Category Archives: Conventions

Anime Expo 2026: Bleach Comes to Life in Los Angeles with First-of-Its-Kind Artist Gallery Experience

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During Anime Expo, taking place July 1 – July 5, fans will have the chance to experience Bleach like never before. 

Timed to Anime Expo and the upcoming premiere of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity, the Bleach LA: The Artist Collective Artist Gallery transforms Los Angeles’ Japanese American Cultural & Community Center into an immersive celebration of one of anime’s most influential franchises. 

Headlined by a striking original portrait inspired by Captain Shunsui Kyoraku from internationally acclaimed artist Audrey Kawasaki, highlights include Tokidoki founder Simone Legno’s signature kawaii interpretation of fan-favorite characters, Yoskay Yamamoto’s ethereal take on Rukia, Jasper Wong’s original portraits of Soi Fon and Captain Unohana, Greg Mike’s vibrant abstract reimagining of Grimmjow and Nel, and McFlyy’s streetwear-inspired tribute to the series’ iconic heroes. The exhibition also features works by Persue, Askew, Tracie Ching, Brendan Monroe and more, alongside three custom Bleach-inspired blades (high-performance surfboards) by Jack Soren.

The exhibition features more than 20 internationally acclaimed artists from the worlds of fine art, street culture, illustration and contemporary design, and presents never-before-seen original works inspired by the iconic characters, unforgettable battles and rich mythology that have captivated fans for more than two decades.

Select exclusive art prints and merchandise will be available for sale, offering fans and collectors a rare opportunity to own a unique piece of Bleach history.

VIZ Media has partnered with World Wide Walls, Merchlabs, Static Medium and Thinkspace Gallery, curated by Jasper Wong and Simon Chin. The exhibition arrives at a pivotal moment for Bleach. Originally one of Weekly Shonen Jump’s “Big Three” alongside NARUTO and One Piece, the franchise helped define a generation of anime fandom during its 366-episode run. Its return with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War has sparked a global resurgence, earning widespread critical acclaim, dominating seasonal anime rankings, generating millions of trailer views and amassing hundreds of hours streamed around the world. .   

The exhibition will include:

  • 123Klan
  • Aaron Woes Martin
  • Andrew Hem
  • Askew
  • Audrey Kawasaki
  • Brendan Monroe
  • Brolga
  • Gian Galang
  • Greg Mike
  • Jack Soren
  • Jason Raish
  • Jasper Wong
  • Jose Mertz
  • kaNO
  • Lauren YS
  • McFlyy
  • Michael Reeder
  • Persue
  • Simone Legno (Tokidoki)
  • Tatiana Suarez
  • Tracie Ching
  • Yoskay Yamamoto
  • Original artwork inspired by BLEACH characters, scenes and themes
  • Artist-created reinterpretations and original concepts inspired by the world of BLEACH
  • Exclusive art prints and merchandise
  • A digital gallery experience and online store

WHEN:
Opening July 1 –  July 5, 2026
Dates subject to change.

Add opening hours

  • 8am – 5pm
  • Open July 4th
  • Sunday 8-4pm

WHERE:
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
George J. Doizaki Gallery
Los Angeles, CA
244 San Pedro Street
Los Angeles, California 90012

DIGITAL EXPERIENCE:

A virtual gallery tour and online shop will be available at BLEACH-LA.COM

SDCC 2026: ComicsPro Retailer Day Registration Open

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ComicsPro 2026 Retailer Day

ComicsPRO, the comics specialty retailer trade association, has announced that the registration has opened for the 2026 ComicsPRO Retailer Day taking place during San Diego Comic-Con. It’s being held on July 24th in Room 31ABC of the San Diego Convention Center. The event, open to all registered comic retailers, allows publishers and distributors to talk directly to comics retailers about upcoming products and initiatives. The event will also include a video presentation for the Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award and a panel entitled, “Creating Opportunities in a Multi-Distributor Landscape.”

Universal Distribution will be hosting the retailer lunch and the “Fresh Start” Networking Event at the beginning of the event.

