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The 2024 edition of San Diego Comic-Con was a rousing return to “big media” form after a half-decade of pandemics, scaled down events, and Hollywood strikes. But if the major studio announcements led by Marvel’s big Doctor Doom reveal grabbed the lion’s share of the headlines, it was still a notable show for the dozens of comics publishers who use the big stage to unveil their plans for the coming year.
Here’s a roundup of some of the most notable news from comics and graphic novel publishers that broke during SDCC 2024:
DC made big news by rebranding with its old “bullet” logo, and also brought some crowd-pleasing publishing news. The company is jazzed about its new Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman and Absolute Wonder Woman, which reimagines the characters in a new universe that is “entirely different but integrally connected” to DC’s cosmology, according to DC Publisher Jim Lee and series writer Scott Snyder. Absolute Flash by Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles will join the line in March, 2025. This goes along with DC All In, which establishes a new status quo for the DCU, coming in October. Ram V will be taking Jack Kirby’s Fourth World in new directions (art by Evan Cagle) and Mark Waid and Dan Mora will revamp the Justice League lineup in November. The company is also bringing back the Milestone Media property Shadow Cabinet in a 4-issue series debuting in November.
Marvel Comics, despite being overshadowed by its much buzzier movie arm, sent its top brass, including President Dan Buckley, VP of Print and Digital Publishing David Gabriel, and editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski to the company’s “Next Big Thing” panel to unveil a new West Coast Avengers title in the fall, and a one-shot Ultimate Universe: One Year In book in December. The company is also extending its partnership with top Manga publisher Viz Media, with titles including Spider-Man: Octo-Girl, X-Men: The Manga, and a crossover with Ultraman, Ultraman: Along Came a Spider-Man. It is unclear how many manga fans want to read about Marvel superheroes and vice versa, but this union of the giants will be the test. Marvel also announced new line of comics aimed at kids and younger readers, including one based on the Spidey and His Amazing Friends animated series. Expect Marvel to be swinging the spotlight to the Fantastic Four ahead of the 2025 feature film release.
Image Comics cofounder Todd McFarlane announced a few new Spawn titles to tie in with the much-anticipated King Spawn movie (now reportedly back on track). Actor David Dastmalchian was a surprise guest at the panel, talking up his new comic Knights VS Samurai.
IDW Publishing renewed its license for Star Trek comics with Paramount Entertainment and will feature a new story co-written by Patton Oswald. The company was also promoting its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles relaunch for the 40th anniversary of the property.
Mad Cave Studios, celebrating its tenth year in business,announced that former Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada is launching his imprint Amazingin partnership with top European comics publisher Dupuis. The first title blends Shakespeare’s Hamlet with contemporary and mythological elements.
DSTLRY completed its first year by debuting new technology that allows digital comics to be customized with signatures and sketches, making them more unique and collectable. The company also announced a new title by superstar creators Scott Snyder and Jock, You Won’t Feel a Thing.
Top graphic novel publisher Abrams ComicArts is launching Abrams Monthly Comics with three series featuring the talents of Frank Miller and film director Daren Aronofsky, rolling out in fall, 2024. Human Nature is a satire about a wealthy magnate seeking immortality, written by Aronsoofsky, Ari Handel and Jeff Welsh, with art by Martin Morazzo. Pandora is written by Miller, Chris Silvestry and Anthony Maranville, with art by Emma Kubert. Invasive Species, created and written by Miller, features art by Ryan Benjamin and John Livesay.
Former IDW editor Scott Dunbier, who developed the deluxe “Artist Edition” format, has launched his own company ACT 4, with plans to publish new oversized art collections featuring the work of Wally Wood, Will Eisner, Jim Aparo and others.
Longtime comics news resource Comics Beat announced KComicsBeat, a new site devoted to vertically-scrolling webcomics and Korean pop culture, in partnership with webtoon publisher Tapas Entertainment.
Dark Horse Comics is launching a new line of comics based on the Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast properties Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons.
Bad Idea was handing out previews of Planet Death, by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad, writer Robert Venditti, and mind-blowing art by Tomás Giorello, due out in spring, 2025. Kolstad will also be adapting the thriller Ordained, the company announced on its panel.
Dynamite Entertainment kept up a steady stream of announcements throughout the show, announcing that Gail Simone will write a new James Bond series, Iridescent along with its new license deals for Barbarella, Duck Tales and Thundarr.
Aspen Comics announced a new universe called Ekos from David Maisel, founding chairman of Marvel Studios, based on the work of the late comics artist Michael Turner and writer Geoff Johns. Korean entertainment company HYBE is also involved.
Oni Press celebrated the 20th anniversary of the popular Scott Pilgrim and leaned hard into its relaunch of the iconic (and iconoclastic) EC line of horror and science fiction comics.
Rocketship Entertainment announced a three-book series of graphic novels for middle grades based on the Angry Birds franchise, written by Paul Tobin (Plants vs. Zombies) and drawn by Thom Zahler. The company is also re-releasing the Pacific Rim tie-ins originally published by Legendary Comics as a deluxe omnibus edition.
“}]] While big media glommed the spotlight at this year’s Comic-Con, comic publishers of all sizes announced some exciting new projects. Read More