This week on the Capes and Tights Podcast, Justin Soderberg welcomes comic creators Zack Kaplan and John Pearson to the podcast to discuss The Smart Division, Mindset, and more!

Kaplan is a break out science fiction comic writer and creator of such comics and graphic novels as Eclipse, Port of Earth, The Lost City Explorers, Join the Future, Break Out, Metal Society, Mindset, and more recently, Forever Forward, Beyond Real. The Midnight: Shadows, Masterminds, and Kill All Immortals. He has worked with publishers such as Image Comics/Top Cow, Dark Horse, Aftershock Comics, Vault Comics, Humanoids, Scout Comics and DC Comics. He has a new series coming to Dark Horse on June 3, Only the Savage are Left.

Pearson is the Eisner Award-winning artist and illustrator of such comics as The Infernals, In Bloom, and with Kaplan, Mindset. He has built a reputation as an inimitable talent through his varied portfolio producing work for clients as diverse as DC Comics, Image Comics, Vault Comics, Z2 Comics, Heavy Metal Magazine, Netflix, WWE, Rue Morgue Magazine, The Ray Harryhausen Foundation, Burning Witches Records and Arrow Video amongst many others. His latest comic, The Patron, drops July 29 from Ignition Press.

Together the two are set to release a new series at Dark Horse in fall 2026 entitled The Smart Division.

#280: Zack Kaplan and John Pearson

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This week on the Capes and Tights Podcast, Justin Soderberg welcomes back New York Times bestselling author Daniel Kraus to the podcast to discuss Partially Devoured and more!

Daniel Kraus is a New York Times bestselling writer of novels, TV, and film. He is the author of books such as Rotters, The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch, The Shape of Water, The Living Dead, Pay the Piper, Whalefall, Angel Down and the upcoming Partially Devoured and The Sixth Nik.

The movie adaptation of Whalefall is set to hit theaters soon starring Josh Brolin. It was recently announced that Angel Down has been optioned for a feature film as well!

In the world of Comics, Kraus is the writer of Year Zero: Volume 0, The Autumnal, Trojan, and the recently released Athanasia.

Partially Devoured hits shelves at bookstores everywhere on March 10, 2026 from Counterpoint Press.

#271: Daniel Kraus – Author of Partially Devoured

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An island village off Salem, Massachusetts, is inundated by a strange species of butterflies that spread the Dancing Plague and have a very particular taste in nectar… human blood.

The beauty of the transformation of a butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly is a spectacle to be seen, but it doesn’t take long in the debut issue of Nectar for this to feel like something a bit more sinister. While not a ton happens in the first issue, we do get the birth of inundation of these butterflies and a foundation an atypical thirst of the insects.

Nectar premiere issue has an elegance and beauty within in the panels and pages, while also an unsettling suspense and tension. Those in the village are unsuspecting of this abundance of butterflies leading towards a horrifying outcome on the horizon. Butterflies don’t typical bite, but when it comes to Nectar things aren’t as they may seem.

The pacing of this first issue seemed a bit slow and while it does lay a foundation for the terrifying story, not a ton takes place over the first 20-something pages. The threat of these butterflies is hinted, but the tension is only minimal. It’s hard to gauge how the series will progress, only hoping for a much more impactful second issue.

Martello’s artwork is dark and brooding juxtaposed to the beauty of the butterflies. An unassuming insect with a deadly taste for blood waiting in the shadows. The overall vibe of the illustrations by Martello & Francini and colors by Steve Canon is unsettling, a visual you’d expect from a horror story set in Salem, Massachusetts. The artwork makes this comic shine, even in the dark.

Nectar #1 lays the foundation for what’s to come with these beautiful, yet thirsty butterflies on an unsuspecting village. Robinson, Martello, and Francini craft a unsettling and suspenseful horror story within a beautiful transformation.

Nectar #1 hits local comic shops on March 4, 2026 from Vault Comics.

Nectar #1 Preview

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Beneath (Mad Cave)

(w) Steven S. Deknight (a) Michael Gaydo

Deputy Sheriff Jess Delgado is tasked with transporting the sole survivor of a mysterious attack along the Texas-Mexico border to CoreCivil, a for-profit immigration detention center closing down due to wide-spread protests. Housing only a handful remaining detainees and manned by a skeleton crew of disgruntled guards, the detention center becomes a desperate battle ground when something otherworldly emerges from deep below the earth. Something that only fears the light. Deputy Delgado must pull together the guards and detainees – two groups that hate and fear each other – to survive the night. Or fall to the vengeance of the things that live beneath.

Beneath is a beautiful blend of real-life horrors and supernatural terror that is both suspenseful and thought-provoking. Steven S. Deknight crafts a story that feels like an homage to classics such as The Thing and Tremors, while Michael Gaydos vividly brings these horrors to life in each and every panel. Together they’ve created a horror graphic novel that has the promise of being one of my favorites this year. Beneath is an absolute must-read horror comic. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

Exquisite Corpses (Image)

(w) James Tynion IV, Michael Walsh, Pornsak Pichetshote, Che Grayson, Jordie Bellaire, Tyler Boss (a) Walsh, Valentine De Landro, Adam Gorham, Claire Roe, Gavin Fullerton

Every five years on Halloween, the wealthiest families in America play a game. Twelve of the deadliest people in the world are dropped into a small town with just one goal: last killer standing wins. For the citizens of Oak Valley, Maine — this year’s unlucky arena — the goal is much simpler. They must survive the night.