Over 40+ publishers and other vendors are expected to present at the event. This includes: 2000 AD / Rebellion, Ahoy Comics, Bad Idea, Book Industry Charitable Foundation, BOOM! Studios, Bulgilhan Press, Clover Press, ComicsBurgh, Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, Drawn & Quarterly, Dynamite Entertainment, IDW Publishing, Ignition Press, Image Comics, Kodansha USA, Little Star Storage, Mad Cave Studios, Marvel, Massive Publishing, Oni Press, PI Comics, Pop King, PSA, Random House Worlds, Reedpop, Rekcah/COMICS: The Magazine, Rocketship Entertainment, Rose City Comic-Con, Square Enix, Titan Comics, TokyoPop, Upper Deck, Viz Media, Yen Press, and Z2 Comics

SCHEDULE

9:30 – 10:10 Fresh Start Networking (Coffee, muffins)
10:10 – 10:50 Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Presentation
11:00 – 12:20 Lunar Distributed Publishers
12:20 – 12:50 Break (grab your box lunch sponsored by Universal Distribution)
12:50 – 1:50 Universal Distribution (lunch) – Upper Deck and other Vendors
1:50 – 3:10 Penguin Random House Distributed Publishers
3:10 – 3:30 Break
3:30 – 4:10 Other Publishers and Vendors
4:10 – 5:00 Panel: Creating Opportunities in a Multi-Distributor Landscape

Comic Retailers interested in attending the event can register now.

Attending retailers will receive “thank-you” items from publishers, distributors, and other vendors sent directly to their stores in the weeks following the event.

SDCC 2026: Pudgy Penguins Debuts First-Ever Comic Book Trilogy

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At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con 2026 (SDCC), taking place July 22–26, Pudgy Penguins will officially debut Adventures of Pax Pengu & Polly, a three-part comic book series that reveals the official origin tale of their hero Pax Pengu, his first meeting with his “mate for life” Polly, and the legendary beginnings of The Berg they call home. The release marks a defining moment in Pudgy Penguins’ evolution from a global collectibles phenomenon into a character-driven entertainment franchise built on an original storyline and powerful art.

The comic marks the first time Pudgy Penguins has told an official long-form story, establishing a shared canon that will anchor future experiences across the franchise.

The Series includes:

  • Adventures of Pax Pengu & Polly: Journey to The Berg (Volume 1) – The beginning of Pax Pengu’s journey. A mysterious letter changes everything and sends Pax searching for answers about his missing family. His quest leads him to the mythical The Berg, where he encounters a clever penguin named Polly, and begins unraveling secrets from their bear archnemesis, beneath a decade of peace between the species.
  • Adventures of Pax Pengu & Polly: Betrayal on The Berg (Volume 2) – As Pax Pengu and Polly dig deeper into the mysteries surrounding The Berg, they discover that the celebrated peace between penguins and bears may be built on dangerous lies. Ancient machines awaken, alliances fracture, and the future of The Berg now hangs in the balance.
  • Adventures of Pax Pengu & Polly: A New Dawn on The Berg (Volume 3) – Pax Pengu and Polly race against time to stop a catastrophic plan that threatens everyone who lives there. What began as a shared mission becomes something neither of them expected: a bond strong enough to carry them through the trilogy’s final, highest-stakes chapter. The trilogy concludes with sacrifices, revelations, and a new future for The Berg and its co-residents.
  • The Berg Omnibus Hardcover Collector’s Edition (100 copies only) – Alongside the release of the three individual comic books, Pudgy Penguins will also debut Adventures of Pax Pengu & Polly: The Berg Omnibus, a premium hardcover collector’s edition that brings the complete trilogy together in a single volume. Limited to just 100 copies worldwide, the Omnibus features an exclusive cover created exclusively for this release and includes the full first 3-volume set for the Adventures of Pax Pengu and Polly.

