MFKZ Vol 5: V HC Spotlight

 

 

As the 35th President of the United States, John F Kennedy encouraged decolonization, founded the Peace Corps, and supported the Civil Rights Movement in America. Perhaps he is best remembered for challenging the United States to send astronauts to the Moon. 

Less well known is his part in Apollo 11's discovery of an alien Ark on the dark side of the Moon. And to this day, no one knows the complete truth about his death in Dallas, Texas. Who was really behind his assassination? And how did John F Kennedy's death affect the future of Humanity? 

Here's all the info from Magnetic Press:

 

MFKZ VOL. 5: V HC

WRITTEN, ART, AND COVER BY GUILLAUME 'RUN' RENARD Based on the Netflix film of the same name! This award-winning comic book series has taken the US by storm with a magazine and multiple spin-offs!  DMC is drained of blood after the Machos Blitzkrieg, vicious entities born from the dark matter of the universe. Humanity has no choice but to join forces to resist, failing any attempt at counterattacking. The unified gangs of DMC side with the military in one last shot at survival. But just as the situation seems hopeless and Angelino is caught up in his demons, the first snowflakes of the season fall on the city . . $24.99 | 160 PGS. | FULL COLOR | ON SALE FEBRUARY 18th, 2026

 

Thanks to Magnetic Press, Oni Press, and Superfan Promotions for sharing this spotlight with us. 

Rafael Garcia: Henchman #1 Preview

 

COVER B: ORLANDO ‘MEXIFUNK’ AROCENA

 

James Bond works for Universal Exports. But with tariffs raising the costs of importing and exporting goods between countries, secret organizations are branching out into big box stores. What cases will the agents take on in the new Henchman series? And who will clean up the spill in aisle five?

Here's all the info from Titan Comics: 

RAFAEL GARCIA: HENCHMAN #1 (OF 4)

(W) Peter Murrieta, David Schrader

(A) Ben Herrera

Publisher: Titan Comics

FC, 32pp, $4.99, On Sale March 18, 2026

 

WHAT IF LIFE IN A SUPER-VILLAIN ORGANIZATION WAS LESS LIKE A JAMES BOND MOVIE AND MORE LIKE WORKING AT WALMART CORPORATE?

 

FROM EMMY AWARD-WINNING WRITER PETER MURRIETA (MR. IGLESIAS ) AND WRITER/FILMMAKER DAVID SCHRADER (BABY BADASS)

 

RAFAEL GARCIA: HENCHMAN brings the old familiar tropes of a DARK WORKPLACE COMEDY by way of a brand-new cinematic superhero universe.

 

An action comedy that mixes the daily grind of The Office with the slacker absurdity of Stripes - if the General in charge was more like Lex Luthor.

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

Here are more cover options:

 

COVER A: KIT WALLIS

 

COVER C: DAN MENDOZA DOUBLE COVER NUDE BAGGED $10.00

 

COVER D: KIT WALLIS VIRGIN 

 

 

Thanks to Titan Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

Lenore: Curse of the Beebee Yaga #1 Review

 

Writer, Artist, Colorist & Letterer: Roman Dirge

Cover Artists: Roman Dirge & Kit Wallis

Publisher: Titan Comics

Price: $4.99

Release Date: February 18, 2026

 

After Lenore died, she awakened on the embalming table. When her family rejected her, Lenore found new friends. She revived Ragamuffin, a vampire imprisoned in a doll. Lenore also befriended Pooty, a demon warrior. She lives in her family home in the town of Nevermore and doesn’t understand why people make a big deal about death. After her adventures through time and space, what will Lenore do next? And what dangers will she discover closer to home? Let’s leap into Lenore: Curse of the Beebee Yaga #1 and see!

 

Story

Lenore has a low boredom threshold. Disconnected from the natural order, she has no appreciation for the beauty around her. When she wanders in the forest near her home, Lenore wonders if she should try eating grass. Instead, Pooty hears her. And as she and Ragamuffin attempt to rescue him, the demon warns them about a malicious bee.

 

While the bee attacks Lenore and her friends, Roman Dirge introduces his grandmother. Human folklore tells of the Baba Yaga. The insect world also boasts powerful witches. The Beebee Yaga can cast great and terrible magic. And she proves it when she discovers giant monsters messing with her grandson.

