After being crippled by a shady wrestling promoter, a former pro wrestler gathers a team of others wronged in the ring to rob the promoter blind during the biggest wrestling event of the year!

Over the years I have become more and more a fan of Starks’ comics, but in recent years it’s his horror writing skills that have been the highlight for me. But there is something special seeing him return to his comedy roots, as well as getting behind the illustrations, that made Wrestle Heist something fantastic and so much fun. Kyle’s fresh style of comedy mixed with his unique illustrations made this series what it is.

It’s no secret that wrestling and comics have long gone hand-in-hand, a venn diagram would be closer to a circle when it comes to the crossover of the fandoms. Not to mention the number of comics that feature the sport of wrestling. While some have found great success, I am looking at you Do A Powerbomb!, and others not so much (no I am not going to list any, nice try). But a comic that blends wrestling with an incredible heist story is something that is both fresh and unique. A story that revolves around wrestling, but ultimately a tale of revenge, all while being darkly humorous.

The humorous heist story is something special, but it’s Starks’ illustration style that made it even better. His illustrations naturally have a playful and comedic touch that makes it easy to see why it works so well with this story. It also shows why when he dove into the horror side of things he focused mainly on writing, as his art style might not have hit as hard. But his return to the drawing board is something that Wrestle Heist ultimately deserved. The exaggerated characters and expressive features gave the story a lively and playful tone, complemented perfectly by the popping colors by Vlad Popov.

Wrestle Heist feels like a love letter to both longtime pro wrestling fans, but also those who just love a humorous caper. Kyle Starks brings a revenge-driven heist to the world of pro wrestling like no one else can and does it with such fun. You can tell this story was created by someone who has a passion not only for wrestling but the medium of comics. I enjoy reading a ton of various genres of comics, but when it came to Wrestle Heist it was just plain fun to go along for the ride.

The collected edition of Wrestle Heist is available now at your local comic shops and bookstores everywhere on August 4, 2026 from Image Comics.

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2036. Two years ago, hordes of monsters rose from the earth and sea, devouring everything in sight. Much of mankind was massacred before the monsters realized they needed humans. In this new world, humans have two options: service or slaughter. When a young child named Frankie narrowly escapes their fate as livestock, they soon realize that their fight for survival has only just begun.

Kingdom of Earth is a blend of monster or creature feature along with post-apocalyptic horror and drama. A story set in the future, a not-so-distant future of around 10 years from now. It always catches me by surprise seeing years like 2036 and realize it’s only 10 years from now. Never gets old. This new series doesn’t just feature a single type of monsters, but a various collection of creatures that reign havoc on a North America now split into four different sections.

Dastmalchian and Kilpatrick seems to be allowing all kinds of inspiration to enter their newly created world from fairytales, to folklore, to creature features. Unlike other stories where you might see zombies, or a specific creature infestation, this debut issue gives us a few types of different abominations and it’s only the beginning. We are thrust into a world already in chaos and controlled by monsters, but there is this light at the end of the tunnel in the form of Frankie.

Its brutal and overwhelming what has happened to the human race and the fact that any humans are still in existence is due to these monsters figuring out they some are needed to survive. Therefore the door to hope is slightly left open and allows our hero to start the journey to what hopefully is a revival. While this first issue introduces us to a few monsters and sets the foundation to the series, its the end of the issue that really gives us hope for the rest of the series and to see where Frankie is going to take us.

Taking the story upwards is the art and creature designs by Lee. The illustrations are not held back and the brutality of these monsters is felt from the first few pages. Lee also finds balance in the more quieter moments of Frankies emergence which helps quiet the chaos in the world. Lee’s artwork paired with Frank Cvetkovic’s lettering makes for a visual feast in a chaotic world of monsters and mayhem.

Kingdom of Earth builds an unsettling world while introducing us to some horrific monsters and a protagonist worth rooting for. David Dastmalchian, Leah Kilpatrick, and Soo Lee craft a grim and brutal apocalyptic world that leaves us eager for what happens next. Kingdom of Earth is a brutal, monster-filed story balancing relentless darkness with a glimpse of hope.

Kingdom of Earth #1 hits local comic shops on July 15, 2026 from Dark Horse.

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While we are not the official voice of your decision, we want to help guide you in the right direction for comics releasing July 15, 2026.

Prophets of Doom #1

Writer: Joseph Schmalke
Artist: Amanda Kahl
Publisher: Midnight Factory

When their fire-and-brimstone sermons fail to attract the crowds or cash they once did, three evangelical preachers hatch a desperate plan to rebuild their flocks and line their pockets with the help of a forbidden text.

Their plan: summon five ancient evils to invade Heaven on a suicide mission, triggering a mini-Apocalypse and putting butts back in their pews.

It’s over-the-top grindhouse exploitation at its finest in this offering from writer Joseph Schmalke (We Don’t Kill Spiders, Seven Years in Darkness) and artist Amanda Kahl.

Prophets of Doom is exactly the comic that reminds me why Joseph Schmalke has become an auto-pull for me at my local comic shop and adding Amanda Kahl to the mix proved to be the perfect pairing for this twisted tale. Prophets of Doom is a wickedly fun and unapologetically wild story that takes us on a fantastic ride and it’s only the first issue. I know we are in for one hell of a series. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

Kingdom of Earth #1

Writer: David Dastmalchian, Leah Kilpatrick
Artist: Soo Lee
Publisher: Dark Horse

2036. Two years ago, hordes of monsters rose from the earth and sea, devouring everything in sight. Much of mankind was massacred before the monsters realized they needed humans. In this new world, humans have two options: service or slaughter. When a young child named Frankie narrowly escapes their fate as livestock, they soon realize that their fight for survival has only just begun.