Written by Vivian Lin and illustrated by Afiq Salam under the creative direction of Peter Lobanov, Chief Creative Officer of Pudgy Penguins, the series follows Pax Pengu’s journey across Antarctica after he receives a mysterious letter connected to his missing family. His search leads him to The Berg, where he meets Polly, forges lifelong friendships, and uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the future of the community he calls home.

Dean Haspiel, Vito Delsante, Steve Walker, and Jeffrey Burandt are coming to Baltimore Comic Con 2026

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The Baltimore Comic-Con returns this September 25-27 to the Inner Harbor’s Baltimore Convention Center. Joining the impressive list of guests are Dean Haspiel, a seasoned alternative cartoonist/playwright who started self-publishing a series of “deep cut” comix, most recently with Antimatter #1, will join Stray co-creator Vito Delsante, his Vito x Dino podcast brother and occasional collaborator, who will be debuting Pay the Devil with artist/comix teacher Steve Walker; plus, rock god/comix writer Jef UK aka Jeffrey Burandt will keep the squad “too cool for school” with his grindhouse comic, Blood + Brains, and his semi-Cimmerian satire, Gonad the Ballbarian. Get your tickets now!

Emmy and Ringo Award-winning cartoonist Dean Haspiel has created for Marvel, DC/Vertigo, Archie, Image, and Webtoon, including collaborations with Harvey Pekar and Jonathan Ames. In 2023, Dino launched a series of crowdfunded “Deep Cuts” from his pantheon of creator-owned characters, featuring COVID Cop, Billy Dogma + Jane Legit, The Red Hook, and Chest Face. In addition, Haspiel is an accomplished playwright and Yaddo fellow. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Vito Delsante is a comic book writer, letterer, and editor. He is best known for his creator-owned superhero story, Stray, with co-creator, Sean Izaakse (Challengers of the Unknown) and is the editor-in-chief of Blind Squirrel Comics. This year, he debuts a new Stray one-shot called The Beast Within, with art by David Jaxon, and Pay the Devil, with co-creator and tablemate Steve Walker. He currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife, Michelle, and his kids, Sadie and James.

Steve Walker is an independent comic artist, educator, illustrator, and editor. 

His current projects are the self-published series The Blackforge Chronicles, and the upcoming Pay The Devil, with writer Vito Delsante.

His previous works include graphic novels for Random House Books, Tor Books, as well as work for Action Lab Entertainment.

Since 2008, Steve has taught comics and sequential arts at the Art Students League of New York, where he edits an annual anthology of student work, as well as the anthology No Day Without A Line, and This Quarantine Life: A COVID-19 Comics Anthology. He currently lives in Queens, New York.

Jeffrey Burandt is a writer and performer living in Brooklyn, New York. He has written comics for DC Entertainment, Devil’s Due Comics, Heavy Metal Magazine, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, and Source Point Press. This year, at Baltimore Comic-Con 2026, Jeffrey is debuting an original graphic novel, titled Gonad the Ballbarian, with artist Blake Sims and publisher Source Point Press, not available in stores until December 2026! 

SDCC 2026: Tiny Onion Announces its Tour Stop

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James Tynion IV’s production house Tiny Onion is returning to San Diego Comic-Con this July! The popular Corpse Tour is adding a new stop at Now and Never Comics on SDCC Saturday, July 25, to celebrate the release of Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy #1 and the hit comic book series. Exquisite Corpses co-creators Tynion and Michael Walsh, Rascal Randy writer Tyler Boss, and cover artist Christian Ward will be participating in a Q&A and signing at the event. 

Limited tickets for the event are available now via this link. There are two types of tickets, VIP and Signing Only: the VIP ticket gets fans access to the Q&A, early access to the signing (limit of 3 signed items per ticket), and the Now Or Never Comics store exclusive variant of Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy #1 by artist Guillaume Martinez. The Signing Only ticket gets fans access to the signing (limit of 3 signed items per ticket) starting at 9:00pm PST, once the Q&A has wrapped up.

