From the Eisner Award-winning team behind LITTLE BIRD and PRECIOUS METAL comes the new dark fantasy phenomenon of 2026, THE KARMAN BLADE. THE QUEST TO SLAY A TYRANT GOD CONTINUES! Anatta comes before the False King, a giant who once carried the burden of The Karman Blade himself. The king sets Anatta on a difficult journey to find passage into the Kingdom of Kalu so that the boy may slay the oppressive god within it. But Anatta’s path is blocked by a stranger, resulting in the greatest sacrifice imaginable.
The Karman Blade by the bestselling, Eisner Award winning creative team behind Little Bird and Precious Metal—Darcy Van Poelgeest and Ian Bertram—has sold out completely at the distributor level. The mind-melting debut issue of this all-new, dark fantasy epic will be rushed back to print this week in order to keep up with increasing customer demand.
The Karman Blade #1, second printing will feature stunning new art by James Stokoe.
In The Karman Blade, a young man on the outskirts of a dying, desert world is chosen by a blade forged of stars to slay the despotic deity, Kalu, and free the water he hoards in his Kingdom. Yet before the boy can begin his journey, he must first face his demons, and answer the Karman Blade’s call: Are thou he, who taketh me in hand? Are thou he, who shall slay a God?
The Karman Blade #1, second printing by Stokoe (UPC: 70985304859600112) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, October 7.
A young man on the outskirts of a dying world is chosen by a blade forged of stars to slay the despotic deity, Kalu, and free the water he hoards in his Kingdom. Yet before the boy can begin his journey, he must first face the demons in his own life, and answer the Karman Blade’s call—“Are thou he, who taketh me in hand? Are thou he…who shall slay a God?” The Karman Blade #1 is interesting with a classic fantasy like narrative but feels like a story we’ve seen many times before.
A down individual receiving a sword to take on a tyrant, it’s a concept that has been done (though weapons may vary). The Karman Blade #1 is the latest entry into that space with interesting artwork and a way of telling that feels more like a daydream fantasy tale.
Created by Ian Bertram and Darcy Van Poelgeest, The Karman Blade #1 is written by Poelgeest and introduces a young boy who is haunted by his situation and the loss of his family, making him an orphan facing a daunting existence. It’s an interesting start that introduces readers to a rather morose life and world. It’s sad and depressing, leaving readers to wonder why the main character Anatta would want to continue. But, Poelgeest delivers a fate that could possibly lead to freedom for all and depose of the tyrant who’s responsible for everyone’s miserable existence.
Ian Bertram‘s art creates a dreamlike aspect to it all. With color by Matt Hollingsworth and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, the visuals add to the worn down world and characters. It’s an interesting style that’s not always clear in what’s going on but is interesting to explore and examine.
The Karman Blade #1 is an interesting start and for those who really enjoy fantasy tales, they may enjoy this. But, the first issue feels all too familiar. A person teased with a greater destiny and sword to defeat of despot has been done over and over. Dreams and crows telling of this destiny feels like it’s been done too. Overall, The Karman Blade #1 feels like an old familiar story with a new coat of paint.
Created by: Ian Bertram, Darcy Van Poelgeest Story: Darcy Van Poelgeest Art: Ian Bertram Color: Matt Hollingsworth Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Rea
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
From the Eisner Award winning team behind LITTLE BIRD and PRECIOUS METAL comes the new dark fantasy phenomenon of 2026, THE KARMAN BLADE.
A DYING WORLD UNDER A TYRANT GOD! A BLADE TO FREE THEM ALL!
A young man on the outskirts of a dying world is chosen by a blade forged of stars to slay the despotic deity, Kalu, and free the water he hoards in his Kingdom. Yet before the boy can begin his journey, he must first face the demons in his own life, and answer the Karman Blade’s call — “Are thou he, who taketh me in hand? Are thou he… who shall slay a God?”
The bestselling, Eisner Award winning creative duo behind Little Bird and Precious Metal—Darcy Van Poelgeest and Ian Bertram—reunite for an all-new, dark fantasy epic in,The Karman Blade. This four-issue miniseries is set to launch in September from Image Comics, and promises an entirely new reading experience.
In The Karman Blade, a young man on the outskirts of a dying, desert world is chosen by a blade forged of stars to slay the despotic deity, Kalu, and free the water he hoards in his Kingdom. Yet before the boy can begin his journey, he must first face his demons, and answer the Karman Blade’s call: Are thou he, who taketh me in hand? Are thou he, who shall slay a God?
The Karman Blade #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, September 9.
