Tag Archives: phillip kennedy johnson

NYCC 2026: The Clock Strikes Midnight with Terrifying new Midnight Universe Reveals

Posted on by Leave a comment

This past week, the clock struck Midnight. Across the globe at local comic shops, fans entered the Midnight Universe, Marvel Comics’ bold new publishing line that reimagines its most iconic characters through a terrifying new lens.

The launch has been an incredible success, with over a million copies ordered collectively. The excitement continued today at New York Comic Con during Marvel Comics: The Midnight Hour, a special panel featuring writers Jonathan Hickman, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, and Benjamin Percy, alongside Executive Editor Dan Buckley, Editor Jordan D. White, Assistant Editor Kaeden McGahey, and Editor-in-Chief Stephen Wacker. The superstar team shared new details about what’s coming next and debuted never-before-seen artwork, including the covers for all three #4 issues, arriving in January

While the main covers remain cloaked in mystery, readers can look forward to meeting more Midnight incarnations of their favorite characters from A-List mutants to iconic Spidey supervillains as the Midnight Universe’s continues to expand.

MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #4

Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Art by SCIETRONC
Cover A by STEVE BEACH
On Sale 1/13

As New York City hides behind locked doors from the mysterious horror they call Spider-Man, an outcast cop is burning every bridge to find the truth behind the “Parker Incident.” Meanwhile, the devil’s hands have been busy…and the world’s second synthetic mutant is born…

Cover art for Midnight Spider-Man Issue 4 featuring a character in a red outfit and goggles, with webbing in the background.

MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #4

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art by MARCELO FERREIRA
Cover A by KEV WALKER
On Sale 1/20

The Four return from the monolith in the Jornado del Muerto desert with no memory or record of their experience. Their minds and bodies are behaving strangely, which might have something to do with a cosmic artifact they encountered…

Cover of Midnight Fantastic Four #4, featuring distressed characters in a dark and colorful comic book style, with title and author details.

MIDNIGHT X-MEN #4

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by MATTEO BUFFAGNI
Cover A by DIKE RUAN
On Sale 1/27

Two sets of letters go out. All sides are summoned. Two threats are made by both man and mutant. The one-eyed ronin finds a clue that will unravel long-laid plans. And a half-healed wound is hidden by shadow.

Cover of 'Midnight X-Men' issue 4 featuring a stylized hand holding a sealed letter with a red wax seal, against a dark background.

Midnight Spider-Man #1 Gives Us Horror Commentary on the State of Technology

Posted on by Leave a comment

A young man is transformed into a hideous spider hybrid by the ruthless Oscorp Corporation in their pursuit for eternal life. When Oscorp begins to use the secrets unlocked by his mutation to create more human-animal hybrids, he must embrace his grotesque new form to fight back. Midnight Spider-Man #1 is a solid start that delivers a new spin and weaves an interesting web for the origin of the classic character.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Art: Scietronc
Color: Neeraj Menon
Letters: Joe Caramagna

Get your copy now!

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

NYCC 2026: The Marvel Universe faces the Full Fury of the Infernal Hulk in Hulk War: Infernal Rage

Posted on by Leave a comment

The strongest there is has been overtaken by an ancient evil known as the Eldest and transformed into the Infernal Hulk, the most terrifying and twisted version of the Jade Giant in Marvel Comics history. Now, he tears across the Marvel Universe, corrupting heroes and reshaping the world in his monstrous image. This February, behold his final vision as the Marvel Universe faces the full fury of Infernal Hulk in Hulk War: Infernal Rage, a five-issue event series from acclaimed Infernal Hulk creative team Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Nic Klein.

Teased over the last year, the event was officially unveiled at New York Comic Con during the Marvel Comics: House of Ideas panel, including the reveal of the main cover. Johnson spoke about how his entire run had been building towards this monumental conflict and the devastating impact Infernal Hulk’s conquest will unleash on the wider Marvel Universe.

