Tag Archives: joanne starer

Dinner Date #1 joins the October 7 Midnight Release Party

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Ignition Press has announced it is celebrating the release of the new limited series Dinner Date #1 from Sirens of the City creators Joanne Starer and Khary Randolph by authorizing comic shops to begin selling the debut issue just after midnight on New Comic Book Day on October 7th.

Dinner Date #1 joins the impressive lineup of other midnight release titles, including Marvel’s launch of the Midnight Line (Midnight Spider-Man #1, Midnight X-Men #1, and Midnight Fantastic Four #1) as well as Oni Press/Archie Comic’s release of Sabrina the Teenage Witch #1 and Rob Liefeld’s Avengelyne #1 Midnight Variant from Image Comics.

Starer and Randolph’s vampire rom-com fits perfectly among the seasonally spooky offerings participating in the midnight release, and is just the first of the pair’s multiple projects coming from Ignition Press. Fans eager to get their hands on Dinner Date #1 even earlier can do so at Baltimore Comic-Con from September 25th – 27th with the special show exclusive cover by Alitha Martinez and Emilio Lopez, limited to only 500 copies.

Modern dating is rough. No one likes being on the apps, but it’s not much easier meeting people IRL. Especially when they might turn you into a vampire without warning. 

This is exactly what happened to Syd. She was only trying to get over her toxic ex—whom she may still drunkenly text from time to time—not looking to have her life totally changed. She thought finding the right guy before was hard, but now she has an unquenchable thirst for blood. Her dating pool has suddenly become her food chain! 

Meanwhile, Izzy has been trying to make her dreams a reality in the Big Apple, though right now she’s part of the gig economy working as a rideshare driver. When Syd ends up in the back of Izzy’s car, there is an instant connection. Is this love at first sight, or will it all end with one bite? 

A comic book cover featuring a woman in a pink top lounging upside down on a couch, looking at her phone with a satisfied expression. The background illustrates a chaotic scene with hints of horror, including blood and a body on the floor, emphasizing a dark humor theme.
Cover of the comic book 'Dinner Date' featuring a woman walking on a bridge, looking at a smartphone, while a large shadowy figure looms behind her. Various image cards are displayed around her, suggesting a game-like element.
A black and white comic book cover featuring bold red accents, depicting a woman with long hair standing over a man, who is bleeding from the neck. The title 'DINNER DATE' is prominently displayed at the top.

Ignition Press Sponsors Ringo Awards and Baltimore Comic-Con 2026 Badges

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Cover of the comic book 'Dinner Date' featuring a dark-haired woman applying lipstick while looking at her reflection. The background includes a colorful, stylized image of a man standing in a doorway. The title 'DINNER ♥ DATE' is prominently displayed at the top.

Ignition Press is heading to Baltimore Comic-Con from September 25th-27th, 2026 at the Inner Harbor’s Baltimore Convention Center, with a Gold Sponsorship for the Ringo Awards and special Murder Podcast-branded badges for attendees of the show. Additionally, the publisher is partnering with the convention for the early debut of Dinner Date #1 by Joanne Starer and Khary Randolph with a Baltimore Comic-Con exclusive cover by Alitha Martinez and Emilio Lopez, available for purchase at the Show Exclusives Booth located in the hall lobby. The show exclusive is limited to 500 copies available to the public, each one featuring a unique serial number. Fans can meet cover artist Martinez at the show at Booth #1710. Tickets are now available online!

Fans can meet some of their favorite Ignition Press creators at Booth #1901, including Olivia Dufault and Rebekah Isaacs, the creative team behind Prima Apparata; Dan Watters, writer of Mad Science Division; and Jeremy Haun, writer of The Folk of Dooney Hollow and The Beauty. Guests of Baltimore Comic Con also include Dave Wachter (Bad Thoughts) at Booth #2101 and Shawn Martinbrough (Murder Podcast) at Booth #205.

Ignition Press is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards—more commonly known as the Ringo Awards—which is an annual celebration of the creativity, skill and fun of comics. The publisher is thrilled to celebrate a nomination for Best Series with Murder Podcast from Jeremy Haun and Mike Tisserand, and celebrates nominations of Stefano Simeone (NO Place) for Best Colorist, Tula Lotay (Minotaur, Voyeur) for Best Cover Artist, and Riley Rossmo (Mad Science Division, Deluge) for Best Cover Artist. Attendees of the Ringo Awards will enjoy Prima Apparata-branded badges where co-creators Dufault and Isaacs will be among the award presenters. The publisher will also contribute to the Ringo Awards famous gift bag.

The publisher will host the Doing Comics Differently: Ignition Press Year One and Beyond panel on Saturday, September 26th at 11:00am in Room 343.

