, Green Arrow and more. Currie, Miki, and Blackwell join a lineup that includes Brad Anderson, Jason Fabok, Gary Frank, Bryan Hitch, Geoff Johns, Rob Leigh, Lamont Magee, Francis Manapul, Brad Meltzer, Ivan Reis, Peter Snejbjerg, Peter J. Tomasi, and Maytal Zchut.

"Andrew, Danny and Steve are three super-talented individuals whose outstanding work has impressed for many years, and everyone working in the industry today knows of their qualities. Many of us have been lucky to collaborate with them on past projects, and we are so excited that they have chosen Ghost Machine as their new exclusive professional home," said the Ghost Machine creators in a joint statement.

Currie has been inking Ghost Machine's alternate history adventure-fantasy Redcoat, which launched in April as part of The Unnamed Universe. The title hails from Geoff Johns and Bryan Hitch, with colors by Brad Anderson and letters by Rob Leigh. Currie has a long and varied work history that includes indie comics, Games Workshop, and bigger publishers like Marvel and DC, Dark Horse, 2000 A.D. and IDW. Currie previously with Hitch on Marvel's The Ultimates.

Miki is currently handling inking duties for Ghost Machine's horror-themed universe Hyde Street, from Johns and Ivan Reis with colors by Brad Anderson and letters by Rob Leigh. The anticipated horror launch is coming later this year. Miki is widely regarded as one of the best and most prolific inkers of his generation, beginning with Image Comic's flagship title Youngblood from co-founder Rob Liefeld. Miki also worked on Todd McFarlane's Spawn, Curse of the Spawn and The Creech with Greg Capullo, before heading to Marvel, where he inked various covers over Joe Quesada and served as the full-time Ghost Rider finisher. He worked on a wide variety of titles that exposed him to nearly every Marvel hero, including David Finch's Moon Knight, Avengers, and New Avengers.

Miki won the first of his two Harvey Awards for Best Inker on Jack Kirby's The Eternals from Neil Gaiman and John Romita, Jr.; his second came whiel inking Capullo on the Scott Snyder-written Batman that helped shape DC's New 52 relaunch. At DC, Miki and Reis formed a long-running partnership, collaborating on fan-favorite runs of Batman, Superman, Titans, and Detective Comics.

Blackwell has been in charge of all of Ghost Machine's design work, from its limited edition New York Comic-Con ashcan last October to Ghost Machine #1, the best-selling one-shot published last January and the ongoing monthly series Geiger, Redcoat, and Rook: Exodus. Blackwell established himself at the legendary comic magazine publisher Wizard, running the design department that produced not only Wizard, but genre magazines like InQuest, ToyFare and Anime Insider. Blackwell followed up his longtime Wizard tenure as a freelance art director and designer, having produced comics, periodicals and collections for DC Comics, Dynamite, Valiant, AWA, and many others.

Ghost Machine's upcoming titles include: Geiger #4 (Geoff Johns/Gary Frank/Brad Anderson/Rob Leigh), Redcoat #4 (Geoff Johns/Bryan Hitch/Brad Anderson/Rob Leigh) and Rook: Exodus #4 (Geoff Johns/Jason Fabok/Brad Anderson/Rob Leigh) coming up in June; the aforementioned horror universe Hyde Street (Geoff Johns/Ivan Reis/Brad Anderson/Rob Leigh) slated for this fall; and kicking off Ghost Machine's Family Odyssey universe, The Rockefellers (Peter J. Tomasi/Francis Manapul/Rob Leigh) and Hornsby & Halo (Peter J. Tomasi/Peter Snejbjerg/Brad Anderson/Rob Leigh) in late 2024.

Ronda Rousey remains one of the most accomplished combat sports athletes of the 21st century. The Baddest Woman on the Planet made a name for herself in the UFC, trailblazing the world's biggest mixed martial arts stage's women's division. Rousey dominated the UFC for four years, reigning as UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion for 1,074 days. After a pair of defeats, Rousey took her fighting talents to WWE, making her in-ring debut at WWE WrestleMania 34. Rousey had two extended stints in WWE, winning three WWE Women's Championships and headlining WWE WrestleMania 35 in the process.