Exquisite Corpses #1 may have a familiar feeling, but James Tynion IV and Michael Walsh elevate the comic with their own spin, along with stunning visuals and interesting character work. The expanded, 60-page, first issue not only lays down the foundation for the series–which is likely to be a gripping and thrilling ride–but also gives each character introduction some breathing room. If the rest of the series is even close to this first issue, we’re in for something truly special. A must-read horror comic. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn (IDW)

(w) Hannah Rose May (a) Vanesa Del Rey

Kelly Doyle has just been elected the first woman president of the United States of America, and boiling political tension could spill over at any second. Having to balance being a mother to two teenagers and navigating the shifting media landscape, all while preventing World War III, has Kelly spread thin, but she could never predict that the nation’s hallowed halls would soon become a demonic battleground for good versus evil.

I was hooked after the premiere issue of The Exorcism at 1600 Penn and satisfied the feeling I felt from the outset carried throughout the entire story. Hannah Rose May and Vanesa Del Rey have created a gripping tale that defies genre conventions with its blend of political drama and supernatural horror. This miniseries showcases the kind of innovative storytelling that sets creator-owned comics apart from mainstream titles, more of what we want to see coming from outstanding publishers like IDW Publishing. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

30 Days of Night: Falling Sun (IDW)

(w) Rodney Barnes (a) Chris Shehan

The town of Barrow has moved on. Those who remember the vampiric terror of two decades past would rather not talk about it. Those who don’t remember don’t believe the stories. Ignorance will be their downfall, because a dark memory is stirring in the heart of Romania and it has set its sights on Barrow, the death place of Vicente. While vampires seek revenge for their fallen leader in Alaska, troubled teen Jalen James seeks sanctuary. After fleeing gang violence in Los Angeles, Jalen needs a fresh start. But he’s unlikely to find it as the sun falls…

30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1 is a truly stellar premiere issue. Rodney Barnes and Chris Shehan craft a tale that has the making of standing up to the original story. Their partnership of talented horror writing and stunningly terrifying imagery makes this series something you won’t want to miss. Hitting the marks for those fans of Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith’s creation while also allowing space for new readers to join the fray, 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun is a must-read horror series. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

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Look Out (AWA)

(w) Dan Baillie (a) Tim Bradstreet

When Oscar, recuperating from a divorce, takes a job as a fire lookout in a remote forest outpost, he unearths a mangled sheet of paper inscribed with a strange set of rules that promise to keep him safe during his watch. Oscar laughs it off as a prank – a bit of light hazing from the other fire lookouts in the area – but when night falls, he discovers that the rules, and the threat they protect against, are all too real.

Look Out isn’t just one of the best books I’ve read in 2025; it’s also one of the most wonderful comics I’ve come across so far this year. Each page turned feature incredible storytelling, thanks to Dan Baillie’s amazing writing paired with Tim Bradstreet’s stunning illustrations. This unique graphic novella format seamlessly brings together the world of prose novellas with stunning imagery, making it a must-read for horror fans everywhere. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

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Those Not Afraid (Dark Horse)

(w) Kyle Starks (a) Patrick Piazzalunga

Two serial killers discover they are within reach of the state record for kills and enter a terrible competition to see who gets there first. Learn more about our awful killers Mark Christopher Ewing and Daniel Dodson and their grotesque activities as we enter a frightening game of cat-and-mouse between killers and police.

Those Not Afraid captures the horror and dark humor I have come to expect from the Kyle Starks, paired with outstanding and gruesome artwork from Patrick Piazzalunga. This debut issue is just what I needed to kick-off the year and while it is early 2025, this series has a real chance at being one of the best comics of the year. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

Event Horizon: Dark Descent

(a) Christian Ward (a) Tristan Jones

The Event Horizon was a revolutionary spaceship designed for one mission: faster-than-light travel with a top secret and 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 first 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.

Event Horizon: Dark Descent nails the disturbing feeling and psychological horror that made the original film become a cult classic. While familiarity with the 1997 feature will add to your overall experience, this series stands on its own as a dark, mature, and stunningly crafted cosmic horror tale, well worth the nearly 30-year wait. Plus, all the more reason to rewatch the classic film over again. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

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Let This One be a Devil (Dark Horse)

(w) James Tynion IV, Steve Foxe (a) Piotr Kowalski

In the early 1900s, Henry Naughton returns home to the family farm in the swampy Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey. One night, he encounters a strange predator stalking the woods. This sends the young scholar on a research project that uncovers the legend of Mother Leeds and the terrible birth of the Jersey Devil in 1735.

Let This One Be a Devil is a cryptic horror is truly unlike anything I have read recently. The debut issue from James Tynion IV, Steve Foxe, Piotr Kowalski, Brad Simpson and letterer Tom Napolitano captivated me from the very first page with this quick yet profound read. With many cryptid tales featuring the Jersey Devil exist across multiple different mediums, Let This One Be a Devil sets itself apart from the crowd. Tynion and Foxe truly have something special on their hands and have ensure the stakes are high for upcoming issues in the series. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

Athanasia (Vault)

(w) Daniel Kraus (a) Dani

Forrest Molson is going nowhere. One year out of high school — and one year into sobriety — she’s working with her father as assistant groundskeeper at Athanasia Cemetery, the final resting place of fallen members of the Dynamic Guild, Venture City’s resident superheroes. At her lowest point, Forrest discovers Athanasia’s darkest secret. At night, the cemetery soil bleeds a substance created from the spectacular substances that ooze from rotting superheroes. This ooze becomes Forrest’s new drug — and she’s intent on using her unpredictable new powers to be judge, jury, and executioner of Venture City’s evil citizens. But as she loses her mind to her new addiction, she inches closer to becoming the most evil of all.

