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NYCC 2025: Matt Kindt’s Flux House heads to Oni Press with a New Exclusive Publishing and Media Partnership

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In what might be some of the bigger news going into New York Comic Con 2025, Oni Press and New York Times best-selling writer and cartoonist Matt Kindt have announced a new publishing and media partnership that will see the acclaimed creator bring his Flux House publishing imprint to Oni Press for an array of new series beginning in summer 2026. 

In tandem with the new publishing deal, Oni and Kindt have also brokered a large-scale acquisition of media rights for more than 20 properties in the Flux House library with titles including 3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man, Apache Delivery Service (co-created with Tyler Jenkins), BANG! (co-created with Wilfredo Torres), Crimson Flower (co-created with Matt Lesniewski), Ether (co-created with David Rubín), Fear Case (co-created with Tyler Jenkins), Gilt Frame (co-created with Margie Kraft Kindt), Hairball (co-created with Tyler Jenkins), If You Find This, I’m Already Dead (co-created with Dan McDaid), Mr. Mammoth (co-created with Jean-Denis Pendanx), Poppy & The Lost Lagoon (co-created with Brian Hurtt), Red-Handed: The Fine Art of Strange Crimes, Spy Superb (co-created with Sharlene Kindt), Subgenre (co-created with Wilfredo Torres), Super Spy, and nearly a dozen more. Development of the Flux House library – spanning film, television, animation, video games, podcast audio, and more – will be led internally by Oni with Kindt serving as a producer alongside David Steward II, Hunter Gorinson, and Jeremy Colfer.

Based in St. Louis, MO, Matt Kindt is a New York Times best-selling, Eisner Award-nominated writer, illustrator, and cartoonist best known for his series Mind MGMT, Dept. H, BANG!, and dozens more, as well as co-creating BRZRKR with actor Keanu Reeves – the best-selling independent comic book series of the 21st century. Now in his third decade of making and creating critically lauded series for publishers including Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, BOOM! Studios, Oni Press, and more, Kindt returned to Oni in 2024 for the publisher’s best-selling relaunch of the iconic EC Comics brand, which saw him prominently contribute to titles including Epitaphs from the Abyss, Catacomb of Torment, and the Eisner and Ringo Award-nominated Cruel Universe.

The Oni-led incarnation of Flux House – which first debuted as Kindt’s signature publishing imprint at Dark Horse in 2022 – will begin with three series beginning in summer 2026 alongside artists Brian Hurtt, Jesse Lonergan, and more to be revealed soon.

More news on the publisher’s upcoming Flux House publication plans will be revealed during New York Comic-Con 2025 at the “Oni Press: The Loudest Thing in Color” panel presentation – featuring Matt Kindt, alongside Oni President and Publisher Hunter Gorinson – on Friday, October 10th at 3:30 pm.

MIND MGMT: NEW AND IMPROVED #1

Written by Matt Kindt 
Art & Cover by Matt Kindt

You’re paranoid. But are you paranoid enough? Matt Kindt’s defining statement on psychic espionage returns with an all-new, entirely self-contained entry point into the genre-bending, Eisner Award-nominated series that Entertainment Weekly calls “one of the most experimental and fascinating books in mainstream comics.” 

New agents. New mission. The rest is classified. 

ONGOING SERIES | JUNE 2026

MIND MGMT: NEW AND IMPROVED #1

FORT PSYCHO #1 (of 12)

Written by Matt Kindt 
Art & Cover by Brian Hurtt 

Ten years ago, the nation of Singapore sank into the Pacific Ocean. The underground terrorist network known as The Seven Seals took credit for the largest act of terror in human history. In the aftermath, the United Nations created a strike team of highly trained covert operatives with one mission: locate, identify, and eliminate The Seven Seals’ secretive leader.

The team’s clandestine affairs were to always remain in the shadows – until their final, explosive confrontation with The Seven Seals resulted in a large-scale tragedy too bloody to cover up and too tragic to ignore. Disgraced and disavowed by the governments that trained them, the world’s most dangerous secret agents have been convicted for their crimes and sentenced to serve time side-by-side in the one place capable of holding them: their old island headquarters, Fort Cyclone – now known in the media by the derogatory nickname “Fort Psycho.” 

And that’s where the official story is about to go terribly, terribly wrong.

From master storytellers Matt Kindt (BRZKR, Mind MGMT) and Brian Hurtt (The Sixth Gun), MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE meets LOST on a tropical island paradise stocked with trained killers, secret betrayals, and the long-buried truth about the mission that brought them there. Always remember: There is nothing deadlier than an ally turned enemy. 

MAXI-SERIES | AUGUST 2026

FORT PSYCHO #1

FLUX HOUSE PRESENTS #1

Written by Matt Kindt
Art by Matt Kindt, Jesse Lonergan & More 

A new kind of comics anthology in the tradition of Eightball and Deadline Magazine that will release between story arcs of MIND MGMT: NEW AND IMPROVED, each double-sized installment of this quarterly Flux House showcase title will spotlight a major new landmark from Kindt’s oeuvre of creator-owned projects with a rotating cast of contributors and features, beginning with SPARK, a prehistoric survival adventure by Kindt himself; CRIME TRAVEL, a mesmerizing, genre-bending science-fiction thriller written by Kindt with art by Eisner and Ignatz Award nominee Jesse Lonergan (Drome, Man’s Best); and more stunning surprises yet to be revealed. 

