Badgers, Cats and Monsters – Wednesday Comics

Badgers, Cats and Monsters – Wednesday Comics. Welcome to Wednesday Comics. Each week, we will highlight our Comic of the Week, along with other notable releases, classic favourites, and industry news.

But First…

Until you start taking Marvel and DC out of the equation, you forget just how much these two publishers dominate the market. While I aim to focus more on the Image and Indie comics here, I would like people to check out Absolute Martian Manhunter by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodríguez. I admire the work of both of these creators, and this looks to be a great addition to the Absolute line of books. The first issue features some beautiful variant covers, especially those by Fabrizio De Tommaso and David Aja, so be on the look out for those.

If you want to send any comics or details of any comic related events we should feature, feel free to reach out to me at keith@geekybrummie.com or comics@geekybrummie.com

Now on with the comics…

We’re Taking Everyone Down with Us #1
Image Comics

By Matthew Rosenberg, Stefano Landini, Jason Wordie, Roman Titov and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Buy digitally – We’re Taking Everyone Down with Us #1 (Link)

The explosive double-sized first issue!

After her mad-scientist father is killed by the world’s greatest spy, 13-year-old Annalise is left all alone in the world. Sort of. Her dead dad’s robot bodyguard is following her around for some reason. Now Annalise has a choice: try to lead a normal life for the first time ever… or seek revenge and maybe overthrow the world order in the process.

Image Comics proudly presents a journey of regret and retribution, super spies and pseudoscience, growing up and global domination from brilliant artist Stefano Landini and okay writer Matthew Rosenberg.

A new book from writer Rosenberg is always worth a pull. He is working here with some major comic talent in Landini, Wordie, Titov and Otsmane-Elhaou, a couple of whom are regular collaborators. Kicking off with a huge debut issue, this story of spies, robots, and revenge, looks to be a great addition to Rosenberg’s okay writing credits. I’m not sure what the ‘A Rook Spy Thriller’ flag on the cover is referring to, but maybe this is just the start of a wider tale.

Feral #11
Image Comics

By Tony Fleecs, Tone Rodriguez, Trish Forstner and Brad Simpson

Buy digitally – Feral #11 (Link)

A purr-fect jumping-on point for new readers!

Elsie and the indoor cats continue to fight for their lives in a rabies infested nightmare world! They narrowly escaped the clutches of the Crazy Cat Lady… but at what cost? Lost and afraid, our feline heroes are about to face their most dangerous challenge yet-an abandoned pet supply superstore!

Like Stray Dogs before it, Feral has proven to be one of the best books Image puts out, that hardly anyone is reading. If you haven’t been reading this magnificent book, then this issue is the perfect jumping on point, as we begin a new story arc. The art may look cute and cuddly, but don’t let that fool you; this is a comic with serious bite.

Universal Monsters: The Mummy #1 
Image Comics/Skybound

By Faith Erin Hicks, Lee Loughridge and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Buy digitally – Universal Monsters: The Mummy #1 (Link)

An Eisner Award-winning superstar resurrects one of cinema’s most iconic monsters. Award-winning creator Faith Erin Hicks presents a stunning new vision of the seminal horror film like you’ve never seen before.

Helen Grosvenor is a woman born to two worlds and belonging in neither, forever haunted by a cursed encounter as a child. When unknown voices bring her back to an Egyptian dig site from her past, Helen will unknowingly play an unexpected role in the rise of a monster known only as… The Mummy!

This series of Universal Monster comics have been nothing short of phenomenal. Now following Dracula, The Creature from The Black Lagoon and Frankenstein, it’s now the turn of The Mummy to recieve the update treatment. Faith Erin Hicks is an inspired choice to take on the character, and I love the look of the pages I’ve seen so far. Horror and romance are set to collide in a story that promises to continue the incredible work that has preceded it.

Far Down Below #1
Mad Cave Studios

By Chris Condon and Gegê Schall

Buy digitally – Far Down Below #1 (Link)

In the summer of 1983, teen friends Mike and Brian seek escape from rainy day boredom by exploring Brian’s abandoned family home, a notoriously haunted house. What they find below their sleepy Eastern Pennsylvania suburb will unlock the doors to adventure — and danger.

There is a proud history of horror in comics, and Mad Cave are set to chill us to the bone with this gripping 6-issue supernatural adventure. Condon and Schall are creators doing great work elsewhere, but here they are let of the leash. I’m already hearing people calling this a potential Eisner winner, so don’t miss out on this first issue.