Hulk War: Infernal Rage marks the final act of Johnson and Klein’s Infernal Saga, which began in 2023 with Incredible Hulk #1. Readers can witness the opening salvo of Infernal Hulk’s reign in a series of Infernal Hulk Vs. one-shots, which kicked off last month with Infernal Hulk Vs. Wolverine. Across the five one-shots, Infernal Hulk will assemble the Infernal Avengers, heroes twisted into grotesque, horrifying reflections of themselves, first glimpsed in Comics Giveaway Day’s Amazing Spider-Man #1000/Queen in Black #1 CGD 2026.

The war has arrived.

As the remaining heroes race to find the weapon that could turn the tide, the Infernal Hulk declares the Marvel Universe his new kingdom, spreading his corruption as a battle rages both within and beyond his twisted mind.

Check out Klein’s cover and stay tuned for more Hulk War: Infernal Rage news in the months ahead, including tie-in announcements.

Comic cover for 'Hulk War: Infernal Rage' featuring the Hulk in a dynamic pose, surrounded by various antagonists and combatants against a colorful, chaotic background.

Exclusive Preview: Infernal Hulk vs. Fantastic Four #1

Posted on by Leave a comment

Infernal Hulk vs. Fantastic Four #1

(W) Phillip Kennedy Johnson (A) Cian Tormey
(C) Romulo Fajardo Jr. (L) Cory Petit
(CA) Nic Klein (VCA) Clayton Crain, Danny Earls and Guru-eFX, Ken Lashley and Val Staples, Greg Land and Juan Fernandez

NEW YORK UNDER SIEGE!

Infernal Hulk’s ultimate target is revealed: Reed Richards’ mysterious “IMMACULATE ENGINE,” a supernatural machine in the Baxter Building that could destroy Hulk’s army in a single blow! Can the Fantastic Four resist Infernal Hulk’s corruptive power, use the machine and save Earth? Or will they be the next monstrous recruits in Hulk’s INFERNAL AVENGERS?

Comic book cover depicting the Hulk battling the Fantastic Four, with the characters prominently displayed against a colorful background featuring action and explosions.
Comic book cover featuring 'The Infernal Hulk vs. Fantastic Four', with bold typography and illustrations of the Hulk and various characters. The background includes dark, ominous hues with depictions of ancient horrors and mutants.
A comic book scene depicting a superhero with blue costume and goggles, talking about a crisis with monstrous villains attacking Manhattan. In the background, a chaotic cityscape shows civilians in distress, military presence, and the superhero team including characters like Spider-Man and Iron Man. Pink and yellow energy figures represent villains, while a large, rocky figure is prominent in the foreground.
A comic book page featuring a high-tech laboratory with characters discussing a mysterious 'Immaculate Engine' related to a unique tree and its effects. The top panel shows a character explaining the tree's capabilities, while the bottom panels depict other characters expressing concerns about its effects on them.
A comic book panel depicting a high-tech laboratory with a glowing machine and characters discussing a critical situation. One character expresses concern about a force transforming life into abominations, while another suggests a solution. Various scientific elements and dramatic expressions add to the tension.

Midnight Spider-Man #1 Gives Us Horror Commentary on the State of Technology

Posted on by Leave a comment
Midnight Spider-Man #1

A young man is transformed into a hideous spider hybrid by the ruthless Oscorp Corporation in their pursuit for eternal life. When Oscorp begins to use the secrets unlocked by his mutation to create more human-animal hybrids, he must embrace his grotesque new form to fight back. Midnight Spider-Man #1 is a solid start that delivers a new spin and weaves an interesting web for the origin of the classic character.

Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Midnight Spider-Man #1 is a solid start to the series adding to the “Midnight Universe,” a new line of comics from Marvel. The comic has a lot of the familiar concepts and characters, Peter Parker, Uncle Ben, Oscorp., but the specifics have been changed for something new and intriguing. Johnson seems to be leaning into the body horror aspect of Spider-Man, something that has at times been center but usually not a major focus. And with that body horror, Johnson also dives into the lack of ethics in modern tech companies.