Cover A by Bertram and Matt Hollingsworth – UPC: 70985304859600111
DC has announced the next major expansion of its Next Level publishing initiative with three new ongoing comic book series launching on Wednesday, September 2, 2026: Legion of Super-Heroes, Teen Titans, and The Doom Patrol. These team books mark the latest evolution of DC’s Next Level line, following the success of recent launches including Batwoman, Lobo, Deathstroke: The Terminator, Firestorm, Zatanna, Barbara Gordon: Breakout, and The Deadman.
Together, as DC: All In continues its second act, these new series showcase the breadth, ambition, and creative energy driving DC’s 2026 publishing slate. DC’s Next Level titles stand alongside DC’s ongoing and limited series across both the main universe and Absolute universe, expanding the scope and future of DC’s storytelling.
Legion of Super-Heroes
A New Tomorrow Begins for the Legion of Super-Heroes
Joshua Williamson and Hayden Sherman reimagine the future of the DC Universe
One thousand years after the Last Son of Krypton’s rocket crashed on the Kent Farm comes a new future inspired by the Man of Tomorrow!
But this new future is in danger! Superheroes are outlawed! Deadly enforcers known as the Persuaders keep the populace of the United Planets in check! Worlds are at war! And this dark tomorrow’s last glimmer of hope, R.J. Brande, has been brutally murdered.
Can the mysterious Brainiac 1 of 5 solve Brande’s murder? To restore hope to the universe, he must assemble a legion of gifted young rebels from across the cosmos! But they are scattered across the universe!
Witness the dawn of a new future in DC Comics architect Joshua Williamson and Eisner-winning superstar artist Hayden Sherman’s Legion of Super-Heroes… you will never look at tomorrow the same way again!
Legion of Super‑Heroes #1, a 40‑page debut issue written by Eisner-nominated Joshua Williamson with art and cover by Hayden Sherman and featuring variant covers by Jim Lee (card stock and foil), Mark Spears, Yasmine Putri, Hayden Sherman, Dan Mora (Michael J. Fox cameo), and V Ken Marion (1:25), will publish on September 2. Legion of Super‑Heroes #1 will retail for $3.99 US for the main cover, $4.99 US for card stock variants, and $6.99 US for the foil variant.
TEEN TITANS
The Teen Titans Go Next Level in a Bold New Era
Kyle Higgins and Daniele Di Nicuolo launch a new generation of Teen Titans
When one of their own vanishes after attending a rally for Ascend—a fast-growing youth movement training kids to survive in a world shaped by superhuman conflict—Fairplay, Cheshire Cat, Proxy, and Wildcard will do whatever it takes to find their friend, including teaming up with Red Hood!
Jason thinks they’re soft and reckless. They don’t understand how he can still kill people. Now they have to work together—whether they like it or not!
Created by Kyle Higgins and Daniele Di Nicuolo, the acclaimed team behind Power Rangers: Shattered Grid and Image Comics’ Massive-Verse, this series channels the same mix of heart, scope, and style that has defined their work together—blending cinematic storytelling and Di Nicuolo’s dynamic, expressive art to bring the next generation of heroes to life.
Teen Titans #1, a 32‑page debut issue written by Kyle Higgins with art and cover by Daniele Di Nicuolo and featuring variant covers by Dan Mora (card stock and foil), Jim Cheung, Sanford Greene (1:25), and Hayden Sherman (Next Level), along with a card stock blank sketch cover, will publish on September 2. Teen Titans #1 will retail for $3.99 US for the main cover, $4.99 US for card stock variants, and $6.99 US for the foil variant.
Darcy Van Poelgeest and Niko Henrichon take the Doom Patrol to the Next Level
The Doom Patrol is broke. Adopting a heroes-for-hire business model to stave off financial and emotional ruin, the team finds itself responding to what seems like a simple case—a missing cat. But when this case proves to be far from simple, the world’s strangest heroes find themselves pulled into a truly out-of-this-world situation! And elsewhere, beyond the view of Robotman, Elasti-Girl, and Negative Man—and perhaps even beyond the veil of our reality—a ghost of the team’s past is preparing to cross into their world.
The visionary team of Eisner Award-winning writer Darcy Van Poelgeest (Little Bird) and legendary artist Niko Henrichon (Spectators, Pride of Baghdad) ushers the Doom Patrol into a new age for DC Next Level.
