Tag Archives: john pearson

Preview: The Smart Division #2

The Smart Division #2

Writer: Zack Kaplan
Artist: John Pearson
Letterer: Buddy Beaudoin
Cover artist: John Pearson

As they clash over AI’s role in society, newly-made partners Stevie Larque and William Bailey set out to find a missing developer. The trail leads through a seedy world of cybersecurity conspiracy theorists, underground app development, and billion-dollar AI startups.

Cover art for 'The Smart Division' #2 featuring a male character with glasses holding a handgun, set against a stylized background with geometric patterns.

Zack Kaplan’s The Smart Division gets a Trailer

When a mysterious new predictive artificial intelligence program appears responsible for assisting someone in the perfect murder, a pair of unlikely investigators, a chaotic Gen-Z savant and a veteran FBI agent, must hunt down the killer by starting the FBI’s first AI crimes division.

The Smart Division, a new five-issue series from Zack Kaplan, John Pearson, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou kicks off on August 5!

Artificial Intelligence will Help Commit the Perfect Crime in The Smart Division from Zack Kaplan, John Pearson, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and Tom Muller

Continuing the hit-filled 2026 lineup for Zack Kaplan and Dark Horse Comics, The Smart Division reunites Kaplan with Eisner-winning superstar artist John Pearson. This is their first series together since their fan favorite Vault Comics series Mindset, which was optioned by Boatrocker Studios and Don Cheadle’s Radicle Act for TV development. Now, Pearson and Kaplan build a world straight out of a modern-day detective’s crime files, as an artificial intelligence app offers to serve our worst instincts and assist us in evading law enforcement. How will our criminal justice system possibly stand up to the power of A.I.? And can two disparate detectives with vastly different relationships with technology come together to track down this mysterious new threat? Eisner-winning letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and Eisner-nominated designer Tom Muller joins the duo for this story that’s perfect for fans of The X-Files, True Detective, and Minority Report!

Main cover art for this series by Pearson with variant covers for issue #1 from Jesse Lonergan, Jacob Phillips, and illustrator Matt Taylor.

When a mysterious new predictive artificial intelligence program appears responsible for assisting someone in the perfect murder, a pair of unlikely investigators, a chaotic Gen-Z savant and a veteran FBI agent, must hunt down the killer by starting the FBI’s first AI crimes division.

Get ready for the new age of crime comics when The Smart Division #1 (of 5) arrives in comic shops on August 5, 2026, for $4.99.

It Killed Everyone But Me #1 Gets a Second Printing

Mad Cave Studios has announced that It Killed Everyone But Me #1, the chilling slasher series from acclaimed writer Ryan Parrott, artist Letizia Cadonici, colorist Alessandro Santoro, and letterer Taylor Esposito, has officially SOLD OUT at the distributor level. A second printing is now on the way!

Blending raw emotion with a chilling narrative edge, It Killed Everyone But Me dives deep into pain, survival, and transformation—gripping readers with both heart and horror.

Years ago, a brutal slasher massacre in the woods left a group of teens dead. The lone survivor, Jessica, seemingly moved on from the horrific event and is now a successful therapist. But when a new series of murders occurs, Jessica returns to her hometown to confront the dark secrets of her past—only to discover the truth is far worse than she ever thought. The real killer has returned, and he’s just getting started. A pulse-pounding horror thriller, “It Killed Everyone But Me” takes everything you love about slashers and adds a fresh, terrifying twist.

The second printing of It Killed Everyone But Me #1 will feature art by Eisner Award-winning artist John Pearson, and will be available for order through Lunar Distribution. Retailers are encouraged to place orders early to meet continued demand.

It Killed Everyone But Me #2 hits shelves October 22, 2025, with Issue #3 following November 19, 2025. 

Preview: In Bloom #1 (of 5)

In Bloom #1 (of 5)

(W) Michael W. Conrad (A/CA) John Pearson
In Shops: Dec 11, 2024
SRP: $4.99

43% of the cells within a healthy human body belong to something other than the human host. Microbiomes, invasive bacteria, fungal and viral agents, and something else, something… more.

When the BLOOM happened, humanity was changed forever, transformed by symbiotic fungal megasystems that infected their bodies.

Some affected people grew new body parts, some found their personalities changed in radical new ways, while others reported contact with some… other intelligence not their own.

