Featured
[Critic Score: 9.5/10]
Monsters beware! The Sangerye Family is back with a new generation of hunters, technology, and resolve to fight creatures known as the jinoo.
“My goal with Women in Comics is to keep up hope. It’s hard to find, but it doesn’t go anywhere—it’s just a matter of finding it. I want to always be a resource for creators and make sure people know there’s a place for them in this industry.”
Award-winning entertainment company IDW Publishing is teaming up with cutting-edge comic book publisher Alien Books.
Reviews
[Critic Score: 9.5/10]
Monsters beware! The Sangerye Family is back with a new generation of hunters, technology, and resolve to fight creatures known as the jinoo.
The Canary that Named the Stars is an impressive fantasy story that captivates readers and pulls dearly at every heartstring. The experience of reading this story is like hearing beautifully composed music that wonderfully lingers long after it’s done.
[Critic Score: 9.3/10]
Bronze Faces is a fast-paced series that combines exhilarating heists with commentary on colonialism and culture.
From psycho killers in stylish boots, to do-gooders turning into monsters, February 2025 was a great month for comic book trade paperback and hardcover releases. Check out which titles are worth your time in this month’s Trading Pages.
[Critic Score: 9/10]
Bug Wars #1 reads like a love letter to adventure films from the 1980s hitting all of the right nostalgia notes.
[Critic Score: 9.3/10]
Into the Unbeing: Part 2 #1 brings the atmospheric and tense thriller back to stands with an entry that gives some history on the mysterious leviathan.
[Critic Score: 8.6/10]
The 27 Run: Crash #1 brings action, laser beams, and city-stomping monsters onto stands for fans of giant brawls.
With its bright art, gun battles, and hefty hits, Kaijus & Cowboys is every bit as entertaining as it is bombastic. It’s eclectic colors make for visual treats and its emphasis on focused world building make it incredibly accessible for readers looking for a fun story to dive into.
[Critic Score: 9.1/10]
Kill Train #1 kicks off this dystopian series with a gradual build-up that will have readers hooked by the last page as screeches of subway brakes burst their ears.
January 2025 kicks off the new year an a strong assortment of trade paperbacks filled with horror, mystery, and violence. Check out which titles are worth your time in this month’s Trading Pages.
[Critic Score: 8.8/10]
The Lucky Devils #1 brings the chaos and stress that comes with wanting to be a good person—especially when outside forces are working against you.
The InSpectres answers the question: What would happen if renowned writers Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker, and Agatha Christie all had to work together with magician Harry Houdini to stop a supernatural serial killer?
[Critic Score: 9.5/10]
When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee #1 is a slow burn whose simmer ushers readers into a chilling story.
Katabasis #1 is full of visceral visuals as it blends fantasy and supernatural themes with epic action.
Critic Score: 8.5/10
2024 was an amazing year for comics books. While the list of favorites could go into the triple digits, here are the personal favorites and their respective categories for this year.
Sleuths rejoice as killers and how to find them dominate the latest comic book trades hitting shelves. Here’s what’s new in this week’s Trading Pages.
Supernatural outlaws, secret CIA facilities, and wealthy world-ruling families dominate the latest trades hitting shelves. Here’s what’s new in this week’s Trading Pages.
Written and illustrated by Emilia Strilchuk, this autobiographical comic book is truly something special and explores the challenges and long-term impacts of growing up with undiagnosed autism.
You’ve Never Heard of Me #1 is a wonderfully illustrated story about the juxtaposition of the choices we make and the choices made for us.
Critic Score: 9.5/10
The Network mixes science fiction, mystery, and social commentary together for a page-turning experience.
The Fade #1 is a fun twist on coming-of-age stories blended with high fantasy.
Critic Score: 9.3/10
Living Hell #1 is an unexpectedly endearing tale of demons from hell who just want a peaceful life on Earth.
Critic Score: 9.0/10
Minor Arcana #2 delivers a strong second entry in this story of cards and conjuring for an issue all about long-lost loves and unexpected magic.
Critic Score: 9.8/10
Murder Kingdom #1 is a wickedly sharp read full of dark humor and tongue-in-cheek commentary that pokes fun at one of the happiest places on earth.
