Author Archives: Graphic Policy Team

Crowdfunding Corner: Noir is the New Black Finale and The Agony of Stars

Welcome to our revamped “Crowdfunding Corner” rounding up some of the latest crowdfunding news. We’re going beyond just announcement projects, we’ll be tracking to make sure these projects get delivered as well as what we think the “risk” of backing them are.

We’ll be updating the format as we get a better handle of the needs of this sort of coverage, so stay tuned and check out the first round of projects!


Noir Is The New Black – The Noir Anthology Finale!

Noir is the New Black Ep 3

Publisher: Fairsquare Graphics
Creative Team: Joseph P. Illidge, ChrisCross DC Alonso, Greg Burnham, Quinn McGowan, Morby, Uko Smith, Brittney Brave
Launch Date: Funding now – Ends July 1 2026 9:59 AM EDT
Risk: Low – Fairsquare regularly releases comics on time and as expected

This campaign marks the culmination of a groundbreaking project that has brought together some of the most celebrated and exciting Black creators working in comics today. Recently nominated for a 2026 Eisner Award in the Best Anthology category, NOIR IS THE NEW BLACK has become a landmark showcase for crime, mystery, suspense, and noir storytelling from a diverse range of creators.

The final installment continues the anthology’s mission of spotlighting Black creators across the comics industry while expanding the possibilities of noir storytelling through fresh perspectives, bold artistic visions, and unforgettable characters.

The lineup this time is Joseph P. Illidge, ChrisCross and DC Alonso for The Winterfields and Greg Burnham, Quinn McGowan and Morby. Two fantastic artists add their talent to this all-star team: Uko Smith provides a Smooth Criminal homage cover and up and coming artist Brittney Brave delivers her rendition of a Noir Femme Fatale as an art print.


The Agony of Stars

Publisher: N/A
Creative Team: Jim Ousley, Etienne Derepentigny
Launch Date: Funding now – ends July 2 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Risk: Low – Multiple projects before and they don’t seem to have issues with delivery.

When a retired police officer is brutally murdered by a pickaxe-wielding serial killer, a decades-long missing persons case resurfaces to reveal a tragic series of events that can no longer remain hidden.

The Agony of Stars follows a caretaker named Maya who befriends Corin, a woman suffering from the early stages of dementia. When the members of a controversial police unit from the 1980’s start being murdered one-by-one, Detectives Luther Morris and Bobby Haun discover that the killer they’re pursuing is somehow tied to Corin and a heartbreaking secret.

To stop the killings and untangle the mystery, Maya and the detectives must re-examine everything they know as they follow the bloody path of evidence to its unnatural and horrifying conclusion. 

Exclusive: Get a first look at Mind MGMT: New & Improved #4’s Covers and more!

After locating their quarry, Detectives Delphi and Swon find it hard to believe the identity of their murderous foe and his unique connection to Mind Management. However, the detectives discover that their employer has been manipulating their operatives from the very beginning. Now, armed with the knowledge that Mind Management might be the root behind Swon’s missing memories, he can’t trust the agency, his mission, nor his partner Delphi . . . Will he be able to uncover the truth, or is it all just a ploy targeting Mind Management from the inside out?

Mind MGMT: New & Improved #4 is written by and art by Matt Kindt with cover A by Kindt, B by Martín Morrazo, plus a 1:10 full art variant by Morazzo, 1:20 3-D variant by Kindt, and 1:50 variant by Patricia Martín. It arrives in shops September 30, 2026.