Athanasia stands alongside some of the great, dark superhero tales such as Watchmen, Black Hammer, and The Boys as another pillar in the ongoing dissection of the superhero story. This is a tale about happens after the cape is folded and the world moves on. It’s a brutal tale, that is also beautiful in its own twisted way. A superhero tale told through a dark lens for sure. Athanasia by Daniel Kraus and Dani is a must-read for those fans looking for a superhuman story outside of the everyday of the big two. – CLICK HERE to read our entire review

The Beauty (Ignition)

(w) Jeremy Haun, Jason A. Hurley (a) Emanuela Lupacchino

Set in a world not unlike our own, The Beauty chronicles what happens when a new sexually transmitted disease begins to spread. Only, this is a disease that people actually want, as those who contract it are literally changed into more beautiful versions of themselves. The only hitch is a slight fever and, eventually, death. But isn’t that an easy price to pay to be gorgeous?

It is freaking fantastic to have more of The Beauty in my life. This new volume adds so much to the already amazing storyline, while also allowing new readers to join the party. Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley bring back to life a truly original story with the help from outstanding illustrations by Emanuela Lupacchino. The Beauty is a must-read comic. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

Far Down Below (Mad Cave)

(w) Chris Condon (a) Gegê Schall

It all begins in 1865. Somewhere beneath Pennsylvania, in darkness. A distant sound is heard. A whirring…Suddenly, the wall explodes and a gigantic drill bit bursts through, revealing a train-like cab and locomotive wheels encased by sharp, metal treads. This metal beast is known, simply, as THE MONOLITH. Explorers emerging from the cab look at the massive cavern they are standing in, and declare that they have found it–The Hollow Earth. From the darkness, something slithers up the cab, kills the lights, and the explorers are never seen alive again…

A century later. 1983. It’s a rainy day in Eastern Pennsylvania. Two friends, Mike and Brian, are bored at Brian’s house. While down in the basement, they uncover the key to Brian’s grandfather’s house –abandoned since the mid-60s and presumed haunted after his grandfather mysteriously disppeared.

Far Down Below is a true exploration of discovery and danger. With Chris Condon’s impeccable blend of intrigue and horror along with Gegê Schall’s phenomenal artwork, Far Down Below #1 has to be one of the best debut issue of 2025 and is poised for a top comic of the year honors if future issues are anything like this issue. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

News from the Fallout (Image)

(w) Chris Condon (a) Jeffrey Alan Love

In 1962 Nevada, a nuclear bomb test goes horribly awry and unleashes a contaminate into the atmosphere that turns people rotten. Otis Fallows, a private in the U.S. Army who is present for the test and is the only known survivor, flees the secret army base in search of a safe haven—but does such a place exist?

Chris Condon proves his ability to craft all types of comics as he lays the ground work for what seems to be a distinctive horror series in News from the Fallout. The atmospheric story got me from the outset and didn’t let go. Adding to the allure is Jeffrey Alan Love’s haunting black-and-white artwork, which eerily pairs well with Condon’s script. This first issue delivered a truly powerful introduction to the series, leaving me eagerly awaiting future issues. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

Buried Long, Long Ago (Mad Cave)

(w) Anthony Cleveland (a) Alex Cormack

Based on true events, from 1901-1908 Belle Gunness lured dozens of lonely men to her Indiana farm and savagely murdered them for their money. Because Belle managed to avoid capture and face trial, much of this story remains untold. Until now. This is a fairy-tale retelling of her brutal crimes from the perspective of her three young children…who soon discover there is something far worse, and far more evil, than their mother on the farm. Something Buried Long, Long Ago.

Buried Long, Long Ago is a historical fiction horror tale that combines real life events with a dark fairy tale element to create an enthralling narrative. Anthony Cleveland excels at exploring this unnerving tale while putting his own spin on it. Alex Cormack pairs wonderfully with Cleveland in brining his immense talents to the table to bring this comic to life in vivid fashion. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring (IDW)

(w) Patrick Horvath (a) Patrick Horvath

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.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #1 delivers with its signature artwork and engrossing story, Patrick Horvath has truly outdone himself. This sequel has the same engird and suspense of the original series but takes it to a new level that I didn’t see coming. Horvath has me wanting to immerse myself in the world of Woodbrook and Samantha all over again! Like with the first series, Rite of Spring is a must-read. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

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Murder Podcast (Ignition)

(w) Jeremy Haun (a) Mike Tisserand

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 realizes.

Murder Podcast is the perfect launch title for Ignition Press, blending true crime, a terrifying tale from Jeremy Haun, and stunning artwork by Mike Tisserand. This premiere issue hooked me with its plot and held me tight with fresh, gripping narrative, and breathtaking visuals. I’m not only excited for what’s next in this series, but I am also super eager to see more from Tisserand in the world of comics. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

The post 15 Horror Comics from 2025 You Should Read appeared first on Capes and Tights.