Midnight Spider-Man #1 gives us some interesting familiar basics for Peter. He lives with his Uncle Ben, Aunt May is an unknown. He’s a science geek who wants to do amazing things with technology. He works for Dr. Connors as he and Ben struggled. There’s something mysterious that happened to his parents and Oscorp. Oscorp is the evil corporation running brutal experiments that are unethical, immoral, and outright criminal. They’re the modern bio tech company, the AI company, the worst of the worst when it comes to our oligarch overlords, abusing individuals for their amusement. Kennedy focuses a lot on the torture and glee the mysterious leaders of Oscorp show in their experiments. It’s a complete disconnect from any empathy, much like current “tech leaders” have displayed in recent years. The basic DNA is there for the character and world.

Johnson though gives us a lot of small details to flesh things out. There’s basics of what Oscorp is doing, hints at Peter’s past with them. Familiar names that work for the mega corporation. And then there’s visual teases like a picture on a table or the events going on around Peter and his Uncle as they drive down the road. Johnson does a fantastic job of building this world and allowing the art to tell more of the story and expand the world.

Scietronc provides the art with color by Neeraj Menon and lettering by Joe Caramagna. The style feels a little like Humberto Ramos with pages that switch from Ramos’ energy and flair to outright horror. As Peter learns a hard lesson as a kid, the panels focus in on the result of his actions. It’s disturbing and likely to unnerve some readers. The comic doesn’t hold back in that sense with death and body horror present throughout. It’s an issue that balances the youthful exuberance of Peter with the darker world around him.

Midnight Spider-Man #1 is a solid start to the series that leans into aspects familiar but not often explored. It teases some key things to come and with its introduction of so many familiar characters, it’s hard to not imagine what might come down the road. It’s a fantastic beginning for Marvel’s “Midnight Universe,” that has us excited to see where it goes.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Scietronc
Color: Neeraj Menon Letters: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Glimpse the Horrors that Await with New Midnight Universe Cover Reveals

Posted on by Leave a comment

The veil is about to lift on Marvel’s Midnight Universe and the buzz is infectious! With more than one million copies collectively ordered, Midnight Spider-Man #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and ScieTronc, Midnight Fantastic Four #1 by Benjamin Percy and Kev Walker, and Midnight X-Men #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Matteo Della Fonte are poised to be blockbuster launches, paving the way for long-term, interconnected storytelling that will define the bold new line. All three debut issues hit stands on October 7, the only Marvel comics released that day. That coordinated launch continues with all three issue twos, arriving on November 18. Today, fans can peek ahead with the reveal of additional issue two variant covers.

Bringing greater clarity to the variant cover collecting experience, the Midnight line will debut all-new ongoing variant cover programs. Each MIDNIGHT series will feature recurring themes across Covers labeled A-E, along with additional variant covers. Covers revealed today include:

  • MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #2 COVER B, MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #2 COVER B, and MIDNIGHT X-MEN #2 COVER B BY LUCAS WERNECK, MIDNIGHT BLOODBATH VARIANT COVERS, blood-soaked artwork showcasing the terror of the Midnight Universe.
  • ·MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #2 COVER C BY BEN HARVEY, a MIDNIGHT SPECIAL VARIANT COVER, spotlight covers showcasing Midnight reimaginings of Marvel heroes.
  • MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #2 COVER D BY LEINIL FRANCIS YU, MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #2 COVER D BY PHIL NOTO, and MIDNIGHT X-MEN #2 COVER D BY JUANN CABAL, MIDNIGHT HORROR HOMAGE VARIANT COVERS featuring chilling re-creations of iconic horror images.
  • MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #2 COVER E BY SIMONE BIANCHI, a MIDNIGHT GALLERY VARIANT COVER, prestige painted covers of the haunting Midnight Universe.

Blending the power of Marvel Comics storytelling with the thrills of horror, Midnight is a bold, interconnected new Universe that completely reimagines the Marvel mythos through a horror lens. In the debut issues, readers will witness the cursed fate of mutantkind, the gruesome transformation of Peter Parker, and the twisted lengths the Fantastic Four are willing to go in the name of scientific discovery.

