Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Comics

  • Eisner Winners Reunite for Image Comics ‘The Karman Blade’

    Eisner Winners Reunite for Image Comics ‘The Karman Blade’

    The creative team behind the Eisner Award-winning miniseries Little Bird is reuniting this fall for a brand-new dark fantasy project. Darcy Van Poelgeest and Ian Bertram are bringing an epic, experimental new story to Image Comics with their four-issue miniseries, The Karman Blade, set to launch this September.

    Set on the outskirts of a dying, desert world, The Karman Blade follows a young man chosen by a star-forged blade to slay the despotic deity, Kalu, who hoards the world’s water. The protagonist faces a daunting trial, caught between his journey and the existential question posed by the blade itself: “Are thou he, who taketh me in hand? Are thou he, who shall slay a God?”

    The creators describe the series as a bold departure from traditional fantasy. “We are committed to the idea of making something that requires collaboration from the readers as much as from ourselves,” said Van Poelgeest. “The Karman Blade is for everyone who loves the questions as much as the answers; the weirdos, and the poets—for those brave enough to embark on a quest of their own!“

    Bertram added that the work is a product of deep creative passion, calling it a “feral work” made in a “swamp of beautiful and festering creativity.”

    The Karman Blade #1 will arrive in comic book shops on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

  • Image Comics Announces ‘Crimes Against Nature’ Launching This September

    Image Comics Announces ‘Crimes Against Nature’ Launching This September

    Get ready for an off-the-wall new series from Image Comics. Creators Eliot Rahal (Bleed Them Dry, Cult Classic) and Mattia Monaco (Eat Your Young, Knock ‘Em Dead) are teaming up to bring us Crimes Against Nature, a neo-noir buddy-crime comedy arriving in comic shops on September 23, 2026.

    Described by its creators as “Koko the gorilla meets The Usual Suspects,” the story centers on the unlikely bond between a man and his primate companion. The plot follows Hollywood animal trainer Dr. Kermit Groedan and his only client—Amigo the Ape, the first gorilla ever to be nominated for an Academy Award—as they find themselves framed for a crime they did not commit. Now on the run, the pair must confront their dark secrets and hidden pasts to clear their names and survive.

    For artist Mattia Monaco, the project represents a significant return to traditional pen-and-ink illustration. “This book is about coming home,” said Monaco. “After nearly six years of working digitally, this was the first project that brought me back to pen and ink and gave me a renewed sense of freedom and experimentation on every page.”

    Writer Eliot Rahal echoed the sentiment, noting the emotional weight and partnership behind the book: “Every panel and page is lightning in a bottle. It’s one of the greatest partnerships of my life. And I think all of that joy and trust spills out into our book about a guy and his gorilla.“

    Crimes Against Nature #1 hits shelves on September 23.

  • ‘That Texas Blood’ Returns with ‘Hell Comes to Allison Ranch’ this September from Image

    ‘That Texas Blood’ Returns with ‘Hell Comes to Allison Ranch’ this September from Image

    Fans of the critically acclaimed, neo-noir Western That Texas Blood have reason to celebrate. Image Comics has announced that creators Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips are returning to the series with an all-new, six-issue arc titled That Texas Blood: Hell Comes to Allison Ranch, set to debut on September 23, 2026.

    The original series is currently being developed for a drama series at FX by Sweet Tooth showrunner Jim Mickle and E.L. Katz, adding even more anticipation to the franchise’s return.

    Set in 2003, the new arc brings Sheriff Joe Bob Coates and Deputy Wilson Hart to the Allison Ranch—the largest and wealthiest ranch in the United States—where deep-seated family grievances are escalating into a full-blown war. Condon describes the arc as “action-packed,” noting that while it has strong thematic links to previous volumes and The Enfield Gang Massacre, it also serves as a perfect jumping-on point for new readers.

    “Joe Bob’s back and it feels so good!” Phillips said regarding the return. “Coming back to That Texas Blood feels like coming home to us and we’ve missed it after so long away.“

    The creative team is expanding for this new chapter, welcoming letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and designer Michael Tivey to the fold. In addition to the main story, the debut issue promises a wealth of bonus material, including behind-the-scenes content, interviews, and essays.

    To celebrate the release, Image Comics is also launching a special Facsimile edition of the original series debut, printed on deluxe newsprint for an authentic experience.

