The Rocketeer, Unnie, I Like You, Clyde & Dan Dare
From IDW Publishing, Tokyopop, Papercutz, and B7 Comics
Cold and wet here, but at least I have my first Comic-Con as an exhibitor on Saturday!
Here is the latest comics news and previews, including:
A never-published tale of The Rocketeer.
A new comic from WebToon to Tokyopop.
Bad life in Clyde!
And the return of Dan Dare!
New The Rocketeer Comic Based on Creator’s Never-Published Outline
I have always been a fan of The Rocketeer, and IDW Publishing has announced a special comic based on an outline by the creator!
The classic high-flying masked hero is reaching new heights in his wildest story ever next year.
THE ROCKETEER: THE ISLAND launches in February from Eisner Award-winning writerJohn Layman(Titans,Chew), blockbuster artistJacob Edgar(Plastic Man No More!, Batman: The Adventures Continue) and visionary colorist K.J. Díaz (Amazing Spider-Man,Blade). Inspired by a never-published outline byThe RocketeercreatorDave Stevens, this all-new adventure brings readers back to 1938 as Cliff Secord, a.k.a. The Rocketeer, returns to save Amelia Earhart! But this search and rescue mission brings the fan-favorite hero to a mysterious island that is full of surprises.
“This Rocketeer project has been coming together for the past few months, and I can’t say enough about how much joy I’m getting every time a new page comes in,” said Layman. “Playing in Dave Stevens’ world, a retro-world of charm, humor and rocket-fueled adventure, has been an absolute blast. As an artist Stevens was an absolute virtuoso, and I feel like Rocketeer is an all-time classic comic character — he’s always been one of my favorites. IDW, a publisher I’ve already done work for on some of my very favorite comic projects, has given me another fantastic opportunity to get paid while having fun, while allowing me to honor a vision of a comic book hero of mine, and play in a world I’ve loved for decades. Plus, the art and colors by Jacob Edgar and K.J. Díaz are just phenomenal and perfect for the book.”
“It’s a huge honor to be working on THE ROCKETEER, an iconic character with a very high bar to try and live up to, artistically,” remarked Edgar. “From Dave Stevens himself, to Chris Samnee, Darwyn Cooke, Staz Johnson… It feels like Cliff Secord always gets the greats. I love the tone that John is bringing to our story and I’m always jazzed to be working with K.J Díaz for color. This is a book I would not have guessed I’d ever get to do, but I’m having a blast making it, and I hope that energy comes through in the pages.”
THE ROCKETEER: THE ISLAND #1 goes on sale February 25. Fans have until January 19 to pre-order at comic shops to guarantee their copy of the debut issue. In addition to the covers above, there will also be a blank variant and an RI 1:50 variant by Nick Bradshaw.
Tokyopop Licenses the Webtoon Series Unnie, I Love You For Print Publication
Going from digital to physical, Tokyopop is releasing a print version of the Webtoon series, Unnie, I Like You.
Publisher TOKYOPOP expands its print catalog as it announces it has licensed the girls love manhwa series, UNNIE, I LIKE YOU. The series, by creator Jeongussi, currently runs on WEBTOON and is set for a full-color graphic novel adaptation under the LoveLove imprint in 2026.
In UNNIE, I LIKE YOU!, Park Chanmi vividly remembers her past life, where she harbored deep feelings for the beautiful Hanbyeol, whose life tragically ended too soon. In her present life, Chanmi is startled to discover that her lost love has returned as a university professor yet does not recall their past life. Fearing history may repeat itself, Chanmi is determined to protect the sole person she cherishes the most.
UNNIE, I LIKE YOU! debuted in June 2024 on the WEBTOON app and currently features more than 60 episodes.
Browse TOKYOPOP’s full catalog of LoveLove manga and light novel titles at: https://tokyopop.com/collections/love-x-love
Being Bad Is Un-BEAR-able…
New from Papercutz is Clyde - sometimes a change isn’t so good!
Doing good may not always be rewarded, but it always matters. Real strength comes from kindness, not toughness…Announcing CLYDE VOL. 1—an original middle-grade graphic novel from New York Times–bestselling creator Jim Benton (Dear Dumb Diary, Franny K. Stein, Catwad), with the Spanish edition lettered by Miguel Ángel Zapata (Battlecats), in partnership with Papercutz, the beloved kids’ comics imprint of Mad Cave Studios—available in both English and Spanish editions.
As the creator of Attack of the Stuff and the global phenomenon It’s Happy Bunny, Benton’s work has sold millions of copies worldwide and has earned him multiple honors, including Comic-Con International’s Inkpot Award and several American Library Association distinctions. With his trademark mix of humor and sincerity, Benton turns his lens to a bear whose journey proves that kindness can be its own kind of rebellion.
