Tag Archives: kyle starks

Preview: Devil On My Shoulder #2

Devil On My Shoulder #2

Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Piotr Kowalski
Colorist: Brad Simpson
Letterer: Joshua Reed
Cover artist: Piotr Kowalski

They tried to kill her, but they failed. Now the five boys that tortured, abused, and tormented her have debts in her ledger, and she’s coming to collect. And her vengeance will be absolute. And it will be glorious. The blood-soaked revenge story continues…

A new dark horror series from the creators of Where Monsters Lie Kyle Starks (Those Not Afraid) and Piotr Kowalski (Let This One Be a Devil) that’s perfect for fans of The Crow, revenge horror and violent, well-deserved retribution.

Devil On My Shoulder #2

Preview: Wrestle Heist #1

Wrestle Heist #1

(W) Kyle Starks (A) Vladimir Popov

A former pro wrestler — who has a brush with death thanks to a crooked promoter — assembles a crew of fellow wrestlers he’s screwed over… to rob him blind during the biggest wrestling event of the year.

From the outrageous, action-packed mind of multi-time Eisner nominee KYLE STARKS (Peacemaker Tries Hard, Sexcastle, I Hate This Place), with eye-popping colors by VLADIMIR POPOV (Where Monsters Lie, Fearscape), comes a no-holds-barred heist caper packed with body slams and backstabs.

Wrestle Heist #1

Wrestle Heist #1 Takes an Eye Poke at the Wrestling Industry

Wrestle Heist #1

A former pro wrestler—who has a brush with death thanks to a crooked promoter—assembles a crew of fellow wrestlers he’s screwed over… to rob him blind during the biggest wrestling event of the year. Wrestle Heist #1 kicks off a traditional heist tale while also poking and digging at the wrestling industry.

Written by and with art by Kyle Starks, Wrestle Heist #1 is a solid debut that sets up what’s to come and introduces the characters well. The short version is Sterling Steele is wronged by a promoter and decides to rob a big event in retaliation.

While that concept is straightforward, Starks digs a bit into the world of wrestling. Steele’s target, a shady promoter, feels like a mix of the scumbags you hear about when wrestlers talk about the history. But, Starks leaves it all a bit nebulous if it’s supposed to be anyone in particular. The world is squarely set in the world of wrestling but what promotion and even the wrestlers themselves, are a bit up in the air. But still, it all feels familiar enough to keep you guessing who is who.

Starks also isn’t afraid to dig into the issues of professional wrestling. Steele’s career is cut short due to revenge for moving to a different promotion, highlighting some of the real world bad blood between promotions but also the rather flimsy healthcare of the industry. While the matches are scripted, the moves, bumps, and danger is very real and a wrong move can ends someone career and do real damage leaving wrestlers struggling physically and financially for the rest of their lives. While not directly addressed, it’s part of the plot and drives what’s to come.

The look of the comic is in Starks’ style with color by Vlad Popov. The look of the comic highlights the more comedic aspects of the comic with characters beyond exaggerated, to the point of laughter. But, the comic isn’t quite a comedy, though there’s comedic aspects. It’s a dramedy if anything and Starks’ style feels like it emphasizes that in some ways and matches the tone of the story quite well.

But, beyond the entertaining comic itself, there’s a detail to Wrestle Heist #1 that stands out. The backmatter features faux articles about the main character and has some fun with comic creators choosing their Mount Rushmore of wrestlers.

It’s clear Wrestle Heist #1 is a love letter, though not afraid to dig, of the wrestling industry. True love of something is also recognizing its issues, and Wrestle Heist #1 brings up some of them. With a nice setup, this is a series that delivers a dose of comedy and action in the world of professional wrestling.

Story: Kyle Starks Art: Kyle Starks Color: Vlad Popov
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: Zeus ComicsKindle

Preview: Wrestle Heist #1

Wrestle Heist #1

(W) Kyle Starks (A) Vladimir Popov

A former pro wrestler — who has a brush with death thanks to a crooked promoter — assembles a crew of fellow wrestlers he’s screwed over… to rob him blind during the biggest wrestling event of the year.