    You can pick up That Texas Blood: Hell Comes to Allison Ranch #1 at local comic shops starting September 23, 2026.

  • Marvel Sets Unprecedented, Exclusive Launch Day for All Three ‘MIDNIGHT’ Universe Titles

    The light had its turn, and Marvel is making sure the darkness takes over completely. Following last month’s initial reveal of the horror-tinged Midnight Universe, Marvel Comics has just announced a massive, unprecedented adjustment to their release strategy: all three flagship titles are dropping simultaneously on October 7, 2026.

    And here’s the kicker—Marvel is clearing the entire deck for it. In a highly rare and impactful move, no other Marvel titles will be published on October 7. For one week, the House of Ideas belongs exclusively to the dark.

    From the original New Universe to two Ultimate Universes, Marvel has a long history of creating and inspiring bold worlds filled with unforgettable characters and fresh ideas that feel new yet recognizable at the same time. With the new Midnight line, we’ve given some of our most outstanding creators the opportunity to delve into the darkest corners of their imaginations and birth some of the creepiest, most terrifying takes on the Marvel Universe you’ve ever seen.

    -Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski

    Originally scheduled to trickle out month-by-month starting in August, the corporate realignment spearheaded by Brad Winderbaum has shifted the Midnight Universe (Earth-1031) into a singular, coordinated launch event. The three ongoing titles reimagining Marvel icons through creator-owned horror sensibilities will now collide on day one:

    • MIDNIGHT X-MEN #1 (Written by Jonathan Hickman, Art by Matteo Della Fonte): The franchise architect returns to the mutants, but there’s no dream of peaceful coexistence here. This universe sees mutantkind fractured into competing “Mutant Empyres” and vampire covens, turning the species into bloodthirsty predators vying for control.
    • MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #1 (Written by Benjamin Percy, Art by Kev Walker): A cosmic-horror tragedy. The story tracks an obsessive Reed Richards delving into secrets of the universe that should have remained unknown, leaving the First Family warped into strange, horrifying, and destructive monsters.
    • MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1 (Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Art by Scie Tronc): Leaning heavily into visceral body-horror. Rather than a friendly neighborhood hero, a young Peter Parker is grotesque, violently transformed into a hideous spider-hybrid by an Oscorp Corporation desperate for eternal life.

    The more we talked about Midnight, the more we realized it was far more than just the birth of another new universe—it was on an entirely different scale creatively, a doorway to something that was not only immediately exciting, but had immense long-term promise.

    -Dan Buckley

    To enhance the eerie vibe, each book will utilize a “Cloaked Cover” program. The main covers will arrive at comic shops partially obscured, meaning readers will literally have to open the book or turn the page to unmask the hidden artwork inside.

    Because Marvel is giving October 7 over entirely to these three books, they are pairing the unified launch with exclusive promotional mailers, unique incentive programs, and a massive Midnight variant cover initiative to ensure the horror line completely dominates comic shop walls.

    The world these creators are building is truly special and the passion behind the stories they’re envisioning was palpable. We wanted to match their ambition with this unique launch plan, one that allows both retailers and fans to fully immerse themselves into this new line right from the start. When the clock strikes Midnight on October 7, these three series will unleash a bold new energy that we hope echoes throughout the industry for the foreseeable future.

    -Dan Buckley

    By utilizing writers known for grit, dread, and action—like Benjamin Percy (Wolverine) and Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Incredible Hulk)—Marvel is ensuring the horror isn’t just window dressing. It’s a poisoned, terrifying alternative reality that has been given a massive runway to grow.

    Source: Marvel.com

  • Post-Apocalyptic Earth Needs Avenging — Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto Relaunch ‘Avengers’ #1 This November

    The Marvel Universe is about to burn, and when the smoke clears, the flagship title of the publishing house is getting a total structural reset. Following an official announcement on Marvel.com, the powerhouse creative duo of Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto are officially reuniting to launch an all-new ongoing Avengers #1 on November 4, 2026.

    Spinning directly out of the catastrophic fallout of this summer’s 5-issue event Avengers: Armageddon, this series isn’t about traditional heroics—it’s about survival in a world that completely blames the costumed community for its collapse.

    Avengers: Armageddon kicks off when Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Red Hulk) seizes control of Latveria, dragging the global community into a super-powered cataclysm. Zdarsky and Checchetto’s new ongoing series deals with a completely rewritten global order where a broken humanity actively fears and distrusts the team.

