Verse From Vault Comics, IDW Extend A Partnership & TMNT News, Crusader Gets Collected & Neurorcron #1
News of new series, new partnerships, Turtles, Collections and Crowdfunding
An announcement about Verse from Vault Comics, some news from IDW Publishing, a new collection from Mad Cave Studios and a new crowdfunding project from Invader Comics.
There is some news on Verse returning and a great link between traditional comics and webcomics from Vault Comics.
Vault and creator Sam Beck are thrilled to announce the long awaited finale of Verse, the beloved YA fantasy graphic novel series, with Verse Book Three: The Song, that will hit store shelves in August 2024. In addition, Verse will make its long awaited return to webcomic serialization at www.versecomic.com, its original home, starting today.
“I started Verse off as a webcomic, so you can’t imagine how thrilled I am that it’s finally returning to the web! It’s always been important to me to bring it back to its original form, and I hope it gets everyone excited for the final book in the series. In Verse Book Three, everyone is going to be in for an emotional ride! I’ve put the characters in this series through a lot, but they will have to face their greatest challenges and fears yet. When you immerse yourself in a world for so long, it’s hard to say goodbye, but I know I’m giving this story a satisfying ending.”
Verse is the story of Fife, who lives in a world where magic is feared--only the evil monsters known as Vell are known to use it. But when Fife discovers a young girl with mysterious powers, everything he ever thought he knew is turned on its head. Forging a friendship that will change the course of their society, Fife and Neitya take their first steps on an epic adventure through an unforgettable world.
In Verse Book 3, we return to our heroes as the monstrous Vel step up their attacks, the last encampments of people find themselves defenseless as their only connection to magic falters. Their sole hope lies in Neitya, the young girl with horns and a mystical gift from the past. Torn between wanting to be free of the burden of destiny and wanting to protect her friends, Neitya is faced with a final, terrible choice: does she destroy magic—both good and bad—once and for all? And what if saving everyone means saying goodbye?
One of the most celebrated YA fantasy comics of the last decade, Verse has garnered a tremendous amount of praise from critics and creators alike. Legendary cartoonish Faith Erin Hicks said of Verse, “its rich drawings and colours beautifully illustrate a complicated, engaging fantasy world filled with sympathetic characters. I can't wait to learn more about them as their journey continues!”
Rising star writer Nadia Shammas added, “Sam Beck is a world building master. You lose yourself in the world of Verse, in its characters, and emotionality reverberates through every lovingly drawn tree, stone, and sword. There is no shortage of things to love, and Beck makes it look effortless. This is the kind of book that I would have been obsessed with as a teen, just truly magnificent fantasy work.”
Verse Book One: The Broken Half, and Verse Book Two: The Second Gate are available now in bookstores and online. Verse Book Three: The Song, will be available summer 2024.
The first IDW Publishing news of this post, with the announcement of a continuing partnership with creator Alan Robert.
Alan Robert, the illustrator and creator behind the widely popular BEAUTY OF HORROR series, recently signed a new deal extending his partnership with premier publisher IDW to release new products through 2026. The first volume of Robert’s horror-themed adult coloring books exploded in 2016 and has expanded to six volumes, tarot card sets, and guided journals. THE BEAUTY OF HORROR, led by its central character Ghouliana, built a worldwide fanbase and has sold over 500,000 copies to date.
“I feel honored to be able to give a creative outlet to people across the globe who are just as twisted as me,” laughs Alan Robert. “They’re less interested in flowers and butterflies, and much more in tune with the strange and macabre. Together, we’ve created a warped and wonderful never-ending art project. I’m excited to announce that there’s a lot more madness to come.”
IDW Editor-in-Chief Jamie S Rich admires Robert's creativity and loves watching how the fans respond to his new books. "Working on BEAUTY OF HORROR is exciting on so many levels. It's such a unique endeavor, and Alan has so much passion for what he does, it's always a great day when he drops his new files on us and I get to see what he's concocted," remarked Rich. "That enthusiasm carries over to when the book hits and the audience reacts. Seeing Alan's fans get engaged and post their colored versions of his art makes it clear why he puts so much effort into each release. It's like Dr. Frankenstein sending his monster into the world and instead of fire and pitchforks, they throw rainbows and flowers at him."