 

Lenore: Curse of the Beebee Yaga #1 evokes "The Last Dance of the Ladybug," included in the Lenore Wedgies HC. Like that earlier tale, Roman Dirge's current ode is another tale of revenge. The story is a vivid reminder of how deeply we can hurt people when teasing gets out of control, or through thoughtless words or actions. Sadly, this is a lesson that Lenore will likely never learn. Lacking parental guidance, Lives lives for diversion. And when something gets on her nerves, the little dead girl has little tolerance for anything that annoys or hurts her.

 

Art

After crossing a fallen tree bridging a chasm, Lenore finds a stone well among twisted trees. The downward view of Pooty recalls where he hails from, while birds rising from the forest evoke Ragamuffin's not-so-brief visit to the Cretaceous Age. While Lenore’s black dress and long white lapels suggest mourning, Ragamuffin’s horizontal black and white outfit suggests incarceration in Lenore: Curse of the Beebee Yaga #1.

 

Pooty’s bucket head is a pale orange, and the demon seems out of shape after becoming one of ancient Rome's greatest gladiators. Lenore's yellow hair pales amid the vibrant yellow and green surroundings. Although he is a doll, red droplets spill from the trapped vampire amid a vicious attack. The blood links Ragamuffin with a deadly weapon that also supports life in Lenore: Curse of the Beebee Yaga #1.

 

Lenore and her friends speak generously sized black uppercase letters into white dialogue balloons, while the Beebee Yaga employs beige balloons. Music notes accompany singing, and sound effects highlight the dangers of venturing into another person’s domain and attacking them without provocation. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

When she meets a supernatural wonder, Lenore remembers what it’s like to be alive. The exhilaration fills her with delight. But giving someone a glimpse of Heaven, and then ripping it away, is one of the cruelest acts possible. And Lenore knows how to repay maliciousness in Lenore: Curse of the Beebee Yaga #1.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Lenore: Curse of the Beebee Yaga #1.

 

Watch an animated adaptation of "The Last Dance of the Ladybug."

 

For more, see my review of Lenore: Wedgies HC Review. 

Skullkickers Cmpact Attack Edition Vol 1 SC Spotlight

 

A Dwarf and a Human make it their mission to defend the repressed villagers of Mudwich. The guards aren't wild about "Shorty" and "Baldy" operating in their town. But when someone assassinates Chancellor Kenby, and his body goes missing, the mercenaries get a commission. Unfortunately, retrieving the stolen corpse proves no easy task. Can they find Chancellor Kenby's body before the "Shorty" goes hungry? And what sinister forces are arrayed to stop them?

Although this series was originally published by Image Comics, Jim Zub created it after spending nine years at UDON Entertainment. The characters, energy, and off-beat humor echo Jim's extensive work on the Street Fighter comics series. If you're a fan of Jim Zub's Conan The Barbarian series for Titan Comics, and wondering what else he's done, check out this popular series that ran for an impressive 33 issues!

Here's all the info from Oni Press:

 

SKULLKICKERS COMPACT ATTACK EDITION VOL. 1 SC

WRITTEN BY JIM ZUB ART BY EDWIN HUANG COVER BY EDWIN HUANG IF YOU LOVE SWORDS, SASSERY, AND A TOUCH OF BLACK-HEARTED VIOLENCE, THEN SKULLKICKERS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! A trio of hard-headed mercenaries kill monsters and cause havoc in their endless search for money, fame, and adventure, from the lauded and ludicrous team of Jim Zub (Dungeons & Dragons, Conan the Barbarian) and Edwin Huang (Street Fighter), now in a book-friendly format perfect for new readers! Skullkickers: Compact Attack Edition Volume 1 collects issues #1–11 of glorious, skull-kicking action! ON SALE FEBRUARY 18th, 2026 | $17.99 | 288 PGS. | FC

 

Thanks to Oni Press and Superfan Promotions for sharing this spotlight with us. 

Devil’s Luck: A Hailstone Story #3 Preview

 

Tim Beacon left the glories of Madison, Wisconsin to return to his hometown. But after the stock market crashed, the money dried up in Hailstone, Montana. Despite being the only dentist around, Tim struggled just to meet the mortgage. Then, his best patient gave him some advice. Tim must take his chances when they appear.

 

Ironically, Leopold Auberon’s advice left him the poorer. His disgruntled employees killed him when they had the chance. When Sam and Louis' drunk friend Harry tried to kill Tim, the dentist dropped Auberon’s severed head down the closed mine. Can Tim and Auberon’s former employees find the skull filled with gold teeth? And will Sam, Louis, and Harry decide Tim is superfluous to requirements? 