Rousey wrapped up her WWE run at WWE SummerSlam 2023. While she has had the odd independent match here and there, Rousey's full-time wrestling career has remained on pause for the past year. In that time, Rousey has turned her attention to another medium in the entertainment industry.

Ronda Rousey Launching New Graphic Novel

The Rowdy One is immortalizing her story in comic form.

As announced in a press release, independent developer Artists Writers and Artisans (AWA) is collaborating with Ronda Rousey on her graphic novel debut, Expecting The Unexpected. This story is written by Rousey herself and is edited by AWA Chief Creative Officer Axel Alonso, formerly the Editor-and-Chief at Marvel.

"I felt like I had to tell this story, because Expecting The Unexpected pulls from the most important parts of my life: motherhood, my career as a fighter, and fun action movies," Rousey said. "I knew I needed an artist who understood how to translate my fighting from real life to graphic novel artwork, so it's been truly gratifying watching Mike Deodato bring this story to life. I'm so excited to work with AWA and share my very first graphic novel with the world and I hope comic fans will enjoy this adventure."

"Ronda has brought the same level of ferocity, discipline, and craft to her original script that made her a champion in Judo, UFC, and WWE," Alonso added. "A potent blend of dark comedy, romance, and over-the-top action, Expecting The Unexpected delivers a knockout punch on every level. You'll laugh, you'll wince, you'll cry, and you'll thrill at the action scenes -- meticulously choreographed by Ronda and executed with precision by comic book maestro and martial arts black belt Mike Deodato, Jr. -- that literally leap off the page."

Expecting The Unexpected launches on Kickstarter with AWA on Thursday, July 25th.

Mad Cave Studios is welcoming you to a new shared universe called the Underworld, and we've got your exclusive first look and details. CEO and author Mark London (Battlecats, Hunt.Kill.Repeat., Honor & Curse) is at the helm of this Underworld universe, and the first piece in that puzzle is Revolution 9. Revolution 9 is one of three unique miniseries launching this fall and will feature the team of London, artist Carlos Reno (Legend of Oz: The Wicked West), colorist Jao Canola, and letterer Dave Sharpe. That will be followed by House of the Wolf in October and Exit City in November, and while each of these four issue miniseries can be read as standalone stories, they will also weave together and collide into an epic crossover in Summer of 2025 titled Endless Night.

The Underworld

"The Underworld line is an homage to Mad Cave Studios' humble beginnings," said Mark London. "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 towards 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."

"As soon as I laid eyes on Mark's script, what most motivated me to immediately start scribbling the layouts was the idea that everything would play out like a 90s action movie, with a fierce and deep protagonist, something that would easily be in the hands of Luc Besson, John Woo, or Antoine Fuqua," said artist Carlos Reno. "It's my first time working with Mad Cave, and I'm feeling right at home. I hope everyone can see in the drawings how much fun I'm having!"

What Is Revolution 9?

Revolution 9 #1 will feature covers by Rossi Gifford and Raymund Bermudez and Sebastian Cheng, and will launch in September. The book centers around a former assassin named Velveteen, who finds herself facing her old organization after she tries to save an innocent hacker targeted for death. You can find the official description below.

"After years as an assassin for the Order of Nine - an ancient order dating back almost 3,000 years - Velveteen has turned her back on the very organization that saved her. Tasked with the murder of otherwise innocent hacker Jasper Dean, she sets off to save his life and discover the terrible secret that marked him for death. With the entire Order after them, Velveteen and Jasper must escape their grasp and prevent them from toppling society as we know it."