    The official, stripped-down roster for the November relaunch features Captain Marvel and a heavily active street-level presence in Daredevil and Luke Cage while also bringing back together Spider-Man and Wolverine, who are stepping up to guide a decentralized world order.

    “It’s obviously a massive honor getting to write the world’s greatest super hero team!” Zdarsky shared. “And after what happens in Avengers: Armageddon, this lineup is angry as hell and ready to avenge. Avengers is a book that should lead the Marvel Universe, where big things happen and surprises keep hitting.“

    The “Disassembled” Parallel

    Following Brad Winderbaum’s historic corporate promotion to oversee both Television and Publishing, this print relaunch perfectly aligns with the live-action mandate of “character-first, grit-driven drama.”

    Marvel is explicitly marketing this relaunch as the biggest systemic shakeup to the franchise since Brian Michael Bendis’ Avengers: Disassembled over twenty years ago. The status quo of the team being high-class, government-backed celebrities is officially over.

    By populating the team with street-level icons like Luke Cage and Daredevil alongside heavy-hitters like Captain Marvel and Wolverine, Zdarsky is fundamentally altering how the team operates. This is a defensive, underground line of survivors. In a year completely defined by multiversal stakes on screen, the comic universe is pulling the camera down into the dirt—and it starts with a broken world that needs to be avenged.

    Source: Marvel

  • Jonathan Hickman to Architect ‘Midnight’, Marvel’s “Absolute Horror” Line

    Jonathan Hickman to Architect ‘Midnight’, Marvel’s “Absolute Horror” Line

    The light has had its turn. In a follow up scoop to Marvel’s cryptic reveal, Bleeding Cool’s Rich Johnston shared word that Marvel is preparing to launch Midnight, a standalone “Absolute Horror” universe.

    Coming this fall, the line is being positioned as Marvel’s direct answer to both DC’s “Absolute” universe and the prestige maturity of the classic Vertigo imprint. Leading the charge? None other than Jonathan Hickman, the architect behind the current Ultimate Universe and House of X.

    According to the report, Marvel is pivoting away from Hickman’s 2024 Ultimate Universe (which was designed with a two-year lifespan in mind) to this new dark frontier. Hickman is joined by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Benjamin Percy, both of whom have recently signed exclusive deals with Marvel to build this horror landscape.

    Much like DC’s Absolute line, Midnight will feature radical reimaginings of classic characters. Don’t expect the 616 versions of these heroes; expect “sons and daughters of Midnight Sons” reimagined for modern fears.

    While specific titles haven’t been officially announced, the report points to a lineup of Marvel’s heavy hitters in the supernatural and occult space. Blade, Ghost Rider, and Werewolf By Night are potential flagship titles. Given the space being explored, The Darkhold, Dracula, and Morbius are also possibilities for the initial rollout, suggesting a universe that leans heavily into the monstrous.

    Jonathan Hickman doesn’t just write books; he builds worlds. By giving him the keys to a horror-centric universe, Marvel is betting that the occult side of their IP—which has been largely secondary to superheroes for decades—can sustain its own massive, interconnected mythology. If Midnight has the bite of an Absolute book and the strangeness of a Vertigo title, it could redefine Marvel’s publishing strategy for the next five years.

    Source: Bleeding Cool

  • Image Comics Announces ‘Assorted Crisis Events’, by Assorted All-Star Creators

    Image Comics Announces ‘Assorted Crisis Events’, by Assorted All-Star Creators

    The monster creative team of Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki, Jordie Bellaire and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou have teamed up on an ongoing anthology book published by Image Comics. Set on a world where “time is having a crisis”, Assorted Crisis Events will “follow in the footsteps of normal people who are just trying to get through a normal day, but instead have to deal with time loops and space portals, confused time travelers from different eras, and alternate dimensional versions of themselves…all while just taking a stroll down the street.“