Badger: Mad Monkey Shock ‘N’ Roll #3
First Comics

By Mike Baron, Val Mayerik, Wes Wong and Willie Schubert

Buy from Forbidden Planet – Badger: Mad Monkey Shock ‘N’ Roll #3 (Link)

The Badger faces his greatest challenge as the Russo-Venezuelan alliance bears down on the Aerosol Islands! Meanwhile, Rasputin unleashes his mystical might in an attempt to subvert things while a witch, the mysterious swamp man, and the kraken all pursue their own agendas.

I used to read The Badger back in the 80s, so I’m super stoked to see both the character and FIrst Comics make a triumphant return. I can’t believe this is so low down on the League of Comic Geeks pull list, but I guess if you aren’t already a fan, this is one that isn’t popping up in large numbers on UK comic shop shelves. Mike Baron has been writing the adventures of Norbert Sykes for over 40 years now, and I hope this five issue mini series opens the door to more stories in the future, and potentially more characters from the First Comics vaults. Ask your local comic shop to order this and the previous issues for you and bask in some serious martial arts mayhem.

Each week we’ll be selecting one unmissable trade paperback, that absolutely must be in your collection.

Universal Monsters: Frankenstein HC
Image Comics

By Michael Walsh, Becca Carey and Toni-Marie Griffin

Buy digitally – Universal Monsters: Frankenstein HC (Link)

A MODERN-DAY HORROR VISIONARY RESURRECTS ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC MONSTERS!

Award-winning creator MICHAEL WALSH (THE SILVER COIN) presents a jaw-dropping new vision of the seminal horror classic. This deluxe hardcover tells the shocking creation story of the unforgettable monster in the original film — one body part at a time. 

Dr. Henry Frankenstein begins his unholy quest to create life by robbing the grave of a decorated police officer to find necessary parts. But little does he know that the corpse has a son who is mourning a father — and that this young boy will forever change Frankenstein’s life.

Collects UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: FRANKENSTEIN #1-4.

With first issue of The Mummy hitting shelves this week, you also have the chance to pick up the excellent Universal Monsters: Frankenstein by Michael Walsh, in this beautiful deluxe hardcover collection of the four issue series. Walsh has been writing and drawing some of the best horror comics around, and his take on the tragic monster is spectacular. Horrific and heartbreaking in equal measure, this is a fine addition to the Universal Monsters line and thoroughly deserves a place in your collection.

Death of a Judge

Geeky Brummie HQ received a very cryptic email just before this post was due to be published. It included the following text and image:

John Wagner and Mike Collins are the creative team for a new Judge Dredd story coming to the pages of 2000 AD. 

So, it appears a Judge will die, but who and how?

New 2000AD Art of Edition For Pre-Order

2000 AD are excited to announce that The 2000 AD Art of Sean Phillips is now available to pre-order in standard or webshop-exclusive editions! This essential collection will be published in October in retail hardcover for book and comic book stores, as well as a 2000 AD webshop exclusive hardcover edition with special cover.

Sean Phillips is one of the most acclaimed artists working in comics today, with credits including Fatale, Night Fever and Reckless. He’s also the co-creator ofCriminal, alongside Ed Brubaker, which will soon be coming to Amazon Prime as a new TV series starring Charlie Hunnam and Emilia Clarke. This year, 2000 AD celebrates his career to date with The 2000 AD Art of Sean Phillips, an incredible showcase of a master artist’s work!

Quickly proving himself a fan-favourite on stories like Danzig’s Inferno and Vector 13, Phillips then provided art for Sinister Dexter and Judge Dredd, amongst others. Perhaps his best-known work for 2000 AD remains the two iconic characters he co-created for The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, however: vampiric Judge exorcist Devlin Waugh, and no-nonsense Brit-Cit Detective Armitage.

And now, The 2000 AD Art of Sean Phillips provides readers with a chance to not just see his earliest and most acclaimed work: but the opportunity to go behind the scenes and see exclusive design pieces and process work. Chronicling his 2000 AD comics, this collection forms an impressive retrospective of his early comics work, showcasing how his artistic style evolved from the fully painted work and collage of the early 1990s through to the familiar style he employs on hit books today.

