Joseph Schmalke‘s newest creation is heading to CEX Publishing for release in 2023. The series, Seven Years In Darkness, was written, illustrated and colored by Schmalke.

Seventy-two children are conscripted to the Academy of Black Magic for seven years where they’ll study the dark arts in a setting devoid of the sun. Only seven will survive to see daylight again.

“After an initial meeting with CEX I knew that they were not only going to help me grow as a creator but that they in fact really love and understand the comic book medium,” said Schmalke. “It didn’t hurt that they were immediately taken with Seven Years In Darkness and I knew I found a home for my most ambitious project yet.”

Schmalke originally released the debut issue via a select few local comic book shops and his online store in June while searching for a home to publish the entire series. Around 10 stores jumped on board for store exclusive covers, including Galactic Comics and Collectibles with Capes and Tights, The One Stop Shop, and the Australian shop Dee’s Comics. CEX will now release the originally self-publish comic in March 2023 with four issues expected through the end of the year, released bi-monthly.

“When Joe pitched me on Seven Years in Darkness, as an evil version of Harry Potter meets Battle Royale, where 72 kids begin the program, but only 7 survive, I was in.” said Andy Schmidt, Publisher CEX Publishing. “This series kept me on my feet, with all the twists and turns, as the series progressed. I can’t wait for audiences to read it for themselves.”

Ashcans of the first CEX issue will be available at the New York Comic Con from October 6-9, 2022.

Schmalke is also the creator of titles Murder Hobo, We Don’t Kill Spiders, The Electric Black, and Cherry Blackbird. He has also contributed to Phantom Starkiller, Count Draco Knuckleduster and other titles. The Maine artist has illustrated a number of variant covers over the past few years which are available at his comic convention booths or during his monthly online store openings.

Keep an eye out for the first issue of Seven Years In Darkness from CEX coming in 2023 as part of Diamond and Lunar Distribution’s December catalogs. The story and artwork is well worth the purchase. To make sure you get your copy, be sure to inform your local comic book shop you are interested to make sure they order the book!

Want to be the first to know? Join Schmalke’s Patreon!

Who is CEX Publishing?

CEX is driven to support comics creators, retailers, and fans. We believe that comics are more than just a reading experience—they’re a community. They’re enthusiastic and original and they’re authentic. And we are, too.

Our sister company, Comics Experience, has been the industry’s leading comic school for more than a decade—churning out popular creators, both writers and artists, as well as talented editors, publishers, and comics marketers. This publishing company is no different.

The focus of CEX, is on you—the fan, the creator, the retailer. We want to be successful and we need to be in order to bring more great content to market, but our goal is promoting the importance of great storytelling, diverse content, and fostering an engaged and positive community.

LAST LINE #1

Release Date: September 7, 2022
Publisher: AfterShock Comics
Writer: Richard Dinnick
Artists: Jose Holder

Sally Hazzard just had the worst day of her life: While on a usual shift as a driver for the tube, the unthinkable happened when a man is pushed in front of her train and killed.

But…there’s something strange here. Sally swears the man was pushed but her supervisors, witnesses and the cc tv footage all show the man falling on his own. Sally cannot let this go, and her investigation into the murder introduces her to an MI-6 agent named Edward Tarn also curious about the so-called accident.

Together, Sally and Ed discover an off-world explanation for the assassination, plus an alien invasion and the craziest plot twist of all: an interplanetary travel system buried deep beneath the London Underground!

Written by Richard Dinnick (Doctor Who: The 12th Doctor, Thunderbirds are Go!, Lost in Space: Countdown to Danger) and drawn by Jose Holder (X-Men: Apocalypse, Assassin’s Creed: Origins, Rainbow Six Siege).

There has been so much information coming from the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) this weekend, including announcements surrounding the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Walking Dead, Comic Books, and more. With all this news, lets touch on a few of the items.

MOVIES + TV

SDCC FIRST-LOOK NATIONAL TREASURE: EDGE OF HISTORY

On Thursday, Disney+ released a first-look teaser trailer for the television series sequel to the National Treasure films.