 

Here's all the info from Comixology:

 

 

Devil’s Luck: A Hailstone Story #3 

Writer: Rafael Scavone

Artist: Eduardo Ferigato

Letterer: Deyvison Manes

Cover Artists: Eduardo Ferigato & Rafael Albuquerque

Editor: Greg Lockard

Publisher: Comixology Originals

Price: $2.99

Release Date: February 17, 2026

 

After resurfacing alive from the horrors of the abandoned mine, Tim and his partners are finally about to harvest the profits from their sinister plot. However, Tim came out changed by the traumas endured, pushing his partners to doubt the agreement and bringing deadly consequences to the party.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Purchase Devil’s Luck: A Hailstone Story #3 on Amazon.com. Or read it free with your Amazon Prime membership.

 

The Art of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Preview

 

How do you top a beloved TV series? You move beyond what you've done an explore new horizons. That's what Ant Ward and Andy Suriano did when preparing their new series. The likeminded animation and TMNT veterans drew inspiration from movies like Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy and John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China, and Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières' Valérian and Laureline comics. 

The result wowed author Colin Stein, who writes in his introduction, "After 35 years of Turtles, I knew what I wanted from TMNT, but Rise had what I needed." How will this new book, sharing all the love the creators poured into the series, meet your TMNT needs? And when can you snap it up, along with a slice of steaming hot pepperoni pizza and a glass of Todd's sunlight-lemonade?

Here's all the info from IDW Publishing: 

 

IDW Gives Rise to the Art of TMNT with The Art of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles In Stores April 14, Preorder Available Now

The ultimate keepsake and coffee table book for fans of the animated series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is about to hit stores this April with the release of The Art of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! 320 glorious pages of everything from preproduction sketches to final episode designs, this book offers fans an inside look at the creative process that brought Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to life. Discover concept art, character development, and background designs that capture the series’ distinct style. Featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes commentary from the cast and crew, and the evolution of iconic characters like Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo, and April, this collection celebrates the innovation that made the show a standout in the franchise.   “This project is a dream come true! As a lifelong TMNT fan, I never thought I'd get to be a part of the franchise myself,” says writer Colin Stein. “To go from fan to contributor and create the official art book for Rise is my greatest honor. I'm so proud of the book and thrilled to share this celebration of the series that means so much to me.”

 Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

The Art of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be available wherever books are sold, as a full-color hardcover (ISBN: 979-8-887-24364-1) on April 14, 2026, for a list price of $39.99. For more information please visit the IDW Publishing web site.

Thanks to IDW Publishing for sharing this preview with us.

 

About the Author
Colin Stein is an Emmy Award–winning VFX artist based in Oklahoma City with over a decade of experience in marketing and design. Stein is a longtime fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and his deep appreciation and knowledge of the franchise led him to create The Art of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His background in visual effects has fueled his passion for design and animation.

 

About IDW Publishing

IDW (NYSE AMERICAN: IDW) is a leading media company providing uniquely compelling stories and characters in various genres for global audiences across all entertainment platforms. The award-winning IDW Publishing and IDW Entertainment divisions holistically evaluate and acquire IP for franchise development across comics and graphic novels, television, theatrical, merchandise, and other entertainment platforms, in addition to bringing world-renowned storytelling to life with our creative partners.

 

 

 

Absolute Batman #17 Review

      

Writers: Scott Snyder

Artist: Eric Canete

Colorist: Frank Martin

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Cover Artists: Nick Dragotta & Frank Martin; Clayton Crain; Dan Panosian; Eric Canete; Karl Kerschl

Editors: Sabrina Futch & Katie Kubert

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock

Release Date: February 18, 2026

 

Like Bane, Bruce Wayne has a beautifully resilient mind. But not all who escape Ark M are so fortunate. Most leave with their minds transformed, like their tortured bodies. When Bruce appeals to Diana on behalf of his friends, the Amazon fears her lasso of transmogrification will warp their minds further. Who else besides Waylon, Harvey, Ozzie, and Eddie has suffered from Ark M's cruel experiments? And after destroying the stadium, how much more of the city he loves will Batman's next battle destroy? Let’s leap onto our motorcycles, race into Absolute Batman #17, and see!

 

Story

In the center of Gotham, the Heart Building rises. People have often viewed it as a beacon of hope. Now, the Heart Building inspires fear. Mayor Hill has ordered the police to bar anyone within a five-block radius of the triangular tower. GCPD Commissioner Bullock has sent seven officers to find the source of the growing biohazard. When they fall silent. Batman straps a chainsaw to each arm, puts on a respirator and mask to filter out airborne bacteria, and pierces the quarantine zone.