QUARTERLY | NOVEMBER 2026 

SDCC 2025: Valhalla Entertainment Preemptively Acquires Oni Press’ Yuletide for Feature Film Development

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In advance of Comic-Con International 2025 in San Diego, CA, Oni Press and Valhalla Entertainment have announced that Valhalla has preemptively acquired Oni’s upcoming series Yuletide – created by writer George Northy and artist Rachele Aragno – for development as a feature film in advance of the comic book series’ debut in October 2025.

Northy – a writer/producer best known for his work on Charmed for The CW and his recent comics debut as part of Oni’s best-selling EC Comics relaunch – will produce and script the adaptation. Gale Anne Hurd and Phillip Kobylanski will produce for Valhalla, alongside David Steward II, Hunter Gorinson, and Jeremy Colfer for Oni Press.

A fast-placed family adventure in the tradition of The Goonies, Goosebumps, and Hocus Pocus with a horrifying holiday twist, Yuletide is the story of ancient creatures let loose upon an idyllic Northeastern town at the height of the gift-giving season – and the only three teenagers capable of holding them at bay with an ancient secret tied to the origins of the holiday itself:

Welcome to the small town of Christmas, Pennsylvania – the merriest place on Earth . . . or so they’d like everyone to think. When December rolls around, these folks pull out all the stops for America’s biggest, brightest holiday display . . . but not everyone in Christmas, PA, is so enthusiastic. Teenagers Jake, Abe, and Wyn are more interested in the dark side of the holiday that their parents like to pretend doesn’t exist . . . The ancient legends of mythic monsters and pagan pandemonium that are deeply tied to the festival’s long-forgotten origins. So when their hobby leads them to an abandoned wing of the local Christmas museum to investigate, they’ll discover an ancient relic that, when activated, will bring a furious procession of yuletide horrors long since banished from our plane – and with it, a darkness that has been waiting centuries for its chance to overtake the world.

With the first issue set to debut in comic shops in October, the Yuletide comic series from Northy and Aragno will span three, extra-long, 40-page monthly chapters – counting down to an artfully timed finale on shelves just in time for the holidays in December.

Oni Press will reveal more about Yuletide during its upcoming appearance at Comic Con International in San Diego, beginning on Wednesday, July 23rd. Visit them at Booth #1829.

Yuletide

An All-Nigerian voice cast has been unveiled for Iyanu based on the comic from Roye Okupe and YouNeek Studios

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Cartoon Network and Max have announced the all-Nigerian cast for Iyanu, the epic superhero animated-series steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology. A Lion Forge Entertainment production, Iyanu is an adaptation of Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios’ graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder by award-winning Nigerian creator and producer Roye Okupe.

Leading the voice cast is Serah Johnson as Iyanu, a teenage heroine who must uncover the mystery behind her newfound powers to save her people from an ancient curse threatening to destroy humanity. Johnson, known for her extensive voiceover work within the animation industry and audiobooks, is the first Nigerian and African to win the Society of Voice Arts Award (SOVAS) for Outstanding Animation Character – Film or TV – Best African VoiceOver for her work on “Moji.”

In Addition to Johnson, Iyanu is made up of promising new talent along with experienced and esteemed actors including TV personality and City People Award winner for Fast Rising Male Actor Okey Jude (“Hotel Labamba,” “The Governor’s Daughter”) who joins the cast as Biyi, Iyanu’s carefree adventurer friend. Recognized as the official IVR (Interactive Voice Response) on Nigeria’s largest telecommunications network MTN between 2013 and 2015, Jude also earned an Africa Choice Awards nomination for “The Most Promising Male Movie Star of 2022.” Samuel Kugbiyi, a multifaceted artist with a career spanning from childhood, comes on board as Iyanu’s bookworm friend Toye. Noteworthy among Kugbiyi’s creative endeavors is the acclaimed musical drama “Tafiya Lafiya: The Journey,” where he was both a writer and performer.

African Movie Academy Awards winner and Nollywood actress Adesua Etomi-Wellington (“King of Boys,” “Gangs of Lagos”) will voice Olori, who Vogue named as one of their 14 global superstars in 2019 alongside Scarlett Johansson, Deepika Padukone and Vanessa Kirby; set to play Toye’s father Kanfo is one of Nollywood’s foremost leading men Blossom Chukwujekwu (“Falling,” “Stolen Lives”) who is celebrated with multiple wins and nominations across Nigeria’s award shows like the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Best Of Nollywood Awards, Golden Movies Awards, among others; Nigerian- born entertainer and author of “Màmá, It’s A Girl” Stella Damasus (“Gone”) is set to play Sewa; Shaffy Bello (“The Score,” “Battleground”), a Best of Nollywood Awards nominee, has signed on to voice Emi – The One Mother; and esteemed actor Ike Ononye (“Doc Martin,” “The Lovers”) is Elder Alapani.