Join Ignition Press co-founders Filip Sablik (Publisher) and Jeremy Haun (Creative Director), along with an all-star panel of comic creators—Olivia Dufault (Prima Apparata), Rebekah Isaacs (Prima Apparata), Dave Wachter (Bad Thoughts), and Dan Watters (Mad Science Division)—reflect on their record-setting inaugural year, discuss thrilling upcoming series, and unlock announcements for their next phase of publishing. Plus, every attendee will receive a free gift for attending!

Preview: Dinner Date #1

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Dinner Date #1

Written by Joanne Starer
Illustrated by Khary Randolph
Colors by Emilio Lopez
Cover A by Khary Randolph
Cover B by Steve Lieber
Cover C (Retailer Incentive) by Corin Howell

Modern dating is rough.

No one likes being on the apps, but it’s not much easier meeting people IRL. Especially when they might turn you into a vampire without warning.

This is exactly what happened to Syd. She was only trying to get over her toxic ex—whom she may still drunkenly text from time to time—not looking to have her life totally changed. She thought finding the right guy before was hard, but now she has an unquenchable thirst for blood. Her dating pool has suddenly become her food chain!

Meanwhile, Izzy has been trying to make her dreams a reality in the Big Apple, though right now she’s part of the gig economy working as a rideshare driver. When Syd ends up in the back of Izzy’s car, there is an instant connection. Is this love at first sight, or will it all end with one bite?

Dinner Date #1

DC announces MAD About DC, A MAD Magazine-style DC comic book parody, publishing on April 1 and guest edited by Chip Zdarsky

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DC with some trepidation has announced MAD About DC, a 64-page one-shot arriving April 1, 2026. Yes, April 1. And no, this isn’t a prank—unless you count letting Chip Zdarsky run this thing as its Guest Editor a prank on the DC Universe itself. You’d have to ask Chip.

MAD About DC brings together an all-star lineup of writers and artists to lovingly roast, parody, and generally make a mess of the characters fans hold dear.

Inside MAD About DC, readers will find:

  • Sergio Aragonés with “A MAD Look at Comic Book Stores”
  • Jim Zub and Ramon Perez teaming for “Guy vs. Spy”
  • A brand-new DC Fold-In by Charles Soule and Ryan Browne
  • A parade of MAD-style parodies skewering the DC comic books you love, and a few you’ve always hated anyway, from Kyle Starks, Dave Johnson, Tini Howard, Mattie Lubchansky, Mark Waid, Ty Templeton, Rainbow Rowell, Vita Ayala, M.L. Sanapo, Mark Russell, Steve Lieber, Jeff Parker, Lukas Ketner, Gerry Duggan, Scott Aukerman, Mitch Gerads, Joanne Starer, Joe Quinones, Scott Snyder, Josh Williamson, Deniz Camp, Gail Simone, Colleen Doran, Joe Kelly, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Valentine De Landro, Ryan North, Erica Henderson, Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Mariko Tamaki, Riley Rossmo, Al Ewing, PJ Holden, Shannon Wheeler, Leah Williams, Isaac Goodhart, Cody Ziglar, Daniele Di Nicuolo, Daniel Kibblesmith, Brandt&Stein, Casey Gilly, J. Bone, Skottie Young, Andrew Wheeler, Stephen Byrne, Colleen Coover, Benjamin Errett, Matt Fraction, Kagan McLeod, Lee Gatlin, Joseph Starkey, Graham Roumieu…and more?!

Whether you’re a lifelong MAD Magazine fan, a DC diehard, or simply someone who enjoys watching respected creators make questionable choices, MAD About DC promises to fulfill your every comic book dream…or at least three or four of them.

MAD About DC goes on sale April 1, 2026, wherever comics are sold. No whoopee cushions included. The issue features a main cover by Dan “MAD About Gluten Labeling Because It Should Actually Be Clearer or Else What’s the Point” Panosian ($7.99 US), cardstock variants by Simon Bisley and Chip Zdarsky ($8.99 US), and a foil variant by Panosian ($10.99 US).

EC’s Catacomb of Torment #3 Reveals That The Worst Terrors Come From Your Own Mind!

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THERE’S NOTHING TO FEAR EXCEPT YOUR OWN THOUGHTS! Oni Press and William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. have revealed a first look at the story “Intrusive Thoughts” by Joanne Starer and Christopher Mitten from EC Comics’ Catacomb of Torment #3, which goes on sale on September 17th. WHEN WE SAY IT’S TIME TO “FEAST YOUR EYES” UPON A NEW CHAPTER OF EC COMICS’ BLOODY NEW HORROR SERIES, WE MEAN IT—LITERALLY! (Wait, you only brought two eyeballs? Not very polite!)