From the outrageous, action-packed mind of multi-time Eisner nominee KYLE STARKS (Peacemaker Tries Hard, Sexcastle, I Hate This Place), with eye-popping colors by VLADIMIR POPOV (Where Monsters Lie, Fearscape), comes a no-holds-barred heist caper packed with body slams and backstabs.

Wrestle Heist #1

Devil on My Shoulder #1 kicks off a tale of revenge but it’s a brutal start that’s not for everyone

Something terrible has happened. For forty days she was tortured by five men and left for dead–but she will get her revenge on each and every one of them. And it will be bloody. An event that takes her on a strange and violent supernatural path of payback through bizarre encounters with ex-hitmen, sadistic art enthusiasts, and literal devils.

Story: Kyle Starks
Art: Piotr Kowalski
Color: Brad Simpson
Letterer: Joshua Reed

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Zeus Comics
Kindle


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Preview: Devil On My Shoulder #1

Devil On My Shoulder #1

Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Piotr Kowalski
Colorist: Brad Simpson
Letterer: Joshua Reed
Cover artist: Piotr Kowalski

Something terrible has happened. For forty days she was tortured by five men and left for dead–but she will get her revenge on each and every one of them. And it will be bloody. An event that takes her on a strange and violent supernatural path of payback through bizarre encounters with ex-hitmen, sadistic art enthusiasts, and literal devils.

A new dark horror four issue series from the creators of Where Monsters Lie Kyle Starks (Those Not Afraid) and Piotr Kowalski (Let This One Be a Devil) that’s perfect for fans of The Crow, Revenge Horror and violent, well-deserved retribution.

Devil On My Shoulder #1

Preview: Devil On My Shoulder #1

Devil On My Shoulder #1

Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Piotr Kowalski
Colorist: Brad Simpson
Letterer: Joshua Reed
Cover artist: Piotr Kowalski

Something terrible has happened. For forty days she was tortured by five men and left for dead–but she will get her revenge on each and every one of them. And it will be bloody. An event that takes her on a strange and violent supernatural path of payback through bizarre encounters with ex-hitmen, sadistic art enthusiasts, and literal devils.

A new dark horror four issue series from the creators of Where Monsters Lie Kyle Starks (Those Not Afraid) and Piotr Kowalski (Let This One Be a Devil) that’s perfect for fans of The Crow, Revenge Horror and violent, well-deserved retribution.

Devil On My Shoulder #1

Dark Horse Books presents From the World of Minor Threats Library Edition featuring The Alternates and Barfly

Dark Horse Books presents the From the World of Minor Threats Library Edition Volume 1, a new oversized hardcover collection compiling the first two series tied into Patton Oswalt, Jordan Blum, and Scott Hepburn’s genre-bending crime drama, Minor Threats. From the World of Minor Threats Library Edition Volume 1 will also feature new cover art from Hepburn, a sketchbook section, and pinups from some of comics’ leading artists.

The first tie-in series, From the World of Minor Threats: The Alternates, is written by Tim Seeley, Oswalt, and Blum, with illustrations by Christopher Mitten and Tess Fowler, colors by Ian Herring, and lettering by Nate Piekos. It follows Mary the Multi-Monster, The Tripper, Crab Louie, Kid Curious, and Persona, offbeat b-list superheroes formerly known as The Alternates, who seemingly sacrificed themselves to stop an invasion from another dimension. Instead, they were transported to a mirror reality where they lived complex lives in a more four-dimensional existence, expanding both their powers and consciousness.

Five years later, they’ve returned to Twilight City, struggling to reacclimate to their old lives in a traditional two-dimensional superhero world–in withdrawal from the vivid ones they left behind. When elements from this alternate reality turn up as a dangerous new street drug, some of the heroes band together to destroy it, while others succumb to its temptation.

The second series, From the World of Minor Threats: Barfly, is written by Kyle Starks, Oswalt, and Blum, with illustrations by Ryan Browne, and lettering by Piekos. It’s a heartwarming, feel-good, coming-of-age story about an insect monster-man searching for his identity amongst the criminal underworld of Twilight City. A grimy punk rock odyssey that answers the question “How much $#!% can one lackey eat before he says NO MORE?!

