Comic Book Couples Counseling Podcast

Yup, it’s Halloween season, and Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones are back on the podcast talking Dracula. At three years running, with a practical guarantee that they’ll be back this time next year, we’re turning their guest appearances into a legit Comic Book Couples Counseling tradition. And we’re so incredibly happy at the notion.

After their last three books, we were sure, but with Dracula: The Undead promising to go where no other Bram Stoker sequel has gone before, we’re positively raving - Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones are making the best comics of their lives together. They’re chasing their curiosity, springing off the classic novel, filling in the bits we’ve never seen before, and discovering a blistering, brilliant burst of relevant horror. To put it in the simplest terms, these are some of our favorite comics being made today and absolutely our favorite adaptation of the Bram Stoker book.

Book 1: The Impaler, Book 2: The Brides, Book 3: The Count. These searing works explore human monstrosity through our greatest literary boogeyman, refusing to venerate Dracula and exposing him as the gluttonous, rageful, grotesque figure he worked so damn hard to become. He’s not your idol; he’s your monster. Don’t ever forget it.

It’s a joy to have Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones back on the podcast. We dig into their third book and how it fleshes out Dracula’s character by filling in the blank spaces of Bram Stoker’s novel. We discuss where they’re going with The Undead, picking up the final moments of the original text and moving toward a Dracula who seems even more horrendous than already depicted. Will Kelley Jones draw “actual evil” in this fourth chapter? They seem to think so.

Dracula Book 3: The Count arrives in paperback from Dark Horse Comics on October 20th. Dracula Book 4: The Undead is currently seeking funding via Kickstarter. Visit the page, back the book, and catch up on the other three comics in hardcover if you haven't already. Dracula Books 1-4 are written by Matt Wagner, illustrated by Kelley Jones, colored by Jose Villarrubia, and lettered by Rob Leigh.

You can continue the conversation with Kelley Jones on Instagram. You can follow Matt Wagner on Blue Sky and Instagram.

Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode:

Listen AD-Free!

Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel

Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics

Previously on CBCC: Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones on Dracula: The Brides

Previously on CBCC: Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones on Dracula: The Impaler

Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter

Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):

Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This Week's Sponsors

This winter, rising star George Northy and Eisner Award–nominated artist Caitlin Yarsky invite you, dear listener, to a distant castle to behold a meticulously crafted, first-of-its-kind comics murder mystery starring the greatest man-made monster of all. Decades after his creation, the creature once known as Frankenstein’s Monster has reinvented himself as Europe’s most formidable mind. After years underground, his scars have faded, and his genius-level intellect has tamed his hulking nature, revealing an extraordinary talent for solving the world’s most inexplicable mysteries. Today, he is Prometheus Graft: Gentleman Detective, expert investigator, and something still not quite entirely human. From the ashes of Frankenstein’s past, witness the birth of a new legendary detective – only in Prometheus Graft: The Slayings at Death’s End #1 from Oni Press – on sale December 9th!

Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors, this one is for you! Marvel Masterworks is BACK, and the brand-new Kickstarter from Clover Press is officially LIVE! For decades, Marvel Masterworks has set the standard for premium Marvel collections, restoring classic comics and presenting them in beautifully produced hardcover editions. And now Clover Press is continuing that tradition! The lineup includes The Uncanny X-Men Volume 18, featuring Gambit's debut. The Mighty Thor Volume 25 brings more of Walt Simonson’s legendary run. Tomb of Dracula Volume 6 completes the series in Marvel Masterworks. And, for the very first time, Super-Villain Team-Up joins the Masterworks line, featuring Doctor Doom. For each volume, collectors can choose from classic Masterworks covers faithfully recreated to match the original editions already on their shelves, or brand-new Clover Press covers offering a fresh new look. Head over to the campaign page, check out everything being offered, and make your pledge today!

We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

What did we all do to deserve this? Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook are collaborating on Archie in Hell, part of the new Oni Press/Archie Comics partnership. They’re two of the best cartoonists working in the industry today. We never imagined them together on the same book, especially one that sends America’s favorite teenager straight to H-E double hockey sticks. Whatever we did, let’s keep doing it.

