The Theory of K.O., The Tiger's Tongue, Afterlife Inc., God Tier, and String
From Nakama Press, Maverick, Big Punch Studios, and Mad Cave Studios
The latest comics news and previews, including:
The first volume of The Theory of K.O.
A new young adult graphic novel from Maverick.
A special exhibition for fans of Afterlife Inc.
Gods and monsters from Nakama Press.
And the collected edition of String.
Nakama Press Packs a Punch with The Theory Of K.O. Vol. 1!
From Nakama Press there is the first volume of The Theory Of K.O. Vol. 1 out this summer, check out the details below.
This summer, Mad Cave Studios’ imprint Nakama Press’ is set to make an impact with THE THEORY OF K.O. VOL. 1!
Written and illustrated by Lyon Comics Festival award-winning French comic creator Mathieu Reynès (Sexy Gun, Lola Bogota, Alter Ego, Water Memory), this high-octane 182-page epic is filled with stunning art and thought-provoking themes that will captivate fans of dystopian sci-fi, underground fight culture, and bold, character-driven adventures.
The future, our world... After years of health, economic and ecological crises, a global civil war breaks out, ignited by a huge pharmaceutical and political scandal denounced by the activist group C.H.A.O.S. 15 years later civilization has recovered, divided between large urban centers, under military and medical surveillance, and freer rural areas, where those who refuse this system of health control take refuge. It is in this divided world that Beck sets out in search of her mentor Kal, who has been missing for several days. This quest leads the young orphan to the town of Bajara, known, among other things, for its free-fighting competitions.
“For The Theory of K.O., I wanted to create an entertaining series inspired by my teenage reading—full of action and fun, but also exploring important themes like ecology, technology, and human society,” said Mathieu Reynès. “I proposed this series to Mad Cave Studios because I had already collaborated with Mark Irwin on a previous project and trusted him. Lucky for me, Mad Cave was about to launch Nakama Press. It’s motivating to be at the beginning of something like this and benefit from this exciting new energy.”
Nakama Press is dedicated to delivering the best in global storytelling, bringing fan-favorite titles and long-awaited series to English-language readers with high-quality translations and faithful adaptations.
Get ready for impact—The Theory of K.O. Vol. 1 drops in shops and on bookshelves July 15th!
"A brilliant transformative tale" returns with Maverick
A new release of The Tiger’s Tongue is coming soon from Maverick, who do some excellent young adult OGNs.
Under the militant rule of The Tiger’s People, empowered by their animal familiars, the Claw is on the brink of war. At the precipice of adulthood, twin princesses Kelindi and Aridani hold the future of the Claw in their hands. Kelindi would sue for peace with The River’s People, those who were subjugated “to bring order,” while Aridani has never aspired to rule. But an ancient prophecy is revealed that’ll force fate’s hand for the sisters…
Maverick’s senior editor Lauren Hitzhusen said, "We're so excited to add Tiger's Tongue to the Maverick lineup this year! The creative team has crafted a unique story unlike anything else we have at Maverick. It follows two teenage sisters vying for the same throne in the midst of a war between oppressors and oppressed. At its core, Tiger's Tongue is about sisterhood, freedom, and what power means. Bringing it over to Maverick, where it's our focus to showcase queer and diverse casts, is the perfect move. We are excited to introduce Kelindi and Aridani to new audience."
TIGER’S TONGUE is slated for release February 2025 and is now available for pre-order from Maverick.
Afterlife Inc. Comic Art Exhibition Comes to Gloucester
It is a special exhibition, and one I wish I could get to. Afterlife Inc. is a fantastic series and has incredible art. It’s free to go, too!
To celebrate the release of his new graphic novel, Afterlife Inc. Volume 7, creator Jon Lock invites you to a free comic art exhibition in the heart of Gloucester.
Featuring work by comic artists Raffaele Ricciardi, JP Jordan, V.V. Glass and Will Tempest, along with an amazing selection of emerging talent, this exhibition presents a cross-section of some of the best UK comic creators working in the industry today.
The exhibition is free to attend and runs from Saturday 15 to Friday 21 March at Jolt Studios, Gloucester. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet likeminded creators and fans, discover amazing artwork, and even grab a signed copy of Afterlife Inc.
