Mary Zorilita Bellamy: Indie Creator Spotlight

 

If you've ever considered making your own comics, Mary Zorilita Bellamy recommends you try it. She regards herself as an artist who taught herself how to write. While doing cover art for licensed properties like My Little Pony, Mary created her own series. One title she is especially proud of is Faux Files. Mary tailored the series to young girls, an area of the comic community she felt the publishers were ignoring. 

 

 

 

As Mary kept writing and drawing the series, and her stories grew more refined, her audience kept coming back for more. She started Faux Files in 2000 and is finally concluding it this year with Faux Files Vol 11. Still, that won’t be the end of Faux Files. When she collects the individual volumes in larger editions, Mary plans to make them sparkle by including new stories.

 

While Mary Zorilita Bellamy enjoys writing comics, she also sees it as therapy. As a neurodivergent author and artist, she crafts stories for readers who may wonder why they’re different from their peers. Mary also sees creating comics as a lifesaver. When a postoperative infection made her home-bound, creating art and comics helped Mary get through that difficult period of her life.

 

 

 

Perhaps you've written a script for a comic. Or maybe, like Mary, you've crafted storyboards to help visualize the story. Still, she suggests encapsulating the story before you start. Whether creating the story for a publisher or yourself, reduce your story to no more than two sentences. The sharp, focused elevator pitch will keep you on track as you work and reduce the stress that accompanies any creative endeavor. Thanks to Mary Zorilita Bellamy and Wondercon 2026 for sharing this story with us. 

 

To connect with Mary Zorilita Bellamy, ask her questions, and check out her books, see her website. And if you're attending San Diego Comic Con, visit her at Small Press N04.

 

For more on the lives and struggles of indie comic creators, see my Wondercon 2026 post: David Lucarelli: Indie Creator Spotlight.  

Rafael García: Henchman #2 Preview

 

COVER A: FLOPS

Lita said he'd be a good squad leader. Or at least, that's what Rafael heard. It's been two years since she threw him out. Still, with Danny's retirement, perhaps he has a shot at impressing the love of his life. But can Rafael be a cool boss like Danny and handle the demands of leadership? And can he resist the call of cannabis when his former girlfriend sells stems and seeds at Medical Organix?

Here's all the info from Titan Comics: 

RAFAEL GARCIA HENCHMAN #2

Writer: Peter Murrietta, David Schrader

Artist: Ben Herrera

Cover Artists: Flops, Ben Herrera & Ramon Villalobos 

Publisher: Titan Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages (full color)

Price: $4.99 

Release Date: April 22 2026

 

The Future is Empty. Rafael endures a Maverick, Inc. team-building (and blaming) seminar before leading his squad on a dangerous mission that brings them a blast from the recent past

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are more cover options:

 

 

COVER B: BEN HERRERA

 

COVER C: RAMON VILLALOBOS

Thanks to Titan Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my review of Rafael Garcia Henchman #1. 

 

More info: 

https://titan-comics.com/c/2427-rafael-garcia-henchman/

Absolute Wonder Woman #19 Review

 

Absolute Wonder Woman #19 Review

Writer: Kelly Thompson

Artist: Hayden Sherman

Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

Letterer: Becca Carey

Editors: Ash Padilla & Chris Conroy

Cover Artists: Hayden Sherman & Jordie Bellaire; Ben Oliver; Carmine Di Giandomenico; Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock

Release Date: April 22, 2026

 

When Zatanna's father attacked her, Diana fled. Barbara Minerva watched as the Amazon she dedicated her new exhibit to abandoned her. Then, the people of Gateway City saw Wonder Woman fall into the sea. When Pegasus carried her to the Hieron, Zatanna blew past Diana’s wards, invading her sacred home.

 

Zatanna released Diana from her spell, but she won’t help the Amazon attack her father. Diana has witnessed how Veronica Cale can force people to commit unspeakable crimes. Still, she must protect the people in Gateway City from the burning skeleton, Giganta, and whatever else Cale sends to attack them. Can the Troika free Giovanni Zatara from Cale's control? And will the attack in the Natural History Museum shake the public's faith in Diana? Let’s leap into Absolute Wonder Woman #19 and see!

 

Story

Giovanni Zatara tormented Diana with fire. As her magic arm melted away, fire burned in her veins. Zatara’s daughter may have freed Diana from her control. Still, restoring her body and her magic arm takes a toll on Diana. As she returns to Gateway City, Diana marches toward Zatara. She doesn’t know if she can free him from Veronica Cale’s control. Nor does Diana know if she can survive the encounter. Still, Diana risks her life to protect people from overwhelming forces.

