SpongeBob SquarePants, Abuzz, Astro Quantum & A Digital Comics Giveaway
From IDW Publishing, Maverick, Mad Cave Studios & Markosia
Here are the latest comics news and previews, including:
A celebratory art book for SpongeBob SquarePants.
A new graphic novel from Maverick.
A new sci-fi series with Astro Quantum.
An an anniversary from Markosia.
IDW Celebrates 25 Years of SpongeBob SquarePants!!!
Amazingly, it has been so long! IDW Publishing is celebrating SpongeBob SquarePants: The Art of an Undersea World.
“I Don’t Need It. I Don’t Need It. I DEFINITELY Don’t Need It... I NEED IT!”—SpongeBob!
Fans will NEED SpongeBob SquarePants: The Art of an Undersea World, a delightful tribute to the undersea world created by Stephen Hillenburg, available February 17, 2026. A deep dive into all things SpongeBob including the art behind the hit television shows and films, preproduction sketches, cast and creator interviews, and more, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Art of an Undersea World features 350+ pages of artwork from creators from both television and film. Researched and written by long-time animation industry author Tracey Miller-Zarneke (whose art books cover Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs films, the Kung Fu Panda franchise, plus the centenary edition of The Disney Book and more), this is the definitive art collection celebrating over 25 years of SpongeBob SquarePants!
“You never really know the true value of a moment,” says SpongeBob, “until it becomes a memory.”
Take a stroll through Bikini Bottom and celebrate all your favorite characters in this collectible art book that captures art from the original TV series, its spinoffs, and every movie! Including insights from everyone who ever worked on this beloved animation, and artwork from all the television shows – SpongeBob SquarePants, The Patrick Star Show, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, and films The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, Sponge Out of Water, Sponge on the Run, Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, Plankton: The Movie, and the upcoming December release of Search for SquarePants – SpongeBob SquarePants: The Art of an Undersea World is a perfect keepsake for fans!
“As both an artist and someone lucky enough to help steward the iconic world of SpongeBob, this book is more than a collection of images. It’s a celebration of the creativity that’s made SpongeBob so special for 25 years, and a visual love letter to the imagination of Stephen Hillenburg and everyone who’s brought Bikini Bottom to life,” said Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation. “Every sketch and concept design reminds us how much heart, humor and creativity went into building SpongeBob’s universe. This book is not just an artbook but a portal into 25 years of pure joy and undersea imagination.”
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Art of an Undersea World will be available wherever books are sold on February 17, 2026, as a full-color hardcover (ISBN: 9798887244419) for a list price of $49.99. For more information please visit IDW Publishing. Preorder Link.
Sparks and Stingers Fly in a Modern Take on Shakespeare’s Classic Rom-Com
A new young adult graphic novel is coming from Maverick, and it will offer a new perspective on Much Ado About Nothing in Abuzz.
There’s still time to get caught up in “the buzz” before ABUZZ hits shelves this November from Maverick, the celebrated YA imprint of Mad Cave Studios!
Written by Amy Chase (Dungeons & Dragons, My Little Pony, Archie Horror) with art by Stelladia (Potions Inc.), colors by Ellie Wright (The Jaguar), and lettering by Taylor Esposito (Edenfrost), this spirited young-adult graphic novel reimagines Much Ado About Nothing through an inclusive, contemporary lens—where high-school drama and heart collide.
Shakespeare’s beloved romcom Much Ado About Nothing gets a modern update with an LGBTQ cast and the same classic miscommunications! Feuding senior students Ben and Beatriz drag half of Messina High into their never-ending arguments, making things difficult as budding sweethearts Hero and Claudio are asked to pick sides in the battle. All the while, the bad kids, led by outcast DJ, are plotting to capitalize on the chaos and rule the school for themselves. With college letters and prom night on the horizon, will these students find their happy ending or feel the sting of total rejection?
For fans of Heartstopper, She’s the Man, and 10 Things I Hate About You, Abuzz delivers equal parts sharp wit, warmth, and queer joy.
Abuzz drops into bookstores on November 18, 2025, and in comic shops on November 19, 2025. Preorders are available now through bookstores, comic shops, digital retailers, and directly from Maverick!
Not all who chase the stars escape their shadows.