Forrest Molson is going nowhere. One year out of high school — and one year into sobriety — she’s working with her father as assistant groundskeeper at Athanasia Cemetery, the final resting place of fallen members of the Dynamic Guild, Venture City’s resident superheroes. At her lowest point, Forrest discovers Athanasia’s darkest secret. At night, the cemetery soil bleeds a substance created from the spectacular substances that ooze from rotting superheroes. This ooze becomes Forrest’s new drug — and she’s intent on using her unpredictable new powers to be judge, jury, and executioner of Venture City’s evil citizens. But as she loses her mind to her new addiction, she inches closer to becoming the most evil of all.

The premise alone was something I fell for: in a cemetery where dead superheroes are buried, the soil bleeds a substance that grants fleeting powers to those desperate enough to consume it. From this grim concept, Kraus builds a dark story dealing with addiction, grief, and the potential corrosiveness of legacy. Building a superhero story not based in the big two is not an easy task, but what Kraus does is turn that in a different direction. Something stranger, more spiritual, and far more disturbing.

Kraus knows his way around a graveyard, having not only written a few horror stories over the years, but one revolving around grave robbing. So to see this superhero story take us from saving lives to based around a graveyard was no surprise and truly fitting for this writer. However, what truly makes Athanasia special isn’t just the darkness, but really it’s the empathy. Kraus doesn’t mock the idea of heroism, he mourns it. Bringing something different to the superhero table.

The story wouldn’t be as gritty and equally as intense if not for the artwork by Dani. The chaotic line work adds so much more grit to the story, almost giving the pages texture. This pairing of script and artwork works perfectly together, giving the story a dark edge that is absolutely needed.

Athanasia stands alongside some of the great, dark superhero tales such as Watchmen, Black Hammer, and The Boys as another pillar in the ongoing dissection of the superhero story. This is a tale about happens after the cape is folded and the world moves on. It’s a brutal tale, that is also beautiful in its own twisted way. A superhero tale told through a dark lens for sure. Athanasia by Daniel Kraus and Dani is a must-read for those fans looking for a superhuman story outside of the everyday of the big two.

Athanasia hits shops everywhere on October 8, 2025 from Vault Comics.

Athanasia OGN Unlettered Preview

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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 October 8, 2025.

The Guy in the Chair #1

Writer: Hannah Rose May, Utkarsh Ambudkar
Artist: Guillermo Sanna
Publisher: Dark Horse

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.

The Guy in the Chair is a unique new comic written by two passionate storytellers, Hannah Rose May and Utkarsh Ambudkar. With its fresh premise, seamless blend of spy-thriller and romantic comedy, and outstanding artwork by Guillermo Sanna and Dearbhla Kelly, this premiere issue sets the foundation for what is likely to be one of my favorite comics of the year. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

High Strangeness: Book One: 1967

Writer: Daniel Noah, Chris Condon
Artist: Dave Chisholm
Publisher: Oni Press

SpectreVision, the genre-distorting production company co-founded by Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah, joins forces with Oni Press and a rotating cast of premier comics talents for an unprecedented excursion into High Strangeness—a brand-new series influenced by real, documented cases of paranormal phenomena, to reveal the liminal spaces where reality and hallucination and science and mythology give way to cosmic wonder and existential terror…

In the first double-sized, prestige format chapter: Writer, producer, and real-life experiencer Daniel Noah joins acclaimed writer Chris Condon (Ultimate Wolverine, That Texas Blood) and Ringo Award–winning artist Dave Chisholm (Plague House) for an unexpected encounter with the Men in Black…

Chicago, 1967. Magazine writer Harry Kean is dispatched to rural Indiana to investigate the sudden disappearance of Becky Plume, a local teenager who stepped into the national spotlight with staggering photographic evidence of a recent UFO sighting. Frustrated to leave his developing stories in Chicago—and the wife he’s hoping to win back—Harry sets off to expose a hoax but instead finds himself in a labyrinth of high strangeness involving a missing girl, her boyfriend, a UFO, and some mysterious black-clad visitors circling at the perimeter of a mystery more vast than Harry could possibly imagine.

Told across five interconnected, prestige-format issues that will interlock to reveal an ambitious, dimension-spanning finale, each chapter of High Strangeness also includes a feature-length essay by podcaster and researcher Jim Perry (Euphomet) on the historical facts and documentary evidence underpinning the phenomena detailed in each issue.

Harley Quinn x Elvira #1

Writer: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Artist: Amanda Conner, Juan Samu
Publisher: Dynamite

The Mistress of the Dark meets Daddy’s Little Monster!

What happens when the Clown Princess of Crime gets bored? Shenanigans, hijinks, grievous bodily harm… the possibilities are endless! Now add in a certain macabre-minded TV host who seems to attract trouble like crypts attract vampires, and the stage is set for the greatest team-up since Frankenstein met his Bride!

With her beloved show on the chopping block following a corporate takeover, Elvira needs to come up with a plan to get things back in the black – and her new friend Harley Quinn has an idea that’s just crazy enough to work! Together, they’re going to throw the greatest Halloween party Brooklyn has ever seen – whether the borough likes it or not!

Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti — the world-famous tag-team of all things Harley Quinn — this crossover event for the ages from Dynamite and DC Comics also showcases Amanda’s fan-favorite artistic chops, with each issue featuring two (count ’em, two) Conner covers. And that’s not all (certainly not!) – she’s also joining interior artist (and Elvira favorite) Juan Samu to provide selected story pages for the series!

But wait, there’s more! This premier issue also includes darkly captivating covers from Joseph Michael Linsner, Chad Hardin, Ben Caldwell, and best-selling Mark Spears Monsters creator Mark Spears!

Athanasia OGN

Writer: Daniel Kraus
Artist: Dani
Publisher: Vault Comics

Forrest Molson is going nowhere. One year out of high school — and one year into sobriety — she’s working with her father as assistant groundskeeper at Athanasia Cemetery, the final resting place of fallen members of the Dynamic Guild, Venture City’s resident superheroes. At her lowest point, Forrest discovers Athanasia’s darkest secret. At night, the cemetery soil bleeds a substance created from the spectacular substances that ooze from rotting superheroes. This ooze becomes Forrest’s new drug — and she’s intent on using her unpredictable new powers to be judge, jury, and executioner of Venture City’s evil citizens. But as she loses her mind to her new addiction, she inches closer to becoming the most evil of all.

Athanasia stands alongside some of the great, dark superhero tales such as Watchmen, Black Hammer, and The Boys as another pillar in the ongoing dissection of the superhero story. This is a tale about happens after the cape is folded and the world moves on. It’s a brutal tale, that is also beautiful in its own twisted way. A superhero tale told through a dark lens for sure. Athanasia by Daniel Kraus and Dani is a must-read for those fans looking for a superhuman story outside of the everyday of the big two.

The post FEATURED 4: The Guy in the Chair #1, Athanasia OGN, and October 8 Comics appeared first on Capes and Tights.

While we are not the official voice of your decision, we want to help guide you in the right direction for comics releasing July 16, 2025.

Dread the Hall H #1

Writer: Chris Ryall, Jordan Hart
Artist: Nelson Daniel, Piotr Kowalski, Jimmy Kucaj, Chris Anderson
Publisher: Image Comics / Syzygy

It’s comic convention season! And what better way to celebrate comic cons than this extra-length anthology filled with con-related horror stories! Last year, they skewered all things Christmas on the pages of Dread the Halls, and now writers Chris Ryall and Jordan Hart, alongside artists Nelson Daniel, Piotr Kowalski, Jimmy Kucaj, and Chris Anderson, bring terrifying convention tales to life! Covers by Maria Wolf, a convention-line wraparound by Nelson Daniel, and a “con-badge” incentive cover by Jordan Hart! The perfect and perfectly terrifying comic to read while waiting to get into that massive convention hall!

Star Trek: Red Shirts #1

Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Megan Levens
Publisher: IDW Publishing

The start of an all-new heartrending Star Trek five-issue miniseries by writer Christopher Cantwell (Star Trek: Defiant) and artist Megan Levens (Star Trek), featuring Starfleet’s most intrepid and doomed crewmembers: red shirts. Now, finally, they get their own story.

Led by an experienced officer embedded on the snow-ridden planet Arkonia 89, the crew of the U.S.S. Warren has a small window in which to pin down spies seeking to steal classified secrets and keep Starfleet data out of their nefarious hands.

They face threats not only from their faceless enemies but from the brutalizing elements and wildlife of a planet far from home. The red shirts’ lives and Starfleet’s sanctity are on the line… and no one is safe.

Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 is a great addition to the Star Trek line of comics. Christopher Cantwell proves that even the non-essential characters can take the spotlight here and there with the reader caring about their stories. The artwork from Megan Levens and Charlie Kirchoff works well with the Star Trek universe and pulls you deeper into the story. Star Trek: Red Shirts is for those fans of Star Trek that want a bit more and for those who want to jump into the universe without much knowledge of the lore.
– CLICK HERE to read our entire review

Post Malone’s Big Rig #1

Writer: Post Malone, Adrian Wassel
Artist: Nathan Gooden
Publisher: Vault Comics

They prayed for a miracle. They got 25 tons and 18 wheels of holy weapon.

The Dark Ages…Demon hordes plague Europe as Hell invades Earth. The Six Petals, a secret sect of The Knights Templar, are in desperate need of a means to drive back the scourge and turn the tide of the onslaught. What crashes to earth is The Rig, a fully loaded tractor trailer. In the aftermath of its arrival, the only man left standing is an enigmatic former priest excommunicated from The Six Petals. He will become Trucker and lead the fight against Hell behind the wheel of a demon-slaying machine.

Created by Post Malone. Written by Post Malone and Adrian Wassel. Drawn by Barbaric co-creator and Dark Knights of Steel artist Nathan Gooden.

Letter 44 Compendium TP

Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Alberto Jimenez Alburquerque
Publisher: Image Comics

The cult-favorite, political sci-fi series is collected, for the first time, in one complete volume.

When newly-elected president Stephen Blades is sworn into office, the last thing he expected to find on his desk was a letter written by the outgoing president, alerting him to a harrowing secret kept hidden from the world: seven years ago, NASA discovered alien presence in the asteroid belt and sent a stealth mission crewed by nine astronauts to make contact.

President Blades has just become the most powerful man on the planet. But only this planet.

Mixing provocative political intrigue with high-stakes sci-fi action, Letter 44 is a gripping and complex look at leadership in the face of uncertainty.

