Undercover Monster, Angel, Talespin and Jane American
From Papercutz and Dynamite Comics
In this latest post, there’s a preview of Undercover Monster, by the team of AC Medina, Mina Elwell, and Kit Wallis. Have a look at the news on the upcoming Angel and Talespin series from Dynamite Comics. And finally, a new adventure from Papercutz in Jane American.
Kicked Out of Monster School. Dropped Into the Human World
A new graphic novel from Papercutz featuring a monster in the human world is Undercover Monster.
Getting expelled from monster school is bad, but getting sent undercover into a human school might be worse!
Papercutz, the kids' imprint of Mad Cave Studios, announces UNDERCOVER MONSTER, a new middle-grade graphic novel from Hellicious writers A.C. Medina and Mina Elwell, illustrated by Kit Wallis (Monster Club), with lettering by Dave Lentz. Blending mystery, humor, and a monster-sized identity crisis, this 176-page story unfolds in a school where nothing—and no one—can be trusted.
Mia has been kicked out of monster schools at every level, from Madame Cryptorius’s School for the Brilliant and Bewitched to Bugwump Swamp Middle, and now she’s about to face her toughest challenge yet: Human school. Her goal: Find the monster who has infiltrated this school and started picking the human kids off as prey, and she might just get let back into a monster school. All she has to do is narrow down her list of suspects. How many monsters can there be hiding in a school? (A lot, it turns out.)
“Working on Undercover Monster was as much a discovery and mystery to me as our characters,” said A.C. Medina. “Taking myself to the newfound world of YA OGNs in a familiar language of horror and mystery while reflecting upon my own youth (the true horror) along the way. It’s a story of friendship told by friends who, like our characters, have grown to become a club in our way. Undercover Monster is a story for all misplaced middle school monsters looking for a club to call their own and the friends that come with it.”
Mina Elwell added, “This story was full of challenges for everyone on the team, but the greatest one for me was doing justice to the emotions of these monster kids. You might not see so many fangs and tentacles in most school cafeterias, but I think most people can relate to having to keep a piece of who they are undercover, and it was really important to me to show what that can feel like.”
“I truly love drawing monsters! So creating this book with long-time partners AC and Mina was a dream project for me,” said Kit Wallis. “I feel that the YA horror audience can be an exciting and challenging one, opening up new visual and literal ways to tell horror stories for a younger age group. It's like crossing a bridge with a troll under it! The bones of Undercover Monster originated from a story I did back in 1998, so I am really happy to be working with those similar themes again, and this time with my friends."
A fast-moving mystery with a monster twist, Undercover Monster taps into the tension of not fitting in, the paranoia of hidden identities, and the chaos of school life, where the biggest threat might not be who you expect!
Undercover Monster goes on sale August 11, 2026, in paperback (ISBN: 9781545827475 | $14.99) and hardcover (ISBN: 9781545827482 | $19.99) formats. Preorder through your local comic shop, favorite bookstore, or from papercutz.com.
Angel Series by Kelly Thompson Joins the Buffyverse
Following Buffy #1 from Dynamite Comics, there is news on the upcoming Angel series.
Following the epic announcement of the return of Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics with Kelly Thompson at the helm, Dynamite is excited to announce the companion series that fans have been waiting for, as Angel kicks off this August by Thompson and artist Giulia Giacomino.
Once the terrifying vampire known as Angelus, the man fans now know as Angel was cursed for his crimes with the return of his soul. His newfound humanity led him to the seemingly idyllic small town of Sunnydale, and a star-crossed love affair with the Slayer — Buffy Summers. Once the tragedy had run its course, Angel set off for new adventures (and his own show) in Los Angeles as a detective specializing in supernatural cases and helping the helpless.
Things don’t always go according to plan however and sometimes you do have to go home again. But what if in trying to set something right, chaos follows? This is that story.Best-selling and Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson (Absolute Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey, Captain Marvel, Black Widow) helms both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel titles — structured as a seamless event story that will redefine the Buffyverse.
She’s joined on Angel by rising star artist Giulia Giacomino, who made her breakout at Dynamite on Lilo & Stitch and comes from the lineage of Mirka Andolfo’s legendary Arancia Studio. Alongside Buffy‘s Stephen Byrne, Giacomino is tasked with capturing the magic of all these beloved characters for fans new and old. Colorist Lee Loughridge and letterer Jeff Eckleberry round out the cast.This is a one-of-a-kind crossover event that Thompson has described as “setting the table” for a whole new status quo in the Buffyverse. Angel #1 picks up directly after the events of Buffy #1, and fans are encouraged to follow along with both in release order to get the full Buffyverse experience and enjoy the epic tale Thompson is crafting — including big surprises that will be revealed at release! The flexible nature of comics allows the creative team to tap into what fans love -- to see the relationships and emotional ties between these iconic characters in visually stunning ways. That said, the two titles have their own identity with Angel narrating and guiding his own series, and Buffy doing the same in hers.
“Starting with a big universe-defining event book opening feels risky and like a big ask of the readers, but for the idea itself to be done properly – for all the character moments and action set pieces, and emotional tumult to land, we really needed the page real estate,” said writer Kelly Thompson. “And the idea demanded most of the main cast from both books to be involved, which is something that can easily tip a book over – but combining the two books for the first arc and telling one big interconnected Buffyverse story gave us the room to do the concept justice.”
Complementing the all-star cast of artists assembled for Buffy covers, her bad boy fallen Angel beau isn’t lacking in that department either. Superstar David Nakayama contributes the lead cover, matching up with his Buffy piece. He’s joined by Clayton Crain, Meredith McClaren, and Meghan Hetrick who all fit the distinct tone of the series. A series of Icon covers starts with remastering gorgeous works by Jenny Frison.