The first in a string of new Beauty of Horror releases will be THE BEAUTY OF HORROR: HAUNTED HOLIDAYS coloring book in 2024, which combines Robert’s most popular holiday designs into one oversized edition. The 128 page flip book celebrates Halloween on one side and Christmas on the other. Future products include The Beauty of Horror Vol. 7: Backwards Records Coloring Book - a collection of horrifying and hilarious parodies focusing on album covers, and The Beauty of Horror: Ghouliana’s Sanctuary For Monsters, a unique storybook to color.
In related news, after the success of NECA’s Toony Terrors Ghouliana figure released last year, NECA is now developing a 7” fully pose-able Ghouliana action figure, complete with synthetic hair and a soft fabric bat-winged dress. Also, global clothing and lifestyle brand, Blackcraft Cult, known for their unique, gothic-inspired designs has teamed up with Alan Robert to produce an exclusive Beauty of Horror design titled “Living My Best Afterlife”, available at the Blackcraft Cult shop now.
The excellent Crusader from Mad Cave Studios is getting its own collected edition in February.
Mad Cave Studios is excited to bring the action/fantasy series collection of CRUSADER, from Matt Emmons (Gardener) and Ukrainian letterer, Andriy Lukin (Lower Your Sights)!
In the midst of the Third Crusade, an exceptionally brutal Templar Knight finds himself accidentally transported to a dangerous realm of magic and monsters.
A nameless Templar Knight from the Third Crusade finds himself magically transported to a mysterious world filled with sorcery and monsters. In order to survive, the ferocious Crusader must reevaluate his penchant for violent righteousness and make peace with both himself and this ruthless world. But will peace be enough to stop the deathless, power-hungry ghoul known only as The Pilgrim?
Crusader is drops in shops Feb. 13, and is now available for preorder at www.madcavestudios.com.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has some big news with the upcoming issue #150 from IDW Publishing. I Love this series and am excited to see where it goes next!
The colossal and cosmic time-consuming megalodon called Armaggon is trying to erase the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES from existence. Now, only the brilliant and determined Donatello can potentially stop the fearsome foe by racing back to the past in a double-sized landmark 150th issue that celebrates more than a decade's worth of compelling TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (TMNT) storytelling
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Written by acclaimed author Sophie Campbell, the massive, epic and emotional TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #150 is the must-read conclusion of the ongoing series – fear not, shellheads, because more will be revealed about what’s next for TMNT soon! This momentous milestone issue will feature art by ARMAGEDDON GAME’s Vincenzo Federici and longtime TMNT creatives colorist Ronda Pattison and letterer Shawn Lee. Returning for this giant issue are former series artists Dan Duncan, Fero Pe, and Campbell.
This climactic comic will pave the way for the next mutation of TMNT storytelling from IDW Publishing, but before looking forward, it’s important to visit the past, just like Donnie. IDW’s TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ongoing series has presented fans with more than 10 years worth of brilliant and critically-acclaimed tales that captivated both longtime and new TMNT fans with its exciting and heartfelt stories.
Sophie Campbell: “I still can't quite believe I've gotten to work on this much TMNT, I thought for sure I'd get the boot in the first year but nope – here I am four years later still here against all odds. It's really been amazing, truly a dream job. I wonder what my 10-year-old self would think if she knew what she'd go on to eventually do. The fact that this chapter is ending and I'm leaving the series is bittersweet, I'll miss it for sure but it's time to move on and let somebody else have a shot at the Turtles, and I'll be back for more before you know it, whatever form that might take. As two great men once said, ‘change is constant’ and ‘life at best is bittersweet.’”
Vincenzo Federici: “The meaning of this experience as a TMNT artist is too much for me to describe. If someone has had the opportunity to listen to my crazy speeches at NYCC panels in the last two years, they know that the TMNT were the main reason to make me choose this job when I was seven. And that's it!
