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This Week’s Indie Comics News Cycle
This is the latest instalment of ’ Indie Comics News. This page is a revolving news cycle post and will cease updating at 12pm 2nd June AEST. You will find the latest indie comics news included here that are relevant for the week ending 2/7/21. Any news submitted outside of this time frame are counted as News for the following week and as such will be included in Next Week’s News Cycle.
NOTE: Indie Comics News WILL NOT be added retroactively. Once the week is over, the news cycle is over.
If you have any questions, alterations or would like to submit an Indie Comics news item then send them to
Scout Comics announce ‘Mindbender’ Title Box
June, 29, 2021 – Scout Comics & Entertainment Holdings, Inc. is proud to announce a new weekly imitative called TITLE BOX TUESDAYS! Every Tuesday for the foreseeable future, Scout will release a limited edition box set of one of the many amazing titles in their catalog.
Mindbender Synopsis
At the tender age of seven, Alexander Oberman witnessed the gruesome deaths of his parents in a horrendous explosion caused by the explosive power of his own mind. How Alex survived has been a mystery. Physically he was fine, minus a few burns, but mentally he withdrew into himself…into his mind. For 16 years, Alex hadn’t uttered a solitary word or had a voluntary movement of his own, until now. Those that would use his destructive abilities have been awaiting Alex’s awakening. But will Alex be a vanguard for the world or will he be responsible for its annihilation?
Mindbender Creative Team
WRITERS: James Pruett
ARTIST: Federico De Luca
Mindbender Deluxe Boxes
Each deluxe title box will contain a complete set of comics! There’s a mystery element in each box offering that includes rare variants and out off print covers. There’s also extremely rare HOLOFOIL editions that can only be found within!
Along with the set of single issues you will also get a digital download/collectible card of each series in Scout’s new COMIC TAG format! These limited edition collectibles look just like a mini comic book with a collectible card attached!
Head to Scout Comics for more information.
Z2 Comics, Red Bull Records and Beartooth announce Compendium Graphic Novel to New Album ‘Below’
June 29, 2021 – Z2 Comics, the Indie Comics Publisher who published licensed Graphic Novels based on famous Musicians, continues to define the relationship between music and comics. Today’s indie comics announcement pairs this ground-breaking publisher with Ohio’s hardcore stalwarts Beartooth for the official prequel to their brand-new album, Below.
Following up on last week’s release of their brand new album, amidst rave reviews, The Journey Below serves as a prequel to the pummeling sounds of Below; the world of Barry, its demon overlord.
What the Press is saying about Beartooth Graphic Novel ‘Below’
“It rips!” — Stereogum
“A superlative sound” — Forbes
“Bursting with style, substance, and flair” — Loudwire
“Next level heavy” — Knotfest
“Below’is deliberately heavier than anything Beartooth have ever done” — NME
“After going to hell and back, Beartooth come into their own once more and deliver their most raw, honest and raucous offerings to date” — Rock Sound
“Proof that Caleb Shomo is one of his generation’s most remarkable songwriters: the deeper he dives, the higher Beartooth climb” – Kerrang
Beartooth’s Oshie Bichar says “Storytelling has always been something we’ve wanted to dive into as a band. Our goal is to build a universe full of adventure for Beartooth fans to explore.”
The Myths behind Beartooth
The story behind the myths of Beartooth’s album Below is brought to life as Barry awakens corporate drone Lita’s memory of how alive the world once was before the cold forces of the corporate world outlawed rock, reminding her of who she truly was, and who she could be again. Told by #1 New York Times best-selling author Tony Lee with the members of Beartooth, The Journey Below is a powerful tale reminding us of the vital power contained within every chord and beat of a song.
Tony Lee says “I’ve been a fan of Beartooth since Aggressive came out, and I’m over the moon to work with them on this story. The world of Below is a place I’ve wanted to visit a lot during the last year, and now I get to share it with everyone.”
Beartooth will bring their new antihero and mascot Barry to comics this fall in Beartooth: The Journey Below, the official companion to their brand new album, available to preorder now in both a standard softcover and hardcover formats, as well as slipcase, deluxe and super deluxe editions featuring exclusive prints and vinyl.
Slums of the Empire City Kickstarter, written by Ryan Curtis Hollywood Visual FX (Superman and Lois, Van Helsing, Lucifer)
June 29, 2021 – Picture it, the seedy streets of 19th century New York teeming with vagrants, scoundrels and ‘ne’er do wells’ all hell bent on making a buck at any cost, including murder! Based on actual events, Slums of the Empire City, written by renowned Hollywood Visual Effects Supervisor, Ryan Curtis (Superman and Lois, Van Helsing, Lucifer), with art and letters by Brazilian artist and comics creator, Caio ROB (Depois do Fim do Mundo), and colors by Caio ROB and Kayro Rocha, is a suspenseful, disturbing, and often hysterical Crime/Mystery on the everyday life of street criminals.