 

As Batman investigates the transformed infrastructure of the Heart Building, he recalls a name he glimpsed in Ark M. Alfred Pennyworth, his man in the chair, studies the instrument readouts. He confirms that the interior of the building is a biological hazard. Alfred also tells Bruce what he learns about Pamela Isley in Absolute Batman #17.

 

While Batman braves the dangers of the Heart Building, Scott Snyder reveals Bruce's recent struggles. We see how his friends have rewarded Bruce's attempt to rectify the havoc Ark M's wreaked on them. But as much as Snyder's story covers Bruce's actions as Batman have transformed those around him, Absolute Batman #17 is also Poison Ivy's story. Snyder peers further into Pamela Isley's past than with Bruce. He reveals a defining moment in Pamela’s life, her determination to pursue her goals, and how her research and Ark M’s experimentation transformed Pamela Isley into Poison Ivy.

 

Art

From the street, snow swirls through the air surrounding the Heart Building. On the roof, Pamela and her mother stand before a wooden planting bench filled with potted plants. When her mother gives Pamela a dandelion, and the girl blows the seeds away, they transform into snow at a distance.

 

As a police officer shines a flashlight across a plant-covered floor, he distinguishes creatures incubating in the purple and pink bulbs that he mistook for flowers in Absolute Batman #17. Outside, a chainsaw rises above the foliage-choked street. Rising above Batman's head, the massive roots swarm across the street, climb the Heart Building, and sprout an urban forest. As Alfred studies a bank of glowing monitors, Eric Canete contrasts a close-up of Batman's eyes with Alfred crossing his arms on his chest.

 

Like Batman's suit and Bruce Wayne's hat and jacket, Frank Martin colors much of Gotham gray. Purple invades dimly lit rooms, while the yellow-green sunlight tinges beige crowds and buildings. Green glows underground when Bruce goes to meet Waylon. Batman's red chainsaw and air hose link him with Pamela's red hair, and the plants she has transformed while attempting to rectify the weaknesses in Human DNA.

 

While characters speak black uppercase letters into balloons, the letters grow bold for intonation and swell for raised voices. Pamela Isley relays her memories in green narrative boxes, while lowercase cursive extracts from Bruce’s Batman Combat Journal appear in white paper scraps. Clayton Cowles’ sound effects enhance Batman’s struggle for survival in a realm where everything is out to change him. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Bruce Wayne has fought to protect Gotham from the forces that threaten it. But the harder he tries to protect Gotham, the more the things he relies on slip through his fingers. And as Bruce’s world shrinks, Batman’s grows. But when the Joker returns to Gotham, Poison Ivy emerges as a symbol of everything Bruce Wayne is struggling against in Absolute Batman #17.  

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Absolute Batman #17. 

Lost Marvels Vol 3: Savage Tales of the 1980s Preview

 

Fantagraphics has done a terrific job with their Lost Marvels line, and the third volume in this series is no exception. While the 1970s Savage Tales is best remembered as a testing ground for Sword and Sorcery tales, Larry Hama oversaw the 1985 relaunch. The scribe behind Iron Fist and G.I. Joe wanted a magazine that would reach out and grab comic readers. 

Larry Hama sought out long time creators such as Incredible Hulk icon Herb Trimpe and John Severin, who had worked for EC Comics' Two-Fisted Tales. Larry Hama commissioned ten scripts from newbie writer Chuck Dixon, who would go on to helm the writing reins of Eclipse Comics' 50+ issue Airboy series. Hama also printed three stories from WWII chronicler Sam Glanzman. 

The stories in this volume span numerous genres, but the concentration is on action and fun. Some of the storytelling will clash with today's sensibilities. But remember, this was a magazine like Marvel's Savage Sword of Conan, intended to push past the Comics Code and grab your attention. Can you handle this motherlode of the Black & White machismo? And how will the stories included in this 550+ page collection delight and enthrall you?