From the critically acclaimed writing duo of David Dastmalchian and Leah Kilpatrick and the Bram Stoker Award–winning artist Soo Lee comes this all-new monstrous miniseries.

Sonic the Hedgehog X Godzilla #1

Writer: Nick Marino
Artist: Jack Lawrence
Publisher: IDW Publishing

When the King of the Monsters and other iconic kaiju mysteriously arrive in the Blue Blur’s world, the brilliant and evil Dr. Eggman will try to harness the power of the kaiju for his own nefarious goals. Only Sonic and his amazing allies–including Amy, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow–will be able to stand in the villain’s way and try to send the giant monsters back to their own world.

Sonic the Hedgehog X Godzilla is that crossover that sounds odd on paper, yet someone capture the best of both franchises in a one wild package. Writer Nick Marino and artist Jack Lawrence deliver a fun, campy adventure while still giving Godzilla and the kaiju roster that presence we expect. Sonic the Hedgehog X Godzilla is a fun crossover that proves the Blue Blur and the King of the Monsters are a great match. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

Devil on my Shoulder TP

Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Piotr Kowalksi
Publisher: Dark Horse

Something terrible has happened. For forty days she was tortured by five men and left for dead — but she will get her revenge on each and every one of them. And it will be bloody. An event that takes her on a strange and violent supernatural path of payback through bizarre encounters with ex-hitmen, sadistic art enthusiasts, and literal devils.

A new dark horror four issue series from the creators of Where Monsters Lie Kyle Starks (Those Not Afraid) and Piotr Kowalski (Let This One Be a Devil) that’s perfect for fans of The Crow, revenge horror, and violent, well-deserved retribution.

Devil on my Shoulder is a brutal, unflinching revenge horror that hits all the marks. Kyle Starks and Piotr Kowalski are a horror duo that continues to craft amazing horror tales that are not for the faint of heart. Gripping and terrifying, Devil on my Shoulder is a must-read. – CLICK HERE to read the enter review of the first issue

The post FEATURED 4: Prophets of Doom #1, Kingdom of Earth #1, and July 15 Comics appeared first on Capes and Tights.

When their fire-and-brimstone sermons fail to attract the crowds or cash they once did, three evangelical preachers hatch a desperate plan to rebuild their flocks and line their pockets with the help of a forbidden text.

Their plan: summon five ancient evils to invade Heaven on a suicide mission, triggering a mini-Apocalypse and putting butts back in their pews.

When you open up a Schmalke penned story, you know you are in for a treat. The veteran comic creator always has something crazy up his sleeve and with Prophets of Doom is shady ass religious folk who decide to go a bit too far for their own personal gain. As you can imagine, it doesn’t go as planned. Conjuring evil forces to start a mini-Apocalypse to get people to follow their sermons sounds like a great idea on paper (maybe not), but when executed it doesn’t seem like things are going to go all that well (what a surprise, right?).

Schmalke takes religious grifting to another level with Prophets of Doom, preachers who somehow still think they are doing what’s right, but ultimately doing everything for selfish reasons. Joseph’s comparison to some real life style of ministry is not wrong, but in Schmalke fashion takes it up to 11. Prophets of Doom gives us three preachers who we will love to hate and a group of evil characters we will hate to love.

This first issue of Prophets of Doom lays a wonderful foundation for the series while giving us just the right amount of action and forward momentum to push us into feverishly waiting for the next issue. Always happy to wait, but sometimes I want it now, that is how issue one left me hanging at the end. Some surprising ass-kicking I didn’t see coming, but was fully invested in once it graced the page.

The story is wild, but it rounded out by Kahl’s outstanding line work and perfect color palette. Those who are used to seeing Schmalke illustrate his own stories will see a fresh new style with Amanda, one that fits this story like a glove. Although rarely works in single-issue comic format, Kahl is another veteran illustrator who brings some serious talent to this story and pushes it in the right direction. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the phenomenal lettering by Micah Myers.

Prophets of Doom is exactly the comic that reminds me why Joseph Schmalke has become an auto-pull for me at my local comic shop and adding Amanda Kahl to the mix proved to be the perfect pairing for this twisted tale. Prophets of Doom is a wickedly fun and unapologetically wild story that takes us on a fantastic ride and it’s only the first issue. I know we are in for one hell of a series.

Prophets of Doom #1 hits local comic shops on July 15, 2026 from Midnight Factory Press.

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This week on the Capes and Tights Podcast, Justin Soderberg welcomes comic book retailer Paul Eaton of Galactic Comics and Collectibles to the podcast to discuss the comics of 2026…so far, moving Galactic into their new shop, and more!

Eaton is the owner of Galactic Comics and Collectibles located at 499 Hammond Street, Bangor, Maine. Opened six years ago, Galactic expanded into their current location in March 2026 which doubled the square footage. In addition to chatting about the expansion, Eaton is here to discuss the comics of the year and what we expect for the rest of the year.

#289: Comics of 2026…So Far with Paul Eaton

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Through the darkness of the thousand-year eclipse they sail, seeking adventure, treasure — and blood!

In a world ruled by vampires, Empress Nira of the Night Isles has always cared more for sword-fighting and carousing than ruling. But when she escapes a vicious coup by stowing aboard VMS Abyss, a pirate ship run by the mysterious Captain Akeyo, she gets more than she can handle of both.

