Kill Train, Blade Forger, Paramount Horror & Originals, Scream and A 2025 Annual
From Mad Cave Studios, IDW Publishing & Treasury Of British Comics
The latest comics news and previews including:
A new thriller in Kill Train.
An early look at Blade Forger.
A new horror imprint from IDW Publishing.
Two new comics from the Treasury Of British Comics.
Mad Cave Studios has announced a new series starting in January 20251 - Kill Train.
In a world where hope rides the rails, every stop could be your last…
Mad Cave Studios is thrilled to announce KILL TRAIN the forthcoming adrenaline-pumping dystopian horror series written by award-winning screenwriter Olivia Cuartero-Briggs (Jill and the Killers), featuring illustrations by Italian comic artist by Martina Niosi with colors by designer and Ernesto Basile Art Institute graduate Simone D'Angelo, letters by Becca Carey; with Cover A by Skylar Patridge and a Variant Cover B by Alison Sampson.
To control the population explosion that nearly crippled the city, New York has instituted Kill Train, a randomized, extermination program where designated subway trains are picked at random, and all the passengers are slaughtered by the end of the line. In this not-so-distant future, we meet Vanessa, a struggling single mom in the midst of a nervous breakdown, who discovers that she, herself, is on a Kill Train. Now, for once in her life and with everything to prove, Vanessa decides she's not going down without a fight.
“Kill Train is both the most psychotic and, paradoxically, the most personal thing I've ever written,” said series writer Olivia Cuartero-Briggs. “The basic concept came to me in a dream many years ago, but when it came time to outline the story, I was going through one of the darkest moments of my life. I could have run from it, I suppose. I could have drummed up some cool, exciting plot with a character I plucked from my imagination, but that's not what happened. I was sad and angry and desperate. And so, instead, I poured every bit of my own rage, frustration, and devastation into this story, and by the end of the outline - which I wrote almost entirely on the Eurostar from Paris to London and back again - I felt completely and totally validated. Writing this book changed me. It helped me heal, and it reminded me what I'm made of. I can not wait to share it with the world.”
“Working on Kill Train is one of my best work experiences!” said artist Martina Niosi. “Olivia’s story is immersive and lets the reader empathize with the characters because it shows us feelings, fears and difficulties that many human beings have in common but are often hidden. Kill Train instead guides us through these feelings with a growing suspense, showing us both the darker side and the courage to go forward. I tried to express this vortex of emotions with my drawings that evolved along with the atmosphere of the story and found completeness with Simone’s colors. Kill Train’s result is definitely the work of an excellent team that has made the creation of this comic book a moment of growth, reflection and fun and I am sure that the reader will notice and enjoy it.”
“Coloring Kill Train has been and is an ongoing surprise, because the story is full of very fun palettes to make and I'm sure readers will appreciate the dark and introspective tones of the story,” said colorist Simone D'Angelo. “Especially the darkest moments that the protagonist goes through that Martina was able to interpret well and of which I hope I have given justice through color. I learned a lot working on this book. I can't wait for people to read it.”
Fasten your seatbelt, this train stops for no one. One of the first scares from Mad Cave Studios in 2025, Kill Train #1 (of 5) drops Jan. 22nd.
Coming next year from Mad Cave Studios is a new series, Blade Forger.
Four years after publishing their Eisner-nominated hit, the Miranda Brothers once again combine forces for BLADE FORGER, only from Mad Cave Studios!
Co-created and written by the team that brought readers We Live, Roy Miranda and Inaki Miranda, features art and Cover A by Inaki Miranda, colors by Eva De La Cruz and letters by Dave Sharpe—the series that begs the question, What happens when utopia is born from necessity—can one person change the world?
The discovery of CORUM, a never-before-seen energy source, led to a bloody world war for its control. These wars, and the devastation they caused, would lead to the BLADE FORGERS TREATY.
The treaty was simple: Control of Corum would be given to a neutral Emperor.
The appointment of the Emperor would be anything but simple, however. The Emperor would be a BLADE FORGER, a mystical, powerful swordsman capable of controlling powerful spirits known as BATTLE KAISERS. The Emperor would have to defend their title every five years in The Tournament of the Five Rings.
Blade Forgers from near and far come together to challenge the existing authority, and for the chance to overcome the Emperor and take their crown.
A young Blade Forger named Owada challenges the Emperor in the name of the forsaken people. This is the story of what happens next.
Roy and Inaki Miranda spoke of the project:
“Blade Forger was born from two crises; both imposed and unexpected. The first was having to abandon (temporarily, we hope) our WE LIVE story halfway through, despite its success. We had to shut down a universe and characters that were already part of our lives and with whom we had come to build a dream. That's not easy to assimilate—
The second was the world energy crisis resulting from the war between Russia and Ukraine. For months there were warnings in Europe about the possibility of energy supplies not reaching homes. We talked about the fear and helplessness that arises when a basic commodity cannot reach everyone, knowing that what will happen is only under the control of large corporations. And the consequences: something as simple as a family not being able to afford heating in winter—
The question that triggered the idea was: could energy become a common good for all? All the pieces fell into place in a magical way. The entire Mad Cave team absorbed our enthusiasm and multiplied it by 100. We promised we’d be back! And as Blade Forger's slogan says: a promise is a promise.”
Mad Cave Studios Editor, Christina Harrington, added:
"Blade Forger is for those of us who grew up watching Digimon and One Piece, and playing Mortal Kombat and Final Fantasy X. It's a mature, fun, fighting-filled adventure where we see warriors known as Blade Forgers summon powerful fighting spirits called Battle Kaisers from a world beyond their own, as they compete in bombastic spectacles in a race to become the next Emperor--all of this, of course, told with the grounded, emotionally-charged storytelling we've come to love from the Miranda brothers."