 

In Absolute Wonder Woman #19, Diana wields a new lasso. Imbued with the essence of three gods, she hopes it can reveal the magician’s deepest secrets. Harnessing her magic to help people is nothing new to Diana. After experiencing Medusa’s pain, Diana couldn’t rest until she braved the Gorgon’s glare to free her from her isolation. This time, Diana carries the Troika instead of Sacrifice, the lasso of Transmogrification. But she is weak and may lack the concentration to control it.

 

Diana has always been special. Exiled from her people, Circe raised her on an island in Hell. Yet her patron goddesses visited Diana regularly to talk with her, train her, and show her how much they loved her. After Diana confronted Gaia with the truth about their world, Kelly Thompson reveals why the gods trained her and fortified the Amazon with aspects of themselves.

 

Diana may never know why the goddess she loved abandoned her. Her longing to see Aphrodite again plagues her flagging spirit. Yet to protect the people of Gateway City and heal a tormented magician, Diana confronts Zatara in Absolute Wonder Woman #19.

 

Art

While Circe works with glowing thread, Aphrodite gazes into the fire. When the goddess rises from the floor, Circe abandons the yarn and her chair, pausing to gaze at her adoptive daughter before obeying. As she dwells in Diana's heart, Aphrodite occupies the center of each page in which she appears. Yet when readers arrive in the present, a tall, thin panel obscures an overhead view of Gateway City as Steve and Etta carry the endangered to safety.

 

As Diana appears fighting the skeleton, the panel shapes of the two-page layout evoke the yellow and orange flames Zatara hurls at her. The same orange fires that warmed Circe’s home in Hell burn in Gateway City. The overwhelming orange tinges Giganta’s hair and skin as she seeks an adversary. Despite wielding the Troika instead of Sacrifice, Diana's skin turns green, evoking Medusa and her sisters, as she and Zatara undergo their trial. Yet as the colors of his inner torment link past with present, Veronica Cale's pink jacket evokes Diana's beloved goddess in Absolute Wonder Woman #19.

 

While Hayden Sherman’s inventive page layouts and Jordie Bellaire’s contrasting colors make powerful visual statements, Becca Carey uses white block letters to differentiate time and place. Uppercase black letters occupy white dialogue balloons. Diana’s thoughts fill white narrative boxes with WW in the top-left corner. Blue backwards words in white balloons with blue borders attempt to repel adversaries. As Aphrodite’s white words in red balloons with pink borders convey concern, Diana’s white letters in black balloons with purple and pink borders offer assistance. Sound effects change from yellow to orange and red as the stakes for everyone rise in Gateway City. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Life is a journey of continual transformation. But each time we enter another chapter of our lives, it takes bravery to approach the crossroads. We need strength and clarity to navigate the intersecting paths, and the determination to travel a new one. When Diana moved to Gateway City, each of her new friends chose to brave the crossroads to begin a new journey with her. But now, as a weakened Diana approaches an angry, tormented magician, the Amazon wonders if she can guide Giovanni Zatara through his crossroads in Absolute Wonder Woman #19.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Absolute Wonder Woman #19.

 

For what happened last time, see my review of Absolute Wonder Woman #18.

 

For Diana's encounter with Medusa, see my review of Absolute Wonder Woman Annual #1. 

Ghostbox: Black & White #3 Preview

 

 

After Messer shot her sister, Chloe killed him. But it wasn't really her. Instead, it was the spirit of Mary Fields possessing her. Still, when the police find the murder scene, all they find is the gun, Jan's body, and a pile of bones resembling a horse. As far as they're concerned, Messer didn't exist. And the only finger prints on the gun belong to Chloe.

Locked in a police cell, Chloe doesn't understand when a horrific creature grows out of the wall. But this time, she's not waiting on anyone to save her. Can Chloe take the Ghostbox to a place of safety? And what nightmarish creatures will attack her next?

Here's all the info from Comixology:

 

Ghostbox: Black & White #3

Written by Mike Carey 

Art by Pablo Raimondi

Publisher: Comixology

Price: $2.99 (Free to read with your Amazon Prime membership)

Release Date: April 21, 2026 

Experience the series in raw black and white!

 

Where Chloe runs, the Estival follow. Gerwais has a plan that might shake them off but it will only work if she can get to a place of worship, with half the Cornish police force on her tail. Meanwhile in the ghostbox Jan finds new information and new dangers.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Comixology and Superfan Promotions for sharing this preview with us.

For what happened last time, see my review of Ghostbox: Black & White #2.