Pick up Midnight Spider-Man #1, Midnight Fantastic Four #1, and Midnight X-Men #1 at your local comic shop next week and stay tuned for more reveals during the Marvel Comics: The Midnight Hour Panel at New York Comic Con on October 9!

  • Comic book cover for Midnight Fantastic Four #2 featuring a dramatic scene of a character being attacked by raven-like creatures with sharp beaks.
  • Cover art for 'Midnight Fantastic Four #2' featuring a half-human, half-mechanical character with an intense expression, showcasing vibrant colors and dynamic brushwork.
  • Comic book cover for 'Midnight Fantastic Four' featuring a superhero with a blue shirt and various flying creatures in the background. Includes character names Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Johnny Storm, and Sue Storm.
  • Cover for 'Midnight Spider-Man' #2 showcasing a bloodied Spider-Man character in a dramatic pose, with a dark and intense background.
  • Comic book cover for 'Midnight Spider-Man #2' featuring a monstrous character with multiple arms and a fearful expression against a gradient background.
  • Cover art for 'Midnight Spider-Man #2' featuring a superhero character in an orange outfit and black mask, surrounded by menacing skulls and claws, illustrated by Simone Bianchi.
  • Comic cover featuring characters from the X-Men series, including a fierce female character with red hair, a blue beast-like figure, and a winged character, set against a fiery background.
  • Cover art for Midnight X-Men #2 featuring two characters seated on a bench in a park lit by street lamps. One character, dressed in a superhero costume with a black and yellow color scheme, appears relaxed, while the other, cloaked in a green cape, stands nearby. In the background, a large shadowy face looms, adding a mysterious atmosphere.

Preview: Adventures of Superman: Book of El #12

Posted on by Leave a comment

Adventures of Superman: Book of El #12

(W) Phillip Kennedy Johnson (A) Scott Godlewski

THE FINAL BATTLE FOR TOMORROW! In the final chapter of the Book of El, Starchild and Red Son are reunited with the surviving heads of the House of El to save existence from a man driven beyond madness—to godhood—by grief. If Superman lives up to the legends, he’ll find a way to save the universe from Kryl-Ux and save Kryl-Ux from himself. The heartrending, inspiring conclusion of Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s vision for Kal-El.

Comic book cover featuring Superman and various superheroes, with the title 'Adventures of Superman: Book of El' and the tagline 'Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow!'
Comic panel excerpt depicting a battle scene in space, featuring various superheroes and villains engaged in combat amidst explosions and chaos.
Comic book page featuring superheroes in action, with characters including a female superhero flying and another character shooting energy blasts. The scene conveys themes of justice and strength through dynamic illustrations and dialogue.
A comic book page depicting a battle scene with Superman and Kara Zor-El engaged in a confrontation against an entity named Kryl-Ux. The panels feature dynamic action with energy blasts and dialogue highlighting the struggle and strategy of the heroes.

The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1 Delivers Laughs and a Nice Distraction from Reality

Posted on by
The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1

TONIGHT’S VERY SPECIAL GUEST STARS – THE MARI/EL UNIVERSE! To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of THE MUPPET SHOW…we bring you a crossover no one saw coming! Join EISNER-winning writer and one of the world’s greatest Muppet fans CHIP ZDARSKY along with a cadre of Marvelously talented creators as they unleash The Muppets’ trademark chaos on the MARVEL UNIVERSE. ROWLF THE DOG kidnapped by MOJO? KERMIT THE FROG, MISS PIGGY, FOZZIE BEAR, SPIDER-MAN, BLACK PANTHER and EMMA FROST to the rescue? DR. BUNSEN HONEYDEW and BEAKER experimenting with GAMMA RAYS and PYM PARTICLES? What could go wrong? Find out in this epic tale told in the MIGHTY MARVEL MUPPET MANNER! The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1 is a hell of a lot of fun that leaves us wanting more.