Breathe deep and realize: Yes, this is really happening as adamantly anti-anesthesia writers Ryan Haddock, J. Holtham, and Joanne Starer join the brutally beloved host, the Tormentor, to visit violently, vivid vivisections upon our agonizing artists Valeria Burzo, Sami Kivelä, and Christopher Mitten! Hurry, these tales of fear and frightful persecution are fresher than the bludgeoned corpses in your quiet neighbor’s basement! Don’t keep the Tormentor waiting!

Tearing through your very soul on September 17th, Catacomb of Torment #3 contains horrifying covers by Mark Buckingham, Björn Barends, Jay Stephens, and Patricia Martín!

EC CATACOMB OF TORMENT #3

Preview: Fire and Ice: When Hell Freezes Over #5

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Fire and Ice: When Hell Freezes Over #5

(W) Joanne Starer (A) Stephen Byrne
32 pages
$3.99

Fire and Ice’s loyalties are put to the test in the bowels of Hell as the demon Beelze-bub presents Ice with the chance to rescue her long-dead mother and restore her to life — but at what terrible cost? Meanwhile, Fire fights her personal demons and the overwhelming sense that maybe she belongs in Hell… forever!

Fire and Ice: When Hell Freezes Over #5

Preview: Fire and Ice: When Hell Freezes Over #5

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Fire and Ice: When Hell Freezes Over #5

(W) Joanne Starer (A) Stephen Byrne
32 pages
$3.99

Fire and Ice’s loyalties are put to the test in the bowels of Hell as the demon Beelze-bub presents Ice with the chance to rescue her long-dead mother and restore her to life — but at what terrible cost? Meanwhile, Fire fights her personal demons and the overwhelming sense that maybe she belongs in Hell… forever!

Fire and Ice: When Hell Freezes Over #5

SDCC 2015: Ignition Press announces 16 New Creators Joining its Lineup

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At its inaugural panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego (SDCC), Ignition Press announced the addition of 16 creators to its talent lineup. The list of bestselling writers, artists, and cartoonists includes Eisner, Harvey, Glyph Comics, National Cartoonists Society Reuben, and GLAAD Media Award-winners and nominees.

During the “Doing Comics Differently with Ignition Press” panel at SDCC, Ignition Press revealed that Aneke, Aaron Campbell, Mack Chater, Rob Guillory, Phil Hester, Dennis Hopeless, Tini Howard, Sam Lotfi, Shawn Martinbrough, B. Clay Moore, Ande Parks, Khary Randolph, Brahm Revel, Will Rosado, Joanne Starer, and Dave Wachter all have projects in development.

Ignition Press has previously announced creators including co-founder and Creative Director Jeremy Haun, Cullen Bunn, Si Spurrier, Leah Williams, Stephanie Williams, Jim McCann, Tim Seeley, the Miranda Brothers, Stefano Simeone, Mike Tisserand, Marika Cresta, David Baldeón, Letizia Cadonici, and Joe Eisma in their lineup. On the eve of SDCC, the publisher announced multiple Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and producer Peter Murrieta was developing a project as well. Murrieta, who was a surprise guest on the “Doing Comics Differently with Ignition Press” panel, revealed the project would be “Chicano futurism” and did a live reading of prose inspired by the project. The announced creators’ projects, which will release in 2026, include a diverse range of genres and themes and include both first time creative collaborations and the reuniting of fan favorite creative teams. Reuniting teams include Seeley and Campbell, Moore and Chater, Guillory and Lotfi, along with Starer and Randolph. The publisher also indicated that a number of creators have multiple projects in development currently. Project titles and other details will be revealed at a later date.

Preview: Fire & Ice: Hell Freezes Over #4 (of 6)

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Fire & Ice: Hell Freezes Over #4 (of 6)

(W) Joanne Starer (A) Stephen Byrne
In Shops: Jul 02, 2025
SRP: $3.99

FIRE AND ICE CONTINUE THEIR QUEST THROUGH THE UNDERWORLD! Fire and Ice can go to hell! And…they sure did, in dogged pursuit of a magical artifact that can finally set their body-and-power swap right. But they’ll find that hell is delighted to have two willing, living souls enter its fiery gates–with tests designed to break them down physically, emotionally, and spiritually waiting on the other side. Meanwhile a turbo-charged Gorilla Grodd lands in Smallville with murder on the mind…but his primary target, little sister Linka, is currently trapped in the body of the very human local bartender Charlie Rhodes! Will Smallville survive its wildest ruckus yet?

Fire & Ice: Hell Freezes Over #4 (of 6)
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