    In Assorted Crisis Events, time is having a crisis. Mingling in the red-light district, you can find actual cavemen, medieval knights, and cyborg soldiers on leave from World War IV. Victorian debutantes amble their way into cell phone stores, confused and bewildered (what is a data plan?). On their way to work, bleary-eyed commuters get trapped in time-loops, assaulted by alternate-reality versions of themselves, and try to avoid post-apocalyptic wastelands. And LOOK: the 3:15 bus just took a wrong turn…into the neolithic era. Rising stars Camp and Zawadzki, and Eisner-winners Bellaire and Otsmane-Elhaou, are proud to present Assorted Crisis Events, an ongoing, zig-zagging anthology series about the compromised clicks of our clocks—full of one-shot stories both beautiful and ugly, tragic and redemptive, surreal and somehow all too familiar. Stories of people (and reality) in crisis—trying to keep it together while the world is falling apart, second by twisted second…

    -Official Description provided by Image Comics

    “Assorted Crisis Events is like Crisis on Infinite Earths if it was happening to normal, everyday people, or Black Mirror, if the fabric of space and time were breaking down,” said the book’s writer, Deniz Camp. “But going deeper, Assorted Crisis Events has been one of the most ambitious and rewarding creative experiences of my life. The challenge of making every issue complete and personal and inventive, while playing out the larger story of the Crisis—what is causing it, can it be solved, who is The Broken Man?—across the series has been thrilling! Every member of the creative team adds so much to every issue—no one is just doing a job, they’re all artists in the truest sense, and I think every issue ranks among some of the best I’ve ever been a part of. If you’ve liked anything I’ve ever written before, please pick this up. You will not be disappointed.”

    Artist Eric Zawadzki was tasked with bringing the wild concept to life but was happy to take on the challenge. “This comic has been a dream project from the start. Deniz’s ambitions with pushing the boundaries of the medium of comics match my own,” he said. “Every script is a new challenge for me and it’s resulted in the proudest work of my career. I can’t believe my luck, being able to work with one of the best colourists and one of the best letterers in the comics industry, Jordie and Hassan, both of whom won the Eisner award for their respective crafts in 2024.“

    The all-star award-winning team of writer Deniz Camp (20th Century Men, The Ultimates, Absolute Martian Manhunter), artist Eric Zawadzki (Heart Attack, House of El), colorist Jordie Bellaire (They’re Not Like Us, Birds of Prey), and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Time Before Time, Poison Ivy) are teaming up for the new timeless ongoing anthology series, Assorted Crisis Events. Time has no bounds in this world, and readers will follow in the footsteps of normal people who are just trying to get through a normal day, but instead have to deal with time loops and space portals, confused time travelers from different eras, and alternate dimensional versions of themselves…all while just taking a stroll down the street. Meanwhile, the overarching story dives into what caused the rules of time to suddenly shift, and if it’s possible to reverse the damage. Fans of Crisis on Infinite Earths, Black Mirror, and Doctor Who will enjoy this time-bending, clock-shattering new series, with the first issue hitting shelves this March.

    Assorted Crisis Events #1 will available in your LCS on March 12, 2025.

    Source: Image

  • Image Comics Releases New Trailer for Rick Remender and Paul Azaceta’s ‘The Seasons’

    Image Comics Releases New Trailer for Rick Remender and Paul Azaceta’s ‘The Seasons’

    In October, Fangoria revealed that Rick Remender and Paul Azaceta were teaming with Image Comics for an “elevated tale of whimsical horror” in The Seasons. Part of Remender’s Giant Generator line of comics, The Seasons will roll out a double-sided first issue in January. Today, Image unveiled a trailer for the new book as part of an official release.

    Excitement for the upcoming The Seasons launch from The New York Times bestselling writer Rick Remender (The Sacrificers, Grommets, Deadly Class) and artist Paul Azaceta (Outcast by Kirkman and Azaceta) is ramping up and Giant Generator treated fans last weekend with the surprise drop of an eerie teaser trailer that alludes to an ancient evil at play.

    Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn are the Seasons Sisters, the daughters of the world-renowned Seasons Detectives. Ten years ago, their famous parents disappeared. Left to raise themselves, the sisters formed an unbreakable bond. Now that bond is tested as the sisters fall prey to sinister forces. The youngest sister, Spring, is the last hope of saving them from a fate worse than death. Will Spring be able to piece her shattered family back together before it’s too late for them all?

    -Official Synopsis for The Seasons

    “Paul and I have worked tirelessly to create a world unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” Remender told Fangoria last month. “Inspired by Miyazaki, Windsor McKay, and Tintin we wanted to make something that was delightful, poignant, and heartfelt,”he continued. “We hope you find the Seasons sisters as charming as we do. And the Ringleader and his imps as devilishly terrifying. Paul and Matheus have delivered one of the most spectacularly vibrant comics you’re going to see in the modern marketplace.”