Act 4 Publishing and Skybound Announce Beta Ray Bill by Daniel Warren Johnson Artist’s Edition

Scott Dunbier’s Act 4 Publishing, in partnership with Skybound, has announced the upcoming release of Beta Ray Bill by Daniel Warren Johnson Artist’s Edition. A gorgeous, oversized presentation of Daniel Warren Johnson‘s acclaimed Marvel Comics miniseries, this Artist’s Edition arrives in comic shops on February 3, 2027

This Artist’s Edition collects the complete Beta Ray Bill (2021) miniseries written and illustrated by Eisner Award-winning creator Daniel Warren Johnson, plus an introduction from legendary Thor writer/artist and the creator of Beta Ray Bill, Walter Simonson. Presented in a massive 12”x17” format and spanning 144 pages, the collection gives fans an unprecedented look at Johnson’s kinetic, high-impact artwork alongside the visceral storytelling that made the series an instant modern classic.  

Johnson has become one of the most celebrated voices in comics today through critically acclaimed original works like Do A PowerbombMurder Falcon, and Extremity, as well as his unforgettable run on TRANSFORMERS. His work on Beta Ray Bill brought Marvel’s beloved cosmic warrior roaring back into prominence in an emotionally charged adventure that pushed the character beyond Thor’s shadow and into a mind-blowing, space-faring epic all his own. 

An Artist’s Edition is an art book disguised as a comic collection. Although appearing to be in black and white, all the art is scanned in color, enabling the reader to see the work as close to the original as possible. Ink gradients, blue pencil, and all the unique nuances that make original art so special – are all clearly visible and printed at the same size as drawn. The only better way to experience these pages would be if you were looking over the artist’s shoulder while he was toiling at his drawing board. 

Beta Ray Bill by Daniel Warren Johnson Artist’s Edition (ISBN: Coming Soon| SRP $150.00) will be available atcomic book shops on Wednesday, February 3, 2027, and at booksellers on Tuesday, March 2, 2027. 

Beta Ray Bill by Daniel Warren Johnson Artist’s Edition

FAN EXPO Anaheim 2026 Lineup Announced

FAN EXPO Anaheim: Special Edition

FAN EXPO HQ is coming to Anaheim this month for its first Southern California event, star-studded with headlining events from Star Wars legend Mark Hamill and The Lord of the Rings 25th anniversary “Hobbits” reunion. 

JUST ANNOUNCED: 
Anthony Michael Hall, Corey Feldman, Edward Furlong, Jamison Newlander and Sam J. Jones are joining the lineup, with more news coming soon!

FAN EXPO Anaheim: Special Edition will bring together fans of movies, TV, comics, anime, gaming, and more for a weekend featuring celebrity guests, animation and gaming voice actors, comic creators, cosplay, shopping, panels, and immersive fan experiences. A full schedule of programming and a roster of celebrity and creator guests will be announced soon with highlights including:

  • The Lord of the Rings actors Elijah WoodSean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan together with fans for An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years on Sun., June 28; castmate John Rhys-Davies (“Gimli”) will also appear to meet fans Friday – Sunday.
  • Star Wars fans will find an exceptional gathering of talent from across the galaxy of film, TV, animation and gaming, including Mark Hamill (on stage Friday and greeting fans all weekend), Brian Blessed in his first and only U.S. convention appearance, Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian, Captain America: Brave New World), Ahmed Best (“Jar Jar Binks”), Omid Abtahi, Lateef Crowder and Brendan Wayne (The Mandalorian), as well as voices of animated favorites including Ashley Eckstein (Her Universe founder, “Ahsoka Tano”), Matt Lanter (“Anakin Skywalker”), James Arnold Taylor (“Obi-Wan Kenobi”), Sam Witwer (“Darth Maul”), Jim Cummings, and more!
  • Comic book, animation, and storytelling fans will can meet acclaimed creators behind some of the most influential franchises in popular culture. Among those appearing are Paul Dini, the Emmy Award-winning writer and producer known for Batman: The Animated Series and the co-creation of Harley Quinn, along with celebrated animation veterans Tom Ruegger, Kevin Altieri, Alan Burnett, Stan Berkowitz, Dan Riba, Frank Paur, Eric Radomski, Brad Rader, John Calmette, and other creators whose work has shaped generations of fandom.
  • Ultimate cast reunions will include Naruto with Maile Flanagan, the voice of “Naruto Uzumaki,” alongside fellow cast members who helped bring the long-running anime phenomenon to life, as well as cult-favorite animation show casts of Regular Show and Invader ZIMcelebrating 25years.
  • Animation, anime and gaming fans can meet the voices behind some of the most beloved franchises in pop culture – from hit cartoons of the 80’s and 90’s (including legendary voice actors Peter Cullen and Frank Welker, whose iconic rivals “Optimus Prime” and “Megatron” anchored the animated Transformers universe) to anime favorites including One Piece, My Hero Academia, Dragon Ball, Demon Slayer and Sailor Moon, to gaming including Resident Evil’s Nick Apostolides and popular franchises like Sonic The HedgehogStar Wars, Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty, and more.  
  • Television fans can celebrate generations of iconic programming. Supernatural stars reunite including Jared Padalecki (also beloved by audiences for his Gilmore Girls role as “Dean Forester”), Mark Pellegrino, Ruth Connell and Jim Beaver, alongside fan-favorite actor Timothy Omundson (also of Psych, with Maggie Lawson joining); and welcoming Hocus Pocus stars Omri Katz and Vinessa ShawWilliam Daniels (Boy Meets World, St. Elsewhere, Knight Rider); Catherine Bell (JAG, The Good Witch); Patricia Richardson and Richard Karn (Home Improvement)
  • FULL GUEST LINEUP AVAILABLE HERE