Growing up I appreciated the Muppets but wasn’t a die-hard fan. There were some aspects that I enjoyed and some I found irritating and outright cheesy. But, that’s the Muppets, right? The loveable bizarre characters have been around for 50 years and enjoyed by generations. Most importantly, they’ve delivered laughs and allowed individuals to escape the grind of life. The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1 continues that while having the Muppets join some of Marvel’s characters to take on Mojo along with a series of shorts, and it works really well.

With the main story by Chip Zdarsky and Pete Woods the Muppets need the help of Marvel’s heroes to find Rowlf who has been dognapped by Mojo. When you think about it, it’s the perfect setup and concept and actually makes sense. With the story there’s a solid blend of action and humor, mixing the seriousness of Marvel’s heroes with the insanity of the Muppets. Zdarsky and Woods nail the concept with a balance that can be enjoyed by a wide range of individuals. It’s hard to not appreciate Fozzy Bear and Spider-Man going back and forth or Gonzo admitting that Deadpool was too crazy. And all of it weirdly just works, not feeling forced at all and a hell of a lot of fun. Woods’ art feels like it’s a nice in-between of what you’d expect in a Muppet comic and a superhero comic from Marvel, making the characters blend nicely and not feel out of place. The story delivers some solid laughs and moments and at the same time picks on and needles superhero tropes (the story involves the multiverse).

The rest of the comic is a series of shorts from writers Mackenzie Cadenhead, Ashley Allen, Chef Paul Carmichael, Kyle Starks, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, and Adam F. Goldberg and art by David Baldeon, Paco Medina, Mike Henderson, Athila Fabbio, and E.J. Su. All of these nail the assignment, each delivering good punchlines and most importantly will put a smile on the face of readers. Each story matches up Muppets with Marvel heroes in what feels like a series of skits you’d see on the Muppet show. And it leaves us wanting more. Animal + Wolverine = the ultimate team up. Each story has a little bit of a different style in the art and some go for heartfelt tales while others deliver laugh out loud moments.

The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1 is fun, a lot of fun. Not only could it get me to laugh a lot but it also delivered that childlike escape where I can just sit and not care about what’s going on around me. It’s a perfect mix of Muppets and Marvel and shows off a love of both. Most importantly, it left me wanting more. While this is a one-shot, hopefully it’s not a one and done and we can see more team-ups in the future.

Story: Chip Zdarsky, Mackenzie Cadenhead, Ashley Allen, Chef Paul Carmichael, Kyle Starks, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Adam F. Goldberg
Art: Pete Woods, David Baldeon, Paco Medina, Mike Henderson, Athila Fabbio, E.J. Su
Color: Yen Nitro, Mike Atiyeh Letters: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: Infernal Hulk vs. Wolverine #1

Posted on by

Infernal Hulk vs. Wolverine #1

(W) Phillip Kennedy Johnson (A) Jonas Scharf

THE MARCH TO HULK WAR RUNS THROUGH WOLVERINE!

When the X-MEN learn the location of mutants abducted and corrupted by INFERNAL HULK, the deadliest X-Man vows to free them… by the most violent means necessary. THE MARCH TO HULK WAR begins, as the FATHER OF HORRORS faces the Marvel Universe’s perfect killing machine: INFERNAL HULK VS WOLVERINE!

Comic book cover featuring the Hulk battling Wolverine, with bold text stating 'The Infernal Hulk vs Wolverine' and 'March to Hulk War'. Dramatic colors and dynamic poses emphasize the action.
Cover page of 'The Infernal Hulk vs. Wolverine' comic, featuring bold titles and character descriptions, with artwork depicting the Hulk and Wolverine.
A comic book panel featuring two characters, one in a dark environment, discussing their past. The dialogue reveals a tense relationship, with one character commenting on the other's lack of change. The setting includes dramatic shadows and a prominent tree.
A comic book scene featuring a muscular character facing off against a giant, shadowy figure with a lightning bolt symbol, set against a dark, atmospheric background with trees and a grave marker.
A comic panel featuring two characters engaged in a heated confrontation, with one character displaying blue skin and a menacing expression, while the other, a Wolverine-like figure, prepares for action with claws extended. Dialogue exchanges reflect tension and hostility.
« Older Entries