The Doom Patrol #1, a 32‑page debut issue written by Darcy Van Poelgeest with art and cover by Niko Henrichon and featuring variant covers by Clayton Crain (card stock and foil), Ian Bertram, Ashley Wood (1:25), and Hayden Sherman (Next Level), will publish on September 2. The Doom Patrol #1 will retail for $3.99 US for the main cover, $4.99 US for card stock variants, and $6.99 US for the foil variant.
DC has announced new ongoing “All In” comic book series by creators Al Ewing and Steve Lieber—Metamorpho: The Element Man—that fab freak who can change himself into any element in the human body!
To know him is to love him. He’s the one and only Rex Mason, alias Metamorpho… but can even he win out against Cy.C.L.O.P.S., the hairy eyeball of crime that gazes from the top of the pop charts to the lowest depths of evil—and even into the far-off, far-out Ra-Realm? To find out, the Element Man must survive a hand-picked assassin who can match him change for change… and that’s just the first issue!
Metamorpho: The Element Man #1, written by Al Ewing, interior art and main cover by Steve Lieber, colors by Lee Loughridge and lettering Ferran Delgado, will publish on December 25 with variant covers by Erica Henderson, Ian Bertram, and Steve Beach.
Announced in July and debuting this fall, DC Comics has a new Absolute Universe of comic books hitting shelves at your local comic book store in October, November, and beyond. DC has revealed the main covers to Absolute Batman #1, Absolute Wonder Woman #1 and Absolute Superman #1 with their new logos, and shared variant covers for each launch title.
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1
Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta introduce fans to a new Batman with the release of Absolute Batman #1. In this iteration, fans will be introduced to a version of the Dark Knight that doesn’t have the money, mansion, or butler of his core-line counterpart. Readers will quickly find out what makes this the “Absolute” version of Batman when the debut issue, with colors by Frank Martin and letters by Clayton Cowles, arrives at participating comic book shops and digital retailers Wednesday, October 9. Absolute Batman #1 will publish with a main cover by Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin, plus variant covers by Wes Craig and Mike Spicer, Jim Lee, Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair, Mitch Gerads, and Ian Bertram (1:25).
ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #1
For Diana, there is no island paradise, no sisterhood to shape her, nor a mission of peace—so what is the purpose of an Amazon warrior in this new universe? Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson and breakout artist Hayden Sherman reinvent her from the ground up in Absolute Wonder Woman #1, with colors by Jordie Bellaire and letters by Becca Carey, on sale Wednesday, October 23. Absolute Wonder Woman #1 will publish with a main cover by Hayden Sherman and Jordie Bellaire, plus variant covers by Wes Craig and Mike Spicer, Jim Lee, Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair, Jeff Dekal, and Dan Panosian (1:25).
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1
Writer Jason Aaron and artist Rafa Sandoval join forces to present a new Man of Steel with the launch of Absolute Superman #1. This Superman has no family, no Fortress of Solitude, and no home. Will he still stand for truth and justice in this new universe? Readers can find out when Absolute Superman #1, with colors by Ulises Arreola and letters by Becca Carey, hits participating comic book shops on Wednesday, November 6. Absolute Superman #1 will publish with a main cover by Rafa Sandoval and Ulises Arreola, plus variant covers by Wes Craig and Mike Spicer, Jim Lee, Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair, Clayton Crain, and Matteo Scalera (1:25).
All three launch issues will also have a “foil design variant” featuring the new crests for each of DC’s new Absolute Trinity. Look for these at your local comic book store when Absolute Batman #1 publishes on October 9, when Absolute Wonder Woman #1 publishes on October 23, and when Absolute Superman #1 publishes on November 6.
The Eisner Award winning Little Birdcreative team of writer Darcy Van Poelgeest and artist Ian Bertram reunite for their gripping return to the dystopian American Empire in the upcoming, Precious Metal. This six issue miniseries is set to launch on June 5 from Image Comics.
Each issue of this new miniseries will be double-length—which will make the total page count of all six issues nearly 300-pages of story when all is said and done. Issue #1 will also feature a cover B with stunning wraparound artwork by Tradd Moore.
Set 35 years before the events of Little Bird, Vol. 1: The Fight For Elder’s Hope, Precious Metal follows disillusioned mod-tracker Max Weaver. When a routine hunt for a modified child takes a grisly and unexpected turn, he finds himself saddled with an unpredictable mod who may be the key to unlocking his missing memories. Soon Max will find that he isn’t the only one interested in the child’s unique abilities—and if he wants to know more, it’s going to cost him everything.
Precious Metal #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, June 5.
Cover A by Bertram – Lunar Code 0424IM207
Cover B (1:25 incentive copy) by Tradd Moore – Lunar Code 0424IM208