TICKETS
Single-day adult tickets start at $34; 3-day passes, child and family passes, and VIP packages are also available at www.fanexpoanaheim.com. Tickets are also available for guaranteed seating at featured talent experiences.

FAN EXPO Anaheim: Special Edition runs June 26-28, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center (800 W. Katella Ave.). Show hours are Friday 3 – 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., with a Special Preview on Friday at 1 p.m. for VIP, Ultimate, and 3-Day pass holders who purchase in advance. 

Anime Expo 2026: TOHO returns with an Expansive Booth Celebrating Anime

Toho International Anime Expo 2026

Toho International is returning to Anime Expo 2026 with an expansive and immersive booth experience celebrating some of the most beloved franchises in anime. The TOHO animation booth will be located at SH – 3106 and will once again serve as a major destination on the show floor, inviting attendees into a cinematic world inspired by TOHO animation’s legendary storytelling, vibrant culture, and globally celebrated anime properties.

This year’s booth experience encourages fans to step through the iconic arch inspired by the TOHO animation circle logo and embark on a cinematic journey bridging the past, present, and future. Drawing visual inspiration from TOHO’s theatrical heritage and the energy of modern fandom, the immersive environment combines large-scale visuals, interactive installations, dynamic photo opportunities, and fan-first experiences designed to celebrate the artistry and cultural impact of anime storytelling.

At the center of the experience are milestone celebrations for some of TOHO animation’s most iconic franchises, including the 10-year anniversary of My Hero Academia and the 5-year anniversary of Jujutsu Kaisen. Fans can also step deeper into the worlds of The Apothecary Diaries, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and Though I Am an Inept Villainess, through immersive displays and highly shareable activations crafted to transport guests directly into their favorite stories. 

Anime Expo attendees can kick off their convention experience by picking up complimentary TOHO animation series badge clip-ons right at the entrance. Fans can customize their badges with their favorite series from an incredible lineup, including My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, The Apothecary Diaries, SPY x FAMILY, Though I Am an Inept Villainess, and Kaiju No. 8.

Further extending the experience, the booth will feature an integrated retail area offering fans access to exclusive convention-only merchandise and limited-edition collectibles inspired by TOHO animation’s celebrated anime catalog.

Additionally, there will be giveaways throughout the weekend, which include an exclusive blind bag: a mini clip-on shopper containing a reusable eco-bag. Inside each mini-tote is a larger bag featuring a chibi design inspired by one of four beloved series: My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and The Apothecary Diaries. Pick one up, reveal your design, and keep it, or swap with friends to find your favorite. These will be limited to one per guest.

