X-MEN '97 Animated Series
Marvel Animation's X-Men '97 will soon be released on Disney+. This new show is not a reboot but a continuation of the '90s series, featuring the same themes adapted for a modern audience.
The voice cast includes Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, JP Karliak as Morph, Lenore Zann as Rogue, George Buza as Beast, AJ LoCascio as Gambit, Holly Chou as Jubilee, Isaac Robinson-Smith as Bishop, Matthew Waterson as Magneto, and Adrian Hough as Nightcrawler.
Beau DeMayo serves as head writer, with episodes directed by Jake Castorena, Chase Conley, and Emi Yonemura.
The series features music by The Newton Brothers and is executive produced by Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, and DeMayo.
X-Men '97 follows the X-Men, a group of mutants who use their unique abilities to protect a world that fears them. They face new challenges in an unexpected future.
The two-episode premiere will be available on Disney+ starting March 20th, 2024.
The Marvels on Disney+
Marvel Studios' "The Marvels" is now streaming on Disney+, joining the MCU Movie Timeline and the MCU Complete Timeline which includes all features and television shows broken out by season.
The timeline includes movies such as "Captain America: The First Avenger" through to "The Marvels," and TV shows like "WandaVision" and "Moon Knight." Check out the complete timeline on Marvel.com, sign up for Disney+ and start streaming now.
Marvel Comics' Blood Hunt Event
This May, "Blood Hunt" descends upon the Marvel Universe, as various vampire factions unite to attack humanity by blocking out the sun with Darkforce energy.
The new group of vampire villains called Bloodcoven will make their debut in this event. The series, written by Jed MacKay and illustrated by Pepe Larraz, features covers by Gabriele Dell'Otto.
The five-issue main series showcases the Avengers facing off against the Bloodcoven, with blood-soaked battles like never before in Marvel Comics history.
MacKay wanted more powerful adversaries for the heroes, leading to the creation of the supervampire Bloodcoven.
Dell’Otto's connecting covers display breathtaking artwork that will be featured across all five issues and as virgin covers.
"Blood Hunt #1 (of 5) Red Band Edition" is set to release on May 1st, with the following issues arriving on May 22nd, June 5th, June 19th, and July 24th.
Two New Disney+ Series Get 4K Disc Releases
Disney announced the release of two new Collector's Editions from Marvel Studios' Disney+ Originals, "The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: The Complete First Season" and "Moon Knight: The Complete First Season."
Both will be available for pre-order on 4K UHD and Blu-ray Steelbook with exclusive box art by Attila Szarka and collectible concept art cards.
"The Falcon and The Winter Soldier" stars Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, following their global adventure together. Bonus features include a featurette about Captain America's shield, gag reel, deleted scenes, and a documentary on the making of the series.
"Moon Knight" features Oscar Isaac as Steven Grant/Marc Spector, exploring ancient Egyptian mythology in the storyline. The Collector's Edition includes a featurette about Egyptology, deleted scenes, gag reel, and a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of "Moon Knight." Both titles will be released on April 30, 2024.
DC Comics Celebrates Pride Month
DC Comics has announced its plans for Pride Month 2024, including the release of several new comic books and graphic novels featuring LGBTQ+ characters and creators.
The lineup includes DC Pride 2024, a one-shot anthology comic featuring stories by writers such as James Tynion IV, Mariko Tamaki, and Alyssa Wong.
Batman: Beyond the Arkham Asylum, a new graphic novel exploring Bruce Wayne's relationship with his former therapist, Dr. Harleen Quinzel.
The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley, a YA original graphic novel exploring the origins of Harley Quinn.
DC Pride: A Celebration of Rachel Pollack, a one-shot comic book honoring the late writer and transgender activist Rachel Pollack.
Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story, a YA graphic novel telling the origin story of Dreamer, the first trans Super Hero to appear on TV; and DC Pride: Uncovered, an art book featuring Pride variant covers from past years.
The publisher will also release new monthly comic books with Pride-themed variant covers throughout June. DC's Pride plans aren't limited to June, as the publisher will continue to release LGBTQ+ themed comics and graphic novels year-round, including titles such as Galaxy: The Prettiest Star and The Other History of the DC Universe.