    “The Seasons is a comic that will make you remember why you fell in love with comics in the first place.”

    —Robert Kirkman, Invincible, The Walking Dead

    The Seasons #1 will be on shelves on January 15, 2025.

    Sources: Image Comics, Fangoria

  • Marvel Revives Ms. Marvel as a Mutant, Disney+ Star Writing the New Comic

    Marvel Revives Ms. Marvel as a Mutant, Disney+ Star Writing the New Comic

    It’s safe to say that the “death” of Ms. Marvel was probably one of the most controversial decisions by Marvel Comics. Yet, it seems they had some big moves happening while the special issue Fallen Friend: The Death of Ms. Marvel remains a sour spot for some, there was a pretty expected strategy. Just as we were mourning the fallen hero, we already have an update on what we can expect from her comic’s future.

    The big reveal is that Iman Vellani, who plays Kamala Khan in the Disney+ series, is actually co-writing the project alongside Sabir Pirzada, who worked on the series. Carlos Gomez and Adam Gorham are providing the art with Sara Pichelli involved with the comics’ main covers. As part of the reveal, Vellani reveals what it was like moving on from writing fan fiction to the real thing.

    This was way scarier than joining the MCU for me. Those projects feel like they live in their own dimension, so I guess I can separate myself easier. But you can hold a comic book! I’ve never written anything before in my entire life, but I have read many comics, so I just wrote what I would want to read. I was given a very professional tool to write what is essentially my own fan fiction.

    Iman Vellani

    Check out the cover for the new series.

    As the cover unveils, Ms. Marvel is moving on from her Inhuman story towards embracing a new identity. The first Muslim superhero for Marvel is now a mutant, just as it was revealed in the Disney+ series. For those still mad at this revelation, it was the creator’s original intention to have her a mutant but ended up as an Inhuman due to the story that was written at the time. Of course, we’ll see just how long Kamala is going to stick around with the X-Men before once again embracing her Captain Marvel roots, which will be the focus of the upcoming The Marvels film.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • Al Ewing and Leonard Kirk Set to Open ‘Avengers Inc.’

    Al Ewing and Leonard Kirk Set to Open ‘Avengers Inc.’

    Immortal Hulk, Guardians of the Galaxy and Ultimates writer Al Ewing and Sabretooth and Sabretooth & The Exiles artist Leonard Kirk are launching a brand new take on the Avengers this Fall featuring one of the founding members of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. OG Avenger Janet Van Dyne will headline Avengers Inc., an ongoing series that will see her “out to solve the most amazing, fantastic and uncanny whodunnits the Marvel Universe has to offer!” according to Ewing.

    Her name is Janet Van Dyne. She’s a hero. She’s a celebrity. She’s hunting a killer. His name is Victor Shade. He’s a villain. He’s an enigma. He just got killed. And together, they’re out to solve every mystery in the Marvel Universe…starting with their own.

    Marvel.com

    The new book–which will feature “direct connections” to Jed MacKay and C.F. Villa’s main Avengers title–will begin “with a deadly conspiracy rooted in the ghosts of the Avengers’ past that only founding Avenger Wasp can solve. But she won’t be alone as she finds a new partner in Victor Shade! This former alias of Vision mysteriously resurfaces just as Janet discovers a score of Super Villain murders. Will he guide Wasp to the truth or is his familiar guise hiding the very clues Janet needs to crack the case?“

    As Ewing explains, “Avengers Inc. takes the beating, buzzing heart of the original Avengers, teams her up with an undead mystery man with an identity so secret even he doesn’t know it, and sends them both out to solve the most amazing, fantastic and uncanny whodunnits the Marvel Universe has to offer!” “It’s kind of a classic ‘will-they-won’t-they’ crime-solving partnership—or it would be if the ‘will-they’ in question was ‘save the world from…’ Well, that’d be telling. See you in September!” teased the author.

    “I am unsure what can be said of Avengers Inc. without spoiling anything for the readers,” said Kirk. “I can say this is a fun and intriguing take on some familiar characters that leans more into detective skills over super strength, wit rather than eye beams and cunning instead of small, genetically mutated, furry creatures. Al is doing a bang up job with this and I am having a load of fun. I hope the audience does too.“

    Source: Marvel.com