From Mad Cave Studios is a new science fiction series beginning in 2026. Check out the details of Astro Quantum.
A cursed ship. A cosmic beast. A choice between vengeance and survival.
Mad Cave Studios is thrilled to announce ASTRO QUANTUM, a stunning new sci-fi epic from acclaimed creators Arturo Fabra (Tempesta dal Nulla) and Andrea Mutti (Bunny Mask, Parasomnia), with colors by Valerio Alloro (Arkham Horror) and letters by Dan Cutali (Iscariot), charting an odyssey of cosmic vengeance, ecological reckoning, and existential discovery in a five-issue limited series.
Cast out to die in the toxic world of Maku, young Ishmaeel finds an unlikely ally in the sharp-tongued Soliumite exile Quee-Keg. Together, they claw their way through underground bazaars, brutal creatures of the Galaxy, and bitter rivalries to chase a destiny bigger than either imagined: a place aboard the legendary Molok-hunting starship PEKUOD. An all-new epic space saga of survival, rebellion, and the hunger to reach beyond the stars starts here!
Arturo Fabra and Andrea Mutti spoke of this exciting new series:
“This project combines two of our passions: science fiction and Moby Dick, one of our lifelong ‘books of life.’ While inspired by Melville’s monumental ideas, at its core, this is an adventure about the war for energy, ecological terrorism, and the exploitation of nature for profit. We see it as the gateway to a larger universe of stories—inviting readers to look at the stars with curiosity while reflecting on our place here on Earth. Most of all, we hope they enjoy the journey, and want to come back for more.”
Astro Quantum balances pulse-pounding space-opera action with philosophical introspection. Its expansive universe, free of humans yet full of racial, cultural, and moral diversity, echoes contemporary questions of survival, faith, and identity.
Fans of Saga, The Expanse, and Farscape will find themselves immersed in a world where destiny isn’t found in the stars—it’s forged in the fight to survive them.
Astro Quantum #1 hits shelves and digital platforms January 28, 2026, with a Final Order Cut-Off date of January 5, 2026. Preorder from your local comic shop starting October 24th or directly from Mad Cave.
Markosia Enterprises Celebrates 20 Years of Independent Publishing Excellence with Year-Long Digital Comic Giveaway.
It's 20 years of Markosia, with some excellent comics, too! There is also a special digital comics giveaway!
Markosia Enterprises Ltd, one of the UK’s foremost independent publishers of graphic novels, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an unprecedented offer for comic book fans worldwide. Beginning Friday, 31st October 2025, the company will give away a free digital comic book every week to subscribers of their newsletter for the foreseeable future.
Founded in May 2005, Markosia has grown from humble beginnings to become a major force in independent publishing, releasing more than 600 graphic novels to the global market. The company’s journey began when founder Harry Markos faced the possibility of losing his job due to a serious back injury and potential disability. Rather than accept defeat, Markos channelled his passion for sequential art into building what would become one of Britain’s most enduring independent publishers.
Over the past two decades, Markosia has built an impressive catalogue featuring acclaimed titles including Beowulf, Dark Mists, Midnight Kiss, Starship Troopers, Shadowmancer, The Lexian Chronicles, and Traveller. The company has collaborated with some of the industry’s finest talent, including Lee Garbett, Tony Lee, the late Norm Breyfogle, Ryan Stegman, Szymon Kudranski, and Inaki Miranda, among many others.
While specialising in graphic novels, Markosia has diversified its publishing portfolio to include prose fiction and children’s picture books, demonstrating the company’s commitment to storytelling across multiple formats.
“Twenty years ago, I turned what could have been a devastating setback into an opportunity to build something lasting,” said Harry Markos, Founder of Markosia Enterprises. “This anniversary isn’t just about looking back at what we’ve achieved – it’s about thanking the readers, creators, and supporters who’ve been with us on this journey. These weekly free digital comics are our way of celebrating with the community that made it all possible.”
The weekly digital comic giveaway begins 31st October 2025 and will continue throughout the coming year. Readers can sign up for the newsletter at www.markosia.com to receive their free weekly comic and stay updated on new releases, creator interviews, and special announcements.
As Markosia enters its third decade, the company remains committed to championing independent voices and delivering quality storytelling to readers around the world.