The post FEATURED 4: Dread the Hall H #1, Star Trek: Red Shirts #1, and July 16 Comics appeared first on Capes and Tights.

The Dark Ages…Demon hordes plague Europe as Hell invades Earth. The Six Petals, a secret sect of The Knights Templar, are in desperate need of a means to drive back the scourge and turn the tide of the onslaught. What crashes to earth is The Rig, a fully loaded tractor trailer. In the aftermath of its arrival, the only man left standing is an enigmatic former priest excommunicated from The Six Petals. He will become Trucker and lead the fight against Hell behind the wheel of a demon-slaying machine.

Some might be skeptical diving into a comic series created by a  music superstar, but Post Malone (and Adrain F. Wassel) proved any doubters wrong with Big Rig. This is a truly spectacular, wildly unhinged story filled with danger, violence, and unexpected twists. Post proves that comics are for everyone.

The unique concept behind this comic had me hooked as I tore through its double-sized premiere issue. It would’ve been easy for Post to play it safe with a straightforward story and dip his toes into the comic pool, but instead, we get an absolutely insane premise filled with demons, tractor trailers, and a former priest. I definitely didn’t have this comic series on my 2025 bingo card, but now I am fully invested and can’t wait for more.

The artwork from Nathan Gooden wonderfully complements the wild ideas spilling from Post’s head and the great script put together by Wassel. Der-shing Helmer‘s two-tone color palette, fantastically accented with splashed of red, sets the tone for a story this gruesome and intense. Gooden pulls no punches and cuts no corners with tons of detail, violence, and action to fill each panel. The artwork comes close to stealing the entire show.

Big Rig #1 marks a fantastic comic book debut for Post Malone. With the skilled help of Adrian F. Wassel, Post’s wild ideas explode onto the pages of this Vault Comics’ series, paced with raw violence and high-octane energy. Nathan Gooden’s stellar artwork and Der-shing Helmer dynamite color palette breathes life (and death) into this new series, while Jim Campbell‘s lettering ties it all together. Big Rig takes horror, douses it in gasoline, and hits the road at full throttle.

Big Rig #1 hit local comic shops on July 16, 2025 from Vault Comics.

Big Rig #1 Preview

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The post Post Malone’s Big Rig #1: An Unhinged, Full-Throttle Ride appeared first on Capes and Tights.

While we are not the official voice of your decision, we want to help guide you in the right direction for comics releasing January 29, 2025.

SilverHawks #1

Writer: Ed Brisson
Artist: George Kambadais
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

In the nearby galaxy of Limbo, the deadly mob boss Mon*Star has escaped from his confinement on Penal Planet 10 – and he’s looking to take revenge on everyone who put him there!

At the top of that list is Commander Stargazer, the grizzled space cop who personally took Mon*Star down the last time he went on a rampage. To recapture Mon*Star and his gang of super-criminal associates, Stargazer must put his retirement on hold and assemble a new team of his famed bionically enhanced law enforcers – the SilverHawks!

Recruited from every corner of known space by the Federal Interplanetary Force, the SilverHawks were engineered to be the first line of defense against Limbo’s ruthless agents of chaos. But during Mon*Star’s long incarceration, the program went dormant, and its state-of-the-art tech has drifted towards obsolescence. Now, as they take on the galaxy’s deadliest lawbreakers, Stargazer’s new team of untested cyborgs – including Quicksilver, Bluegrass, Hotwing, Steelwill, Steelheart, and The Copper Kidd – will face the ultimate trial by fire!

The Seasons #1

Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Paul Azaceta
Publisher: Image Comics

Come one, come all, to the amazing new big top show! Your Ringleaders, Rick Remender and Paul Azaceta, invite you to this fantastical double-length premiere issue of their new ongoing series! A decade after the Seasons sisters’ beloved parents disappeared, a wicked carnival arrives in town. Within its big tent is a dazzling show led by an eldritch ringleader who offers comers-all a window into their heart’s every desire-provided they each leave a piece of themselves behind… Attendees arrive to enjoy the breathtaking entertainment obscured behind its canvas folds-and they leave distracted by the glint of these cursed mirrors.

Now it’s up to the often-overlooked youngest sister, Spring, to find her missing sisters and put a stop to the Faustian hold the carnival and its cursed mirrors have on its guests. But will she be able to piece her shattered family back together before it’s too late for them all?

Kid Maroon #1

Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Victor Santos
Publisher: Vault Comics

Back in print for the first time in over 75 years in a stunning double-length issue #1… the world’s only hard-boiled boy detective – Kid Maroon. From Christopher Cantwell (Iron Man, Doctor Doom, The Blue Flame, Halt and Catch Fire) and Victor Santos (Polar, Violent Love)!

Two years ago, Walden Maroon outgrew his small town, his loving parents, and the low stakes mysteries involving missing butterflies and stolen cookies. Since then, he’s dwelled within the cesspit of Crimeville, where murders, vice, and corruption are the city’s bread and butter. But at 12 years old, Kid is weary. When a string of horrific killings and arsons spring up in the streets, can he crack the case with his quick wits and slingshot? Or does Kid Maroon secretly yearn for what he’s never gotten to be… a kid?