Coming straight out of Baltimore Comic-Con, having just moderated the Archie Comics panel with Oni Press President and Publisher Hunter Gorinson and Archie Comics President and Editor-in-Chief Mike Pellerito, we’re buzzing with a new passion for this 85-year-old universe. This week’s podcast starts with a Baltimore Comic-Con review (spoilers: another blast was had at one of the country’s best and most proper comic book conventions), before diving into everything currently going down at Archie Comics…and, yeah, we do mean DOWN.

We spoke with both Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook about Archie in Hell, and clearly they’re having the time of their lives working together, as this conversation is filled with all the giggles. Why does punishing Archie Andrews feel so good? Why is horror such a fun genre to splash atop Riverdale? Those questions are at the heart of today’s show.

Archie in Hell #1 is written by Patrick Horvath, illustrated by Tyler Crook, and colored by Francesco Segala. It arrives in comic book shops on November 4th, but Final Order Cutoff (FOC) is September 28th. Follow Patrick Horvath on his website, Instagram, and Bluesky. Also follow Tyler Crook on his website, Bluesky, and Instagram.

Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode:

Listen AD-Free!

Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel

Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics

Previously on CBCC: Patrick Horvath on Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees

Previously on CBCC: Tyler Crook on The Lonesome Hunters

Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter

Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):

Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This Week's Sponsors

In the bloodstained tradition of Afterlife With Archie, something wicked this way comes to Riverdale in an infernal new ongoing series from multiple Eisner Award nominee Patrick Horvath and Russ Manning Award winner Tyler Crook. They say that every small town has a secret. Well, in the case of Riverdale, it’s one heck of a humdinger… An ancient order of cultists has infiltrated the town, and they need a human sacrifice to bring their century-old plan to fruition. Their target? Hometown football champion and all-around good guy Archie Andrews. Unstuck from time and space. Bound to a terrible curse. Late for school. Face the fire when Archie in Hell #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on November 4th.

Art fans, character-design lovers, and anyone who appreciates anime-influenced illustration, you’re going to want to check this out. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is a new art book celebrating the work of acclaimed character and concept artist Paul “Zeronis” Kwon! The book is now live on Kickstarter from Clover Press. Whether you know his work from League of Legends or you’re discovering his art for the first time, Reminiscent offers a look at years of incredible artwork and the evolution of Zeronis’s unmistakable style. This 152-page deluxe hardcover book collects character concepts, portraits, original designs, and much more! Select Kickstarter tiers include a limited-edition slipcase, exclusive print sets, sticker sheets, a collectible numbered lithograph, and high-end acrylic prints. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is live on Kickstarter now. Visit the campaign and make your pledge today!

We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

This September, obsession, exploration, and terror take center stage at IDW Publishing! On September 9th, fandom turns fatal in Fixation #1. A beloved vampire franchise. A small mountain town packed with superfans. And a killer hiding in plain sight. If you love twist-filled mysteries, true-crime tension, and stories where obsession turns frightening, this one’s for you. Then, a new era begins with Star Trek #1! Captain Seven of Nine leads the Enterprise-G beyond known space, relocating a dying civilization to the mysterious Epsilon Corridor. The future of Star Trek begins here. (Pick up the exclusive Local Comic Store Day cover!) And on September 23rd, kickoff becomes a nightmare in Smile: Any Given Smile #1. It’s the championship game of the decade. Big game. Big money. And a killer smile spreading through the crowd. Ask your local comic shop to pre-order today and start your September with IDW.

What’s in a title? This week, Kyle Starks takes us to school, detailing the best way to hook a reader and use your following to do it. Louise Sprouse Stole My Heart (And I Have Two Hours to Get It Back) is live on Kickstarter. As of this writing, you have eight days to back this book and grab yourself a cute little desk calendar in the process.

The comic is the third from Kyle Starks, following Karate Prom and Wrestle Heist, which his followers named. They supplied the inspiration, and the challenge was living up to it. Having read all three, we believe Starks has never failed, and we’re excited to learn he’s doing it again right now on his Patreon.

Louise Sprouse Stole My Heart (And I Have Two Hours to Get It Back) is another hitman tale from Starks, but it’s his most romantic, and certainly his most gory. This darling is black, white, and bloody, but accomplished in the most endearing, relatable fashion. Whenever Starks is behind the pen, the resulting story delivers on the “awwwwws” as well as the giggles. We swoon for Starks.