Lisette Alexis was cast in the lead role of Jess Morales with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lyndon Smith, Zuri Reed, Jake Austin Walker, Antonio Cipriano and Jordan Rodrigues in supporting roles. Justin Bartha has also joined the series as a guest star to reprise his role from the original films.

Some of the series plot was revealed, as Morales embarks on a journey to save a long-lost Pan-American treasure and uncover her family’s mysterious past.

BRZRKR STILL ON TRACK FOR FILM AND SERIES

Writers Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt and artist Ron Garney discussed the record-breaking comic BRZRKR on Friday to a roaring crowd. During the panel they confirmed BRZRKR is not only getting the feature-film treatment, but also a series at Netflix. The film will be live-action, while the series will be Anime. Additionally, the creative team announced new BRZRKR comic book specials and one-shots are on the horizon.

The 10th issue in the hit 12-issue series goes on-sale at your local comic book shop on September 21, 2022.

THE GOON HEADING TO NETFLIX

The Goon comic book film adaptation is moving forward at Netflix with Patrick Osborne set to direct. The film, which is based on. the comic book by Eric Powell has been stuck in development hell for several years. The Goon was originally published by Dark Horse. Tim Miller is still connected to this project.

MARVEL’S MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR SDCC FIRST-LOOK

Disney shared a trailer for the upcoming Disney Channel Marvel series starring Alison Brie, Andy Cohen, Jennifer Hudson, and more.

I AM GROOT SDCC FIRST-LOOK

I Am Groot hits Disney+ with a series of five original shorts — following Baby Groot’s glory days growing up, and getting into trouble among the stars — created by Ryan Little and directed by Kirsten Lepore. Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper reprise their roles as Groot and Rocket Raccoon from Guardians of the Galaxy respectively.

Attendees of SDCC 2022 were the first to see the new trailer for I Am Groot. However, the trailer has now been released online for us all to enjoy.

MARVEL ANIMATION MAKES A SPLASH AT SDCC

What If…? season two gets a date of early 2023 and ordered for a third season. Marvel Zombies gives a look at the first season drawings. Spider-Man: Freshman Year is coming in 2023 with a second season ordered for 2024 entitled Spider-Man: Sophomore Year. X-Men ’97 will hit Disney+ in 2023. Marvel animation is just getting started.

THE WALKING DEAD GETS RICK + MICHONNE SPIN-OFF SERIES

Originally set for three films, Rick Grimes will return to The Walking Dead Universe with a six-episode limited series on AMC along with Michonne. Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira will reprise their roles as Rick and Michonne respectively. The series is expected to air in 2023.

THE WALKING DEAD FINAL SIX EPISODES GETS PREMIERE DATE

The Walking Dead‘s ending will start on October 2, 2022 with the final six episodes of the 11th season.

SHAZAM: FURY OF THE GODS GETS SDCC TRAILER

DC and Warner Bros. released the first trailer for the upcoming Shazam sequel due out on December 21, 2022. The movie follows Dwayne Johnson‘s Black Adam release in October, Shazam’s traditional comic book enemy.

The film will be set a few years after the first film with the Shazam Family as established heroes in the DC Extended Universe. The Daughters of Atlas are the villains of the story.

LOTS OF SDCC LOOKS AT BLACK ADAM

Dwayne Johnson displayed his full Black Adam costume as well as a SDCC trailer featuring the Justice Society‘s Atom Smasher, Doctor Fate, Cyclone, and Hawkman. Black Adam is due out on October 21, 2022. Additionally, Viola Davis will return as Amanda Waller.

MARVEL ANNOUNCES END OF PHASE 4 and ALL OF PHASE 5

Marvel Studios surprised us all with the news the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 4 will conclude with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in November. Phase 5 will kick-off with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in February 2023 and wrap-up with newly announced Thunderbolts film in November 2024. All Phase 5 films and series were announced.