Sadie the Goat, Dutch Herman and Walt Whitman. They don’t know it yet, but all are tangentially connected to a growing mystery spreading throughout the city. Orphans are going missing, vanishing from right under everyone’s noses. Where are they going, who is taking them, and the most frightening—what is the fate of these children? It’s up to our heroes, the ones who call the streets home, to figure out how to stop this.
“The streets of NYC were chaotic and filthy back then, with faces from all over the world cramped into a few city blocks, all living together trying to capture a piece of that american pie,” said Ryan Curtis. “Our book follows some of these street level criminals as they try to build their empires. From Sadie the Goat who becomes the Last Female pirate of New York to the roguish safecracker Dutch Herman, and his daring escape from Sing-Sing prison—it’s fun pulling from real events and incorporating them into our story. Although there are some things that remain historically accurate, we take license with many things, to create a wild and rockling adventure through the Empire City.”
Get to know the criminal way of life through three distinct points of views. From the filthy back alleys and overcrowded tenements, leading all the way up to top level government offices, Slums of the Empire City, is a mystery and underdog story fans won’t want to miss! The Kickstarter runs out July 29th.
6 Page Preview of BOOM! Studios’ Dune: Blood of the Sardaukar #1
June 29, 2021 – BOOM! Studios today revealed a first look at DUNE: BLOOD OF THE SARDAUKAR #1, a poignant, blood-soaked tale expanding the rich mythology of Frank Herbert’s Dune, adapted & scripted by New York Times bestselling authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, and illustrated by artist Adam Gorham (The New Mutants: Dead Souls, Punk Mambo), colorist Patricio Delpeche (Origins), and letterer Ed Dukeshire (Once & Future), in partnership with Herbert Properties LLC and in full coordination with Abrams ComicArts, who published the first of a trilogy of graphic novel adaptations of Herbert’s original classic novel DUNE in Fall 2020.
When the choice is vengeance or honor, which lies at the heart of a Sardaukar? Jopati Kolona is one of the Sardaukar: the emperor’s elite military unit. The Sardaukar are unbeatable, unbending in their devotion to the emperor, and feared throughout the galaxy. When Jopati meets Duke Leto of House Atreides, the house he believes responsible for the destruction of his home planet and family, he will be forced to question a life-long hatred. Tasked with overthrowing the Atreides stronghold on Dune for his master, Jopati will be forced to choose between duty and forgiveness.
Created by visionary writer Frank Herbert, Dune debuted in 1965, has sold millions of copies and is arguably the most admired science fiction novel of all time. After winning the Hugo Award and inaugural Nebula Award, Dune inspired a best-selling novel series and led to multiple live-action adaptations, including the upcoming feature film from Legendary Pictures. The influence of Dune extends well beyond the world of entertainment, with an incalculable influence on modern scientific thinking about politics, religion, outer space, environmentalism and more.
DUNE: BLOOD OF THE SARDAUKAR #1 features main cover art by Jeff Dekal (Dune: House Atreides) and variant covers by Gorham, Max Fiumara (Batman: Black and White), and Gerald Parel (Suicide Squad).
10 Page Preview of Jeremy Sorese’s Queer Sci Fi Graphic Novel THE SHORT WHILE
June 29, 2021 – BOOM! Studios today revealed a first look at THE SHORT WHILE, a new original graphic novel from acclaimed comics creator and Lambda Literary Award nominee, Jeremy Sorese (Curveball), that presents the tragic but redemptive love story of two men who meet, quickly fall in love, and then find themselves falling apart when an unexpected event changes both their lives forever, available in November 2021.
In the distant future, amidst a society rebuilding after a long and oppressive regime, two men accidentally swap their jackets at a party and are thrust into a most opportune meeting. In each other they find what they’ve been missing all along – love. Companionship. Honesty. And the joy of being able to trust your heart to someone else.
But no love is perfect, and they also find everything they ever feared – loss of self. Loss of freedom. And the tragedy of losing your heart to someone who can’t keep it safe.