Iyanu is a superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. Drawing deeply from the rich tapestry of Yoruba people, the animated series follows a teenage orphan girl, Iyanu, who spends her days studying history and ancient arts but yearns for a normal life. One day, responding to danger, she unknowingly triggers her divine powers, the likes of which have not been seen since the Age of Wonders. With newly discovered superpowers, Iyanu joins forces with two other teenagers, Biyi and Toye, as they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. Throughout her adventure, she’ll uncover the truth about her past, her parents, and her ultimate destiny to save the world.

Iyanu is slated for release in the US on Cartoon Network and Max in 2025 and has a 26 episode, two season order.

Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron: Seige, Marvel’s Agent Carter) headed the writers’ room, with Roye Okupe serving as the executive producer, writer, and director on multiple episodes. The show’s Executive producers are David Steward II and Matt Heath from Lion Forge Entertainment, Erica Dupuis of Impact X Capital, Ryan Haidarian of Forefront Media Group and Doug Schwalbe.

Lion Forge Entertainment heads to Virtuous Con with an exclusive first look at ‘Iyanu’ Animated Series

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Iyanu

Virtuous Con, the premier online convention celebrating independent Black creators, proudly announces a captivating panel discussion called “The Magic of Iyanu: The Creation of an Animated Series” centered around the highly anticipated animated series, Iyanu.

Sponsored by the Academy Award-winning production studio Lion Forge Entertainment, this exclusive event offers attendees an inside look into the transformation of this groundbreaking show from its comic book origins to its forthcoming animated adaptation currently in development for Cartoon Network. Exclusive images of the series will be shown for the first time during this panel. 

Based on the Iyanu: Child of Wonder graphic novel series created by Roye Okupe (YouNeek Studios) and Dark Horse Comics, the story is inspired by West African Yoruba culture. The discussion features Lion Forge Entertainment CEO David Steward II (Hair Love), veteran animation writer and producer Kerri Grant (Doc McStuffins, Ada Twist Scientist), Iyanu lead writer Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy) and Okupe is an Executive Producer, a Writer and a Director on the series. The virtual discussion will be moderated by Karama Horne (theblerdgurl) for the event.

This panel will offer fans a unique opportunity to learn about the process of adapting a graphic novel to the small screen as well as revealing an exclusive first look at Iyanu.

“The Magic of Iyanu: The Creation of an Animated Series” is scheduled for Saturday February 24th, 2024 from 3:30 PM ET to 4:30 PM ET online at the Virtuous Con Website General Admission $30 | General Admission with Gift Box $75

NYCC 2019: Lion Forge and Binc Launch The Forge Fund for Comic Retailers

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Forge Fund

At New York Comic Con, David Steward II and Annie Philbrick of the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc) greeted a room full of retailers at the Diamond Comics breakfast with the introduction of The Forge Fund, a renewal of their partnership to support direct market retailers and their employees in times of hardship.

Lion Forge has donated $100,000.00 of seed money to Binc to establish this special fund for comic shops. In addition to this initial investment, going forward, 5% of proceeds from select titles will go to Forge Fund, with this week’s release of the Gail Simone written Catalyst Prime series Seven Days to be the first in the program.

This new fund gives the Foundation the ability to assist those working in the comic book industry who are facing financial emergencies today and in the future.

The Binc Foundation provides confidential financial assistance to comic retailers and booksellers, who have a demonstrated need arising from severe hardship or emergency circumstances. Retailers and their families who are suffering from financial challenges due to illness, death in the family, expenses associated with escaping domestic violence, homelessness prevention, natural disaster recovery and more now have a place to call when help is needed.

From Comics to Beyond, David Steward II Launches Polarity

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David Steward II

News was revealed today that Lion Forge founder David Steward II has been quietly expanding his portfolio over the past year to meet the demands of today’s modern audiences. The goal is to go beyond comics but also television, movies, streaming, and gaming. In early 2018, Steward formed Polarity, a holding company and investment platform and began recruiting a new team of professionals.

The focus is authentic content for a global audience and Polarity has recruited individuals beyond the traditional Hollywood roots.

To form Polarity, Steward sought out talent from the business world to augment the creative talent led by himself and Carl Reed, Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of several companies in the Lion Forge brand family.  Polarity oversees operations for the portfolio and pursues new business opportunities to expand the company’s offerings.  

David recruited Edward Hamati, Polarity’s President, in early 2018. The two previously worked together at a private equity firm. Hamati also leads the firm’s corporate development activities including mergers and acquisitions and investments.

The core management team includes Shonagh Clements (Chief Legal Officer) and Angie Smith (Chief Financial Officer), well regarded industry professionals and leaders. On the portfolio operations side, the team includes Chip Schafer (VP, B2B services focus) and Rick Johnson (VP, publishing focus).

Polarity is based in St. Louis, MO with an office in Boston, MA.