She must rise through the ranks of the Vampyrates from lowly swab to queen of the Sea of Night — so the oceans will run red with her vengeance!

At this moment there is no shortage of vampire stories to dive into, but one that blends the vampire lore with the swashbuckling adventures of pirates is few and far between. Leave it to Van Lente to grip us with a tale of vampires and pirates that we haven’t seen the likes of, at least in my memory. Blending two iconic groups of characters into a weird story that pulls you in from the start was kind of what I expected from even the title and am even more glad to finish the first issue, awaiting more!

Let’s be honest, if vampires were real, at some point it wouldn’t be crazy for them to have crossed paths with a pirate over the many years. So, while this is an utter work of fiction and is weird from top to bottom, it kind of makes sense at the same time. Vampyrates! is a fun and wild adventure that packs a punch in the first issue which doesn’t take a break from start other finish. A lot happens between the covers of issue one, which can have you stumbling to follow along, but in the end it all makes sense and leaves you eagerly awaiting the next issue.

Vampyrates! is an action-packed, epic fantasy that is driven by this new world and characters crafted by Van Lente. It’s a world I can see myself getting lost in as the series progresses. Van Lente sets a great foundation, launching Vampyrates! with these unique characters, ships, and locations. What I have learned over the years is that Van Lente isn’t one to go simple, he is full force with every story he tells, Vampyrates! is no different.

The first issue is only emboldened by the artwork of Pizzari which is filled with energy that exudes the adventure at hand. Mix this with the colors of Guzowski and wonderful lettering of Troutman and we get wonderfully attractive visuals that pull us into the story even more. The book feels as equal vampire-y as it does pirate-y.

Vampyrates! is exactly the type of story I love stumbling upon, a new series built on a wild idea that is fully committed to. Fred Van Lente has a way of crafting stories that surprise and entertain in unique ways and when joined by artist Luca Pizzari brings an energetic feeling. Vampyrates! is a thrilling adventure that is filled with vampires and pirates, just the comic you were looking for.

Vampyrates! #1 hits local comic shops on July 8, 2026 from BOOM! Studios.

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While we are not the official voice of your decision, we want to help guide you in the right direction for comics releasing July 8, 2026.

Operation: Iron Coffin #1

Writer: Kenny Porter
Artist: Tyrell Canon
Publisher: IDW Publishing

The recently resurrected Dracula, one of the world’s greatest monsters and most infamous vampires, is hell-bent on redemption. The mission he takes to make that redemption possible? Teaming up with British Allied forces during World War II. They’ll air-drop him onto a Nazi train containing a horde of soldiers, augmented villains, and a vampire plague that, if released, will create a new generation of vampire terrors. Dracula will have to battle his way through the train, confronting his past sins and facing off against the wicked Hazel and Ivy, who are calling the shots for the Nazis… and who have a vested interest in Dracula’s failures.

The action horror book of the year is here, from critically acclaimed writer Kenny Porter (Superman: Father of Tomorrow, DC Mech, TMNT 2025 Annual) and rising star artist Tyrell Cannon (Fantastic Four Fanfare).

Operation: Iron Coffin comes out of the gate swinging with a unique premise that delivers far more than ever expected. Kenny Porter and Tyrell Cannon give us a Dracula that isn’t just here for the carnage, although we get plenty of that, but for a compelling redemption arc wrapped in a fast-paced, blood-soaked WWII setting. IDW Dark may have some heavy hitting titles in its first year as an imprint at IDW Publishing, but Operation: Iron Coffin stands out as one of the best. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

Dispatched #1

Writer: B. Clay Moore
Artist: Daniel Gete
Publisher: Ignition Press

MacGyver meets Die Hard in this life-or-death unboxing! Estranged from his family and living under a government-issued alias, ex-black ops agent Morgan Power endures a life in suburban exile as a delivery driver for a major global courier company. It’s a 180 from his action-packed classified work abroad, until a routine shift puts him in the crosshairs of a domestic terrorist takedown. Trapped in the parking garage of a besieged corporate office park, Power goes back to basics with nothing but his survival skills and a delivery van full of unopened packages — and endless possibilities — to fight his way from floor to floor and free the hostages. But some boxes hold more trash than treasure, and Powers will also have to contend with his intensifying PTSD as the situation escalates and time runs out.

Writer B. Clay Moore (Bloodland, The Leading Man) and rising artist Daniel Gete (Skin Police) deliver a classic lockdown thriller with a fresh twist!

Dispatched was exactly what I had hoped it would be and more. B. Clay Moore scratches the itch for a Die Hard feeling comic with explosive action, but it’s the struggles with PTSD for Morgan Power that really rounds out the story, along with Daniel Gete’s fantastic artwork. Dispatched is truly a thrilling and action-packed story that takes the familiar and gives us something fresh. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy #1

Writer: Tyler Boss
Artist: Dylan Burnett
Publisher: Image Comics

The cotton-tailed Exquisite Corpses killer gets a spinoff origin story.

The sleepy little town of Aurora Springs, NY, has exactly one claim to fame: it’s the birthplace of Rascal Randy. Not the man in the suit — the man has never mattered. He was no one until he put the mascot head on for the first time, until he felt the life leave someone’s body through the thickly furred gloves of the suit.

No, Aurora Springs is the birthplace of Rascal Randy the rabbit, who, once upon a time, was poised to become the greatest animated character this country had ever seen — until greed and tragedy changed his trajectory forever.

Now, before the events of Exquisite Corpses Season 1, witness the final murder spree of this iconic killer, as chaos hops into town with buckteeth bared and ears flopping… and the secret, sordid history of Rascal Randy is finally revealed.