For how this series started, see my preview of Ghostbox: Black & White #1. 

 

You can find the series at Amazon. 

Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #5 Preview

 

When Poison Ivy helped Harley Quinn break free of an abusive relationship, she didn't realize that the Joker would set the police on her. Nor is she good with relationships. But with the GCPD hunting them, Harley offers her a means of escape. Now, they're in Brooklyn, hooking up with a woman who takes in runaway teens. Will Ivy and Harley bring down the wrath of the authorities on Ma Hunkel? And can they learn to trust each other?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #5 Preview

Writer, Artist & Cover Artist: Erica Henderson

Variant Cover Artists: Leirix & Rickie Yagawa

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $3.99 US/Variant Covers $4.99 US (Card Stock)

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Release Date: April 22, 2026

 

A Red Tornado of emotions (and mischief)!

 

On the lam from the law, the increasingly close gal pals only have so many safe havens they can hunker down in. Luckily, Harley remembers one such place of perfect harmony—Ma Hunkel’s house! That’s right—the Golden Age Red Tornado herself, Scribbly Jibbet’s landlord Ma Hunkel! Buy this issue and discovery why Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and Arianna Turturro got banned from an all-you-can-eat buffet in Biloxi!

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my review of Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #4.

 

For how this series began, see my preview of Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #1.

 

Detective Comics #1108 Preview

 

The Lion may have freed Gotham of its fear. Sadly, people sometimes make poor decisions when they don't look before they leap. So, Batman and Mr Terrific's team worked to reverse the Lion's cure. 

Now, Batman wonders about some of the decisions made during that time. Chief among those are the coroner's ruling that three informants in protective custody died of natural custody on the same night. How did the whistleblowers die before they could testify against Klep Corp? And how might the company's owners be linked with someone the Bat and Arrow families loved and admired?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Detective Comics #1108 Preview

Writer: Tom Taylor

Artist: Pete Woods

Cover Artist: Mikel Janín

Variant Cover Artists: Dustin Nguyen & Scott Godlewski

Things To Comic Variant Cover Artist: Pete Woods

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99 US/Variant Covers $5.99 US (Card Stock)

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Release Date: April 22, 2026

 

Dynamic Trio!

 

Batman, Green Arrow, and Black Canary continue their investigation into the secretive family at the center of a strange conspiracy—but the deeper they dig, the larger the conspiracy becomes, and they soon realize its implications may be tied to their own shared history.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Detective Comics #1107. 

Catwoman #86 Review

 

Catwoman #86 Review

Writer: Torunn Grønbekk

Artist: Davide Gianfelice

Colorist: Patricio Delpeche

Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover Artists: Seba Fiumara, Frank Cho, Michael Walsh & W Scott Forbes

Things To Come Variant Cover Artist: Manny Vincent Carbonilla

April Drools Variant Cover Artist: Saowee

Editors: James Reid, Arianna Turturro & Rob Levin

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $3.99/$4.99 Card Stock

Release Date: April 15, 2026

 

Selina Kyle may not have life all figured out. Still, she knows how to have fun. Sadly, her return to Gotham hasn't been smooth sailing. Selina's landlord evicted her from her apartment. Her friend Holly needs her help. Then there's Carmine Falcone, who's still unsure what to do about the Venice affair.

 

While Selina and the mob boss dance around the Italian job, her first mission for him puts GCPD Commissioner Vandal Savage at odds with the Feds. But if Carmine Falcone doesn't know what to do with Selina, others know exactly how they'd like to treat her. And they're determined to make her homecoming worse before it gets better. How will Black Mask attack Selina next? And will former Catwoman, Holly Robinson, end up in his crosshairs? Let’s leap into Catwoman #86 and see!

 

Story

She found him at his lowest ebb. With his empire crumbling around him, not even torture could restore Black Mask's spirit. But Katarina Belov's resilience inspired him. Selina Kyle had destroyed her world, too. Yet Katarina had arisen with the money Black Mask needed to get back on his feet. All she asked was that he torment Selina Kyle. So, Black Mask begins at the end. Or at least the end of George’s life. With her homeless friend lying dead in the apartment, Selina Kyle hears his voice from a satellite phone. Instead of the eviction notice, she finds a note taped to her door. And she hears the Gotham Police climbing the stairs.

 

After beginning two weeks ago, when Selina returned to Gotham, Catwoman #86 launches Selina Kyle on a hunt. Just as Selina changes identities to tell passersby a story, Black Mask constructs a narrative for her. But while Selina pursues Black Mask's clues, his story recalls Katarina Belov’s hunt for Selina. Once more, the police want Selina after attending a charity gala. Again, the GCPD seek her in the apartment that anchors Selina’s cherished life in Gotham. Yet this time, Selina's safehouse doesn't offer her the same freedom she once found in an alias.

