Wag, Blüdwire, Spring Manga, and New Adventures From The Trigan Empire Book One
From Mad Cave Studios, Manga Mavericks & the Treasury Of British Comics
Here is the latest comics news and previews, including:
A new collected edition of Wag.
Introducing a new series, Blüdwire!.
New upcoming manga from Manga Mavericks.
And a special hardback of the New Adventures From The Trigan Empire.
It could be remnants of ancient technology, or he might just be crazy…
Wag - a new post-apocalyptic graphic novel is coming in June 2026 from Mad Cave Studios.
Following the critically acclaimed title Nostalgia, Mad Cave Studios is thrilled to announce WAG, the second graphic novel from writer Scott Hoffman (co-founder and member of the multi-platinum group Scissor Sisters).
Designed by award-winning graphic designer Rian Hughes (2000 AD, Vertigo, Batman: Black and White) and illustrated by Juan Bobillo (She-Hulk, Howard the Duck, Astonishing X-Men), Wag pairs genuine collectible appeal with a character-driven sci-fi story brought to life by expressive, clear-eyed artwork that connects across generations.
Wag, a loner in a post-apocalyptic world, hears voices in his head. It could be remnants of ancient technology ("old magic"), or he might just be crazy. With the aid of an ever-growing band of oddballs, Wag sets out on a quest to discover the source of his troubles—confronting strange and deadly enemies along the way—and ultimately fight an epic battle with the evil forces responsible for the collapse of civilization!
“Wag is a product of the pandemic: my first attempt at comic writing, and a host of ideas born out of the fear, disruption, and paranoia of a changing world,” said Scott Hoffman. “I love apocalyptic stories, but one thing I hadn't seen addressed enough was ways our everyday lives could change through this disruption. How does our mental health endure, how do we survive without modern conveniences, and, notably, what happens when the pills are gone? That, mixed with a growing chorus of conspiracy theories and a very early hint of the coming AI reality, shaped what became Wag. It's a personal story to me in the sense that it hyperbolizes that very real moment we were in and maybe still haven't escaped from, with every passing day pushing that world closer to believability. I hope readers see a bit of themselves in their own struggles, but also find some hope in its escapism and the beauty of Juan's beautifully rendered world.”
Juan Bobillo added, “Scott Hoffman and I worked together before in a short story called NOAH, and it was amazing. Easy as magic. Both experiences are among my favourite artistic adventures. I would not ever miss an opportunity to work with an artist like him. I love the plot he sets in each story (I had the chance to read other projects from him). I love the music and poetry that comes from the dialogues he writes. Wag was pure fun from the beginning. The cherry on top was Rian's covers that sum up all the coolness you can find in a story about love and true soul survival in apocalyptic times.”
For fans of character-driven sci-fi, design-forward graphic novels, and post-apocalyptic stories that center on empathy, found family, and hope amid collapse, Wag is a natural pull-list pick!
The 144-page paperback arrives in comic shops and bookstores on July 21, 2026, with a Direct Market FOC of June 29. Preorders are also available through the Mad Cave Studios website.
Love Is Love. Liberation Is Violent.
A new series from Mad Cave Studios with an excellent team behind it - check out Blüdwire.
Love is love. Liberation is violent.
Mad Cave Studios is thrilled to announce BLÜDWIRE, a tender love story surrounded by a hail of bullets. Launching this summer, the five-issue series unites critically acclaimed writer Paul Allor (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Guardians of the Galaxy) with artist Ermitis Blanco (The Crying Boy) and colorist Brittany Peer (Fantastic Four, Scarlet Witch), with lettering by Allor and Cover A by Victor Ibáñez, Cover B by Mirka Andolfo, and an exclusive Pride Variant by Rachael Stott. Together, the team delivers a breakneck tale that blends explosive sci-fi thrills with a provocative exploration of identity, agency, and survival, as every confrontation and every mile gained on the road to freedom.
Ace and Zora were built for men’s pleasure. Now they’re building a life of their own, one bullet at a time.
When sex bot Ace mounts a dangerous rescue mission, she isn’t starting a revolution. She’s trying to save the woman she loves. But Ace and Zora are valuable property, and a corporate kill squad is hot on their trail.
Bullets fly. Metal screams. Rivers run red with blood and coolant.
Writer Paul Allor shared, “This is a story I've carried in my head for at least a decade, long enough for it to simmer into something more poignant and poisonous than my original conception. We've all seen the very real harm of a society that increasingly treats ordinary people as commodities for the ultra-rich and absurdly powerful; a society that measures women, in particular, solely by their usefulness to the men who run everything—So, I took my iridescent rage at that and sharpened it into a five-issue weapon: a story of two sex-bots in love, kissing and groping and killing their way across the countryside.”