For fans of Game of Thrones, One Piece, Elden Ring, and Wukong, Roy and Inaki Miranda’s Blade Forger #1 (of 5) hits shelves March 5th, 2025.
IDW Publishing has added a new imprint with IDW Dark, and with a selection of licenced Paramount horror there are also some horror originals, including the return of Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees.
Everyone has different nightmares, but they always happen in the dark…
For more than two decades, IDW Publishing has established itself as a trusted
destination for compelling and chilling horror stories. Now, the award-winning publisher is thrilled to announce the next evolution of nightmares: IDW DARK.
As comic book readers crave more terror, IDW DARK’s ambitious lineup of unique and carefully crafted comics will have a fright for every type of reader. Joining forces with Paramount Consumer Products, IDW DARK will let loose terrifying tales from beloved horror movie and TV franchises including A QUIET PLACE, SMILE, THE TWILIGHT ZONE, SLEEPY HOLLOW, and EVENT HORIZON.
IDW DARK will also proudly celebrate some of the biggest original horror hits in the publisher’s acclaimed library, including sequels to 30 DAYS OF NIGHT and BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES. The imprint will also launch new original horror titles, bringing captivating horror stories from celebrated and fresh writers and artists.
“Horror is everywhere today, in the world and on the shelves. There’s an impulse to examine and indulge our deepest fears, and we’ve seen our industry respond with some of the most exciting new genre initiatives in recent memory,” stated Maggie Howell, IDW Group Editor. “So, what sets IDW DARK apart? Horror is in our blood. This imprint is our way of doubling down on the work IDW has been doing throughout our 25-year history as a premier publisher of horror comics.”
“We're expanding on that tradition with titles like Steve Niles and Rodney Barnes' DAYS OF NIGHT: FALLING SUN, and we'll continue to trailblaze with new original series, including the next chapter of Patrick Horvath's Eisner-nominated breakout hit BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES and more original stories we can’t wait to announce. On the licensed side, we’re honored that Paramount Consumer Products has expanded our partnership and trusted us with a trove of blockbuster and cult hit franchises – including some of my personal favorite properties. These are dream projects for talent and editors, and we’re all committed to putting our best foot forward as we expand these worlds.”
IDW DARK’s emphasis on quality and innovation will make for horror experiences that cannot be missed. Howell concluded, “We know horror fans crave more from the genre. IDW Dark will fill that craving with new formats and subgenres. We’re excited to share more soon.”
"One of the things I love about horror is that fear is universal — fight or flight is human, not cultural or parochial,” remarked Davidi Jonas, CEO of IDW Media Holdings. “Horror has a committed audience that courts feeling alive through dread, suspense, terror, pain, relief, ecstasy, joy. As a business, horror is budget friendly to expand beyond print — giving fans a higher likelihood of ongoing engagement with cherished titles and characters. Lastly, horror, like other iconic elements of popular culture, has its own season. Just as certain traditions stay in our memories, we look forward to returning each year to evoke those feelings of fear, anxiety, and adrenaline that make fans feel truly alive."
Find your new fear starting in 2025 with IDW DARK. Stay tuned for more news on each upcoming series, including comic book creators, release dates, and art announcements.
Two to look forward to from the Treasury Of British Comics. The Scream 40th Anniversary & The Treasury Of British Comics Annual 2025.
Scream! 40th Anniversary Special
UK and DIGITAL: 6 November £5.99
NORTH AMERICA: 11 December $9.99
DIAMOND: SEP241987
COVER: DANI
In this issue:
THE DRACULA FILE // HOMO SACER by Alex Paknadel (w) Alejandro Aragon (a) Jason Wordie (c) Jonathan Stevenson (l)
THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR by Torunn Gronbekk (w) Emily Schnall (a) Jonathan Stevenson (l)
AND HIS SKIN IS COLD by George Pooley & Anna Readman (w) Anna Readman (a) JP Jordan (c) Rob Steen (l)
INVERTED BURIAL by V.V. Glass (w & a) Jonathan Stevenson (l)
The Treasury Of British Comics Annual 2025
CREATIVE TEAM: Paul Grist, Alec Worley, Simon Furman, Ian Rimmer, Tom Tully, John Smith, Donne Avenall, Steve Moore (w) Simon Williams, Mike Collins, Anna Morozova, Carlos Ezquerra, Mike Western, Mick McMahon, Leo Baxendale, Ian Kennedy, John Burns, Frank Langford, Massimo Belardinelli, Eric Bradbury (a) Jason Cardy, SquakeZz, Ozwald (l)
RELEASE DATE: November 6
PAPERBACK, 112 pages
PRICE: £25.00
ISBN: 9781837864980
Due to popular demand, Rebellion are celebrating the holiday season with another thrill-packed Treasury of British Comics Annual!
We have delved in the IPC/Fleetway archive to bring you a selection of some of the greatest strips ever to appear in British comics, specials and annuals, from such esteemed titles as Scream!, Battle, Tiger, Valiant and Lion.
This collection features three brand new stories from industry superstars including Simon Furman and Mike Collins on Kelly's Eye Vs The White Eyes, Alec Worley and Anna Morozova on Black Beth and Paul Grist and Simon Williams on Robot Archie.
Available in print from: Treasury of British comics webshop, online retailers, book stores, and comic book stores via Diamond
Available in digital from: Treasury of British Comics webshop, 2000 AD app for Apple & Android
I think this is the first announcement for 2025!