Debut comic based on the hit Craniacs trading cards created by lead Garbage Pail Kids card artist Joe Simko and Topps senior executive Ira Friedman! Craniacs TV series in active development from animation studio Titmouse (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)! Innovative reading experience! Read the story of RETROVIA then turn and flip to read about FUTERRA. Two stories that meet in the middle, which leads onto issue #2. Written by Sholly Fisch (Batman, Superman, Scooby-Doo), with stunning artwork by Garbage Pail Kids artist Joe Simko. Two planets collide forming one world. Two distinct skull-faced societies split down the middle. One side is wild & stone age named RETROVIA; the other side is systematic & ultra-futuristic named FUTERRA.
Debut comic based on the hit Craniacs trading cards created by lead Garbage Pail Kids card artist Joe Simko and Topps senior executive Ira Friedman! Craniacs TV series in active development from animation studio Titmouse (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)! Innovative reading experience! Read the story of RETROVIA then turn and flip to read about FUTERRA. Two stories that meet in the middle, which leads onto issue #2. Written by Sholly Fisch (Batman, Superman, Scooby-Doo), with stunning artwork by Garbage Pail Kids artist Joe Simko. Two planets collide forming one world. Two distinct skull-faced societies split down the middle. One side is wild & stone age named RETROVIA; the other side is systematic & ultra-futuristic named FUTERRA.
The sought-after trading card property, Craniacs — created by former Topps VP Ira Friedman and beloved Garbage Pail Kids lead artist Joe Simko — have announce they will be at this year’s New York Comic Con with a variety of treats and experiences from unique scavenger hunts, to comic shop signings, to early copies of Issue #1 of the brand-new Craniacs comics (published later in October from Titan Comics).
Here’s a sneak preview of what’s happening:
Trading Card Scavenger Hunt
Starting on Thursday October 9 and continuing through Sunday October 12, a card giveaway will be hosted by four partners, each distributing a specific CRANIACS card – available only at their booths. When combined, the four cards will reveal a cool CRANIACS puzzle. The cards are free—while supplies last – at the following locations:
NYCC Show Store (ReedPop) – Booth #4103 (check out the Simko signed CRANIACS blacklight screen print – limited to 250)
Toy Tokyo – Booth #1170 (don’t miss the vinyl figure preview of fan favorite Craniac “Hal”)
Pop Insider Magazine – Booth #1829 (pick up a raffle ticket to win an autographed CRANIACS skateboard deck)
Pin Club – Booth #1323 (5 pin-tacular designs will be introduced – collect all 5 Craniacs!)
CRANIACS Comics from Titan Comics
Global publisher Titan Comics has assembled a phenomenal team to collaborate on this unique series: Joe Simko (pencils, inks), Sholly Fisch (story/script), Valentina Bianconi (coloring), Dave Lentz (lettering). The publisher will release a limited quantity of CRANIACS Issue #1 at the Con – one week prior to the Oct. 15, 2025 national shelf date. A graphic novel collection of all four issues will be available Spring 2026.
In-Store Event (off site):
Forbidden Planet/NYC will celebrate the comic launch with a store signing with the brand creators. The event is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 10 from 4:30pm-6pm at Forbidden Planet’s Greenwich Village location – 832 Broadway, NYC. (Pre-orders for signed CRANIACS Issue #1 are available here.)
On the Show Floor
Copies of Issue #1 will be on hand for purchase from ComiXposure – Booth #3935.
Artist Joe Simko is scheduled to sign books on Sat. Oct. 11 starting at 12:30pm.
Titan Comics has released a first look atCraniacs #1 – the debut comics based on the hugely popular trading cards!
Created by former Topps senior executive Ira Friedman and lead Garbage Pail Kids card artist Joe Simko, Craniacs trading cards launched in October 2023. The visually stunning artwork and engaging storyline have hit a nerve with fans and collectors who are having fun chasing exclusive inserts including: 1/1 sketch cards, foil cards, sequentially numbered variants and a “golden ticket” card entitling the grand prize winner to an original painting from the card series.
In the Craniacs universe of skull-headed folks, two planets collide and force two very different societies – Stone-Aged Retrovia and ultra-futuristic Futerra – to figure out how they’re going to make this new world order work — or not! (Hint: this often results in crazy competitions in the ‘Chrome Dome’ to settle their differences!)
The new Craniacs comic book series will feature fan favourite “GPK” artist Joe Simko teaming up with writer Sholly Fisch for comics full of high-octane action, wacky physical comedy, and tournament high jinks — alongside the importance of friendship, fraternity and family.
Two planets collide, forming one world. Two distinct skull-faced societies split down the middle! One side is wild & stone age named RETROVIA; the other side is systematic & ultra-futuristic named FUTERRA.
Innovative reading experience! Read the story of RETROVIA then turn and flip to read about FUTERRA. Two stories that meet in the middle, which leads onto issue #2
Craniacs #1 arrives October 15, 2025 featuring covers by Simko, Ashleigh Izienicki, Nicolas Mortensen, a color your own flip cover, and bagged version with trading card.
The popular trading card property, Craniacs, is on the move in 2025 with an eagerly awaited Series 2 in stores this Spring, a highly anticipated TV series in active development from animation studio Titmouse, and brand-new adventures in comic books, coming in the Fall from Titan Comics.
Created by former Topps senior executive Ira Friedman and lead Garbage Pail Kids card artist Joe Simko, Craniacs trading cards launched in October 2023. The visually stunning artwork and engaging storyline have hit a nerve with fans and collectors who are having fun chasing exclusive inserts including: 1/1 sketch cards, foil cards, sequentially numbered variants and a “golden ticket” card entitling the grand prize winner to an original painting from the card series.
In the Craniacs universe of skull-headed folks, two planets collide and force two very different societies – Stone-Aged Retrovia and ultra-futuristic Futerra – to figure out how they’re going to make this new world order work — or not! (Hint: this often results in crazy competitions in the ‘Chrome Dome’ to settle their differences!)
The new Craniacs comic book series will feature fan favourite “GPK” artist Joe Simko teaming up with acclaimed writer Sholly Fisch for comics full of high-octane action, wacky physical comedy, and tournament high jinks — alongside the importance of friendship, fraternity and family.
Stay tuned for more announcements about Titan Comics’ new Craniacs comics very soon.