TOHO animation social channels will host giveaways of exclusive Anime Expo merchandise + shikishi boards signed by voice actors. Entrants must be 18+ and based in the US to enter. Stay tuned to the TOHO animation social channels to find out more. You do not have to be attending Anime Expo to enter.

TOHO will host some fun-filled panels during Anime Expo weekend. See the schedule and details below:

Friday, July 3, 2026 

The Apothecary Diaries (Hosted by Crunchyroll & NTV)
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Peacock Theater 

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Though I Am an Inept Villainess
10:00 AM – 11:20 AM
Room 403AB

Hana Hishikawa (Japanese voice of Leelee)
Makoto Furukawa (Japanese voice of Ei Gyoumei)

My Hero Academia
2:30 PM – 3:20 PM
Crypto.com Arena 

Daiki Yamashita (Japanese voice of Deku)
Koki Uchiyama (Japanese voice of Shigaraki)

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
6:00 PM – 6:50 PM
JW Platinum Ballroom

Tomoya Kitagawa (Director)
Keiichiro Saito (Supporting Director)
Keisuke Kojima (Character Designer)
Yuichiro Fukushi (Animation Producer)

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Jujutsu Kaisen
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
Crypto.com Arena

Junya Enoki (Japanese voice of Yuji Itadori)
Adam McArthur (English voice of Yuji Itadori) and more.

Hero Tomorrow Comics partners with Asylum Press for Distribution

Hero Tomorrow Comics

Comic book writer/and filmmaker Ted Sikora has announced Hero Tomorrow Comics has a new distribution agreement with Asylum Press marking the publisher’s return after a hiatus following the bankruptcy of previous distributor, Diamond Comics.

Ted Sikora is the architect of the connected Hero Tomorrow Universe. Since its first release in 2016, Hero Tomorrow has sold over 100,000 units. Previous titles include Apama the Undiscovered AnimalTap Dance KillerPunchline and the Vaude-Villains, and Bloom

The first release currently in solicitation through Lunar Distribution is Punchline and the Vaude-Villains vs Violante #1. This will be followed by a collected editions of the acclaimed series Bloomand and a deluxe Vaude-Villains Origin Edition of Tap Dance Killer.

Punchline and the Vaude-Villains vs Violante #1

Drayton Hayes was a heavyweight boxer who was kidnapped by the Vaude-Villains and transformed into a super-powered murderous clown Punchline! The scientist who conducted his transformation (Fletcher) learned DNA enhancement from a session in Mexico with a mystic healer named Violante. Fletcher wanted those discoveries for himself alone and murdered the healer. Now Violante The Undead has come back with seething vengeance in the comic book brawl of the year! This double-sized issue is loaded with extras to make an easy entry point for all. The main story has 34 all new pages, and a 7 page prequel reprinted from Tap Dance Killer. 

  • Story, colors, and letters by Ted Sikora.
  • Art by Yvel Guichet & Donny Hadiwidjaja.
  • COVER A Yvel Guichet (LUNARCODE: 0626AY0544)
  • COVER B Nik Poliwko (LUNARCODE: 0626AY0545)
  • COVER C Gonzo!  5:1 FREE incentive (NO LIMITS)  (LUNARCODE: 0626AY0546)
  • Available for pre-order with Lunar Distribution.
  • Retail: $6.99 •  48 Pages
  • Initial Due Date: 6/25/2026 (FOC Date: 6/29/2026)
  • In-Store Date: 8/5/2026

Top Shelf and Brian “Box” Brown are Collecting Souls with Forevr!

Why say goodbye? Death is only a temporary glitch in the eerily plausible future of FOREVR! Top Shelf is selling the afterlife in FOREVR, the forthcoming original graphic novel from award-winning creator Brian “Box” Brownreleasing September 8, 2026. From “Hologram Tupac” to “AI Stan Lee,” real-world tech companies continue to try to artificially resurrect the dead, while generative AI continues to be hotly debated. FOREVR plunges straight into the heart of these ethical controversies and asks the question, do we have the right to rest in peace. 