"We're so proud of the entire team," said publisher and editor of the Underworld universe, Chris Fernandez. "We knew this was no easy feat, but being able to kick things off on Revolution 9 with Carlos Reno, Jao Canola, and Dave Sharpe really sets the tone for the rest of what Underworld will look like. We really can't thank them enough for their efforts and patience! Underworld is really a new approach for Mad Cave as a company, and yet is something we've always had our minds set on. While each standalone book will captivate fans with their own unique storytelling and art styles, there are elements in each that will tie together wonderfully to set up 2025's Endless Night crossover series. And after Endless Night, well... the sky's the limit!"

"Revolution 9 delves deep into the murky world of secrets and shadows," Mark London added. "It's a thrilling exploration of personal transformation and of fighting for what is right, promising an exhilarating ride for the audience."

Revolution 9 # hits comic stores on September 25th.

This week, Skybound and Image Comics announced that the Duke creative team of Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly, and Jordie Bellaire will return to the Energon Universe with a new series simply titled G.I. Joe. Celebrating "Yo Joe June," the publisher and Hasbro revealed that in the new series, Duke has assembled a G.I. Joe team to battle the rising power of Cobra in the aftermath of the Autobots and Decepticons' arrival on Earth. But the enigmatic Cobra Commander has unleashed the power of Energon in a strange new way. Featuring the First Appearance of an all-new character and many familiar faces, Skybound promises the series "will change everything you think you know about G.I. Joe."

The all-new series will become another tentpole of the Energon Universe, the crown jewel of the historic collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, who has introduced a brand-new era of the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises in one shared comic book universe. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, which continues the original stories from the Marvel and IDW comics, remains in print, also at Skybound, but is not part of the Energon Universe.

"Finally! The team is together! The response to the mini-series that led to this moment has been phenomenal, it's been exciting to see lifelong fans of the iconic series and new readers come together to support G.I. Joe in the Energon Universe," said Joshua Williamson. "What has come before was just a glimpse into the massive world full of action and drama that we're bringing with the new ongoing series. Now it's time to amp up the story as newly formed G.I. Joe and Cobra meet for the first time! Our first issue rocks the Energon Universe in major ways with big moments we've been dying to unleash. Tom and Jordie are killing it and bringing the heat with every page. You do not want to miss G.I. Joe #1. Yo Joe!"

"I'm very excited to return to the Energon Universe with my Duke squad mates, Josh and Jordie. It's not every day you get to help build something this big, let alone with some of the best talent the industry has to offer," added Tom Reilly. "To be asked to continue building with them is a challenge that I happily accept. We're going to bring you G.I. Joe like you've never seen them before, so get ready for a wild ride! "

"All the hard work, planning and world building has led to this momentous launch," said Ben Abernathy, Executive Editor at Skybound. "Joshua, Tom, and Jordie have crafted a senses-shattering first issue that will reward loyal Energon Universe fans with an amazing debut but have also managed to make it a perfect jumping on point for new readers."

"I love it when a plan comes together. With the foundation laid, Skybound is primed to expand the Energon Universe with an ongoing G.I. Joe series," added Robert Kirkman. "Duke, Cobra Commander, Scarlett and Destro have been mere teases of what we have in store. Now Josh, Tom and crew are bringing us a new vision of these beloved characters that will stand next to Transformers and Void Rivals as the cornerstones of the Energon Universe!"

Energon Universe titles include the ongoing series Void Rivals by writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), artist Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), and colorist Patricio Delpeche (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country) and Transformers by writer Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb), artist Jorge Corona (Middlewest), and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon). The Energon Universe also includes G.I. Joe miniseries Duke, from Joshua Williamson , Tom Reilly and Jordie Bellaire ; Cobra Commander from Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) and Annalisa Leoni (Oblivion Song); Scarlett, from writer Kelly Thompson (Black Widow, Birds of Prey), artist Marco Ferrari (Frontiersman), and colorist Lee Loughridge (I Hate This Place, Killadelphia); and Destro, from writer Dan Watters (Loki, Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives!), artist Andrei Bressan (Dark Ride, Birthright), and colorist Adriano Lucas (Dark Ride, Birthright), which introduce the iconic characters of the G.I. Joe and Cobra factions to the Energon Universe.

G.I. Joe #1 will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.