Kill Train #1

Writer: Olivia Cuartero-Briggs
Artist: Martina Niosi
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios

To control the population explosion that nearly crippled the city, New York has instituted Kill Train, a randomized, extermination program where designated subway trains are picked at random, and all the passengers are slaughtered by the end of the line. In this not-so-distant future, we meet Vanessa, a struggling single mom in the midst of a nervous breakdown, who discovers that she, herself, is on a Kill Train. Now, for once in her life and with everything to prove, Vanessa decides she’s not going down without a fight.

Book of Cutter #1

Writer: James Tynion IV, Tate Brombal
Artist: Werther Dell’Edera, Antonio Fuso, Letizia Cadonici
Publisher: BOOM! Studios

As it crosses its 5th anniversary, the Slaughterverse unveils one of its darkest chapters yet in this oversized one-shot exploring a brand new facet to the mythos of monsters… and the ones who hunt them.

Maxine Slaughter, a former pack hunter who renounced her White Mask to take up the Black for the Order of St. George, journeys to Europe to seek out House Cutter and their mysterious ways.

Star Wars: A New Legacy #1

Writer: Charles Soule, Jason Aaron, Kieron Gillen
Artist: Ramon Rosanas, Leonard Kirk, Salva Espín
Publisher: Marvel

A decade of Marvel Star Wars comics! Celebrate ten years of Marvel Star Wars comics with all-new stories by some of the most influential creators of the decade. Thrill as Darth Vader, Grand Moff Tarkin, Darth Momin, Doctor Aphra, Valance, Chanath Cha, Rik Duel, Commander Zahra, The Tagges, and more collide during a grand Imperial event thrown by Palpatine. Gasp (and laugh) at a perilous game between 0-0-0, BT-1 and Krrsantan! And what ever happened to Scar Squadron?

What If…? Galactus Transformed Spider-Gwen #1

Writer: Kalinda Vazquez
Artist: Daniel Picciotto
Publisher: Marvel

After coming to the aid of a wounded herald of Galactus, Spider-Gwen is empowered and enlisted in the service of the World-Devourer! But despite her new role surveying the galaxy, Gwen can’t help her heroic streak. So when she encounters a world reminiscent of her home, will she ally with its alien residents and attempt to battle one of the cosmos’ greatest forces?!

The Pedestrian TP

Writer: Joey Esposito
Artist: Sean Von Gorman
Publisher: Magma Comix

Behold, The Pedestrian! A strange visitor speedwalks into Summer City and silently changes the lives of its residents. But not all is quiet in this sleepy, small town-an ancient conflict linked to the secret history of street signs is brewing! DON’T WALK… RUN! In The Pedestrian, justice always has the right of way!

Writer Joey Esposito (Batman: Urban Legends) reunites with Pawn Shop collaborator, artist Sean Von Gorman (Ghost Planet), for an offbeat tale that will stick with you!

Into the Unbeing Vol. 1 TP

Writer: Zac Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Publisher: Dark Horse

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. They arrive expecting the unexpected, and the Unbeing delivers.

The expedition discovers a massive, entirely novel, giant holobiont 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. As the team pushes deeper, can they survive long enough to find what they’re looking for?

The post PREVIEWS: SilverHawks #1, The Pedestrian TP, and January 29 Comics appeared first on Capes and Tights.

While we are not the official voice of your decision, we want to help guide you in the right direction for comics releasing October 16, 2024.

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn #1

Writer: Hannah Rose May
Artist: Vanesa Del Rey
Publisher: IDW Publishing

Kelly Doyle has just been elected the first woman president of the United States of America, and boiling political tension could spill over at any second. Having to balance being a mother to two teenagers and navigating the shifting media landscape, all while preventing World War III, has Kelly spread thin, but she could never predict that the nation’s hallowed halls would soon become a demonic battleground for good versus evil.

Vicarious #1

Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Eleonora Carlini
Publisher: BOOM! Studios

Enter Justin: an aimless 20- something desperate for human connection and excitement.

After a dangerous encounter reveals itself as a fortuitous opportunity, Justin finds just what he’s looking for in the secret world of Proxies-young, pretty, ambitious hustlers like himself who allow the rich access to their feelings and experiences through a technological implant.

Does Justin have what it takes to make it in this seductive new world?

New York Times best-selling and fan favorite Mighty Morphin Power Rangers writer Ryan Parrott (The Infernals, Rogue Sun) debuts his first original comic and is joined by acclaimed artist Eleonora Carlini (Marauders, Radiant Black) for this brand-new original sci-fi psychological thriller!

The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos: Halloween Special #1

Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Publisher: Dark Horse

A very special Halloween celebration with Christopher Chaos’s best friends… and fiercest foes! James Tynion and Isaac Goodhart tell a story of family and loss with Adam Frankenstein and Viveka. Tate Brombal and superstar Phil Jimenez introduce a wild new monster far above the Arctic Circle… and back in Briar City, Brombal is joined by the brilliant Jeff Lemire for a sweet and spooky story of young Christopher during a Halloween long past. And finally, the brilliant Soo Lee and fabulous Nick Robles each write and draw their own bewitching stories that will leave you breathless and terrified for All Hallow’s Eve!

Spillblood #1

Writer: Jonathan Hedrick
Artist: Stefano Cardoselli
Publisher: Keenspot

36 pages of blood-splattered horror from the creative duo of Jonathan Hedrick (Can I Scream?) and Stefano Cardoselli (Don’t Spit In The Wind)! Rejected by Heaven and exiled from Hell, a doomed priest walks the borderline between living and dead. He listens to those who cry to their deity for forgiveness. Then at night…he will spill blood!