Batman and Robin and Howard: Summer Breakdown
Jeffrey Brown, the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of "Batman and Robin and Howard," has announced a sequel titled "Batman and Robin and Howard: Summer Breakdown."
The graphic novel, which is aimed at middle-grade readers, will be available for preorder now and will go on sale on September 3.
In the first book, Damian Wayne and Howard's rivalry turned into friendship at Gotham Metro Academy. In this new story, the dynamic duo faces an evil mastermind who plans to demolish their favorite soccer field.
Brown shared that he initially thought of creating new characters and a new story with a different superhero, but eventually decided to continue the story of Robin and Howard. The sequel will provide a different look at Damian's family life when he is not Robin and more action when he is - all while maintaining the humor and heart from the first book.
The story takes an unexpected turn when a new group of heroes, known as the Hero Club, approaches Damian and Howard with an offer to help unmask the corporation planning to build a recycling factory in their favorite park.
Together, they hope to recruit the help of Metropolis's favorite reporter, Lois Lane. As if that weren't enough, Batman has been acting strangely and disappearing for stretches of time, and there are ninjas everywhere.
Zatanna: Bring Down the House
Zatanna, DC's beloved backwards-speaking magician, is making her DC Black Label debut with a new series titled "Zatanna: Bring Down the House."
The Eisner award-winning writer Mariko Tamaki and artist Javier Rodríguez will take Zatanna on a thrilling adventure in Sin City.
In this 17+ series, Zatanna is known as the greatest entertainer in the worst hotel and casino off the Las Vegas strip, but she prefers to perform sleight-of-hand stage acts rather than use her real magical abilities due to a devastating event from her past.
However, when an interdimensional vortex opens on her stage and releases a terrifying demon, Zatanna must confront her past and take her magical powers seriously.
"Zatanna: Bring Down the House" hits comic book shops on June 25.
The series features a main cover by Rodríguez and variant covers by Jorge Jiménez, Alvaro Martinez Bueno, Artgerm, and Mikel Janín.
CRAVE (Image) Gets a Reprint
The comic book series "CRAVE" by Maria Llovet has sold out at the distributor level and is being rushed for reprint by Image Comics.
Set in an elite university, "CRAVE" follows a group of students who use a mysterious app that promises to fulfill their desires. However, as they become more engrossed in the app's seductive game, it starts causing chaos on campus.
The second issue sees David receive sexy photos of Alexandra from a user named Hidden-User, while Albert and Sofia are stuck in an elevator and things escalate in the campus corridors.
"CRAVE" has been described as a mix of "Black Mirror," "Eyes Wide Shut," and "Pretty Little Liars."
The Last Mermaid (Image) Gets a Reprint
Derek Kirk Kim's much-anticipated comic series, "The Last Mermaid," made a big splash with its debut issue selling out at the distributor level.
Image Comics will rush to print a second run due to high reorder activity from retailers.
The sci-fi epic features a lone mermaid surviving in a mecha as she travels through a dystopian, water-starved future while forming an attachment with a mischievous axolotl sidekick.
The first issue will have a second printing, available on April 3.
"The Last Mermaid" is reminiscent of "I Am Legend" meets "Panic Room," offering a unique take on the mermaid genre.
The Energon Universe Continues to Expand
The Energon Universe, a new shared universe featuring Transformers and GI Joe, is set to expand with Transformers: Energon #1 from Kelly Thompson, Marco Ferrari, Dan Watters, and Andrei Bressan in May 2024.
This will be followed by G.I. Joe: Energon #1 from David Walker and Livio Ramondelli in June 2024.
Skybound also recently announced two new miniseries: Scarlett (June 5th) and Destro (June 19th).
The new universe is a collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, with the Transformers and GI Joe comics finding a new home at the publisher.
Dawnrunner (Dark Horse) Hardcover Release
Dark Horse Comics is releasing a hardcover volume collecting the sci-fi epic series Dawnrunner, which features humans piloting mechs to defend Earth from giant monsters.
