THE GIMMICK #4  Writer: Joanne Starer Artist: Elena Gogou, Lee Loughridge Letterer: Rob Steen Publisher: Ahoy Comics Release Date: June 28, 2023 Cover Price: $3.99 Secrets are bared in the pro wrestling drama that Patton Oswalt said has "Back-breaking laughs and shin-cracking action... plus a lot of heart." As fugitive wrestler Shane is unmasked before a group of fans, his ex-lover Alicia is exposed by a trashy tabloid. Score: ★★★★☆ (4/5) 'The Gimmick' is another entertaining series that is typical of the Ahoy Comics line-up. This quirky, amusing tale of a secretly super-powered wrestler who accidentally kills his opponent in the ring and is on the run exemplifies Ahoy's commitment to unique stories that straddle genres while also subverting them. I write reviews but I also read reviews and when it comes to Ahoy titles some reviewers find it hard to embrace certain stories because they don't always fall in line with expectations.  For example, ...

  BLACK'S MYTH: THE KEY TO HIS HEART #1 Writer: Eric Palicki Artist: Wendell Cavalcanti Letters: Rob Steen Publisher: Ahoy Comics Release Date: June 21, 2023 Cover Price: $3.99 It's back, the "moody tale that smartly blends familiar supernatural elements with the trappings of classic pulpy crime stories" (Comics Beat). In this new case, werewolf private eye Janie "Strummer" Mercado tries to prevent a young girl from becoming a monster, with the aid of her suave djinn assistant Ben Si'lat. But will Strummer gain an intern instead? And why is an old enemy sending mysterious packages to her house? Featuring a cover by Liana Kangas and an incentive cover by Tim Seeley. Score: ★★★★☆ (4/5) QUICK REVIEW: The first arc of 'Black's Myth' was an unexpected joy as readers were introduced to LA-based werewolf detective Strummer Mercado and her Djinn assistant Ben Si’lat in an entertaining supernatural mystery series. The new arc 'The Key ...

  This July, Oni Press , the multiple Eisner and Harvey award-winning publisher of comic books and graphic novels, presents PINK LEMONADE –  the next great pop-saturated comics sensation in the tradition of Mike Allred's Madman , Grant Morrison & Steve Yeowell's Zenith ,  and Peter Milligan & Brendan McCarthy’s Paradax !  – from rising star Nick Cagnetti ( XINO )! Collecting the entirety of Cagnetti’s much acclaimed, six-issue PINK LEMONADE limited series for the first time – alongside pin-up and variant covers from Jamie McKelvie ( The Wicked + The Divine ), Shaky Kane ( The Bulletproof Coffin ), and more, plus three chapters of a brand-new story –  PINK LEMONADE hearkens back to a time of semi-psychedelic, colorful comics crammed altruistic heroes and four-color intrigue in the vein of Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby’s most vibrant works. Cagnetti recently collaborated with writer Chris Condon ( That Texas Blood ) and Oni Press for the public...

 Prepare for a new dawn in the Valiant Universe! Valiant Entertainment has entered into an agreement with international comics publisher Alien Books to continue to expand Valiant’s publishing capabilities.   Alien Books and its Director Matias Timarchi have built a strong and unique comic book publishing company with over 25 years of experience publishing in the United States as well as overseas and international markets. The expansion of the Valiant line of publishing is a major point of emphasis in this partnership, with eyes toward a vibrant and voluminous 2024 publishing schedule!   On this monumental partnership, Timarchi says: “Being able to collaborate on the creation of new stories with Valiant, the third largest connected superhero universe, is truly a dream come true. As a lifelong superhero fan and self-professed geek, the opportunity to work with these incredible characters fills me with boundless enthusiasm. Our goal is to expand the entire Vali...

  SINS OF THE SALTON SEA #1 Writer: Ed Brisson Artist: C. P. Smith Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou Publisher: AWA Release Date: June 7, 2023 Cover Price: $3.99 Wyatt, a professional thief living off the grid, is recruited by his brother for one last job. Their target: an armored car traveling down a desolate stretch of California highway. But when it turns out that their target is carrying not gold bars but human cargo, Wyatt is plunged into a conflict between warring factions of a doomsday cult. The cult claims that it is their solemn duty to save the world by means of human sacrifice. Will Wyatt protect the boy who has come into his charge? Or will he be swayed by the cult's increasingly convincing claims that the end of the world is fast approaching? Score: ★★★★☆ (4/5) QUICK REVIEW: Ed Brisson and C. P. Smith take the familiar heist trope of "one last job" in 'Sins of the Salton Sea' and make a well-executed crime thriller with drama and action that ...

 Plus: Three, Brand-New Prelude Issues Leading to THE SIXTH GUN REBORN – An All-New Anniversary Milestone Coming in 2025! After nearly 15 years, more than 60 issues, and a landslide of critical acclaim, the longest-running creator-owned series in the history of Oni Press lives again on Kickstarter with a brand-new pre-order campaign setting the stage for the return of THE SIXTH GUN from co-creators Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt in 2025! It all begins with THE SIXTH GUN DELUXE OMNIBUS LIBRARY – debuting today exclusively on Kickstarter with four, deluxe hardcover volumes collecting the totality of the bullet-riddled action epic that CBR calls “a modern comic book classic”...plus, over the course of this campaign, up to three ALL-NEW prelude one-shots setting the stage for Bunn and Hurtt's upcoming return to the world of THE SIXTH GU N in 2025, just in time for the series' 15th anniversary!  Featuring the entirety of the series’ groundbreaking, 50-issue run from THE...

  ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND #2 writer: David Avallone artist: Kewber Baal covers: Dave Acosta (A), John Royle (B), Kewber Baal (C), Photo (D) FC | 32 pages | Horror Humor | $3.99 | Teen+ Elvira’s arch-enemy, Vlad the Impaler – the original Count Dracula — is raiding the Multiverse of Movies to kidnap Famous Monsters, and now it’s Frankenstein’s turn! Can Elvira stop him before he makes off with Karloff? And what’s Vlad got planned with this Monster Army he’s building? Tune in for an adventure beyond Mary Shelley’s wildest dreams, courtesy of writer David Avallone (Elvira in Horrorland, Bettie Page: Unbound) and artist Kewber Baal (Vampirella, KISS, Red Rising)! Featuring another bevy of beautiful covers by Dave Acosta, John Royle, Kewber Baal and a photo cover of the Mistress of the Macabre herself – Elvira! Courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment

  Today Skybound debuted an enthralling first look at Arcade Kings #3, the action-packed comic full of fists, family, and video-game-infused fighting. The third issue of this prestige series by creator/writer/artist Dylan Burnett ( Cosmic Ghost Rider, Ant-Man ), colorists Walter Baiamonte ( Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers ) and Sara Antonellini ( Power Rangers ), and letterer AndWorld Design ( Excellence ) hits comic book stores on July 17, 2023.  Unable to match his brother Joe’s power and skills, Ken discovered a new place to train: The Row, home to the most highly competitive arcades in Infinity City. But when Victor McMax’s bid to take over the entire city brings his high-powered goons to the Row, Ken has no choice but to protect his new home—and put his fists to work.   Arcade Kings #3 will feature main cover art from series artist and colorist Dylan Burnett and Walter Baiamonte, along with an open-to-order variant from Nuri Durr. The series will also feat...

 May Those Most Righteous Prevail! Crusader #1 Writer/Artist : Matt Emmons Letterer : Andriy Lukin Synopsis : A Templar Knight finds himself transported to a dangerous realm known as the Beastlands. With sinister entities known as The Masters hunting him down, all he has is his sword and a weird, goblin-like creature named Grimbel to guide him through this strange new world. Publication Date: September 6, 2023 Courtesy of Mad Cave Studios

 The Hugely Anticipated New Series Launches This October   The Autobots team of Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Cliffjumper, Arcee, and Wheeljack Today Skybound, in partnership with toy and game company Hasbro, announced the full lineup of Autobots team members that will appear in writer/artist powerhouse Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers , launching with issue #1 on October 4, 2023.   Teasers of each character appeared on Skybound social channels this week, showcasing the all-star team of Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Cliffjumper, Arcee, and Wheeljack. Fans should stay tuned to Skybound social channels next week, as the Decepticon team will be unveiled daily.  In the recent surprise heard ‘round the world, Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici’s Void Rivals #1 launched the all-new shared “Energon Universe” with the surprise first appearance of iconic Transformers character Jetfire. The stealth launch introduced the historic new partnership between Hasbro ...

  VICTORY #1 writer: David F. Walker artist: Brett Weldele letterer: Taylor Esposito covers: Dave Johnson (A), Bryan Hitch (B), Ariel Diaz (C), Carla Cohen (D), Cosplay / Alicia Marie and Rachel Hollon (E) FC | 32 pages | Horror | $3.99 | Teen+ Victory is a pawn of greater forces no more! From Vampirella’s fiftieth anniversary to her very own series! She started as Vampirella’s lover and ended up a very powerful pawn of Vampi’s mother, Lilith. Along the way, Victory’s made new friends, seen countless horrors, been saddled with a demon’s ring that she can’t get rid of, encountered the ghost of an old friend, and opened too many dimensional gateways to count. Despite that, there’s so much that we don’t know about Victory, like what her childhood was like. Or what she’s been doing with her demon ring and the crazy powers it has granted. Or which old — well, foe wouldn’t exactly be the right word — is about to show up to cheer her on. From writer David F. Walker (Compass, Y...

 A young samurai must face demons, cultists, and rogue gods to avenge his family’s murder. Watching as his childhood home is burnt to the ground, Rook of the Hidden Song strikes out to seek vengeance upon the masked bandits who destroyed his village. Along the path, he is met by a monstrous foe masquerading as a farmer and must fight for his life in order to seek the answers his conscience demands. CREATIVE TEAM Morgan Quaid: Writing, Letters Willi Roberts: Artwork, Cover Art  Emanuele Ercolani: Cover Art Andrea Lorenzo Molinari: Editor QUOTE FROM THE CREATOR   “I’m so excited to be partnering with Scout with the A Blade in the Dark! Their editorial guidance and publishing support has been invaluable, helping us take an initial concept to a fully-fledged series with an amazing final product. Can’t wait to get them into readers' hands!” – Morgan Quaid ISSUE 1, 2, 3 & 4 ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER! CLICK HERE Courtesy of Scout Comics