Returning to the podcast for the second time this year, Starks chats with us about the importance of a title, building a community, and making your comics physical. Also, don’t waste your time drawing characters that don’t matter.

Follow Kyle Starks on BlueSky, Instagram, and his Website.

Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode:

Listen AD-Free!

Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel

Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics

Previously on CBCC: Kyle Starks and Chris Schweizer Live at HeroesCon.

Previously on CBCC: Scott Snyder Celebrates 15 Years of The Court of Owls

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: Extended Patreon Review

Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter

Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):

Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This Week's Sponsors

The Cryptid Hacker Force is a team of Cryptid Hackers who are responsible for covering up Cryptid Sightings. They are based in Scotland because the world's biggest camera hog is the Loch Ness Monster, and whenever someone gets a photo of her, the team has to go into action to blur photos and delete Instagram posts. This is a lovingly irreverent take on Cryptids in the mode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Issue #1 was entirely self-funded and has been a huge hit for Green Archer Comics, and today, they’re Kickstarting issue #2 to reach a wider audience (but don't worry, you can still grab issue #1 if you missed it). Cryptid Hacker Force is written by brothers Allan and Benn Liska, illustrated by Kieran Squires, with a main cover by our friend and fave, Sarah Myer, of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Saturday Morning Adventures. Click here to back the Kickstarter!

In the bloodstained tradition of Afterlife With Archie, something wicked this way comes to Riverdale in an infernal new ongoing series from multiple Eisner Award nominee Patrick Horvath and Russ Manning Award winner Tyler Crook. They say that every small town has a secret. Well, in the case of Riverdale, it’s one heck of a humdinger… An ancient order of cultists has infiltrated the town, and they need a human sacrifice to bring their century-old plan to fruition. Their target? Hometown football champion and all-around good guy Archie Andrews. Unstuck from time and space. Bound to a terrible curse. Late for school. Face the fire when Archie in Hell #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on November 4th.

Art fans, character-design lovers, and anyone who appreciates anime-influenced illustration, you’re going to want to check this out. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is a new art book celebrating the work of acclaimed character and concept artist Paul “Zeronis” Kwon! The book is now live on Kickstarter from Clover Press. Whether you know his work from League of Legends or you’re discovering his art for the first time, Reminiscent offers a look at years of incredible artwork and the evolution of Zeronis’s unmistakable style. This 152-page deluxe hardcover book collects character concepts, portraits, original designs, and much more! Select Kickstarter tiers include a limited-edition slipcase, exclusive print sets, sticker sheets, a collectible numbered lithograph, and high-end acrylic prints. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is live on Kickstarter now. Visit the campaign and make your pledge today!

We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

This September, obsession, exploration, and terror take center stage at IDW Publishing! On September 9th, fandom turns fatal in Fixation #1. A beloved vampire franchise. A small mountain town packed with superfans. And a killer hiding in plain sight. If you love twist-filled mysteries, true-crime tension, and stories where obsession turns frightening, this one’s for you. Then, a new era begins with Star Trek #1! Captain Seven of Nine leads the Enterprise-G beyond known space, relocating a dying civilization to the mysterious Epsilon Corridor. The future of Star Trek begins here. (Pick up the exclusive Local Comic Store Day cover!) And on September 23rd, kickoff becomes a nightmare in Smile: Any Given Smile #1. It’s the championship game of the decade. Big game. Big money. And a killer smile spreading through the crowd. Ask your local comic shop to pre-order today and start your September with IDW.

Light the Bat-Signal, friends. Scott Snyder is back on the podcast, reflecting on Batman: The Court of Owls and how it served as a massive lesson in character. Both on and off the page.

Fifteen years ago, a roar rushed through every local comic book shop. Cries of blasphemy rattled over the racks and rippled atop the longboxes. DC Comics rebooted every single one of their titles with a new number one, calling it The New 52, and readers were as anxious about it as they were willing to buy every single title. It was a linewide reset, and it felt as radical as comics could get for new readers, and even gave the old heads some pause.