In Exquisite Corpses, every five years on Halloween, the wealthiest families in America play a game. Twelve of the deadliest people in the world are dropped into a small town with just one goal: last killer standing wins. For the citizens of Oak Valley, Maine—this year’s unlucky arena—the goal is much simpler. They must survive the night. The first issue can be read digitally for free on the Image Comics site. 

Exquisite Corpses was the biggest original IP comic hit of 2025; over 600k issues have been sold to date in collaboration with Image Comics, marking the best debut comic for five-time Eisner Award-winning writer Tynion in over three years, in collaboration with artist Walsh and the Corpse Crew of a dozen exciting creators. Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy is the first limited series spinning out of the main series. Boss is joined by fan-favorite artist Dylan Burnett, Eisner Award-winning colorist Jordie Bellaire, and star letterer Becca Carey on the series about the terrifying bunny mascot killer. The first issue hits shelves on July 8.

The horror franchise is growing to include not just Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy, but also two other new spinoff limited series (Exquisite Corpses: Fox Mask Killer by Che Grayson and Exquisite Corpses: Lone Gunman by Pornsak Pichetshote), along with an anthology one-shot (Exquisite Corpses: Book of the Dead) in addition to the upcoming second season, the feature film adaptation, and the tabletop card game.

The Tiny Onion team is also celebrating 9 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards nominations at San Diego Comic-Con, including nominations for Exquisite Corpses. In collaboration with publishers BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse, DC, DSTLRY, and Image Comics, Tiny Onion’s produced works and collaborators have been nominated in the categories of Best New Series, Best Continuing Series, Best One-Shot/Single Issue, Best Limited Series, Best Writer, Best Penciler/Inker, Best Coloring, Best Painter/Multimedia Artist, and Best Lettering. Widely regarded as “the Oscars of comics,” the prestigious Eisner Awards honor the industry’s very best comic books and graphic novels, and the creatives behind those works. The winners are nominated by esteemed industry judges and chosen by industry professionals. The gala awards ceremony will be held at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during Comic-Con on the evening of July 24. 

Corpse Tour 2026

Otakon to Be Spot on Kagurabachi World Tour

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The Kagurabachi Anime World Tour is adding another stop—in Washington, D.C. at Otakon. Head to the convention for a premiere screening of the first 20 minutes of Episode 1 on Sunday, August 2

Kagurabachi is a popular Japanese manga (comic book) series by Takeru Hokazono. The series follows a young swordsman, Chihiro Rokuhira, on his quest to avenge his blacksmith father. An anime adaptation has been officially announced for April 2027. This will be the first chance for fans to get a glimpse of it.

Otakon 2026 takes place July 31 to August 3 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Kagurabachi Anime World Tour

Zentreya is an Otakon 2026 Guest

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V-Tuber and content creator Zentreya will be a guest at Otakon 2026.

Zentreya is known for her use of a speech to text to speech system (STTS), deep lore spanning multiple models and characters, as well as her witty and creative interactions with her community. Incorporating her chatters into the stream with their own anthropomorphic gecko model, each stream is filled with exciting gameplay highlighted by witty banter between herself and chat, though sometimes at her own expense.

She can be found at: Twitch, Twitter, Youtube

Otakon 2026 takes place July 31 to August 3 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Zentreya

ALA Annual Conference 2026: Silver Sprocket brings Artist Signings, Free Comics, and Exclusive Merch!

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The Silver Sprocket Gang will be in the exhibit hall at McCormick Place, all weekend, to celebrate the American Library Association’s 150th anniversary! Come out and talk rad books with us and our authors at booth 3229F, or check out any of the panels they’re participating in, or just pop by to grab free stuff, like this sick-ass sticker by Alex Krokus!

Alex Krokus Sticker

Meet Your Favourite Artists!

Saturday, June 27, 2026

  • 10:00 - 11:00 am
    • Signing – Marnie Galloway and Sage Coffey will be signing and giving away Sage Coffey, co-creator of the multi-award winning zine, Abortion Pill Zine: A Community Guide to Misoprostol and Mifepristone will be signing and giving away books at the Silver Sprocket booth! Come on out and chat about graphic medicine, civil rights, and community knowledge sharing!