When Clyde the bear decides to ditch his safe and peaceful life in Cubville and head off for the mean streets of Grizzly City, he learns—with the help of a reformed juvenile delinquent butterfly—that the Bad Life isn’t always so great, and there’s something to be said for helping your friends and family even though that really does kind of stink a little.
Jim Benton spoke of the project: “I really like writing stories about characters who change. And I love writing stories about characters with flaws. I wonder if that’s because I’m so flawed myself? Sooner or later, we all discover the truth about being BAD, and think the readers will get a laugh watching Clyde’s discovery.”
Perfect for fans of Dog Man and The Bad Guys, Clyde blends slapstick comedy and sincere heart in a story about self-acceptance, kindness, and the courage to be yourself. Clyde Vol. 1 is filled with laughter, empathy, and wild adventures, and delivers a laugh-out-loud story that proves even the grumpiest bears have good hearts.
Clyde Vol. 1 releases March 17, 2026, and will be available in both English and Spanish editions in hardcover ($17.99, ISBN 9781545823552), paperback ($12.99, ISBN 9781545823569), and Spanish paperback ($12.99, ISBN 9781545823576).
Bristish Comics Space Hero “Dan Dare” To Return In Grpahic Novel Series
A classic character and it’s great to see more of Dan Dare - this time from B7 Comics.
DAN DARE’S RETURN ANNOUNCED AT THOUGHT BUBBLE COMIC ART FESTIVAL
B7 Comics set to revive iconic comic book space hero “Dan Dare” in a new series of graphic novels written by Alex de Campi with art by Marc Laming.
B7 Comics has teamed up with bestselling author and screenwriter Alex de Campi (Rogue Trooper: Ghost Patrol and Duncan Jones’ Madi: Once Upon A Time in the Future) and Marc Laming (James Bond, Eden, Endeavour) for a three-book reimagining of the classic British adventure strip Dan Dare, with the full approval of the rights holders The Dan Dare Corporation.
“A dying planet, a desperate mission—and a first contact that may spell the end of human life as we know it…” sets the scene for these all-new Dan Dare comic book adventures.
A crowdfunding campaign for Book One “First Contact” will officially launch on 1 February 2026 and, if successful, Dan Dare: First Contact will be published in Q4 2027. The script for Book One has already been written, and Marc is itching for take-off – and, in fact, has already drawn some early concept art!
Stay tuned as we count down to project launch, as we will be posting the first eight fully lettered and coloured pages of the book on the Kickstarter campaign page.
Dan Dare: First Contact is a circa 112-page, graphic novel which will be offered as an eBook, paperback, hardback and premium Kickstarter-exclusive hardback edition.
“Alex and I are huge fans of Dan Dare from Frank Hampson and Frank Bellamy’s original stories of the 50s and 60s through to 2000AD’s more anarchic take on the character in late 70s. We are both extremely excited to bring Colonel Dare to a new audience,” says Marc. “I think our tale has something for fans of the original Eagle stories and for lovers of modern sci fi action of the screen and books.”
Writer Alex de Campi adds: “It’s truly been an honour to be given the opportunity to bring Dan Dare to a whole new generation, making the story feel exciting and modern without losing any of the charm and wonder that has kept it a beloved classic for so long. Also, Marc is such a gifted artist (and a great guy!), I couldn’t ask for a better creative partner to bring this story to life.”
Colin Frewin, CEO of the Dan Dare Corporation says: “The thrilling creative combination of Alex de Campi, Marc Laming and Dan Dare – Pilot of the Future, brings together a completely new and exciting dimension to one of the worlds legendary comic characters. Dan Dare is set for a dynamic new adventure never seen before – so hold on tight!”
B7 Comics are the publishers of the acclaimed graphic novel Hancock: The Lad Himself, Mr Jones’s Smoking Bones and the scifi thriller, Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies. The publishing imprint of UK indie B7 Media, well known for its genre output including such well-known sci-fi brands as Blake’s 7, The Martian Chronicles and I Robot. B7 were producers of the critically acclaimed Dan Dare audio reboot (2017).
“Alex de Campi and Marc Laming’s take on Dan Dare immediately feels fresh and exciting, at times terrifying, offering a very different sort of space opera that is a race against time to keep our planet alive, but crucially still retains the feeling of hope and wonder that is the heart of any Dan Dare adventure” says B7 Comics publisher Andrew Mark Sewell.”
Sewell goes on to say; “Dan Dare is the exemplary British adventure hero. Like his aviator predecessor Biggles, he represents the best of British qualities: courage, determination, stoicism and a wry sense of humour. Alex and Marc and the B7 Comics’ team have ambitious plans for future stories for Dare and his friends.”
DAN DARE: FIRST CONTACT is illustrated by Marc Laming and written by Alex de Campi, published by B7 Comics. Dan Dare: First Contact is a circa 112-page graphic novel which will be offered as an eBook, paperback, and premium Kickstarter-exclusive hardback edition. For more information about the Kickstarter campaign and how you can support it, click here.