Image Comics announce King Spawn #1 and Creative Team Involved
June 29, 2021 — Todd McFarlane will unleash an all-new comic book series—King Spawn—this August. This new title will continue the dramatic events from recent blockbuster Spawn’s Universe #1 and is nearly three decades in the making. King Spawn #1 marks the first time an ongoing, monthly Spawn series has been launched in over 28 years and joins an elite group of famed heroes—like Spider-Man, Batman, and Superman—with more than one monthly title devoted to the same character. King Spawn is projected to have even higher sales than the record-setting Spawn’s Universe #1.
Fans are going to get Twice as much Spawn, says Todd McFarlane
“My goal is to give fans twice as much Spawn to read than they had before… and at the lowest price possible! And by the end of the year, there will be a Spawn-related book available for fans every week of the month,” said McFarlane. “We will be introducing new heroes and villains along with classic characters as we expand the Spawn Universe into the future.”
To that point, one of the all-time classic fan-favorite villains from the original series makes his long-awaited return in the initial storyline of this new title.
An all-star creative team will help launch this series, including writers Sean Lewis, Todd McFarlane, and artists Javier Fernandez, Brett Booth, Philip Tan, Stephen Segovia, Todd McFarlane, and Marcio Takara. Along with famed cover artists Greg Capullo, Sean Gordon Murphy, Puppeteer Lee, David Finch, McFarlane, Booth, and a few more still to be announced.
The release of King Spawn #1 is nearly three decades in the making and marks the first time a #1 Spawn issue has been available, in monthly form, in over twenty-eight years. Issue #1 is a massive 56 pages thick with stunning art and action-packed storytelling.
King Spawn #1 will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, August 18, SRP $5.99.
- Cover A Lee – JUN210027
- Cover B McFarlane – JUN210028
- Cover C Finch – JUN210029
- Cover D Murphy – JUN210030
- Cover E Capullo – MAY218952
- Cover F Booth – MAY218953
Follow Todd McFarlane on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and visit McFarlane.com for more information.
Chiasm #7 from Legally Blind Artist Drops on Comixology
June 30, 2021 – Legally blind indie comic artist, Doug Knight releases the seventh installment of his imaginative and semi-autobiographical series CHIASM on Amazon’s ComiXology platform for $1.99(CAD) on June 30, 2021.
Issue seven of CHIASM sees a departure from the regular cast of characters. Readers will follow the story of Omar; a high schooler being relentlessly bullied in is daily social struggles. Omar pays a visit to a friend and together they watch an exciting live webcast of CHIASM engaged in battle over the city.
“I said it about issues one through six and I’ll say it again: Honestly, just read it, it’s %@$#ing cool!” – Doug Knight
Releasing June 30, 2021, on ComiXology, Amazon’s popular digital comic book platform, readers can enjoy CHIASM Issue 7 with the platform’s guided view feature that takes readers on an immersive journey from panel to panel. Each page is delivered in HD quality and includes handy accessibility options like a powerful zoom feature for readers to utilize. ComiXology’s accessibility features along with the ability to continue reading across multiple devices were key deciders when Doug Knight was choosing a platform to host his comic series.
Cross Eye Comics, founded in 2019, is a small indie comic book company of just two friends: owner and creator, Doug Knight, and his childhood friend and marketer, Sean Kinton. As the home of his comic book series CHIASM, Doug Knight seeks to use Cross Eye Comics to tell incredible stories that make readers feel like they have a place in the world.
Additional information about CHIASM and Doug Knight’s own personal journey as an indie comic creator can be found at crosseyecomics.com and instagram.com/crosseyecomics. Each new issue of CHIASM can be found on ComiXology.
BOOM! Studios Reveal 5 Page Preview of Good Luck #2
June 30, 2021 – BOOM! Studios today revealed a first look at GOOD LUCK #2, the next issue in the bold new five-issue original series from acclaimed writer Matthew Erman (Witchblood, Power Rangers: Sins of the Future), artist Stefano Simeone (Mega Man: FullyCharged), and letterer Mike Fiorentino about defying fate by fighting against impossible odds, available in July 2021.
When Good Luck and Bad Luck collide, will humanity survive? The Unfortunates – teenagers born with zero luck – arrive at the heart of the chaotic, reality-threatening event and are soon confronted by the powerful beings that control Luck – the Constellations! Meanwhile, the Secretary of Probability & Luck has plans of their own… and knows more than they’ve let on.
GOOD LUCK #2 features main cover art by artist Jorge Corona (Wynd) and Sarah Stern, and variant cover by acclaimed artist InHyuk Lee (Magic, Mighty Morphin).
Print copies of GOOD LUCK #2 will be available for sale on July 28, 2021 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the one nearest you) or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.
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