Artist Ermitis Blanco added, “I remember the first thing I told Paul after reading the script: it’s like a cyberpunk Thelma and Louise, as complex, sharp, and fragmented as we all are today, but grounded in the idea that love and speed might be the only things that determine whether you survive. It’s also the script with the most action scenes I’ve ever read, hahaha—though I never actually told Paul that. The emotions move at the same speed as bullets and electric shocks, and I wanted the story to carry the rhythm of an animated series, something intense in both the drawing and the narration. Along the way, without even realizing it, my style evolved alongside the characters. The growth was mutual, and I hope readers feel some of that evolution, too.”
"Blüdwire feels relevant now more than ever," said Colorist Brittany Peer. "Its creative team has a perspective and a passion for inclusivity and diversity. Also, robot girlies? Always iconic!"
At its heart, Blüdwire is a love story that refuses to be programmed.
Blending the kinetic chaos of Mad Max: Fury Road with the rebellious spirit of stories like Bitch Planet and Saga, the series delivers a relentless sci-fi chase grounded in emotional intimacy and moral conviction. Brutal and tender in equal measure, Blüdwire explores autonomy in a world built on control, and the power of choosing love anyway.
Blüdwire #1 goes on sale June 24, 2026, with Final Order Cut-off on June 1. Preorder from your favorite comic shop or from Mad Cave directly.
Manga Mavericks Books Announces New Spring Releases
Manga Mavericks has released details on their new manga titles coming out in Spring 2026.
Manga Mavericks LLC, a new manga publisher serving North America, previews a variety of upcoming releases set for release this Spring. Seven titles are scheduled to debut that include the launch of 5 new series and additions to 2 ongoing titles.
New series launches include the digital release of the nature-driven fantasy drama HORON OF THE CLOSED COUNTRY, the bizarre time traveling adventure PIPE MACHINE (a bundled release featuring Vols. 1-2), the ballet and tokusatsu-inspired BALLET HERO FANTASY, a good versus evil battle in DIVINE MESSENGERS & DEMONIC GUARDIANS, and the print debut of the aquatic monster series FISHGOD.
Also catch the latest additions to a pair of ongoing digital series including the fantasy adventure series PATH FROM TANUKI TEMPLE (presented in full color), and the continuing adventures of a supernatural worker and his demonic coworkers in ZIGOKU’S FOREMAN.
The Trigan Empire Rises Again!
The return is coming, and from the Treasury Of British Comics in May 2026 is the release of the New Adventures From The Trigan Empire Book One.
For the first time since 1982 – the Trigan Empire rises once again!
From the award-winning creative team of writer Michael Carroll (Judge Dredd, Dreadnoughts) and artist Tom Foster (Judge Dredd), New Adventures from the Trigan Empire pick up the torch to continue the classic comics story originally told by Mike Butterworth and Don Lawrence.
This brand new original graphic novel will be published on 20th May 2026 in a luxurious hardcover edition, with a special numbered webshop edition available exclusively from the 2000 AD and Treasury of British webshops.
While the original series detailed the rise of the mighty Trigan Empire, this new graphic novel depicts its fall. Decades have passed since the empire reached its zenith and an ageing Emperor Trigo has started to think about who his successor may be. His right-hand man and nephew, Janno, is perceived as the natural successor - but Trigo's abandoned son, Nikko, has long harboured a grudge against his father and now, having built his own Empire whilst in exile, he's in perfect position to take revenge on his family and seize the Empire he believes is rightfully his...
Writer Michael Carroll said: “The idea of continuing such an iconic, well-loved comic strip was a tad absolutely terrifying at first, but it’s a story I’ve adored since I first encountered it in Look and Learn back in the early 1970s, so there was no way I could or would turn down the opportunity and the honour… Thrilling tales of heroic swordsmen in jet-fighters battling slavering monsters and devious aliens, all gloriously rendered by some of the finest comic artists in the business. Who wouldn’t want to work on that? This is both right up my alley and very well established in my wheelhouse!
“The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire ran for sixteen years. It opens with the founding of Trigan City, and the forging of the Empire, and it really is wonderfully inventive stuff, with dozens of exhilarating stories told over hundreds of pages… But where do we go from there? How do we pick up the reins on a story that’s been on hiatus for four decades – especially one that might feel a little old-fashioned to some present-day readers – while still staying true to its legacy? Luckily, we have the phenomenal Tom Foster on board providing some career-best artwork, and as for the story… well, sadly, my spoilerphobia prevents me from giving away any plot details. But, you know, we never did get to see the fall that was promised in the original title…”
Artist Tom Foster said: “To be the artist tasked with reprising The Trigan Empire is equally intimidating. It's a beloved title with a history of excellent art from some of the era's best UK comics artists. Luckily, Michael's script is so much fun to work on that, for all the pressure to do a good job, it's a pleasure to go to work every day. It's also my first fully-painted book, so that's a nice change (although it also comes with its share of distinct challenges). For those Trigan Empire fans who are eager to see how it's going to look, we have that much in common as I'm only about a third of the way through painting it. As Michael says, we never quite got 'round to seeing the titular 'fall' of the empire, but, by November, we might at least have some idea of if I'm personally responsible.”
New Adventures From The Trigan Empire is available to pre-order now, releasing on the 20th May!
