Tag Archives: kris anka

Mojo’s Mashup Marvel Heroes from Jeff the Land Shark: Superstar get the Spotlight with Variant Covers

Marvel’s breakout star is ready for prime time! In Jeff the Land Shark: Superstar, an all-new Jeff limited series from Kelly Thompson and Tokitokoro, the megalomaniacal interdimensional television mogul launches his wildest plan for ratings yet—kidnapping Jeff the Land Shark and having him headline his latest reality show! But Jeff won’t be alone—he’ll be leading a new team of mashup heroes! How will Jeff get out of this one?! And will his friends back home be able to rescue him?!

Jeff’s new team is revealed on the cover of Jeff the Land Shark: Superstar #2, arriving in August. The mashup characters will also be featured on SUPERSTAR VARIANT COVERS throughout July. Drawn by top talent, the covers spotlight DAZZLESTORM, MAGIKHOT, WOLVERINE-MAN, RAMBIT, KATE-LOCKE and ELSA STRANGE!

From making a splash in comics, including the Eisner Award winning It’s Jeff Infinity Comic, to catching a tidal wave of popularity from Marvel Rivals, Jeff is a global sensation! Now, he headlines his very own solo series, both on Marvel Unlimited and at your local comic shop, perfect for longtime Marvel readers, newcomers, and anyone in between.

JEFF HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED!

Mojo is determined to create the latest hit show…and sends the Marvel Universe into an UPROAR when he KIDNAPS beloved pet-slash-friend of heroes, Jeff the Land Shark– and his klepto companion Ken! But Jeff’s not the only star of the show—prepare to meet all-new, all-wild versions of Jeff’s closest super hero friends…and Mojo’s worst enemies!

Check out the Jeff the Land Shark: Superstar #2 cover, preview pages from issue one, and the first three SUPERSTAR VARIANT COVERS now, and preorder the series and variant covers at your local comic shop!

  • WADE WILSON: DEADPOOL #6 SUPERSTAR VARIANT COVER BY TBD – 75960621448800651
  • SORCERER SUPREME #8 SUPERSTAR VARIANT COVER BY AKA – 75960621179100841
  • UNCANNY X-MEN #31 SUPERSTAR VARIANT COVER BY RICKIE YAGAWA – 75960620917003141
  • WOLVERINE #23 SUPERSTAR VARIANT COVER BY GERARDO SANDOVAL – 75960620841802341
  • X-MEN #33 SUPERSTAR VARIANT COVER BY KRIS ANKA – 75960620920003341
  • X-MEN #34 SUPERSTAR VARIANT COVER BY LEIRIX – 75960620920003441
  • X-MEN: OUTBACK #2 SUPERSTAR VARIANT COVER BY MATEUS MANHANINI – 75960621530000241

Marvel Celebrates 60 Years of Mary Jane Watson with 20 Variant Covers!

She’s a cover girl! This August, Marvel honors 60 fabulous years of Mary Jane Watson with Mary Jane: Face It, Tiger #1 and Mary Jane Watson Variant Covers, a runway-worthy collection of 20 new Mary Jane covers from today’s hottest artists! As multi-faceted as Mary Jane is herself, the covers range from high fashion to action packed as MJ steals the show by teaming up with fellow Marvel icons and debuting glamourous new looks!

Sixty years ago, Marvel Comics hit the jackpot. In Amazing Spider-Man #42, Mary Jane Watson made her full debut, brought to life by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. and her luck has never run out! From Peter Parker’s sweetheart to fashion model, super hero, and even symbiote host, MJ has done it all with style. Now, the character’s legendary legacy continues in Mary Jane: Face It, Tiger #1, featuring stories that span her most iconic eras, along with a glimpse at what’s next for the inimitable superstar. The one-shot comes from a lineup of renowned writers including legendary Spider-Man scribes J.M. DeMatteis, J. Michael Straczynski and Ann Nocenti, along with rising star Ashley Allen. They’re joined by an all-star group of artists, including Phil Noto, Alina Erofeeva, Andrea Broccardo, Luigi Zagaria—ensuring Mary Jane has never looked better!