Batman (Vol. 2) #1 arrived on September 21st, 2011. It was written by Scott Snyder, penciled by Greg Capullo, inked by Jonathan Glapion, colored by FCO Plascencia, and lettered by Richard Starkings and Jimmy Betancourt. Today it’s considered a modern classic, having just gotten the Compact Comics $9.99 seal of approval. Fifteen years ago, however, it was anything but a sure thing, especially from Scott Snyder’s perspective.

On this hallowed Batman Day, we’re deeply pleased to chat with Scott Snyder about this extreme moment in time. We discuss the panic he felt when he first got the title, the mission he set for himself, and the battle he fought to stay on target with his new partner-in-comics, Greg Capullo.

Is Batman the ultimate detective? Or can he screw up royally, living decades in ignorance while the diabolical Court of Owls controls his streets? Fighting for a fallible Bruce Wayne nearly got him ripped off the book, but his passion for growth-mindset superheroes is what’s rocketing Absolute Batman to the top of the bestseller charts today.

Follow Scott Snyder on Bluesky and Instagram, and subscribe to his Substack.

Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode:

Listen AD-Free!

Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel

Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics

Previously on CBCC: Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta on Absolute Batman

Previously on CBCC: Daniel Warren Johnson on Absolute Batman Annual #1

Previously on CBCC: Frank Miller on The Dark Knight Returns

Previously on CBCC: Grant Morrison on Batman/Deadpool

Previously on CBCC: Todd McFarlane and Greg Capullo on Batman/Spawn

Previously on CBCC: Matt Fraction on Batman (Vol. 4) #1

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: Extended Patreon Review

Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter

Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):

Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This Week's Sponsors

The Cryptid Hacker Force is a team of Cryptid Hackers who are responsible for covering up Cryptid Sightings. They are based in Scotland because the world's biggest camera hog is the Loch Ness Monster, and whenever someone gets a photo of her, the team has to go into action to blur photos and delete Instagram posts. This is a lovingly irreverent take on Cryptids in the mode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Issue #1 was entirely self-funded and has been a huge hit for Green Archer Comics, and today, they’re Kickstarting issue #2 to reach a wider audience (but don't worry, you can still grab issue #1 if you missed it). Cryptid Hacker Force is written by brothers Allan and Benn Liska, illustrated by Kieran Squires, with a main cover by our friend and fave, Sarah Myer, of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Saturday Morning Adventures. Click here to back the Kickstarter!

In the bloodstained tradition of Afterlife With Archie, something wicked this way comes to Riverdale in an infernal new ongoing series from multiple Eisner Award nominee Patrick Horvath and Russ Manning Award winner Tyler Crook. They say that every small town has a secret. Well, in the case of Riverdale, it’s one heck of a humdinger… An ancient order of cultists has infiltrated the town, and they need a human sacrifice to bring their century-old plan to fruition. Their target? Hometown football champion and all-around good guy Archie Andrews. Unstuck from time and space. Bound to a terrible curse. Late for school. Face the fire when Archie in Hell #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on November 4th.

Art fans, character-design lovers, and anyone who appreciates anime-influenced illustration, you’re going to want to check this out. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is a new art book celebrating the work of acclaimed character and concept artist Paul “Zeronis” Kwon! The book is now live on Kickstarter from Clover Press. Whether you know his work from League of Legends or you’re discovering his art for the first time, Reminiscent offers a look at years of incredible artwork and the evolution of Zeronis’s unmistakable style. This 152-page deluxe hardcover book collects character concepts, portraits, original designs, and much more! Select Kickstarter tiers include a limited-edition slipcase, exclusive print sets, sticker sheets, a collectible numbered lithograph, and high-end acrylic prints. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is live on Kickstarter now. Visit the campaign and make your pledge today!

We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

This September, obsession, exploration, and terror take center stage at IDW Publishing! On September 9th, fandom turns fatal in Fixation #1. A beloved vampire franchise. A small mountain town packed with superfans. And a killer hiding in plain sight. If you love twist-filled mysteries, true-crime tension, and stories where obsession turns frightening, this one’s for you. Then, a new era begins with Star Trek #1! Captain Seven of Nine leads the Enterprise-G beyond known space, relocating a dying civilization to the mysterious Epsilon Corridor. The future of Star Trek begins here. (Pick up the exclusive Local Comic Store Day cover!) And on September 23rd, kickoff becomes a nightmare in Smile: Any Given Smile #1. It’s the championship game of the decade. Big game. Big money. And a killer smile spreading through the crowd. Ask your local comic shop to pre-order today and start your September with IDW.