Critic Score: 8.8/10
Day of the Dead Girl #1 offers an exciting blend of magical realism and mystery for a read that cleverly weaves themes of family and mortality. It’s entertaining and full of unexpected turns.
Critic Score: 9.4/10
Pepper Piper Monster Hunter #1 bursts into the comic book world with a punk-fantasy story full of rich lore and energy.
Kerpow! #1 is a crime drama whose unique spin on the superhero genre unleashes a wealth of storytelling potential.
Critic Score: 8.9/10
The Last Wardens #3 ramps up the blood and body count as the horror and tension rises between the Wardens and the citizens of Bleakwood.
Critic Score: 9.4/10
The Moon is Following Us #1 is a sci-fi family drama that beautifully weaves fantastical storytelling with stunning visuals.
Critic Score: 9.2/10
The Tin Can Society #1 debuts a captivating murder mystery that reunites old childhood friends in the wake of the loss of their friend Johnny Moore.
Critic Score: 8.8/10
Articles and Interviews
“My goal with Women in Comics is to keep up hope. It’s hard to find, but it doesn’t go anywhere—it’s just a matter of finding it. I want to always be a resource for creators and make sure people know there’s a place for them in this industry.”
Today marks the anniversary of the Pages and Panels site. After more than 70 single issue reviews, dozens of interviews and small press spotlights, and hundreds of cups of coffee, this past year has brought a lot of lessons.
Keith Arem is the type of creator whose energy and drive are motivational in the volume of works he has been a part of. As Creative Director and President of PCB Productions, he has recorded and produced more than 700 commercial releases for clients such as Disney, Nintendo, and Microsoft. His latest title, Frost Road, is an apocalyptic psychological horror comic book with its own storied history.
COVID-19 rocked the world and one unlikely side-effect was a surge in new comic readers. Some industry experts use the pandemic as a reference point for critical growth in comic book sales, but how long can this metric serve as an indicator for long-term growth?
“If there is one thing I can suggest to artists it’s this: Be curious and remember it's your personal details that make art stand out.”
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the best days of my life are making things with other creative people.”
While comic books are packed with rich stories and beautiful art, like any other medium, they also have their own metrics that determine financial success and insight into trends on what readers are picking up.
While comic books may craft unique worlds, they can also have positive benefits towards mental health—an uplifting side effect in today’s overwhelming world. Dr. Alexis Leighton Croffie provides expert insight into how comic books can benefit readers beyond the storytelling experience.
Since 1986, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has been valiantly fighting for First Amendment rights of the comic book community. Learn about how you can support this critical organization.
“If you’re a creator who’s concerned about whether your stories will find an audience, just go for it, because your stories will find someone…It’s a risk, but it’s a rewarding experience.”
According to NYCC representatives, more than 200,000 attendees filled the Jacob Javits Convention Center throughout the entirety of the event.
From Artist Alley, to the main floor, it wasn’t hard to find a comic book creator ready to share their love of storytelling in this fantastic medium. Check out the slideshow for quotes from excellent comic book creators.
During a packed room at New York Comic Con (NYCC) 2024, the co-creators of SIKTC, James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, along with writer Tate Brombal talked all things SIKTC and shared some exciting updates about the next phases of the blockbuster franchise.
“Growing up, there wasn’t a lot of representation, so it left an open space for me…The characters in Pepper Piper and the other comics we’re working on are reflective of a world where everyone’s story matters, not just the typical ones we’re used to seeing.”
”The heart of The Last Wardens is in its chaos—both emotional and physical. We wanted to create a world where everything is constantly falling apart, and the characters are just trying to hold it together…and how they pick up the pieces, or don’t, in the face of overwhelming odds.”
“I want new readers to fall in love with Popeye’s personality. If I can make them like him as a character, then I’ve done my job. Whether it’s his humor, his fight against bullies, or his love for spinach, I hope they find him as entertaining as I do.”
Small Press Spotlight
The Canary that Named the Stars is an impressive fantasy story that captivates readers and pulls dearly at every heartstring. The experience of reading this story is like hearing beautifully composed music that wonderfully lingers long after it’s done.