Check out the first six Mary Jane Watson Variant Covers and preorder all 20 covers, along with Mary Jane: Face It, Tiger #1, at your local comic shop!

  • AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #34 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY KRIS ANKA
  • CAPTAIN AMERICA #14 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY MIGUEL MERCADO
  • FANTASTIC FOUR #15 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY ANNIE WU
  • IRON MAN #8 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY LEIRIX
  • MARC SPECTOR: MOON KNIGHT #7 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY TODD NAUCK
  • UNCANNY X-MEN #33 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY MEGHAN HETRICK
  • WADE WILSON: DEADPOOL #7 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY ANAND RAMCHERON
  • INFERNAL HULK #10 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY HUMBERTO RAMOS
  • JEFF THE LAND SHARK: SUPERSTAR #2 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY PEACH MOMOKO
  • MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #1 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY KAARE ANDREWS
  • PUNISHER #7 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY DAVI GO
  • QUEEN IN BLACK #3 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE
  • WOLVERINE #25 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY MARK BAGLEY
  • X-MEN #35 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM
  • X-MEN UNITED #6 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY GLEB MELNIKOV
  • AVENGERS: ARMAGEDDON #3 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY TAURIN CLARKE
  • MORTAL THOR #14 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY ELIZABETH TORQUE
  • DAREDEVIL #5 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY DERRICK CHEW
  • DOOMQUEST #4 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY DAVID MACK
  • BLACK CAT #13 MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVER BY KEVIN WADA

DC brings Absolute Evil to the Absolute Universe this October

On sale October 1, 2025, Absolute Evil #1 will feature a story about the rising tide of villainy in the Absolute Universe, written by Al Ewing, with art and main cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Stefano Nesi. Variant covers will be provided by Fabrizio De Tommaso, Gerald Parel, Dustin Nguyen, and Riley Rossmo, with a foil variant cover also illustrated by Rossmo.

In Absolute Evil, Ra’s al Ghul, Veronica Cale, Hector Hammond, Elenore Thawne, and the mysterious Joker are no longer working at cross-purposes. Together, they’re aligned, united, and dangerous. But an insidious betrayal from within threatens to unravel everything they’ve built.

This one-shot special issue features the introduction of not one but two major Absolute characters who will change the course of the Absolute Universe in its second year, and is unmissable for all fans of this red-hot publishing line!

On sale October 29, 2025, Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1 will feature stories about Absolute Batman written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, and Meredith McClaren. The issue will have a main cover by Daniel Warren Johnson, with variant covers by Nick Dragotta, James Harren, and Meredith McClaren (1:25).

How did Bruce acquire his Batmobile? What happened when Black Mask’s crew tangled with the Bat in those first few days? DC’s Absolute Batman 2025 Annual delivers insight into the raw, formative chaos from Absolute Batman’s earliest days.

On sale October 8, 2025, Absolute Batman #13 will feature a story written by Scott Snyder with art and main cover by Nick Dragotta. The issue will also feature variant covers by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, Jenny Frison, Adam Hughes, and Brian Bolland, with a foil “Artgerm” variant and ratio variants by David Nakayama (1:25) and Nick Dragotta (1:50).

Batman’s final confrontation with Bane threatens to trap him in Ark-M forever. In the aftermath, a new figure steps onto Gotham’s stage. Oh…and Absolute Catwoman debuts in this pivotal issue!

Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo, ISBN 9781799505242, collecting issues 1-6, will publish on August 5, 2025. Hardcover ($24.99 US) and softcover ($17.99 US) will publish simultaneously, available wherever books are sold.

On sale October 22, 2025, Absolute Wonder Woman #13 will feature a story written by Kelly Thompson, with art by Matías Bergara and a main cover by Hayden Sherman. Variant covers will be provided by Derrick Chew, David Talaski, and Marguerite Sauvage.

In Gateway City, Diana uncovers lost history as Barbara reveals fragments of the myth of the Amazons. But as supernatural attacks erupt across the globe, Diana and Etta race to find a pattern—only to discover that the answer strikes closer than imagined.

Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon, ISBN 9781799505297, collecting issues 1-7, will publish on August 12, 2025. Hardcover ($24.99 US) and softcover ($17.99 US) will publish simultaneously, available wherever books are sold.