If you finished Exquisite Corpses Season 1 wanting more from Rascal Randy, this new series is exactly what you had hope for. Tyler Boss expands on the history of the character without taking away some of the mystery in the main series. Boss delivers a creepy, atmospheric story that stands confidently on its own while adding to the lore Exquisite Corpses. Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy is one of those rare prequels that doesn’t just justify its existence, it makes an already iconic character even more fascinating. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1

Writer: Jude Ellison S. Doyle
Artist: Fran Galán
Publisher: DC Comics

Before he was Clayface, Basil Karlo was one of the hottest stars in Hollywood. As he breaks out of Arkham once again, he’s ready to stage his comeback, but there’s just one problem: Someone already beat him to it, and Basil Karlo is already a massive star. But if that’s true, what’s next for the real Basil? And what does his predicament have to do with young women disappearing in Los Angeles and a new supplement causing hideous transformations in its users? Acclaimed horror writer Jude Ellison S. Doyle and rising star artist Fran Galán join forces for a bold new miniseries that’s equal parts body horror and Hollywood glamour.

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The sleepy little town of Aurora Springs, NY, has exactly one claim to fame: it’s the birthplace of Rascal Randy. Not the man in the suit — the man has never mattered. He was no one until he put the mascot head on for the first time, until he felt the life leave someone’s body through the thickly furred gloves of the suit.

No, Aurora Springs is the birthplace of Rascal Randy the rabbit, who, once upon a time, was poised to become the greatest animated character this country had ever seen — until greed and tragedy changed his trajectory forever.

Not only do we get more from the world of Exquisite Corpses, but it’s in the form of one of my favorite characters from the first season. Rascal Randy, one of the more iconic characters from the series, has this creepy-yet-cuddly vibe going on that forces me to know more about their history. Now, Boss crafts a story that dives deep into the lore of the character, heading back a number of years to kick-it-off. Even though some prequels can feel like a way to squeeze more cash out of the golden calf, but this spin-off equals the form set by the main series.

Prequels are always tough stories to tell, as you want to give more on the background of select characters, in this case Rascal Randy, but also allow new readers to be able to follow along. Boss has created a tale that needs no prior knowledge to read and allows us as the reader to choose between diving into Rascal Randy and get to know the character prior to reading the main series, or read Exquisite Corpses and dive into the prequel to get more context and information.

Luckily, Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy explores more than just the history of the killer themselves, but also dives into the history of the character on the outside. The iconic bunny costume derives from a deeper history and Boss begins the journey in this premiere issue. We fell in love with the character and killer in Exquisite Corpses, now Boss tells us why.

The story is creepy and truly atmospheric. There is the unsettling vibe throughout that I couldn’t put my finger on, but just added to the over reading experience. Being the first issue in the series, not much is revealed (great cliffhanger ending), but lays the foundation for the rest of the series.

As with the main series, Rascal Randy features the vision of another talented artist putting pen to page. Burnett’s illustrations bring the creep factor to another level with some gritty style and dark vibes. It’s a style that fits the character and the world crafted before it. The artwork works so well with Boss’ storytelling for a complete package.

If you finished Exquisite Corpses Season 1 wanting more from Rascal Randy, this new series is exactly what you had hope for. Tyler Boss expands on the history of the character without taking away some of the mystery in the main series. Boss delivers a creepy, atmospheric story that stands confidently on its own while adding to the lore Exquisite Corpses. Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy is one of those rare prequels that doesn’t just justify its existence, it makes an already iconic character even more fascinating.

Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy #1 hits local comic shops on July 8, 2026 from Image Comics.

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When superfan Taylor Van Owens wins a contest to stay in the legendary Mallard house—the most iconic filming location for the hit vampire book turned movie Blood Mountain—she and her best friend Karrah arrive in Vail expecting to sink their fangs into a weekend straight from a fangirl’s dream. The cast has reunited for a tenth-anniversary celebration, devotees have descended on the small town, and nostalgia hangs thick in the air.

But shortly before their arrival, a young woman is found dead inside the Mallard house. The death is quickly brushed off as an unstable fan taking her fantasies too far, but rumors swirl as the police quietly open a murder investigation. With cameras rolling and ravenous Blood Mountain buffs to appease, production works overtime to keep the story from leaking, insisting the fandom is “one big family,” but unease spreads through the town. Resentful locals, jealous superfans, sensitive actors, and desperate producers overwhelm Taylor as she moves in a haze through meet-and-greets, vigils, and book signings. Every interaction feels loaded. Every corner holds a potential threat. Every vampire has a taste for blood.

And the killer isn’t finished. They’ll stain the town red to ensure they go down in Blood Mountain history. This isn’t just a random act of violence—it’s a crime of passion a decade in the making.

As someone who runs a website dealing with pop culture and in turn fandom, as well as helping out with local conventions, I have seen first-hand the passion fans have for the things they love. I have seen people, both online and in-person, cross the line of what is appropriate as well as seen those celebrities they gush over end up being a bit sleazy or rude. Its a path that goes both ways, but lets be honest sometimes fandom can get toxic and addicting to a point where its becomes a problem. Chase crafts a story with Fixation that features this toxic addiction while also giving us a mystery where everyone could be the killer, allowing us to keep guessing throughout.