In this revolutionary new world, Agent Spears finds herself investigating a series of mysterious murders, a chain of violence that leads her to a terrifying question on which the fate of every living being rests.

Visionary writer Michael Conrad (Wonder Woman, Bizarre Adventures) and Eisner Award-winning illustrator John J. Pearson (The Infernals) present a boundary-pushing science fiction saga evocative of The Last of Us, Blade Runner, and Annihilation.

In Bloom #1 (of 5)

Preview: John Constantine: Hellbazer – Dead in America #5 (of 8)

John Constantine: Hellbazer – Dead in America #5 (of 8)

(W) Aaron Campbell, Simon Spurrier (A) John McCrea, John Pearson, Priscilla Petraites
In Shops: May 21, 2024
SRP: $4.99

John Constantine, his son Noah, and bodyguard Nat have been blazing a trail across the face of America in their double-decker Routemaster bus, finding themselves on the wrong end of an eruption of supernatural and mystical threats–all thanks to a scattering of Dream’s sand. In this anthology-format issue, three particularly memorable run-ins with hitchhikers and drifters on America’s roadsides come to the fore…but can Constantine add up their meaning in time to uncover who–or what–is to blame for this rise in terror?

John Constantine: Hellbazer - Dead in America #5 (of 8)

Preview: The Singularity

The Singularity

(W) Matthew Groom, Bear McCeary (A) Ramon K. Perez, Danilo Beyruth, Matias Bergara, Rod Reis, Eleonora Carlini, John Pearson (CA) John Hofstetter
In Shops: May 08, 2024
SRP: $17.99

How much loss can one soul endure? Blue Eyes can’t stop being reborn. He tumbles from life to life, from one unthinkably strange universe to the next-the only constant that, one way or another, everything that he learns to love is lost. But when Blue Eyes finally catches up to a mysterious figure he’s seen recurring throughout his lives, he realizes he might just have a chance to escape his cursed immortality-or, at very least, exact revenge for it.Inspired by, and a companion to, Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning composer Bear McCreary’s first-ever original concept album of the same name, The Singularity sees a cavalcade of comics’ greatest artists join with writer Mat Groom to tell a sweeping, cosmic story about the lessons that loss can teach us.

The Singularity

Iron Maiden and Z2 Join forces to celebrate the album Piece of Mind

40 years have passed since the release of Iron Maiden’s groundbreaking fourth studio album, Piece of Mind. Released in 1983, Piece Of Mind was the band’s first album to enter the U.S. Billboard Top 20, peaking at #14, achieving RIAA platinum certification in the U.S. More than an album, it was a thunderous statement of intent by a band whose meteoric rise from the East End of London would thrust them into the realms of legend. This fall the metal pioneers have partnered with Z2, the award-winning publisher, to bring the multi-platinum album Piece of Mind to book form. Available Tuesday, November 21, Iron Maiden: Piece Of Mind, is a stunning love letter to fans from one of the most celebrated metal bands in music history. Opening with an introduction titled “Piece of Mind at 40” by ever-present manager Rod Smallwood, this commemorative book is packed with comics, art, and testimonials from acclaimed writers, artists, actors and musicians, as a powerful celebration of the living legend that is Iron Maiden.

A jaw-dropping work that pushes the boundaries of print production and presentation, The Oversized Deluxe and Asylum Editions of Iron Maiden: Piece Of Mind are encased in an asylum clamshell with locking mechanism. Maiden’s iconic mascot Eddie growls and snarls from behind the die-cut bars on the asylum doors, but the sliding bolt is designed to keep him safely confined! However, when the reader dares to unlock the book, they will be delighted as Eddie breaks free of his chains and straitjacket!

Assembling an all-star team to create new interpretations of the most important metal album in music, Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind features original stories for each of the nine album tracks including Where Eagles Dare – written by Steven Grant illustrated by Carson Thorn, Revelations – fittingly crafted by Bruce Dickinson with Tony Lee and illustrated by Damien Worm; (“Revelations” being the first track in Maiden history to be solely-credited to Dickinson), Flight of Icarus by Eisner nominee Ivan Brandon illustrated by Francesco Dossena, Die With Your Boots On by Emmy-winning director and screenwriter Sacha Gervasi with art by Christian Rosado, The Trooper by Antony Johnston illustrated by Staz Johnson, Still Life by Leah Moore and John Reppion painted by John Pearson, Quest for Fire from metal authority Brian Posehn with art by Michael Avon Oeming, Sun and Steel by multiple World Fantasy Award-nominee Chris Roberson with art by Danijel Žeželj, and To Tame a Land, written and illustrated by Alison Sampson. In addition, between each story, the book is packed with original pieces of art by acclaimed illustrators, including Montos, Ghoulish Gary, Steve Chanks, Jan Meininghaus, Kyle Hotz, Jay Geldhof, Darin Hazmat, Travis Knight, Akirant and Nat Jones.