On sale October 1, 2025, Absolute Superman #12 will feature a story written by Jason Aaron, with art and main cover by Rafa Sandoval. Variant covers will be provided by Jae Lee, Kris Anka, and Mattia De Iulis.

Superman must choose: bend to Ra’s al Ghul’s will and accept his place as the Son of the Demon—or see Smallville suffer. As the Lazarus Corp descends, the invasion of Kansas begins.

Absolute Superman Vol. 1: Last Dust of Krypton, ISBN 9781799505327, collecting issues 1-6, will publish on August 19, 2025. Hardcover ($24.99 US) and softcover ($17.99 US) will publish simultaneously, available wherever books are sold.

On sale October 15, 2025, Absolute Flash #8 will feature a story written by Jeff Lemire, with art by Travis Moore and a main cover by Nick Robles. Variant covers will be provided by Haining, Riley Rossmo, and A.L. Kaplan.

The origins of Fort Fox and Barry Allen’s experimental tech finally surface, but what they reveal will challenge everything Barry knows about speed, consequence, and the foundation of the Absolute Universe itself.

Absolute Flash Vol. 1: Of Two Worlds, ISBN 9781799505181, collecting issues 1-6, will publish on December 23, 2025. Hardcover ($24.99 US) and softcover ($17.99 US) will publish simultaneously, available wherever books are sold.

On sale October 1, 2025, Absolute Green Lantern #7 will feature a story written by Al Ewing, with art and main cover by Jahnoy Lindsay. Variant covers will be provided by Taurin Clarke, Leirix, and Nikolas Draper-Ivey.

The Blackstars are coming—and Earth is in their path. Only Tomar Re stands between their cosmic ambition and the final unraveling of what remains of Absolute Oa.

Absolute Green Lantern Vol. 1: Without Fear, ISBN 9781799505549, collecting issues 1-6, will publish on December 9, 2025. Hardcover ($24.99 US) and softcover ($17.99 US) will publish simultaneously, available wherever books are sold.

Absolute Martian Manhunter – Returns December 2025

Absolute Martian Manhunter will return in December 2025 with issue #7, beginning a new six-issue arc. The series is currently on hiatus following its critically acclaimed first chapter.

Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol. 1: Martian Vision, ISBN 9781799505204, collecting issues 1-6, will publish on November 18, 2025. Hardcover ($24.99 US) and softcover ($17.99 US) will publish simultaneously, available wherever books are sold.

Black Lightning co-creator Jenny Blake adds an autobiographical story to DC Pride 2025

In an extraordinary collaboration between two celebrated voices in comics, DC has announced the addition of an original story, “Master Planner” by writer Jenny Blake and artist Sara Soler with lettering by Jodie Troutman, to DC Pride 2025. This new story, like Kevin Conroy’s personal story “Finding Batman” (art by J. Bone) in 2022 and Phil Jimenez’s autobiographical story “Spaces” (art by Giulio Macaione) in 2024, is a poignant exploration of Blake’s identity, authenticity, and the universal quest for self-understanding. Blake is a co-creator of Black Lightning, along with Trevor Von Eeden, among other accomplishments.

Jenny Blake, a trailblazing figure with over five decades of contributions to the comics industry, shared her heartfelt reflections on the project:

When I came out as transgender, the comics community was overwhelmingly loving and supportive. Being asked to contribute to this anthology was unexpected and so affirming. I’ve done a lot of cool things in my 50-plus years in comics, but this story is one of the things I’m most proud of. I see myself in this story and I hope readers see something of themselves in it. I had a wonderful time writing my story, and I hope the readers enjoy it as much as I did.

The story, brought vividly to life by the extraordinary artistry of Sara Soler, invites readers into a journey that is both deeply personal and widely relatable, bridging human experiences of transformation, resilience, and belonging. Soler’s style beautifully captures the essence of Blake’s narrative, creating a perfect harmony between words and visuals.

Additionally, DC’s editorial team has selected a handful of letters, cosplay, and fan art to be published in a letters column within the pages of DC Pride 2025. Originally shared on the DC Official Discord server, fan contributions to DC Pride 2025 reflect how the legacy of DC’s storytelling has impacted, or reflected, their LGBTQIA+ identity, journey, or experience.