Chase takes a few familiar concepts and mashes them together to create a unique story with a fresh take on the tropes. I have read stories about staying overnight in a creepy house, celebrities creepily fighting back, reunions of a horror television show or movies going wrong, but to use a bit of everything to create a fresh story is something Chase does with ease. Not to mention taking winning fans along as the center of the story, winning fans or potentially losing fans in the end…

Fixation is a thrilling crime story at heart, but also is an exploration of toxic fan culture and the effects of said issues. Fandom overreach and the interactions between fans and celebrities can get complex and creepy, but when bodies start piling up what can be more creepy than that? The story is eerie and has a sense of unease throughout as if someone is watching, not only the characters in the book, but in my house as I read. It’s this feeling that made the book all the more special.

The artwork by Mayer just added to the uneasy feeling I felt as I read this double-sized premiere issue of Fixation. Mayer uses a grittier, edgy style of illustration that pushed the book into the unsettling nature it was going for. There are moments that feature this cool purple, blue, and pops of red along with a darker and ominous palette that made the colors by James Fenner shine in this debut as well. Not to mention excellent design and lettering by Sandy Tanaka. I am always glad when story and artwork work so well together and this creative team nailed it.

Fixation takes a bit of familiar pieces and twists them into something that ultimately feels fresh and unsettling. Amy Chase brings a tense mystery, while Savanna Mayer illustrates the eerie vibes in this oversized thought-provoking premiere issue that had me guessing. Fixation is a gripping and unnerving story that proves fandom can be just as terrifying as anything else, making for crime story worth diving into.

Fixation #1 hits local comic shops on September 9, 2026 (FOC: August 3) from the IDW Crime imprint at IDW Publishing.

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We tend to lean towards independent and horror comics, so this list might be skewed a bit to that side of things. The list is in order of release date into local comic shops, publication dates for your favorite bookstore may come a day early or a few weeks later depending on publisher. Release dates are also subject to change.

Wrestle Heist

Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Kyle Starks
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: July 8, 2026

Wrestle Heist is a no-holds-barred heist caper packed with body slams and backstabs for fans of over-the-top action!

After being crippled by a shady wrestling promoter, a former pro wrestler gathers a team of others wronged in the ring to rob the promoter blind during the biggest wrestling event of the year! From the outrageous, action-packed mind of multi-time Eisner nominee Kyle Starks (Peacemaker Tries Hard, Sexcastle, I Hate This Place), with eye-popping colors by Vladimir Popov (Where Monsters Lie, Fearscape).

Collects Wrestle Heist #1-5.

The Guy in the Chair

Writer: Hannah Rose May, Utkarsh Ambudkar
Artist: Guillermo Sanna
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date: July 8, 2026

The Guy in the Chair is a comics spy thriller jam packed with action, comedy, and heart.

In the blood-soaked world of assassins and spies, love has no place. Unfortunately for Abhi, a tactical analyst at a private military company, love is all he can think about. Against his employer’s strict policy, he’s fallen head over heels for Merlin, the field operative whose missions he supports as her “Guy in the Chair.”

When Merlin shows up at his apartment bloody, beaten, and pleading for help, Abhi is yanked from behind the safety of his computer screens, and now the two must prevent their former employer and a cabal of corporate overlords from a hostile global takeover that threatens all of humanity.

Collects The Guy in the Chair #1-4.

Lex Luthor: Diabolical Genius

Writer: Christof Bogacs
Artist: Valerio Chiola
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: July 8, 2026

Lex Luthor is many things: Inventor. Genius. Criminal Mastermind. He’s also barely a teenager.

When his father, Lionel Luthor, is thrown into prison by none other than that meddling blue boy scout Superman, the heir apparent to the Luthor crime empire must find a way to get his revenge. And Lex has the perfect plan. With the help of his infamous bodyguard, Slade Wilson, he is going to kidnap Lois Lane. Lex knows that Superman would trade just about anything in exchange for Lois’s safe return — maybe even Superman’s ultimate weakness. But what happens when Clark calls in his broody friend Batman instead?

What follows is an action-packed game of cat-and-mouse from writer Christof Bogacs (Under Kingdom) and artist Valerio Chiola sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats!

Devil on My Shoulder

Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Piotr Kowalski
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date: July 15, 2026

Something terrible has happened. For forty days she was tortured by five men and left for dead — but she will get her revenge on each and every one of them. And it will be bloody. An event that takes her on a strange and violent supernatural path of payback through bizarre encounters with ex-hitmen, sadistic art enthusiasts, and literal devils.

Devil on My Shoulder is from the Eisner-nominated creator Kyle Starks (Those Not Afraid) and Piotr Kowalski of the hit meta-horror comedy Where Monsters Lie comes this dark revenge horror comics series that’s The Crow meets John Wick.

Collects Devil on my Shoulder #1-4.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring

Writer: Patrick Horvath
Artist: Patrick Horvath
Publisher: IDW Publishing / IDW Dark
Release Date: July 22, 2026

The Eisner-nominated cozy-horror comic series returns in this sequel to the critically acclaimed first volume!

It’s been eight long years since a bloodlusting brown bear drove into the city, kidnapped a kind young duck, dissected his body, and buried the pieces in the woods. The duck’s family painstakingly sought justice… but this brown bear was smart… she covered her tracks… and in the ’80s, there simply wasn’t a way for the duck’s family to find answers.

But it’s not the ’80s anymore. Almost a decade after cuddly brown bear Samantha Strong solidified herself as the sole serial killer in Woodbrook, the world is entering a new era. As Samantha will soon find out, there are no secrets in the age of the internet. And those who lost loved ones to her massacre haven’t given up the flame of justice.