With its bright art, gun battles, and hefty hits, Kaijus & Cowboys is every bit as entertaining as it is bombastic. It’s eclectic colors make for visual treats and its emphasis on focused world building make it incredibly accessible for readers looking for a fun story to dive into.
The InSpectres answers the question: What would happen if renowned writers Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker, and Agatha Christie all had to work together with magician Harry Houdini to stop a supernatural serial killer?
Written and illustrated by Emilia Strilchuk, this autobiographical comic book is truly something special and explores the challenges and long-term impacts of growing up with undiagnosed autism.
The Network mixes science fiction, mystery, and social commentary together for a page-turning experience.
Pepper Piper Monster Hunter #1 bursts into the comic book world with a punk-fantasy story full of rich lore and energy.
The Last Magician isn’t just a grandiose story, but certainly a testament to some of the excellent writing that comes from self-publishers.
The Ghost System #1 is a science fiction drama that revolves around biotechnology and its impact within society and criminal groups.
Alexis Wyle #1 is a strong series debut that dives into a dystopian steampunk story of good versus evil. Named after the lead character, this issue is nothing short of epic and grand in scope.
The Natura issues 1 - 3 is an ambitious endeavor from the creative team at 50Fifty Comix and showcases an exciting super powered team.
Lúz La Luminosa #1 is an intimate and relatable story behind one of the newest and most exciting superheroes in comic books.
Indie industry news
Award-winning entertainment company IDW Publishing is teaming up with cutting-edge comic book publisher Alien Books.
Twin Comic and Graphic Novel Publishers Under the Polarity Umbrella to Unify Distribution of Award-Winning Comic and Graphic Novel Libraries via Diamond, Lunar, and Simon & Schuster
BOOM! Studios is thrilled to announce the return of the iconic French crime saga that inspired the David Fincher film with THE KILLER: AFFAIRS OF THE STATE II by the writer/artist duo Matz and Luc Jacamon!
The award-winning publisher is swinging for the fences this year with a massive new GODZILLA connected comic book universe, the horror imprint DARK– which features the return of the Eisner-nominated hit BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES and fan-favorite franchise 30 DAYS OF NIGHT–and even more that has yet to be revealed.
In Tramps of the Apocalypse, the year is 2094, and men rule the world. So, what has changed in 70 years, you ask? Following the ten-year Sildenafil wars of 2053, Earth has become a barren wasteland.
In response to the devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles last month, Mad Cave Studios is proud to announce the creative team behind LA Strong: A Charity Comic for Victims of the Los Angeles Fires, uniting an all-star roster of creators to support those affected by the disaster.
Anna Olswanger's critically acclaimed juvenile graphic novel, A Visit to Moscow, has been nominated for the biggest award in comics and now, on a rise in popularity in the academic community, renowned popular culture nonprofit Creators Assemble has produced an essential educational guide to expand awareness and utility of this critical work in academic settings.
Magnetic Press, the award-winning publisher of graphic novels, art books, and role-playing games, is thrilled to announce an exclusive first-look partnership with the renowned French design studio Label 619. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies as they bring innovative and visually stunning stories to life.
Follow Claire, a young witch, and her kitty Familiar, Edgar, as they seek to hone her magikal abilities in a new graphic novel based on the hit animated FredFilms short! Oni Press, the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comics and graphic novels since 1997, is proud to announce THE SUMMONING VOLUME ONE: THE ART OF THE CRAFT. Elyse Castro (Go! Cartoons) tells a cozy, coming-of-age tale based on the hit animated short viewed by millions around the world in this first installment of a trilogy of graphic novels!
Tommy Oliver’s Confluential Films, the award-winning, Black-owned and Black-founded film, television, and documentary production company, and financier, has acquired the rights to Killer Bee, the next graphic novel from David Crownson (Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer) and Kingwood Comics.
Mad Cave Studios, a leading publisher of graphic novels and comics, is proud to announce an exclusive partnership with Lunar Distribution for the direct market.
Top Shelf Productions is proud to announce IT RHYMES WITH TAKEI — a new full-color graphic memoir from the team behind George Takei’s award-winning bestseller THEY CALLED US ENEMY.