DC Pride 2025 will publish on June 4, available wherever comic books are sold. Contributors include writers Vita Ayala, Jude Ellison S. Doyle, Maya Houston, Sam Maggs, Tim Sheridan, and Josh Trujillo; artists Don Aguillo, Vincent Cecil, Derek Charm, A.L. Kaplan, Giulio Macaione, Alex Moore, Skylar Patridge, Emilio Pilliu, Max Sarin, and Phillip Sevy; colorists Eren Angiolini, Jordie Bellaire, Tríona Farrell, and Marissa Louise; letterers Aditya Bidikar, Frank Cvetkovic, Lucas Gattoni, Ariana Maher, Morgan Martinez, and Jodie Troutman for main story “The Heart Wants”; along with Blake, Solar, and Troutman for “Master Planner.” The 96-page Prestige format comic will feature a main cover by Kris Anka and variant covers by Sozomaika, Julia Reck, and Jack Hughes (1:25), all priced at $9.99 US (card stock).

Preview: DC Pride Uncovered #1

DC Pride Uncovered #1

(A) Jen Bartel, Phil Jimenez, Jim Lee, Joshua Sway Swaby, David Talaski, Babs Tarr, Kris Anka, and Others
In Shops: Jun 11, 2024
SRP: $5.99

DC’s most iconic LGBTQIA+ artists put the party in Pride with their fabulous array of variant covers spotlighting LGBTQIA+ characters across the DCU year after year, and this art book collects a robust selection of fan favorites in one place for the very first time! Don’t miss out on a gallery of gorgeous art as imaginative and colorful as the characters themselves.

DC Pride Uncovered #1

The White Trees heads back to print

Fans returned to the world of Blacksand in droves this week with the release of The White Trees—by Chip Zdarsky and Kris Anka—as a conveniently collected one-shot edition. This combo issue was wiped out completely at the distributor level and is being rushed back to print in order to keep up with growing demand. The reprint will feature new cover art by Anka.

Collected together for the first time, The White Trees one-shot includes both The White Trees #1 and The White Trees #2 and provides readers with a tantalizing extension to the Blacksand world they enjoyed in this week’s The Whisper Queen launch.

In the fantastical world of Blacksand, peace was hard-won, and three unbending warriors carry the scars to prove it. Now, almost twenty years later, their children are missing and war is on the horizon. Can they put aside their memories of the war—and each other—for one last adventure?

The White Trees one-shot, second printing (Lunar Code 0424IM819) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, June 5.

The White Trees one-shot, second printing

The Whisper Queen: A Blacksand Tale #1 Starts an Emotional Fantasy Adventure

The Whisper Queen #1

With the king of Blacksand murdered, a team of bounty hunters tracks the murderers throughout the land. The king’s former court assassin, Javro, learns of the news and must find the bounty hunters, including her son and the killers, before the deadly ghost known as the Dark Whisper reaches them. The talented team of Chip Zdarsky and Kris Anka return to the world of Blacksand with The Whisper Queen: A Blacksand Tale #1, which has a perfect mix of fantasy, intrigue, and sensuality. 

In the same fantasy setting as the previous miniseries, Zdarsky focuses on a new cast of characters in a different part of the world. I appreciate his penchant for world-building within context clues of conversations and other natural ways while letting the readers fill in the blanks. His greater focus lies within the characters and their relationship with how they see and interact with the world instead of having the reader look in as an outside observer. The lived-in nature of the world makes it feel like a living, breathing world whose surface has barely scratched. It’s a beautiful setting which is also unapologetically queer as well.

Javro is a compelling protagonist whose mysterious past provides a substantial investment for readers to latch onto. Seeing only glimpses of her past and initially being locked up by the dead king, I instantly wanted to learn more about her and how she got into this predicament. A party of three women provides a viewpoint different from the male group in the previous series. Zdarsky also establishes the shared history of Javro, Telkwa, and Waltax, making their relationships feel more realistic and lived with set dynamics and conflicts. Elements and themes such as parents looking after their children, the lead character’s dark secret, and the quest to find their child make The Whisper Queen: A Blacksand Tale #1 a mirror to The White Trees, where they are conversing with each other. 