A reckoning is coming to Woodbrook. Join visionary writer and artist Patrick Horvath as he returns to the hit series that has taken the comic world by storm!

Collects Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #1-6.

D’Orc Vol. 1

Writer: Brett Bean
Artist: Brett Bean
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: July 22, 2026

D’Orc, the half dwarf/ half orc is fated to end the world because of some inconvenient doomsday prophecy from the Book of Certain Doom.

Armed with nothing but a magical yet ambitiously violent shield and a chicken with its head cut off, D’orc is caught dead center into Sunderaine’s never-ending war between the Light and Dark. Elves vs. Orcs. Wizards vs. Common Sense. Dragons vs. Literally Everyone.

Can he survive being hunted, blamed, and beaten by every human, elf, goblin, dwarf, Witch, Timelord, Ice Giant, three headed Dog, and at least three other unpronounceable magical creatures?

Join fan-favorite artist Brett Bean (I Hate Fairyland, Dungeon Crawler Carl), colorist Jean-François Beaulieu (I Hate Fairyland), and letterer Nate Piekos (Minor Threats) for a hilarious high-fantasy romp perfect for fans of Conan, Lord of the Rings, and of course, Gert’s deadpan humor.

Collects D’Orc #1-5.

30 Days of Night: Falling Sun

Writer: Rodney Barnes
Artist: Chris Shehan
Publisher: IDW Publishing / IDW Dark
Release Date: July 22, 2026

The town of Barrow, Alaska, has survived vampires before. But decades after the first attack, when the long polar night falls, it’s no longer just vampires stalking the darkness for revenge…and no one is safe in this horror graphic novel.

Over two decades after the terrifying vampire attack of 30 Days of Night, the town of Barrow, Alaska, has moved on. When troubled teenager Jalen James moves to town, fleeing the gang violence of Los Angeles, he finds himself trapped in a place just as dangerous. As both vampires and Jalen’s former gang seek revenge, the people of Barrow must remember its history if they want to survive the long polar night.

While Jalen deals with the trauma he is running from, an old vampire is resurrected from blood and ash…and vows to avenge his slain brother, Vicente. The dark of night will protect neither Jalen nor Barrow from the past, and they’ll have to come together and defeat their demons if they ever want to see the sun again.

Writer Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia, Batman: Full Moon) and artist Chris Shehan (House of Slaughter, The Autumnal) dare you to survive Barrow after dark in this cult-classic revival as original co-creator Steve Niles returns to the series as a story consultant.

Collects 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1-3.

Event Horizon: Dark Descent

Writer: Christian Ward
Artist: Tristan Jones
Publisher: IDW Publishing / IDW Dark
Release Date: July 29, 2026

Discover what happened to the original crew of the Event Horizon in this all-new cosmic horror graphic novel set in the universe of the terrifying cult-classic film!

This original comic series serves as an official prequel to the film! The Event Horizon was a revolutionary spaceship designed for one mission: faster-than-light travel with a top-secret, experimental gravity drive. But upon activating the device, the ship journeyed across the borders of Hell itself. In a nightmarish realm of torments beyond imagining, Captain Kilpack and the crew of the Event Horizon must resist all manner of demonic forces—including Paimon, the eyeless King of Hell, and their own descents into madness and bloodlust—if they’ve any chance of escaping back to their own world.

Abandon all hope and board the Event Horizon with multiple Eisner Award winner Christian Ward (writer of Batman: City of Madness, Two-Face) and powerhouse sci-fi artist Tristan Jones (Horror of Godzilla) in this unbelievable story of the true and final fate of the original Event Horizon crew.

Collects Event Horizon: Dark Descent #1-5.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder Vol. 1

Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Michele Bandini
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: August 5, 2026

One of the most terrifying villains in the history of comics is back—and more deadly than ever! Why is he here and what path will he take? Find out as the Shredder gets his own series!

As a dark new power rises from the shadows of New York, so does a much darker power return to the city’s streets…for revenge! Long a nemesis of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Shredder has returned forever changed by a maddening ordeal beyond imagining—a man out of time, betrayed by all around him, without the Foot Clan, and quite possibly insane. When one of his former Foot prodigies forms their own rival clan with infernal designs on New York, a recovering Shredder must quest deep into the criminal underworld, where enemies both old and new will discover what defiance will bring them at the end of the Shredder’s blades.

Collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder #1-6.

Murder Podcast Vol. 1

Writer: Jeremy Haun
Artist: Mike Tisserand
Publisher: Ignition Press
Release Date: August 12, 2026

No one knows how it got on your phone — but when you play the episode, people die!

The creator of The Beauty returns to infect your feed with a violent new horrifically brutal series for true crime lovers!

Fans of true crime podcasts are noticing brand-new episodes of a show they thought was over appearing in their feed, but when they cue up the first episode, they find themselves overtaken by a murderous urge. One that only stops when the killer is stopped, leaving a gruesome death toll in its wake.

For Mina and her friends, these killings are just another topic of their daily gossip, a potential new case for the next true crime show they can’t get enough of. Yet, as the killings get closer and closer to their own lives, it’s becoming clear that there is more going on below the surface than any of them realize.

Collects Murder Podcast #1-4 and Murder Podcast: The Cold Open.

Crownsville

Writer: Rodney Barnes
Artist: Elia Bonetti
Publisher: Oni Press
Release Date: August 12, 2026

Sins of the past don’t stay buried… they always find a way of rising from the grave!

From Eisner Award–nominated writer and master storyteller Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia, Batman: Full Moon) and phenomenal artist Elia Bonetti (Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy), enter a century-spanning tale of suspense and sorrow as true crime meets shocking terror inside an infamous asylum with a tortured past.