The collection includes issues #1-5 and will be available on November 28, 2024, in comic shops for $29.99.
The story follows star jockey Anita Marr, who pilots a new Iron King prototype to battle the Tetza monsters. As she uncovers a connection between herself and Dawnrunner, they become mankind's last hope against the growing Tetza threat.
Dawnrunner is written by Ram V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Detective Comics), with interior and exclusive cover art by Evan Cagle (The Witcher, Stranger Things), colors by Dave Stewart (B.P.R.D., Black Hammer), and letters by Aditya Bidikar (Blue Book, The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos).
Assassin's Apprentice Hardcover
The second installment of the "Assassin's Apprentice" comic adaptation series, written by Robin Hobb and Jody Houser, with art by Ryan Kelly, cover art by Anna Steinbauer, colors by Jordie Bellaire, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, is coming in a hardcover volume.
The collection, which includes issues #1-6 of the comic series, follows Fitz's journey to becoming an assassin while he navigates political intrigue, Red-Ship Raiders, and harsh training from Skillmaster Galen.
With support from Burrich and Molly, Fitz faces challenges that test his resilience and self-doubt. The collection will be available on October 16, 2024.
Marvel Has Joined VeVe Comics
A digital platform for collecting and reading current issues, with over 300 new digital issues now available.
Here are some highlights:
Avengers (2023) #1, written by Jed MacKay and C.F. Villa, introduces a new team of Avengers facing a dangerous friend.
Black Panther (2023) #1, by Eve Ewing and Christopher Allen, follows T'Challa as he finds new purpose in the shadows of Birin T'Chaka.
Captain Marvel (2023) #1, written by Alyssa Wong and illustrated by Jan Bazaldua, features a new look and status quo for Carol Danvers.
Fall of the House of X (2024) #1, by Gerry Duggan and Lucas Werneck, explores what happens when The-Powers-That-Be meet The-Natural-Order-of-Things.
Immortal Thor (2023) #1, by Al Ewing, Martín Cóccolo, and Alex Ross, gives the God of Thunder the "Immortal" Treatment.
Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant (2023) #1, co-written by MCU's Kamala Vellani, follows Kamala Khan as she becomes an X-Man and struggles with her new identity.
Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #1, written by Jonathan Hickman and illustrated by Marco Checchetto, brings a bold new take on Spider-Man for the 21st Century.
X-MEN: From the Ashes
At South by Southwest (SXSW), Marvel announced a new era for its X-Men comics, set in motion by the "Krakoan Age." This summer, witness "X-MEN: FROM THE ASHES," which will focus on three flagship titles:
1. Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman's "X-MEN": Set in Alaska, this series follows Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, Psylocke, Kid Omega, Temper (formerly Oya), Magik, and Juggernaut as they fight for the mutant species' destiny. MacKay teased that this title will offer the first glimpse of what X-Men will look like in 2024.
2. Gail Simone and David Marquez's "UNCANNY X-MEN": Longtime fans can expect classic Kitty Pryde adventures, while new young mutants Bronze, Axo, and Melee are introduced. Emma Frost will also play a role in the series.
3. Eve L. Ewing and Valerio Schiti's "EXCEPTIONAL X-MEN": This series focuses on Kitty Pryde as she mentors a new generation of mutants, including Bronze, Axo, and Melee.
Tom Brevoort, Marvel Comics VP Executive Editor, shared that the X-Men are fractured after Krakoa's end, with each X-MEN title focusing on different aspects of the team's history. More announcements about new ongoing team books, solo series, and other titles are expected in the coming weeks. The storyline will begin on May 4 with a special prelude tale by Gail Simone in FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2024: BLOOD HUNT/X-MEN #1 and continue in June's X-MEN #35, the 700th issue of UNCANNY X-MEN.
DC's "House of Brainiac" is Coming
This June, DC Comics is concluding its "House of Brainiac" storyline in Action Comics #1066 and Superman #15. In Action Comics #1066, written by Joshua Williamson with art by Rafa Sandoval, Superman and the Superman Family face off against the Brainiac Queen, who is now alive.