Sunday, June 28, 2026

  • 11:00 – 12:00 pm
    • Signing – Keezy Young, author and artist behind Sunflowers, will be signing and giving away books at the Silver Sprocket booth! Come on out and chat about mental illness, mysteries, and queer stuff! Location: Booth 3229F
  • 1:30 – 2:20 pm
    • Panel – Illustrate Their Lives: Diverse Illustrated Books for Your Collection
      •  As patron demographics change, so do the illustrations that reflect them. Join this group of picture book authors, artists, and publishers to hear about the most beautifully illustrated children and adult titles. Location: The Look of Books Stage (Booth #1342)

Monday, June 29th, 2026

  • 11:30 – 12:20 pm
    • Panel – LGBTQ+ and Us: Queer Titles from Independent Publishers Illustrate Their Lives: Diverse Illustrated Books for Your Collection
      • Join us again for this celebration of the queer authors and publishers responsible for some of the most exciting books of the year. This roundtable conversation will look at the backlash to queer writing and how librarians have supported queer writers in the ongoing fight against censorship. Location:Diversity in Publishing Stage (Booth #5242)

Flame Con 2026 Spotlights its Youth Day and Community Tables

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Flame Con 2026

Flame Con 2026‘s Youth Day Initiatives and Community Tables Highlights to Empower Next Generation of LGBTQ+ Creators!

Youth Day

Sunday, August 16, 12 pm –  6 PM

Flame Con, the world’s largest queer comic con, is proud to announce the return of its dedicated Youth Day, taking place on Sunday of the convention. Mirroring its steadfast commitment to remaining an all-ages event, Flame Con continues to provide safe, positive spaces for young people to engage with the queer community, discover inclusive literature, and explore their own creativity.

To ensure the convention remains accessible, admission is entirely FREE for anyone aged 21 and younger on Sunday. Youth Day tickets can be reserved in advance via TicketLeap or obtained directly at the door on Sunday.

Engaging Activities & Interactive Workshops
Youth Day features a vibrant lineup of hands-on activities, creative workshops, and networking opportunities tailored for young attendees:

Zine Making: A creative space where youth can craft their own self-published zines on any topic. Attendees can document their unique Flame Con experience, draw original comics, or write messages to share with friends.

DIY Pride & Pronoun Pins: A welcoming workshop where participants can design custom pride and pronoun pins (including she/her, they/them, he/him, and all gender identities). In tandem with the crafting, the session will offer curated book recommendations and resources centered on gender identity and expression.

Queer Educator Meet Up: A dedicated gathering for educators, mentors, and youth advocates to connect, share resources, and discuss strategies for supporting LGBTQ+ youth.

Special Giveaways: Attendees can look forward to a special bookmark and exclusive giveaways featuring Flame Con’s mascot, Flamie, created in partnership with our friends at the Queens Public Library.

Spotlight on Community Tables: Connecting Youth with Affirming Resources

At the heart of Youth Day is the Community Tables hub, a collaborative space bringing together vital local organizations, creators, and resources. This year, Flame Con is proud to highlight the impactful presence of the Queens Public Library and The Future Perfect Project, two pillars dedicated to youth empowerment, storytelling, and representation.

Queens Public Library: A Sanctuary for Creativity and Connection
As a cornerstone of community access to resources in New York City, the Queens Public Library returns to Flame Con to anchor a vital space for engagement. Their presence underscores a shared mission to provide young people with safe environments to discover literature and explore who they are.

The Future Perfect Project: Amplifying Youth Voices Through the Arts
Joining the community hub is The Future Perfect Project (FPP), a national nonprofit that empowers LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–22 to tell their own stories through free arts programming (virtual and in-person) from songwriting and recording to podcasting, creative writing, and more. With Future Perfect Records, a year-long songwriting residency that culminates in a live album release party in NYC, and the youth-led podcast I’m Feeling Queer Today!, recently named one of Spotify’s fastest-growing podcasts, FPP gives young people the tools, mentorship, and affirming community they need for self-discovery.