Founded at the turn of the 20th century outside of Annapolis, Maryland, the Crownsville Hospital was a notoriously segregated, all-Black psychiatric institute. After decades of overcrowding and neglect— alongside darker, more persistent rumors of patient abuse and illegal medical experiments—it was finally closed. Today, it stands condemned—a crumbling testament to a legacy of all-too-real terror inflicted on a marginalized and vulnerable community. But even as a ruin of its former self, Crownsville still casts a long shadow…When an unexplained death inside the abandoned hospital is ruled a suicide, Annapolis police detective Mike Simms and journalist Paul Blairare are compelled to dig deeper, only to discover the reality of the horrors that once took place there… and the powerful connection they share to the anguished spirits of the dead that are still locked within its walls.

Collects Crownsville #1-6.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus

Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: August 12, 2026

An epic showdown brings TMNT heroes and villains from across the multiverse together for the very first time in this comic series by five incredible creative teams!

The raddest TMNT event of the decade kicks off here! When one of the Turtles’ closest allies is taken hostage by a mysterious adversary, the brothers are drawn into a new dimension of adventure in Battle Nexus. This blistering five-part series finds the Ninja Turtles fighting for their lives in a martial arts challenge unlike anything they’ve faced, with four deadly champions selected from across 40 years of TMNT media to destroy the Ninja Turtles—every Ninja Turtle!

For the first time, IDW’s Heroes in a Half-Shell meet allies from other fan-favorite TMNT universes, such as the comics worlds of Mirage and Archie, the animated characters from the Rise of the TMNT and Tales of the TMNT series, and more as they fight for their lives and discover the unbelievable secrets of the Battle Nexus!

Brought to you by a host of talent, including Tom Waltz, Esau & Isaac Escorza, Paul Allor, Ben Bishop, Sophie Campbell, Vitor Cafaggi, Caleb Goellner, Omar Francia, Erik Burnham, and Hendry Prasetya!

Collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus #1-5.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin TP

Writer: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Tom Waltz
Artist: Esau & Isaac Escorza, Ben Bishop, Kevin Eastman
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: August 26, 2026

The best-selling TMNT epic that took the world of comics by storm, reunited the TMNT’s original creators, and reinvented the Turtles’ mythology and future!

A New York Times bestseller!

Who is the Last Ronin? In a battle-ravaged future New York City, a lone surviving Turtle embarks on a seemingly hopeless mission of seeking justice for the family he lost. From legendary TMNT co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, get ready for the final story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles three decades in the making!

What terrible events destroyed his family and left New York a crumbling, postapocalyptic nightmare? All will be revealed in this climactic Turtles tale that sees longtime friends becoming enemies and new allies emerging in the most unexpected places. Can the surviving Turtle triumph?

Eastman and Laird are joined by writer Tom Waltz, who penned the first 100 issues of IDW’s ongoing TMNT series, and artists Esau & Isaac Escorza and Ben Bishop.

Collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #1-5.

TMNT: The Last Ronin – The Lost Years TP

Writer: Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz
Artist: Esau & Isaac Escorza, Ben Bishop, Kevin Eastman
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: August 26, 2026

An epic prequel to the smash-hit graphic novel TMNT: The Last Ronin, where readers discovered who the Last Ronin was, Lost Years shows the thrilling journey of how he came to be.

In the smash-hit miniseries The Last Ronin, readers witnessed the final gut-wrenching days of the Heroes in a Half-Shell. For Michelangelo in particular, the march to his heartbreaking last battle was long and dangerous, taking him from New York City to Japan, across Asia and Europe, and then back home again to administer final justice against those guilty of killing his family.

But what happened during those fateful years when he had only the need for vengeance and Master Splinter’s journal to guide him? What battles did he fight? What hard lessons did he learn? The time has come to find out as original miniseries writers Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz join artist Ben Bishop to reveal what adventures the Last Ronin experienced during his vengeful journey. And in the present, a new master, Casey Marie Jones, prepares her young terrapin students to be the next generation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

Collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin – The Lost Years #1-5 and TMNT: Lost Day Special.

The Twilight Zone Vol. 1

Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Publisher: IDW Publishing / IDW Dark
Release Date: September 2, 2026

Return to the Twilight Zone in this all-new anthology series featuring stories by some of the best creators in comics today!

Each issue is a new tale in the vein of the iconic original television series that’s captivated audiences for over 60 years. And like the show, these stories will be revealed in terrifying black and white!

These stand-alone 22-page stories are a spiritual sixth season of the original show. All-star creative teams tell the tales of billionaires, scientists, families, and knights as they journey to island paradises, bitter battlefields, and the farthest reaches of outer space.

Featuring stories by Dan Watters (Batman: Dark Patterns, Shredder) & Morgan Beem (Crashing, Swamp Thing: Twin Branches), Tom Scioli (Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre, Fantastic Four: Grand Design), James Stokoe (Godzilla in Hell, Orphan and the Five Beasts), Nate Powell (the March trilogy, Swallow Me Whole), and L. Marlow & Francesco Francavilla (Batman: The Black Mirror, Afterlife with Archie).

Collects The Twilight Zone #1-5.

Star Trek: The Last Starship Vol. 1

Writer: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing
Artist: Adrián Bonilla
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: September 9, 2026

A Galaxy Shattered. A Legend Reborn. A New Frontier Begins. After the cataclysmic Burn brings warp travel to a standstill and shatters centuries of unity, the dream of the United Federation of Planets collapses almost overnight. Worlds are cut off. Civilizations tumble. Chaos fills the void where hope once thrived.