 

In Torunn Grønbekk’s story, Gotham once again becomes too hot for Selina Kyle. Instead of traveling around the world and pursuing clues to Evie Hall's death, Selina Kyle follows Black Mask's breadcrumbs through Gotham. And instead of Katarina Belov burning down Selina's life as Evie Hall, Black Mask seeks to destroy Selina Kyle's life as thoroughly as she helped bring down Katarina's empire in Catwoman #86.

 

Art

While he gives her a wooden chair, Black Mask cannot sit still before her golden mask. So, he rises as she speaks with him. As she removes her mask, Katarina remembers wandering through the flames Selina unleashed in her mansion. Recalling a nurse who showed her kindness, Katarina Belov touches his mask. When she cradles his chin in her bandaged fingers, Black Mask rises to cover her ravaged features.

 

As Davide Gianfelice propels Selina Kyle on a race against time, Patricio Delpeche adorns Catwoman #86 with a roving palette of limited colors. Black, gray, and tan surround Black Mask as he speaks with Katarina. Her light-blue and red clothes link with memories of her reduced state before Black Mask uplifts her. A red chair links with her red eye, and red marks of deception amid a green-tinged battle that recalls Selina's invasion of Vandal Savage's domain. Yet like the Corvette parked outside the pub where she met Holly, another red vehicle warns of imminent danger.

 

Steve Wands locates readers in time and space with white lowercase letters. While the narrator employs black lowercase letters in yellow boxes, Katarina's off-camera dialogue fills yellow balloons. White starbursts showcase phone calls as Selena's thoughts inhabit lavender boxes. Black letters in dialogue balloons grow bold for intonation and enlarge for increased volume. Yet as small, faint letters force Selina Kyle to think like her tormentor, a siren erupts in the night. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Carmine Falcone unleashed a wave of death around the world to demonstrate that he was untouchable. Yet Selina Kyle proved that he wasn’t. After working for him to rebuild her life in Gotham and help people like George and Holly, Black Mask uses Katarina Belov's money to send a wave of death crashing upon everyone Selina cares about. But while Black Mask reveres her as a swan in Catwoman #86, he has brought a lioness into his den. Alongside her late husband, Katarina built an empire upon drugs and secrets. And she’s written books on Carmine Falcone and Black Mask.

 

Rating 9.4/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Catwoman #86.

 

For what happened last time, see my review of Catwoman #85. 

Unemployed Killers Support Group Preview

 

After leaving the hospital, his broker delivers more bad news. Lawrence can't afford to keep Locker on the payroll anymore. Sure, he did his job well before his head injury. But with Locker slowly losing his sight, no one wants to book jobs with a blind hitman. How will Locker transition to the next phase of his life? And who will help him get through it?

Here's all the info from Titan Manga:

 

UNEMPLOYED KILLERS SUPPORT GROUP

Author/artist: Rio

Publisher: Titan Manga

SC, 256pp, B&W, $12.99

On sale: April 21, 2026

 

For fans of Reservoir Dogs-style dark comedy and chaotic criminal camaraderie, a Noir-turned-Manga.

Rio delivers stunning artwork, sharp wit, blood-soaked backstories, and a brutally offbeat take on redemption.

 

Unemployed Killers Support Group is a razor-sharp, darkly hilarious noir-esque manga from Taiwanese creator Rio. This is not your average self-help group.

 

Locker Loyed, once a deadly sniper, lost his vision — and his job — on a mission gone wrong. Now, he’s joined an unlikely circle of former contract killers, each grappling with their own personal collapse. Among them: Gloria Maze, a meticulous assassin whose career imploded after catching her husband cheating and killing the mistress in a jealous rage; Jerry Cole, a justice-obsessed lawyer turned bloodthirsty executioner; and Jordi Joe, a delusional con man who’s never actually killed anyone.

As they try to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, Locker begins to realize his past isn’t done with him. A dangerous figure—the one responsible for his blindness and a friend’s death — is still at large. And revenge is still on the table.

For fans of dark comedy, crime thrillers, and twisted found family, Unemployed Killers Support Group is a bold, bloody, and brilliantly offbeat ride through the lives of society’s most dangerous burnouts. Welcome to the group—check your conscience at the door.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and Forbidden Planet for the UK.  

 

 

Thanks to Titan Manga for sharing this preview with us.