We want everyone who needs this comic to find this comic. Pig Wife astonished us both, but our first encounter with it rocked us so hard we needed weeks to process it. After that, Pig Wife took root, and we’ve carried the comic ever since, processing much of our daily lives through its lens.

Lisa read it first, early in the year. As she turned through its pages, the temperature around her seemed to increase. The book affected her chemistry, challenged her perspective, morphing with her as she morphed around it. Brad read Pig Wifesecond, and we’ve talked about little else until this week, when cartoonist Abbey Luck joined us on the podcast for a comprehensive discussion.

Published by Top Shelf Productions, Pig Wife recounts the tale of Mary, a young girl dragged to a remote mining town by her mother and stepdad. Living in dead aunt Pearl’s house triggers a familial confrontation that sends Mary through a trapdoor, leading to an abandoned gold mine. There, she meets those who live below, and nothing will ever be the same again.

We discuss Pig Wife’s origins with Abbey Luck, who she initially imagined her audience to be, and how her relationship with surrealism captured a profound honesty about people. Pig Wife is a lot, and may not be for every reader, but for those who connect with it, as we did, they will mark Pig Wife as one of the year’s best books, and maybe one of the best books of the twenty-first century.

Pig Wife is out now in paperback. It’s written by Abbey Luck with art by Luck and Ruka Bravo. Make sure you’re following Luck on Instagram.

Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode:

Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel

Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: Extended Patreon Review

Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter

IDW Superlatives: Brad vs. Chris Hacker

Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):

Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This Week's Sponsors

The Cryptid Hacker Force is a team of Cryptid Hackers who are responsible for covering up Cryptid Sightings. They are based in Scotland because the world's biggest camera hog is the Loch Ness Monster, and whenever someone gets a photo of her, the team has to go into action to blur photos and delete Instagram posts. This is a lovingly irreverent take on Cryptids in the mode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Issue #1 was entirely self-funded and has been a huge hit for Green Archer Comics, and today, they’re Kickstarting issue #2 to reach a wider audience (but don't worry, you can still grab issue #1 if you missed it). Cryptid Hacker Force is written by brothers Allan and Benn Liska, illustrated by Kieran Squires, with a main cover by our friend and fave, Sarah Myer, of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Saturday Morning Adventures. Click here to back the Kickstarter!

Art fans, character-design lovers, and anyone who appreciates anime-influenced illustration, you’re going to want to check this out. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is a new art book celebrating the work of acclaimed character and concept artist Paul “Zeronis” Kwon! The book is now live on Kickstarter from Clover Press. Whether you know his work from League of Legends or you’re discovering his art for the first time, Reminiscent offers a look at years of incredible artwork and the evolution of Zeronis’s unmistakable style. This 152-page deluxe hardcover book collects character concepts, portraits, original designs, and much more! Select Kickstarter tiers include a limited-edition slipcase, exclusive print sets, sticker sheets, a collectible numbered lithograph, and high-end acrylic prints. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is live on Kickstarter now. Visit the campaign and make your pledge today!

We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

This September, obsession, exploration, and terror take center stage at IDW Publishing! On September 9th, fandom turns fatal in Fixation #1. A beloved vampire franchise. A small mountain town packed with superfans. And a killer hiding in plain sight. If you love twist-filled mysteries, true-crime tension, and stories where obsession turns frightening, this one’s for you. Then, a new era begins with Star Trek #1! Captain Seven of Nine leads the Enterprise-G beyond known space, relocating a dying civilization to the mysterious Epsilon Corridor. The future of Star Trek begins here. (Pick up the exclusive Local Comic Store Day cover!) And on September 23rd, kickoff becomes a nightmare in Smile: Any Given Smile #1. It’s the championship game of the decade. Big game. Big money. And a killer smile spreading through the crowd. Ask your local comic shop to pre-order today and start your September with IDW.