Here's all the info from Fantagraphics:

 

Marvel and Fantagraphics Collect Savage Tales of the 1980s in Lost Marvels No. 3

The latest volume in Fantagraphics’ Lost Marvels series collects all eight issues of the long-out-of-print, tough-minded 1980s run of Savage Tales

For 13 months in the mid-1980s, editor Larry Hama assembled some of Marvel’s strongest artists and writers to tell gritty, harrowing, and blackly humorous adventure stories ranging from gangster noir to historical battlefields to the deadly old West to post-apocalyptic futures in Savage Tales. The magazine-sized anthology series was unlike anything on shelves and gave legendary artists like John Severin, John Buscema, Herb Trimpe and many more a chance to work on exciting, unique material alongside a new generation of creators. Now, Marvel and Fantagraphics are continuing their celebrated Lost Marvels line with Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales of the 1980s, which reprints all 8 issues of the magazine’s run, the first time they have seen print since 1986. 

Unseen for nearly 40 years, Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales of the 1980 features some of the most shocking work of artists John Severin, John Buscema, Sam Glanzman, Val Mayerik, Ron Wagner, Gray Morrow, Wayne Vansant, Herb Trimpe, Michael Golden, Joe Jusko, Mary Wilshire, Arthur Suydam, Will Jungkuntz, Vincent Waller, and Ken Steacy, and writers Chuck Dixon, Bill Wray, Don Kraar, Robert Kanigher, Denny O’Neil, Doug Murray, and Archie Goodwin. Stories include Severin and Dixon’s “By Rail to Vladivostock,” Murray and Golden’s “The Nam, 1967,” Glanzman’s “Of War and Peace: The Trinity,” Jungkuntz’s Blood & Gutz series, and Trimpe’s Skywarriors series. With a remembrance by Savage Tales editor Larry Hama. 

Here’s what critics are saying about Lost Marvels No. 1: Tower of Shadows 

“Old-school Marvel fans will eagerly add this to their shelf and look forward to forthcoming volumes.” 

— PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 

“A worthy addition to Fantagraphics’ growing library of archival collections, a peek into a forgotten era. It’s an exciting beginning to a series with at least two more installments planned, surely to be as faithful to the originals as this one. By avoiding the modern contrivance of recoloring or cleaning up the pages, the volume feels more distinctly of its time, more genuine an artifact.” — AIPT COMICS

“Lost Marvels No.1: Tower of Shadows is another great collection by Fantagraphics. From cover to cover, it’s filled with excitement… A must have for fans of the horror-comic genre.”

 — CINEMA SENTRIES

“If you are a fan of horror, this is a must get! It’s Fantastic” — GRAPHIC POLICY

Here’s what critics are saying about Lost Marvels No. 2: Howard Chaykin Vol. 1 

“Lavish” — IGN

“If you like your comics with blood, bile, and jetpacks, and your jokes hard-boiled, you know what to do.” — BOING BOING 

“This new Howard Chaykin-centered volume is bursting at the seams with smartly imaginative scripts and beautifully designed art featuring Dominic Fortune, Monark Starstalker, and Phantom Eagle!” 

— GEEK VIBES NATION

“The book is a gorgeous oversized hardcover printed on premium paper, so it looks and feels outstanding! … these are a must-have for any Marvel fan or anyone who just loves seeing comic book legends at work.”

 — Mike Spring, LIVE FOR FILM and COMIC WATCH

The Lost Marvels series is dedicated to introducing remarkable stories to a new generation of readers and restoring them to their rightful place in comics history. Lost Marvels No. 1: Tower of Shadows and Lost Marvels No. 2: Howard Chaykin Vol. 1 are available now from Fantagraphics, and Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales will be published on February, 17, 2026. For updates Fans can follow Fantagraphics on X, Instagram, Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

For my thoughts on Chuck Dixon's Airboy series, see my post: Chuck Dixon: A Precursor to 9/11. 

For a sample of Sam Glanzman's war stories, see my preview of Sam Glanzman Combat Collection: D-Day. (Sadly, due to the publisher's untimely death, I'm unsure if this collection was ever published).

For more, find Lost Marvels Vol 3 at the Fantagraphics website. 

Thanks to Fantagraphics for sharing this preview with us.

 

About Fantagraphics:

For 50 years, Fantagraphics has published the very best comics and graphic novels that the medium has to offer. Our mission is to celebrate great cartooning in all of its incarnations, from the form’s early luminaries to contemporary artists currently forging the future of visual storytelling. Not content to rest on our laurels and extensive roster of talented artists, we constantly seek out fresh voices from across the globe. Thus, we honor the rich history of comics while providing a platform for bold new stories, styles, and perspectives that push the boundaries of the medium. Fantagraphics remains peerless in our commitment to be the publisher of the world's greatest cartoonists.