From the World of Minor Threats Library Edition Volume 1 (hardcover, 248 pages, 8” x 12.1875”) will be available in bookstores on June 2, 2026 and in comic shops on June 3, 2026. It is now available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local comic shop or bookstore for $49.99.

From the World of Minor Threats Library Edition Volume 1

(Updated) NYCC 2025: DC Reveals the First Wave of Vertigo’s Relaunch

Verigo

(Updated with more details and art) After a bit of a tease and false start, Vertigo has gotten a proper launch from DC and full slate announced at New York Comic Con 2025.

Ten titles in total were announced with an interesting mix of concepts and creative teams. They remain creator-owned, an aspect that has helped define the Vertigo brand.

  • The Nice House by the Sea#7 by James Tynion IV, Álvaro Martínez Bueno, and Jordie Bellaire: Following the survivors of Walter’s “hexagon” experiment, the series explores the terrifying consequences of escape…and the threat it poses to what remains of humanity.
  • Bleeding Hearts by Deniz Camp, Stipan Morian, and Matt Hollingsworth: A zombie named Poke discovers his heart beating again, threatening his place in a society where death reigns supreme.
  • End of Life by Kyle Starks, Steve Pugh, and Chris O’Halloran: A top-tier hitman returns to his Midwestern hometown to care for his dying father…and confront his own mortality.
  • The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery by Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips: A noir detective tale that collides with magic, fascism, and a stolen artifact of unimaginable power.
  • 100 Bullets: The US of Anger by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso: Lono returns to America and reignites chaos, taking the nation’s darkest impulses to their violent extremes.
  • Black Tower: The Raven Conspiracy by Ram V and Mike Perkins: Wizard spies in the UK navigate a global cold war over sorcery, revealing a hidden world of occult power.
  • Necretaceous by Tom Taylor and Darick Robertson: Scientists attempt to time-travel to stop a zombie virus, only to land 66 million years in the past, among dinosaurs.
  • Fanatic by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer: A woman’s obsession with a comic book spirals into a deadly parasocial fixation on its creator.
  • The Crying Doll by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell: A Jekyll-and-Hyde thriller about just how far a young woman would go to protect her best friend, who may (or may not) be a killer.
  • A Walking Shadow by Simon Spurrier and Aaron Campbell: Eight strangers wake up chained to a boat in the woods. No memory. No escape. No explanation.

The new DC Vertigo slate begins rolling out in February 2026, with The Nice House by the Sea #7 leading the charge on February 4. Bleeding Hearts #1 will publish on February 11, End of Life #1 on February 18 and The Peril of the Brutal Dark #1 will launch on February 25, with the rest of the new DC Vertigo imprint releasing throughout 2026.

A preview comic was released during the convention dubbed “A New Beginning.” In 2024 during New York Comic Con, DC announced the return of Vertigo. Vertigo is the beloved imprint that was shuttered in favor of DC’s Black Label. Vertigo launched in 1993 to publish more adult and graphic content that couldn’t be printed under the 
 Comics
 Code Authority. It allowed more freedom than the DC line would allow. The line saw such titles as Sandman, American Vampire, Astro City, Daytripper, 100 Bullets, DMZ, Human Target, iZombie, Northlanders, Y: The Last Man, Sweet Tooth, and so much more by some of the best in the business. It relaunched in 2018 for a short return before being shuttered again.

We’ll have more information and art when it’s officially released.

Wrestle Heist Powerslams into stores this December

Multiple Eisner Award nominated cartoonist Kyle Starks teams up with colorist extraordinaire Vladimir Popov for the the upcoming no-holds-barred heist caperWrestle Heist. This five-issue miniseries from Image Comics will pin readers to the mat this December.

In Wrestle Heist, a former pro wrestler—who has a brush with death thanks to a crooked promoter—assembles a crew of fellow wrestlers he’s screwed over… to rob him blind during the biggest wrestling event of the year. Packed with body slams and backstabs this is a must-read for fans of over-the-top action.

Wrestle Heist #1 by Kyle Starks will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, December 17:

  • Cover A by Starks
  • Cover B Blank Sketch
  • Cover C 1:10 copy incentive by Jesse Longeran
Wrestle Heist #1
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