Avid Angel collectors can also consider the mystery blind bag, featuring three premium variant covers for the book selected randomly from a range of logo-less editions, line art presentations of art, and wholly original artwork exclusive to this offering.
Take Flight With TaleSpin Comics from Amanda Deibert
A new series from the Dynamite and Disney teams with the classic Talespin series is now coming to comics!
Dynamite Entertainment is taking flight with fans starting this August, as new comic book adventures of TaleSpin are on the runway! This new series featuring another beloved Disney Afternoon franchise also reunites a critically acclaimed creative team for another ride together!
Dynamite has brought new four color fun from several Disney Afternoon classics so far, starting with Gargoyles and Darkwing Duck in the publisher's initial one-two punch from their Disney line several years ago, including contributions from series creators. An ambitious DuckTales series delighted fans of the iconic Disney Ducks. Even titles starring Hercules and Aladdin count, as lesser discussed parts of the revered animation programming block of the 1990s. Now it's time for TaleSpin to take its turn!
Higher For Hire is… well, hired... to bring in Cape Suzette’s newest resident: Skye Ryder. But the job’s interrupted by air pirates led by the dastardly Don Karnage! Can Baloo and Kit shake the pirates and get their mysterious passenger to safety, or is it curtains for the pilots of the Sea Duck?! Fans will have to find out by jumping onboard this high-flyin’ adventure series soaring this summer.TaleSpin also marks an exciting reunion for fans who have followed Dynamite's Disney titles. Writer Amanda Deibert and artist Carlo Lauro were there are ground zero as the acclaimed initial creative team for Darkwing Duck. Now they're back in the cockpit as co-pilots for TaleSpin. Lauro also colors his own masterful artwork, and the team inside the book is completed with letterer Jeff Eckleberry, and all guided gracefully by editor Nate Cosby.
"I am so thrilled to be once again teaming up with the incredible Carlo Laura as we get to play in the world of beloved Disney Afternoon cartoons and take things to new heights!," said writer Amanda Deibert. "Pun very much intended."
The world of TaleSpin is unique in taking existing characters from another Disney gem, The Jungle Book, transporting and casting them in a very different context. Baloo the bear is just as charismatic across both classics though. Fans who have never taken a flight with TaleSpin before will also meet a whole new cast of delightful characters including Kit Cloudkicker, Rebecca, Molly, and many more.
The medium of comic books has a rich history of high-flying fables from the likes of Aces High, Enemy Ace, and more. TaleSpin and this latest series by Deibert and Lauro adds to that tapestry, with a healthy helping of Disney magic, and a new inventive twist for all-new, unforgettable aerial theatrics and adventure.
The creative team is complemented by a crop of cool covers from creators including Cat Staggs, Lauro himself, and art from the Disney vault. A limited-edition mystery blind bag is also available, offering even more rare variants and surprises!
A wartime hero rises in a coming-of-age story about identity, loss, and finding the courage to be yourself.
Papercutz has announced Jane American, a WWII-era graphic novel by Jason Douglas and Annie Wright.
Papercutz, the kids’ imprint of Mad Cave Studios, proudly brings readers JANE AMERICAN, a heartfelt middle-grade graphic novel blending coming-of-age storytelling, wartime history, and superhero-inspired emotion.
Written by 26-year public school teacher Jason Douglas (Parallel), with art by Annie Wright and letters by Dave Lentz, Jane American is the Ringo Award-winning graphic novel exploring grief, identity, resilience, and discovering your own strength in a world determined to define you. Deeply researched and emotionally resonant, the book features historical endnotes and extensive educational back matter for readers and educators in grades 4 through 12, with Wright also recognized with the Ringo Award for Best New Talent.
During the 1940’s, Jane was living a life of family, stability, and hope...until she wasn’t! Until the war brought tragedy to her doorstep and changed her in unbelievable ways that are better left hidden. Yet the realities of the end of the war, dad is not coming home, and society has determined that mom can no longer be a Rosie The Riveter, have left Jane with a choice: stay safe, stay hidden, or… embrace who she truly is and what she can really do, for the sake of everyone that she loves!
Jane American balances emotional storytelling, historical authenticity, and adventure while exploring universal themes of identity, self-worth, gender, grief, and belonging through the lens of wartime America.
“At its core, Jane American is about the universal and relatable themes of identity, self-worth, you being you in a world that tells you something different, and the super-heroics of everyday people…and yet it is a deeply personal story to me. It is named after and inspired by my grandmother, who went through all of that more than 80 years ago. It is dedicated to all of the students who have passed through my classroom, still struggling with identity today. It is much more freshly dedicated to my late grandfather, who, at the age of 99, when he realized he would not see 100, made me promise that the book that contains the name and likeness of his high school sweetheart, my grandmother, would see print.” —Jason Douglas
“Jane American is my very first graphic novel, and I’m very deeply connected to Jane’s story of bravery, reinvention, and vulnerability. It’s a touching journey that offers a valuable perspective on a young girl growing up during a time of struggle and war. I feel that her relationship with such harsh realities can transcend time, allowing the readers of today to connect with her in a personal way.” —Annie Wright
Blending educational value, classic comic-book appeal, and deeply human storytelling, Jane American delivers action-packed heroism alongside an emotionally rich story about family, loss, resilience, and embracing who you are against impossible odds. Jane American will make you cheer, teach while it entertains, and leave you with hope for the future.
Jane American goes on sale September 1, 2026, in paperback (ISBN: 9781545836224 | $14.99) and hardcover (ISBN: 9781545836217 | $19.99) formats. The direct market Final Order Cutoff date is August 10, 2026. Preorder today at your favorite bookstore, comic shop, or from papercutz.com.