The impact of Piece of Mind and Iron Maiden across the creative community is reflected by the star-studded testimonials contained within, including Simon Gallup, AEW legend Chris Jericho, MMA Superstar Josh Barnett, multiple Grammy-nominee and Lifetime Achievement Award-honoree Chuck D, Grammy-winning director Jonas Akerlund, and multiple Grammy-nominee Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian.

With Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind, collectors will have five variants available to purchase, including: The Trooper cover by multiple Eisner-nominee J.G. Jones, Asylum Edition with cover by multiple Society of Illustrators-winner Jason Edmiston, Die With Your Boots On cover by UK Iron Maiden illustrator Dan Mumford, and The Flight of the Icarus cover by Eisner-nominee Martin Simmonds with an additional The Trooper Cutaway cover by famed poster artist Travis Knight.

Z2 present multiple collector editions of Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind – perfect for the diehard fan’s bookshelf:

  • The standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by Dan Mumford ($40.00).
  • The FLIGHT OF ICARUS Edition featuring the standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by Martin Simmonds – limited to only 3,000 copies and exclusive to Independent Comic Shops ($40.00).
  • THE TROOPER Edition featuring the standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by J.G. Jones – limited to 500 copies and exclusive to Project M/Revolver Magazine ($40.00).
  • THE TROOPER Cutaway Edition featuring the standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by Travis Knight – limited to 666 copies and exclusive to Rockabilia.com ($40.00).
  • THE TROOPER Foil Card in sealed Collector’s Case, art by Travis Knight – limited to 666 cards ($35.00).
  • DELUXE Edition including the oversized graphic novel (HC) w/bonus pages and a POP-UP insert featuring cover art by Jason Edmiston encased in the Piece of Mind Asylum Clamshell box with locking Cell Door Action and three (3) Piece of Mind Art Prints Triptych set by Hydro 74, ($150.00) – website only.
  • And for the true collector, Z2 offers THE ASYLUM Edition which includes the oversized graphic novel w/bonus pages and a POP-UP insert featuring cover art by Jason Edmiston, encased in the Piece of Mind Asylum Clamshell box with locking Cell Door Action, three (3) Piece of Mind Art Prints Triptych set by Hydro 74, one (1) 1983 Piece of Mind replica concert ticket, one (1) Die With Your Boots On Art Print, signed and numbered by Dan Mumford (only available to the first 500 orders), four (4) Iron Maiden Collectors Cards in a display case featuring the works of Dan Mumford, Jason Edmiston, J.G. Jones, and Martin Simmonds ($300.00). Additionally, The Asylum Edition includes one (1) Eddie Asylum Model Kit, which will be shipped separately. 

The apocalypse looms and a dark heir must rise to power in The Infernals

Co-writers Ryan Parrott and WGA Award nominee Noah Gardner are joined by Eisner Award-winning artist John Pearson for the upcoming The Infernals. This epic ongoing comic book series about family, power, legacy, and the end of the world will launch in February 2024 from Image Comics.

Abraham “Abe” Morgenstern, the son of Satan, has one month to live. Before he dies, he must decide which of his three wayward children—volatile narcissist Nero, conflicted field operative Jackal, or troubled schoolgirl Bee—will inherit his shadowy empire. But will Abe ever be able to truly cede control of the Apocalypse? Or does the Antichrist have something else up his sleeve…

The Infernals #1 will be available at comic book shops in February 2024. 

The Infernals #1 

Preview: Mindset #1

Mindset #1

(W) Zack Kaplan (A/CA) John Pearson
In Shops: Jun 29, 2022
SRP: $4.99

When an introverted tech geek accidentally discovers mind control, he and his friends do something unexpected – they put the science into an app to help users break their technology addiction. But as their Mindset app achieves a dangerous cult following, lies, conspiracies, and murder come to light. Are they helping people or controlling them?

Mindset #1
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