MCU HUGE SDCC PHASE 6 NEWS

Following the announcement of the end of Phase 4 and the complete Phase 5, Marvel moved on to announce “The Multiverse Saga” will encompass all of Phase 4-6 with Phase 6 starting with Fantastic Four. Additionally, the sixth phase will include not one, but two Avengers films. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars in May 2025 and November 2025 respectively.

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER GETS SDCC TEASER

In the powerful trailer we are introduced to Namor the Sub-Mariner as well his Atlantean family. Namor and the City of Atlantis make their debuts in the film and by the looks of it, have a major role to play. Wakanda, Atlantis, Kings, Queens, Black Panthers and much more make this epic conclusion to Phase 4 a much anticipated film.

Wakanda Forever will also debut the character of Ironheart prior to her television series in 2023 as part of Phase 5. We even get a quick glimpse of who is next in line for the title of Black Panther in the final seconds of the teaser trailer.

KANG and M.O.D.O.K. CONFIRMED FOR QUANTUMANIA

The Marvel Studios SDCC panel on Saturday night officially revealed Jonathan Majors as Kang The Conquerer, previously only known as “He Who Remains” from Loki season one. Majors was welcomed with cheers from the crowd and the excitement was palpable.

Kevin Feige, President at Marvel Studios and Chief Creative Officer at Marvel, also revealed M.O.D.O.K. (Mental/Mobile/Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing) will make an appearance in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Additionally, Bill Murray has been cast in an unknown role.

CHARLIE COX RETURNS IN DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN

Charlie Cox returns to the Daredevil costume in Daredevil: Born Again coming to Disney+ as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 5 in 2024. Cox will be joined by his fellow Netflix star Vincent D’onofrio in the new 18-episode series.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, VOL. 3 SDCC UPDATES

The story is centered around Peter Quill (Starlord) attempting to win over Gamora who is the new leader of The Ravengers. However, Quill must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them. We will also learn more of Rocket’s origin story, seeing him get taken as a baby raccoon and then raised by The High Evolutionary. The comedy appears to be more toned down in parts and overall the film appears to be a real tear jerker.

It was revealed Maria Bakalova is playing Cosmo the Space Dog and Chukwudi Iwuji is confirmed to be playing The High Evolutionary. Iwuji attend the panel dressed as his character.

COMICS

BATMAN / SPAWN CROSSOVER HAPPENING AGAIN

Jim Lee, Publisher and Chief Creative Officer of DC Comics, and Todd McFarlane announced on Friday night another Batman / Spawn crossover comic is in the works. They first crossed-over in 1994 for two issues, Spawn / Batman #1 was written by Frank Miller and drawn by McFarlane while Batman / Spawn: War Devil was written by Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon and Alan Grant and drawn by Klaus Janson.

Batman / Spawn #1 is set for release on December 13, 2022. A new trade paperback collection of Batman / Spawn: War Devil will release a few weeks prior on November 15.

MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS / TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES COMING BACK

The 1990s comic books are returning as BOOM! Studios and IDW Publishing have confirmed a return of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic. Writer Ryan Parrott and cover artist Dan Mora will handle the comics.

TMNT: THE LAST RONIN SERIES CONTINUES IN THE LOST STORY

(Kevin Eastman / Ben Bishop / IDW)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans are getting more of The Last Ronin after the creative team announced the spin-off five-issue series at SDCC 2022. The Lost Story will see the return of writer/creator Kevin Eastman, writer Tom Waltz, artist Ben Bishop and colorist Luis Antonio Delgado. SL Gallant will join the art team. The series will hit shelves in November.

MARVEL TEASES NEW MASSIVE AVENGERS EVENT AND HICKMAN SERIES

Marvel’s Next Big Thing panel at SDCC teased a ton of upcoming projects including the grand finale of Jason Aaron‘s Avengers saga and the next big project for Jonathan Hickman. Aaron will enter its final phase, Avengers Assemble, in November 2022, while the Hickman will be delving into the cosmic side of things.

Of course a ton more stuff was announced, revealed and talked about at this year’s SDCC, this is just the tip of the iceberg.