Out of this cosmic wreckage rises an unlikely beacon: the U.S.S. Omega a lone vessel crewed by survivors navigating a lawless, uncharted Galaxy nearly 300 years after the fall. With no Federation to guide them, they must carve out a path through the ruins — facing warlords, scavengers, and the raw unknown.

But they are not alone.

In a desperate act, the remnants of Starfleet strike a dangerous bargain with one of their oldest enemies… in order to resurrect Captain James T. Kirk. Thrust into a future where everything he fought for has crumbled, Kirk must confront a Galaxy in twilight — and decide whether he can become the symbol it needs one last time.

A sweeping epic of legacy, identity, and frontier survival, Star Trek: The Last Starship Vol. 1 launches a bold new era of Trek storytelling — where the final frontier is wilder, stranger, and more perilous than ever before. The mission isn’t over. It’s just beginning.

Collects Star Trek: The Last Starship #1-6.

Touched by a Demon

Writer: Kristen Gudsnuk
Artist: Kristen Gudsnuk
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date: September 9, 2026

Touched by a Demon is like Touched by an Angel if it were a very dark comedy where instead of inspirational stories about helping people in need, it’s about ruining people’s lives—albeit with the best of intentions.

Dissatisfied with tormenting souls in Hell and longing for the halcyon days when he lived in Heaven, a low-level demon named Bifrons attempts to earn redemption by opening a life coach agency in the mortal realm. With the aid of his assistant Zuzu and a damned soul by the name of Elaine, Bifrons is determined to help humans save their souls in the hopes that maybe with enough good deeds, God in his heavenly mercy will give him a second chance…but can an entity of evil really change its nature?

Collects Touched by a Demon #1-4.

Archie X The Army of Darkness

Writer: Eric Burnham
Artist: Bill Galvan
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: September 9, 2026

It’s A Teenage Nightmare! There’s a certain man – name’s Ash, you may have heard of him – who is doomed to battle against the forces of evil, over and over again, whether he likes it or not. No matter where he goes, the cycle of violence always repeats itself – until the day that he arrives in the picturesque town of Riverdale.

This supernaturally wholesome community seems to break the curse that has plagued Ash ever since he first encountered its otherworldly evil all those years ago. Or rather, the curse was broken — until an over-curious teenager named Archie finds a copy of the Necronomicon Ex Mortis and reads a portion of it aloud, summoning the horrifying Deadites once again!

Now Ash and the good townsfolk of Riverdale must hold back the undead hordes long enough for Archie to undo what he’s unwittingly done. Otherwise, an Army of Darkness will roll over Riverdale and destroy everything and everyone in its path — and that’s just not going to happen on Ashley J. Williams’s watch!

Fresh-faced author Eric Burnham (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters) joins legendary Archie artist Bill Galvan for a long night’s journey into mayhem with Archie X Army of Darkness.

Collects Archie X The Army of Darkness #1-5.

Into the Unbeing: Library Edition

Writer: Zac Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date: September 16, 2026

The entire terrifying journey of four scientists lost within a giant eldritch corpse is collected in this deluxe hardcover graphic novel volume. It’s a cosmic body-horror epic from acclaimed author Zac Thompson and Eisner-winning artist Hayden Sherman!

Find yourself in its innards.

A group of climate scientists working in a remote base camp on the Australian outback discover an impossible landform. Led by botanist Hildur Johansson, the team sets out to conduct a routine exploratory mission to map the terrain, record their observations, and try to understand this anomalous landscape. But this is no landscape. This is the Unbeing.

The team discovers a sprawling eldritch corpse that threatens to upend everything they understand about the natural world. Propelled by hubris and the intoxicating charm of forbidden knowledge, the research team descends into a hostile alien environment allowed to thrive without human interference. The beautiful yet unforgiving landscape hosts strange flora, gorgeous fauna, and dangerous predators lurking in the darkness.

Into The Unbeing is a journey centuries in the making, chronicling the many lives who’ve been lost to the seemingly malevolent corpse. As they navigate the sprawling Lovecraftian labyrinth, the climate scientists must form a distrustful and desperate alliance with a mysterious humanoid known only as the Stranger. This incomprehensible Stranger claims to be a nineteenth-century British explorer. It claims to know the way back to the surface. It claims a new world is on its way. Perhaps if you listen closely, you can hear it breathing. But what is the cost of this new world? And who will be left to live in it?

Collects Into the Unbeing Part 1 #1-4 and Into the Unbeing Part 2 #1-4.

Universal Monsters: The Phantom of the Opera

Writer: Tyler Boss
Artist: Martin Simmonds
Publisher: Image Comics / Skybound
Release Date: September 23, 2026

The horrifying new vision of the story you only think you know!

After a series of violent crimes wracks the Paris Opera House, Christine Daaé’s career is in chaos. But the show must go on, and Christine will discover that no one — especially the mysterious voice whispering from the eaves — is what they seem.

As an old friend returns to investigate these surprising attacks, Christine will find out there’s no escaping… The Phantom of the Opera.

The superstar team of Tyler Boss (You’ll Do Bad Things) and Martin Simmonds (The Department of Truth) presents the shocking new horror series of 2026 that will thrill Phantom of the Opera fans new and old with a twist no one will see coming!

Collects Universal Monsters: The Phantom of the Opera #1-4.

The post 20 Most Anticipated Graphic Novels: Summer 2026 appeared first on Capes and Tights.