The organization serves more than 400 new young people each year, the majority from low-income households and communities where access to affirming creative spaces is scarce. At its core, FPP believes the simple, urgent truth that art saves lives.

Brooklyn Public Library: Stories for Queer Youth of All Ages
Flame Con is thrilled to welcome Brooklyn Public Library to this year’s Community Tables. One of Brooklyn’s most beloved civic institutions, BPL has served the borough since 1896 and continues to connect residents of all ages with books, resources, cultural programs, digital literacy support, workforce development, and more. With branches reaching neighborhoods across Brooklyn, BPL creates welcoming spaces where learning, creativity, and community are accessible to everyone. Their presence at Flame Con reflects a shared commitment to inclusion, education, and helping people discover stories that inspire them.

SDCC 2026: Ignition Press Celebrates its First Year with Seven new Series

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Ignition Press

Ignition Press is kicking off its first anniversary of publishing creator-driven comics this week leading up to and culminating at the biggest industry event of the year, Comic-Con International 2026 in San Diego (SDCC).

Ignition Press began publishing original series in July 2025 with its public debut at SDCC. At the Ignition Press Room—a standalone, open to the public, and free pop-up—the publisher introduced fans to seven debut series: Murder Podcast, Voyeur, Deluge, Roots of Madness, The Beauty, NO Place, and Arcadia.

On the eve of its one-year anniversary, Ignition Press has revealed a revised summer release schedule with seven new series launching over seven weeks beginning July 1st through August 12th. Additionally, Ignition Press will celebrate all its previously released or continuing series with new promotions and activations. The anniversary celebration will crescendo at SDCC 2026, where exclusives for all seven new series will be available for purchase before the celebration continues in comic shops through mid-August. Ignition Press will reveal additional details about its SDCC plans as part of its returning Ignition Sequence: SDCC 2026 marketing initiative.

The seven launching series commemorating Ignition Press’s first anniversary are:

  • The Dogsitter #1—a brand new rom-com treat for dog lovers from the Ares & Aphrodite team of Jamie S. Rich and Megan Levens with Nick Filardi and AndWorld Design;
  • Dispatched #1—an express delivery of an action thriller from B. Clay Moore and Daniel Gete with Lee Loughridge and AndWorld Design;
  • Minotaur #1—a groundbreaking sci-fi ongoing series for the AI Age by Si Spurrier and Mike Dowling with Sofie Dodgson and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou;
  • Sicko #1—a horrifying medical thriller where an autoimmune disorder becomes a weapon from Tini Howard and Amilcar Pinna with Amanda Grazini and Ariana Maher;
  • The Patron #1—a fine art murder mystery that is truly horrifying by Christian Ward and John J. Pearson with Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou;
  • Airwalker—the first original graphic novel for the publisher, a brand new superhero for a modern age directly from the mind of the late, great Stan Lee with Jeremy Haun and Danny Luckert with AndWorld Design;
  • And finally, Cult-de-Sac #1—a homeowner’s nightmare where the HOA is more than just odd from Cullen Bunn and Fico Ossio with Ulises Arreola and AndWorld Design.

Ignition Press’s updated summer release schedule includes the following titles:

July 1st: The Dogsitter #1, Showdown #2, The Other/Half #3, and Ripcord #4 ;
July 8th: Dispatched #1, Innards #2, Tyler Rake: An Extraction Story #3, and Just Brutal #4;
July 15th: Minotaur #1, Arcadia #6, and Murder Podcast #8;
July 22nd: Sicko #1, Bad Thoughts #2, Everyone Loves A Jewel Thief #3, Bloodland #5, and The Beauty #7;
July 29th: The Patron #1;
August 5th: Airwalker OGN (available August 4th in bookstores), The Other/Half #4, and Ripcord #5;
August 12th: Cult-de-Sac #1, The Dogsitter #2, Innard #3, Showdown #3, Tyler Rake: An Extraction Story #4, Just Brutal #5, and Murder Podcast Vol. 1 TP (available August 11th in bookstores).

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