Tag Archives: meredith mcclaren

Avatars from Across the Ages are Gathered Together in Avatar Legends: Masters of the Elements

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Dark Horse Comics, in collaboration with Avatar Studios presents Avatar Legends: Masters of the Elements, an anthology graphic novel featuring multiple Avatar cycles. This is the first time that adventures from multiple Avatars will be published together in a graphic novel! Avatars Yangchen, Kyoshi, Roku, Aang, and Korra appear in a collection of new and previously published stories in a softcover book perfect for Avatar fans of all ages.

Stories in the first volume include work by Brandon Hoàng, Dave Scheidt, David M. Booher, Rachel Silverstein, Benjamin Wilgus, Amy Chu, Meredith McClaren, BellBessa, Kelly and Nichole Matthews, Ingrid Kan, Xanthe Bouma, Bailie Rosenlund, and more. The first volume in the series arrives in the summer of 2026 and will feature cover art by Lyla Hammar.

The first volume of Avatar Legends: Masters of the Elements collects short stories from beyond the confines of a single Avatar Cycle. Tales from Avatars Korra, Aang, Roku, Kyoshi, and Yangchen are rendered in exciting detail by comics masters! From the Western Air Temple to the ramen houses of the Fire Nation and everywhere in between, these stories bring a new dose of Avatar adventure to your bookshelf.

Avatar Legends: Masters of the Elements (paperback, 80 pages, 6” x 9”) arrives in comic shops and bookstores on July 14, 2026. It is now available for preorder from Bookshop, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local comic shop and bookstore for $13.99.

Avatar Legends: Masters of the Elements

Mini Reviews: Absolute Batman 2025 Annual

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Absolute Batman 2025 Annual

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Absolute Batman 2025 Annual (DC) – Absolute Batman 2025 Annual is a victory lap for one of DC’s best current titles giving three talented cartoonists a chance to play in this universe’s gritty sandbox and flesh out its protagonist even more. Up first, Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer have a story about Batman waging a violent war against a white supremacist gang that is inflicting harm on Latino immigrants in Gotham. The sheer cowardice of DC editorial publishing this story by a white cisgender heterosexual man, but cancelling a book with subject material by a transgender woman isn’t lost on me. However, this lead off story is a tour de force in ass kicking from DWJ that’s enhanced by an aggressive color palette from Spicer and memorable sound effects lettering from Clayton Cowles. One of Absolute Batman’s strengths are its brutal fight scenes, and Johnson outdoes himself with each poses, hold, and choreography set. But this story isn’t just a beat ’em up and has a real soul to it, especially in the contrast between Batman and a pacifist priest, who was an activist with Thomas Wayne when he was a young man. DWJ explores the paradoxical nature of seeking peace, but also punch your local Nazi. (Or crash a giant tractor into their HQ.) James Harren continues the recurring theme of fathers and sons in his story about Batman raiding a Party Animals hideout in an old church. There’s a brutal Gothic elegance to Harren’s approach to Batman and his enemies fusing Kelley Jones and Mike Mignola with an old-fashioned can of whoop ass as Batman dodges truly insane weapons and traps that would make Kevin McCallister smile. This second story also has a strong sense of location that enhances the action. Absolute Batman 2025 Annual wraps things up with a two page story from Meredith McClaren that is both edutainment about bats as well as a glimpse at how Batman affects ordinary citizens in the Absolute DC Universe’s Gotham. Her soft, manga-influenced style is also a nice palate cleanser after the aggression of the two main stories. Absolute Batman 2025 Annual is a master class in action cartooning as well as continuing to flesh out this blue collar, socially informed take on the Dark Knight. Overall: 9.2 Verdict: Buy

Absolute Batman Annual 2025 is awesome. Batman kicking ass and beating up all the right people

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Some of the biggest names in comics take a turn in the Absolute Universe! Daniel Warren Johnson and James Harren tell tales from Absolute Batman’s early days! How did Bruce acquire his batmobile? And what was it like for Black Mask’s party animals when Batman first hit the scene?

Story: Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, Meredith McClaren
Art: Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, Meredith McClaren
Color: Mike Spicer, Dave Stewart
Letterer: Clayton Cowles

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

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Preview: Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1

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Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1

(W) Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, Meredith McClaren (A) Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, Meredith McClaren

Some of the biggest names in comics take a turn in the Absolute Universe! Daniel Warren Johnson and James Harren tell tales from Absolute Batman’s early days! How did Bruce acquire his batmobile? And what was it like for Black Mask’s party animals when Batman first hit the scene?

Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1

Preview: Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1

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Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1

(W) Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, Meredith McClaren (A) Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, Meredith McClaren

Some of the biggest names in comics take a turn in the Absolute Universe! Daniel Warren Johnson and James Harren tell tales from Absolute Batman’s early days! How did Bruce acquire his batmobile? And what was it like for Black Mask’s party animals when Batman first hit the scene?

Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1

DC brings Absolute Evil to the Absolute Universe this October

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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.

Preview: Meat Eaters

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Meat Eaters

(W) Meredith McClaren (A/CA) Meredith McClaren
In Shops: Jul 09, 2025
SRP: $24.99

From cartoonist Meredith McClaren (co-creator of the acclaimed series Black Cloak) comes a punishing and poignant original graphic novel about the monsters that lurk both in the darkness beyond-and within-us all . . .

Let it be said that dying is hard. Nineteen-year-old Ashley Moore found this out firsthand.

All Ashley wanted was to keep her head down and work hard until she could escape the small town where she felt she was stagnating. But after waking up one night covered in blood-and irrevocably dead-Ashley finds her foolproof plan for getting out has gone up in smoke, and that something within her has changed.

Without a heartbeat and with a disturbing craving for fresh meat, Ashley finds herself in a world that exists just beneath our own: a world of ghouls and monsters and things that go bump in the night. Drawn into the realm of the unusual, getting advice from ancient vampires, dodging angry pack leaders, and becoming the reluctant big sister to some wayward werewolves, Ashley finds it increasingly difficult to put away the parts of her past-and herself-that she wants to ignore.

The truth, it turns out, can’t stay buried forever.

In this visceral story about the effects of trauma and anxiety, dying is indeed hard. But getting on with it? That can be worse.

Meat Eaters

Crumble is a magical story that’ll hit you in the feels, especially for parents

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Emily, her mom, and her aunt Gina have a very special magical power: They can bake emotions into the desserts they sell at their family bakery. Need a dash of confidence? Try their millionaire shortbread! Want relief after a stressful day? The cheesecake will lighten your spirits! There is only one rule: Never bake a bad feeling.   

Story: Meredith McClaren
Art: Andrea Bell

Get your copy in comic shops! 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.

Bookshop
Amazon
Kindle

Algonquin Young Readers provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Meet Meat Eaters – A Grisly New Graphic Novel from Acclaimed Cartoonist Meredith McClaren Arrives This Summer!

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Oni Press has announced the next stunning installment in its summer 2025 graphic novel lineup: Meat Eaters. From cartoonist Meredith McClaren—co-creator of the acclaimed series Black Cloak—comes a punishing and poignant original graphic novel about the monsters that lurk both in the darkness beyond—and within us all . . . 

Let it be said that dying is rough. Nineteen-year-old Ashley Moore found this out the hard way. 

All Ashley wanted was to keep her head down and work hard until she could escape the small town where she felt she was stagnating. But after waking up one night covered in blood—and irrevocably dead—Ashley finds her foolproof plan for getting out has gone up in smoke, and something within her has changed. 

Without a heartbeat and with a disturbing craving for fresh—preferably bloody—meat, Ashley finds herself privy to a world that exists just beneath our own: a world of ghouls and monsters and things that go bump-in-the-night. Despite her desire to be left alone—and to not think about the night of her death at all—Ashley is slowly drawn into the realm of the unusual, getting advice from ancient vampires, dodging angry pack leaders, and becoming the reluctant big sister to werewolves Motley and Harrison. As she does, she finds it increasingly difficult to put away the parts of herself she wishes to ignore—namely, what happened that fateful night she stopped breathing. The truth, it turns out, can’t stay buried forever.

In this visceral story about the effects of trauma and anxiety, dying is indeed hard. But getting on with it? That can be worse. Don’t miss this deadly debut when Meat Eaters takes its first bite in comic shops and bookstores everywhere July 2025!

Meat Eaters

Preview: Black Cloak #8

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Black Cloak #8

(W) Kelly Thompson (A/CA) Meredith McClaren
In Shops: Sep 25, 2024
SRP: $3.99

The city of Kiros shudders under the shadowy threat of its first true serial killer. Black Cloaks Pax, Essex, and rookie Alden II follow a dangerous trail leading them deeper into both their case and the secrets of the city. What other horrors might the Essex Fire have unearthed?

Black Cloak #8
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