Brenda’s mom is dying—but not for long. Like millions of others, she’s uploaded her consciousness to the groundbreaking new app Forevr, which allows the surviving family members to chat with her on their screens for a very reasonable monthly fee. Now Brenda’s dad doesn’t have to be alone…while Brenda and her girlfriend focus on building their careers as wilderness survival influencers. But when this very modern family sets out on a camping trip, their tensions and tech addictions build to an explosive climax whose consequences may last…forever.

FOREVR​ will be available as a full-color, soft-cover (ISBN: 978-1-60309-600-3) wherever books are sold on September 8, 2026 for a list price of $19.99.

FOREVR

Celebrate the SpOOOky Season in Adventure Time Halloween Special #1

Oni Press and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products present the Adventure Time Halloween Special #1 – a spooky-sized 48-page special from writer Jeremy Melloul and rising star Adam Seats that finds Finn and Jake in their trickiest situation yet when it arrives in  comic shops on September 30th!

After signing up for a quest from the Adventurer’s Guild without reading the fine print, Finn and Jake find themselves in a new dungeon — turning into some of its monstrous inhabitants! Stuck in strange bodies, fighting familiar faces, and attempting to get to the bottom of this mysterious place, can our dynamic duo best this unearthly dungeon or will they fall victim to the monsters within . . . and within themselves? 

Tricks and treats abound in this monster-sized Adventure Time Halloween Special #1 with creepy covers from Sean DoveAgustin MoralesViolet Tobacco, and interior artist Adam Seats. Don’t miss out on the fun when the adventure begins on September 30th

Punisher takes on a Zombie Apocalypse in Marvel Zombies: War Zone!

This September, Marvel Zombies returns to life in Marvel Zombies: War Zone, and this time, it won’t be Earth’s Mightiest Heroes who save the day—it’ll be Earth’s toughest! The five-issue limited series will be written by Tom Waltz, known for his gruesome work on Wolverine: Blood Hunt and Knull, and drawn by Jaime Infante, in his fearsome Marvel Comics debut.

The latest Marvel Zombies nightmare begins after the Avengers and the Fantastic Four fail to stop a zombie plague from devastating New York City. Now sealed off as a deadly quarantine zone, humanity’s last hope rests with PUNISHER and a team of street-level heroes including LUKE CAGE, ELEKTRA, IRON FIST and MOON KNIGHT. Together, this ragtag group of deadly heroes will have to uncover the origin of the outbreak and break down the barrier before the infection consumes everything.

ESCAPE THE HUNGER!

A zombie outbreak has hit Manhattan and the whole city is rapidly overrun! As Earth’s Mightiest Heroes succumb to the virus, a barrier is hastily erected to protect the world—but inside the barrier, a war zone has broken out as survivors fight for their lives against the ever-growing horde. However, one man isn’t looking for survival – he’s after answers as he carves a bloody swathe of his own through the ravaged city. And if any zombies get in his way? Well, the PUNISHER has plenty of lead that they can eat!

Check out Tony Parker’s cover and a first look at interior artwork, and preorder Marvel Zombies: War Zone at your local comic shop today!

Marvel Zombies: War Zone

Exclusive Preview: Wonder Man #4

Wonder Man #4

(W) Gerry Duggan (A) Laura Braga
(C) Rachelle Rosenberg (L) Joe Caramagna
(CA) Luciano Vecchio and Rachelle Rosenberg (VCA) Adam Pollina

To LOVE and die in L.A.! The SPOT continues his deadly tour of Hollywood, hitting too close to home for Simon Williams. But tragedy isn’t stopping HELLCAT and WONDER MAN from getting down to business… wink, wink, nudge, nudge. This issue contains a scene you’ve likely never seen before in a comic book! Children: DON’T LOOK! AVERT YOUR EYES!

Wonder Man #4
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