Brainiac has created a masterpiece that is unlike anything they have ever seen before. Lobo must choose which side he will fight for as he learns about Brainiac's true history.
Superman #15, also written by Williamson with art by Sandoval, sees Superman and Lex Luthor joining forces to stop Brainiac and his queen, but they have to make a significant sacrifice. This issue will lead directly into DC's summer event, "Absolute Power." There are also tie-in issues for "House of Brainiac" featuring the Green Lantern Corps and Power Girl dealing with the aftermath of the Czarnian horde.
In Green Lantern #12, Guy Gardner's adventure with Lobo becomes even crazier, while in Power Girl #10, Power Girl and Crush team up with the Holliday Girls to take down Goblin and his goons.
Image Comics Announces "Self Help"
Owen King and Jesse Kellerman have teamed up with artist Marianna Ignazzi, colorist Fabiana Mascolo, designer/letterer Ian Chagren for the new five-issue comic book miniseries "Self Help," launching in June under Image Comics' Syzygy line.
"Self Help" is a California noir story filled with dark humor, exploring the life of down-on-his-luck rideshare driver Jerry Hauser, who bears an uncanny resemblance to self-help guru Darren Hart. When fate intervenes and Jerry takes on his rival's identity, he becomes entangled in a web of crime, debt, and danger while attempting to reconcile with his estranged family.
The series will feature unique logo designs inspired by popular crime fiction, starting with Saul Bass-inspired artwork for issue #1. "Self Help" is set to release on June 19 in comic book stores.
Syzygy Publishing, owned by Ashley Wood and Chris Ryall, houses the miniseries under Image Comics.
Image Comics Announces "Precious Metal"
The creative team behind the Eisner Award-winning comic Little Bird, writer Darcy Van Poelgeest and artist Ian Bertram, are reuniting for a new six-issue miniseries called Precious Metal, which will be published by Image Comics starting in June.
Each issue of this double-length series will be approximately 50 pages long, totaling nearly 300 pages when all issues have been released.
Set 35 years before the events of Little Bird, Vol. 1: The Fight For Elder's Hope, Precious Metal follows disillusioned mod-tracker Max Weaver. After a routine hunt for a modified child takes an unexpected and gruesome turn, Max finds himself responsible for an unpredictable mod who may hold the key to unlocking his missing memories. Max soon discovers that he isn't the only one interested in the child's unique abilities, and obtaining the information he seeks will come at a significant cost.
In an interview, Van Poelgeest said, "Precious Metal has been the biggest, and most fulfilling, undertaking of my creative career... After nearly five years of immersion and experimentation, I’m thrilled to finally bring this monster of a book to readers worldwide." Bertram added, "Precious Metal has been an undertaking... It’s a story that has been the North Star for years of our lives, and I’m so glad to finally get to share it with you. I hope you can feel the passion!"
The first issue of Precious Metal will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, June 5.
Dark Horse Announces "Seance in the Asylum"
Dark Horse Comics is releasing a new historical horror series called "Séance in the Asylum," created by writer Clay McLeod Chapman and artist Andrea Mutti.
The series follows Alicia Wilkinson, a fraudulent spiritual medium who starts performing séances at a mental hospital to revive her career. However, strange things start happening, and the patients begin acting possessed. The series was inspired by an esoteric text called "The Homeopathic Principle Applied to Insanity: A Proposal to Treat Lunacy by Spiritualism" written in 1857.
Chapman has always been fascinated by stories about contacting the afterlife, and he wanted to explore that theme further in this series.
The first issue of "Séance in the Asylum" will be available in comic shops on July 24, 2024.
Pre-orders are open now, and the variant cover art for issues #1-4 will be provided by Trevor Henderson, Francesco Francavilla, Lukas Ketner, and Jenna Cha.
Chapman's previous work has been praised by critics, with publications like The New York Times calling him a "horror-drunk storytelling virtuoso master idiot" and Booklist describing his writing as "anxiety-inducing, immersive, and intense." Dark Horse Comics encourages readers to follow them on social media and check their website for updates and announcements.
Fans of horror, history, and the supernatural won't want to miss this thrilling new series.