The highly talented work of Anka makes a much-welcome return, where he crafts a stunning world filled with fantastical settings, fantastic character designs, and plenty of sex appeal. Anka is not afraid to make passion drip off the page as he gorgeously draws a beautiful world filled with even more sumptuous characters. In addition, Anka nails intrigue and action with his super clean style and lines. Returning colorist Matt Wilson and new letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou help the fantasy setting feel more original and unique while tying in with the previous miniseries. 

Despite five years since the previous miniseries ended, Zdarsky and Anka return in full force in their strong follow-up The Whisper Queen: A Blacksand Tale #1. With an exciting new trio of characters with a thrilling emotional and action-filled adventure, the issue lives up to the massive built-up hype. Mature in its storytelling and art, the story feels like the best type of fantasy. So, journey to the Blacksands and follow the party on their upcoming travels.

Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Kris Anka
Color: Matt Wilson Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 9.3 Art: 9.6 Overall: 9.4 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: The Whisper Queen #1 (of 3)

The Whisper Queen #1 (of 3)

(W) Chip Zdarsky (A/CA) Kris Anka
In Shops: May 01, 2024
SRP: $3.99

MINISERIES PREMIERE
CHIP ZDARSKY (NEWBURN, Batman) and KRIS ANKA (Across the Spider-Verse), the ALL-STAR TEAM behind THE WHITE TREES, return to the fantastical land of Blacksand! The royal guard has sent their most capable bounty hunters after the accomplices in the king’s murder! Javro, once the king’s most skilled assassin, must find the killers before they and the bounty hunters-including her son-are wiped out by the kingdom’s most feared specter: The Dark Whisper!

Whisper Queen #1 (of 3)

Preview: The Whisper Queen #1 (of 3)

The Whisper Queen #1 (of 3)

(W) Chip Zdarsky (A/CA) Kris Anka
In Shops: May 01, 2024
SRP: $3.99

MINISERIES PREMIERE
CHIP ZDARSKY (NEWBURN, Batman) and KRIS ANKA (Across the Spider-Verse), the ALL-STAR TEAM behind THE WHITE TREES, return to the fantastical land of Blacksand! The royal guard has sent their most capable bounty hunters after the accomplices in the king’s murder! Javro, once the king’s most skilled assassin, must find the killers before they and the bounty hunters-including her son-are wiped out by the kingdom’s most feared specter: The Dark Whisper!

Whisper Queen #1 (of 3)

A new White Trees adventure begins in May with Chip Zdarsky and Kris Anka’s The Whisper Queen

Writer Chip Zdarsky and fan-favorite artist Kris Anka—the all-star team behind The White Trees—return to the fantastical land of Blacksand with an all-new chapter in The Whisper Queen. This three issue miniseries is set to launch on May 1st from Image Comics. The series also boasts alternate covers by industry titan Fiona Staples and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell.

The royal guard has sent their most capable bounty hunters after the accomplices in the king’s murder! Javro, once the king’s most skilled assassin, must find the killers before they and the bounty hunters—including her son—are wiped out by the kingdom’s most feared specter: The Dark Whisper!

The White Trees was first introduced by Zdarsky and Anka to readers as a two issue miniseries and launched in 2019 to critical acclaim. Readers who pick up The Whisper Queen, and hope to discover the magic of The White Trees, will be able to snag The White Trees reprint hitting shelves the following week. It will collect both issues of that initial story together.

Set in the fantastical world of Blacksand, peace was hard-won, and three unbending warriors carry the scars to prove it. Now, almost twenty years later, their children are missing and war is on the horizon. Can they put aside their memories of the war—and each other—for one last adventure?

The Whisper Queen will provide new readers an exciting entry point into this lush, expansive fantasy world.

The Whisper Queen #1

The Whisper Queen #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, May 1:

  • Cover A by Anka – Lunar Code 0324IM183
  • Cover B by Fiona Staples – Lunar Code 0324IM184
  • Cover C by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell – Lunar Code 0324IM185
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