To book your free tickets, please visit
About the project
This exhibition was made possible thanks to a National Lottery Project Grant from Arts Council England, the UK's national development agency for creativity and culture. Alongside the production of the book, this project has helped fund the delivery of free comic-making workshops to children and young adults in Gloucester.
About Afterlife Inc.
Afterlife Inc. is the tale of Jack Fortune, a con-artist who dies, discovers an afterlife in chaos, and decides to take over and run it like a business. Having recently celebrated its 10th anniversary Afterlife Inc. has cemented its reputation as one of the UK's most acclaimed independent comics.
About the creator
Jon Lock is a comic writer based in Gloucester, UK. As the co-founder of independent publisher Big Punch Studios, Jon has written and edited numerous titles over the last decade. His work has been featured in 2000AD Magazine (the home of characters such as Judge Dredd) and he's also the writer of Tiny Hercules, a new series of graphic novels published by Macmillan Children's Books. Outside of his work in comics, Jon has written for multiple video games, including Toxic Crusaders, based on the cult Toxic Avenger movie franchise from Troma Entertainment.
The Gods Have Descended—and Humanity is PREY!
Nakama Press is soon to release a new release featuring gods and monsters—God Teir Vol.1: Prey will be out in June 2025.
The war between gods and humankind erupts this summer as Mad Cave Studios’ imprint Nakama Press announces the release of the 144-page volume, GOD TIER VOL. 1: PREY!
This high-octane tale for mature audiences from writer Mario B. Long (Golden Age of Pirates, Pantheon Saga, Casshan: Rebooted) and Tokyo-based artist Kuroi delivers an explosive mix of mythology, gang warfare, and supernatural destruction—all set in a world where gods rule with brutal force, two siblings must navigate the chaos or be consumed by it.
The mysterious anarchist Typhon, the god of monsters, has sparked a fire that has spread across the world. Pablo Costello, and his sister Anna, are trapped in between the raging battle between gangs, police, gods, and monsters.
"I drew inspiration from cult classics like Clash of the Titans, Escape from New York, The Matrix, and Interstellar. The story took shape while I was quarantining in Tokyo during the early days of the COVID pandemic. Like Pablo in God Tier, I was overwhelmed by the chaos unfolding across the world and longed to be reunited with my family. I wanted to reimagine Gods and Monsters through fresh perspectives while weaving in modern social issues. This project would not have been possible without the incredible work of manga artists Kuroi, Pablo Rey, and the Sakura Phoenix Studio team, who dedicated years to bringing this vision to life. Their talent and commitment mean everything to me. It's an honor to help launch this new era of storytelling with Nakama Press, pushing the boundaries of manga to reach a new generation of readers."
In a world where gods and mortals collide, God Tier Vol. 1: Prey is definitely one for fans of dark fantasy, mythology-fueled battles, and pulse-pounding action. God Tier Vol. 1: Prey arrives June 17th, and is now available for preorder.
Unlock the Mystery—Paul Tobibn's STRING Arrives in Trade Paperback This May!
Another new collection from Mad Cave Studios, this time it is String with some science fiction mystery!
Mad Cave Studios is excited to bring the highly anticipated trade paperback release of STRING, the critically-acclaimed sci-fi mystery that has captivated readers and critics alike.
Crafted by an all-star creative team, this mind-bending story comes from the brilliant mind of Eisner Award-winning writer Paul Tobin (Bandette, Colder), with stunning artwork by Carlos Javier Olivares, bubbly and bright colors by Sara Colella, and expert lettering by Taylor Esposito. A gripping blend of intrigue and suspense, String weaves a tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats!
Yoon-Sook Namgung is a 25-year-old Korean-American woman with the remarkable ability to see two types of “strings” connecting various people. The first is blue and stretches between sexual partners. The second—dark black—connects murderers and their victims. If you have a murder that needs solving, Yoon can help. Worried your partner is cheating on you? Yoon can literally SEE the connections. Yoon’s life—for all the drama and constant TMI—is good, at least until the day she notices a string, a BLACK string, connected to… herself! This means she’ll either soon murder someone, or be murdered herself! So…dang. Which one?
Bringing a supernatural twist to the classic detective genre, String is a must-read for fans of Poker Face and The Rockford Files. With its sharp storytelling, gripping mystery, and eerie undertones, this genre-blending tale delivers a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Unravel the mystery—String lands in comic shops and bookstores on May 21st!