Where Monsters Lie: Cull-De-Sac #1

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

The hit meta-horror comedy by Eisner-nominated writer Kyle Starks returns just in time for Halloween! Come join us, friends, for it’s time to visit another gated community for slashers and meet a new cast of horrible monsters as we return to the world of Where Monsters Lie. Connor Hayes, final girl turned apex monster hunter, has been brought to Site B and expected to be a good little killer, but will he cooperate? And what sort of bone-tingling secrets inhabit this new horror hamlet?

Alien Romulus Annual #1

Writer: Zac Thompson
Artist: Daniel Picciotto
Publisher: Marvel

Following the theatrical release of the highly anticipated blockbuster Alien: Romulus, Marvel Comics presents an all-new story revealing secrets of the film’s legendary antagonists! How did Xenomorphs find Rain, Andy and their scavenger crew? Familiar faces lurk in the shadows; and this issue shines light on them all! Horror master Zac Thompson (Absolute Carnage, X-Men) and rising star Daniel Picciotto (Ghost Rider, X-Force) collaborate directly with filmmakers for this must-have collector’s item!

Godfather of Hell #1

Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Pius Bak
Publisher: Vault Comics

Dario Santini has lived a charmed life as an enforcer and debt collector for mob boss Niccol Mechini. He’s had it all: respect, power, even the love of a good woman. But everything changes when he crosses a line and is shot dead on the sidewalk.

Waking up in Hell, Dario faces a future of pain and suffering… unless he can turn eternal damnation into a business opportunity. Neo-noir hellfire from New York Times Bestseller Cavan Scott (Star Wars: The High Republic, Shadow Service, Dead Seas) and Bram Stoker Award-winning artist Pius Bak (Eat the Rich, The Magicians, Stranger Things).

Revival Compendium TP

Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Mike Norton
Publisher: Image Comics

Binge-read this classic series before the adaptation airs on SyFy next year! The beautiful “farm noir” that puts a new twist on the zombie genre, now collected for the first time in one complete paperback volume.For one day in rural central Wisconsin, the dead came back to life. Now, it’s up to Officer Dana Cypress to deal with the media scrutiny, religious zealots, and government quarantine that has come with them. In a town where the living have to learn to deal with those who are supposed to be dead, Officer Cypress must solve the brutal murder of her own sister. Now everyone, alive or undead, is a suspect, while Em Cypress, murder victim, keeps getting in Dana’s way.

The sell-out hit series created by New York Times-bestselling author Tim Seeley and Eisner-winning artist Mike Norton is collected in this Image Compendium featuring Revival #1-47, the Free Comic Book Day short story, the crossover with Chew, a Jenny Frison cover gallery, plus many behind-the-scenes bonuses and other features.

The Deviant Vol. 1 TP

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Joshua Hixson
Publisher: Image Comics

Hannibal meets Silent Night, Deadly Night in this pitch-black holiday horror story that cuts right through our most taboo notions. As snow falls over Milwaukee in 1972, a blood-stained Santa Claus commits unimaginable atrocities against young men. Fifty years later, a troubled young writer interviews this so-called “Deviant Killer,” who still maintains his innocence from behind bars. And as Christmas approaches once again, the past returns, wielding a sharpened ax. Collects The Deviant #1-4.

Drawing Blood Vol. 1 TP

Writer: David Avallone, Kevin Eastman
Artist: Troy Little, Kevin Eastman, Ben Bishop
Publisher: Image Comics

From the bestselling mind of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman comes the totally fictional true story of comics creator Shane “Books” Bookman, a cartoonist on the skids. Once upon a time, he and his brother birthed a worldwide phenomenon, self-publishing a crazy indie comic about crime-fighting cat-girls. Now… Books is hitting his forties (hard), the money all gone, artistic inspiration tapped out, beset on all sides… and trying to recover from his catastrophic encounter with the hit-and-run driver called “early success.”

Drawing Blood follows a cartoonist whose real life has become more absurd and action-packed than any comic book story he could dream up! This trade collects all four issues of the first volume of Drawing Blood, and as an added bonus, the origin issue of Books’ creation, the Radically Rearranged Ronin Ragdolls! Straight from 1992, it’s the first adventure of America’s favorite ferocious felines! 122 pages of comic stories, plus additional behind-the-scenes extras showing the evolution of the project.

Love Me: A Romance Story TP

Writer: Francesca Perillo
Artist: Stefano Cardoselli
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios

Can a robot fall in love? In the bustling streets of New York City, sometime in the far future, robots like JoJo have taken on everyday jobs. Driving a taxi around NYC is all in a day’s work for JoJo, but when he meets the mysterious Gilda, it’s love at first sight!

New York City, sometime in the far future, where robots like JoJo have taken over the tasks humans no longer want to perform…like driving a taxi. JoJo is pretty happy with his lot in life but feels as though something is missing…then he meets Gilda and it’s love at first sight. But the course of true love is a bumpy one and JoJo is going to find that out firsthand when he discovers that Gilda is entangled with the mafia that runs his beloved city, and they’re very much against this potential union for their own reasons. Watch out, JoJo!

The post PREVIEWS: The Exorcism at 1600 Penn #1, Vicarious #1, and more October 16 Comics appeared first on Capes and Tights.