When Tom Waltz asked me to be the artist on ARMAGEDDON GAME I was so excited that I stopped sleeping for two days! Then, at the end of that event series, I was asked to be the main artist on the ongoing series until issue #150 and this was the ultimate blast. I was truly inspired by the previous artist's job, this helped me to create a personal vision of the TMNT and their world. This Road to #150 is an amazing run, full of surprise and action. Many revelations will be made and the fans will be delighted by them. I feel that TMNT is an evergreen title and they are able to cross generations. I put all of myself into these pages."
Ronda Pattison: “It's been a real career highlight to be part of such an impressively long run of TMNT with IDW, right from the beginning. I've worked with some amazing colleagues – writers, editors, an impressive array of artists – some of whom I'm lucky enough to call friends now. Most of all, I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a beloved franchise and – hopefully – leave my mark in some small way.”
Shawn Lee: “Having grown up a fan of the comics, the cartoons, the toys, it's just a fantastic feeling to have contributed, in my small way, to this quirky self-published comic turned global smash!”
Fero Pe: “As a fan of Turtles since the '80s and living through the Turtlemania of the '90s, it was always a dream to be able to participate in anything related to my heroes. Since issue one of IDW's TMNT came out, I told myself that I wanted to participate in that comic. Having the opportunity to draw them, and for several issues, exceeded any expectations. I am very grateful.”
Dan Duncan: “The Turtles introduced me to comics as a kid, so this book was not just the job that started my career, it changed my life. I'm so proud of my time here and grateful to IDW, Nickelodeon and Kevin Eastman who let me be a part of it. Even after I left, I was excited to be a fan and while it’s sad to see something so special wrap up, I hope everyone is as proud as I am and as a fan I'm excited to see what's next. Congratulations to you all!”
Tom Waltz: “Back in 2011, when I was first asked to join Team TMNT at IDW as the ongoing series writer, I was praying I'd at least get four issues of the story I'd concocted out to the public before I was run out of town. But before I knew it, four issues became 12, then 25, then 50... and suddenly I was at issue #100, and it was time to hand the main writing reins over to the amazingly talented Sophie Campbell. And here we are now, on the final stretch of The Road to 150, and Sophie has taken our beloved TMNT series to new and exciting heights during her fantastic run, all the while maintaining the core consistency of what makes a TMNT tale a... well, a TMNT tale. Family, friendship, relatable protagonists, nuanced antagonists, real-world dangers and drama mixed with gritty street action and fantastical adventures, and on and on. It's all been there every step of the way for Sophie's fifty issues, and she's gonna wrap it all up with one mind-blowing bow on top. What a great time to be a shellhead!”
Kevin Eastman: “For me, the IDW TMNT Comic Book Universe is a definitive one. When it was launched in 2011, Tom Waltz proposed to bring together elements from the first 25 years of storytelling, and from all various TMNT Universes, and with the help of a small army of extremely talented artisans, and nailed it brilliantly for 100 consecutive issues. Passing the baton off to Sophie Campbell for the following 50 fantastic issues solidified this TMNT foundation as the place where anything is, was, and has been possible. This wonderful place has been our collective ‘home’ for the past 12 years, and although we may see a ‘conclusion,’ but after 40 years of adventures, we won't see an end.”
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #150 goes on sale April 10, 2024, and will include 68 pages of story for $9.99 USD. The milestone issue will have a Cover A by Vincenzo Federici, Cover B by Kevin Eastman and Sophie Campbell, Cover C by Dan Duncan, and cover D by Jesse Lonergan.
Invader Comics has a new Kickstarter project running with a new series beginning - Neurorcron #1 is live now!
Prepare to immerse yourself in a world teetering on the edge of chaos. Neurorcron unfurls a tale of corruption, greed, and runaway technology in the not-so-distant future. What begins as a seemingly random murder in the notorious "Techslum" escalates when the victim's corpse is discovered to be enhanced with illegal biotech. FBI agent Vera Morales delves into the mystery, unraveling connections to a reclusive techno-cultist and stumbling upon a conspiracy that could redefine human evolution. As all signs point to a leading weapons developer, Vera races against time to crack the case before humanity reaches a point of no return.