Masterclass from a Master

“With 2000 AD being a science-fiction comic”, says Phillips, “it’s apt that this gorgeous collection of my old work is working like a time machine for me! I drew these stories over thirty years ago – but looking at them again instantly transports me back when I was thinner with more hair. Hopefully for you reading them now time-travel is as possible as any of the other sci-fi concepts contained within…”

Featuring a new cover painted by Phillips which showcases iconic characters including Judge Dredd, Devlin Waugh, Armitage, Chopper and more, this is a must-have for any comics fan. Quite simply, it’s a masterclass from the master artist!

The 2000 AD Art of Sean Phillips will be published by Rebellion this October – pre-order your copy today!

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Your Local Comics Shops

Britain has some of the best comics shops in the world. This updated lists features just a few of the shops you can pop in to for your geek fix. Check out you own local shops and if they don’t appear on this list let me know and we can add them.

WORLDS APART BIRMINGHAM (part of FPI)

Birmingham’s premier comic book store and Pokestop.

Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 09:30 – 17:00
Wednesday, Friday: 09:30 – 18:00
Saturday: 09:30 – 18:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00

14-16 Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham B5 4EN Tel: 0121 643 0143

Website: Forbidden Planet International and Twitter: @WorldsApart_Bir

FORBIDDEN PLANET (BIRMINGHAM)

Graphic novel/comic store with merchandise & T-shirts, plus character figures & toys.

Monday to Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00

74 Bull St, Birmingham B4 6AD Tel: 0121 236 3026

Website: Forbidden Planet and Twitter: @ForbiddenPlanet

GOSH! COMICS (LONDON)

A mean little comics shop in the heart of London.

Open Daily: 10:30 – 19.00

1 Berwick St, London W1F 0DR Tel: 0207 437 0187

Website: Gosh! Comics and Twitter: @GoshComics

OK COMICS (LEEDS)

Twenty Year Old, Eisner Award Nominated Comic Book Shop in the beating heart of Leeds City Centre, UK.

Open Monday to Saturday: 11.00 – 17.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 15.00

19 Thornton’s Arcade, Briggate, Leeds LS1 6LQ Tel: 0113 246 9366

Website: OK Comics and Twitter: @OKComics

PAGE 45 (NOTTINGHAM)

UK Comic Shop created & curated since 1994 by Stephen Holland, Comics Laureate 2021-23.

Open Monday to Saturday: 09.00 – 18.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 16.00
Closed on Bank Holiday Mondays, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

9 Market St, Nottingham NG1 6HY Tel: (0115) 9508045

Website: Page 45 and Twitter: @PageFortyFive

TRAVELLING MAN (VARIOUS)

Travelling Man Is The UK’s Friendliest Comic & Games Shop Since 1991. Shop Online Now! Explore The Rich Genres & Worlds That Games, Comics & Independent Press Have To Offer. Since 1991.

Open Monday to Saturday: 10.00 – 18.00
Sunday: 11.00 -17.00

LEEDS
32 Central Road, Leeds LS1 6DE Tel: 0113 245 0822

YORK
74 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF Tel: 01904628787

NEWCASTLE
43 Grainger Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 5JE Tel: 0191 261 4993

MANCHESTER
4 Dale Street, Manchester M1 1JW Tel: 0161 237 1877

Website: Travelling Man and Twitter: @TravellingManUK

MEGA CITY COMICS (LONDON)

Mega City Comics, was established in 1981, initially as a mail-order business, supplying comics, graphic novels, and collecting supplies. After 6 years of mail-order and trading through the comic marts, we opened our shop in Camden Town in 1987.

Open Monday to Friday: 11.00 -18.00
Saturday: 10.30 – 18.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 18.00

18 Inverness Street, Camden Town, London NW1 7HJ Tel: 020 7485 9320

Website: Mega City Comics and Twitter: @MegaCityComics

MEGA CITY COMICS LIVES

Mega City Comics was aquired by Forbidden Planet in February 2025 and will now continue to be one of the best comic shops in the UK.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS (VARIOUS)

A trio of comic shops in Bedford, Northampton and Peterborough.

BEDFORD
20 Allhallows, Bedford MK40 1LJ Tel: 01234 270777

Open Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 17.30
Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: 11:00 – 16:00

NORTHAMPTON
29 Abington Square, Northampton NN1 4AE Tel: 01604 602311

Monday: CLOSED
Open Tuesday: 10:00 – 17:30
Wednesday: 10:00 – 19.00
Thursday to Friday: 10:00 – 17:30
Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: 11:00 – 16:00

PETERBOROUGH
25 Broadway, Peterborough PE1 1SQ Tel: 01733 892827

Monday: CLOSED
Open Tuesday: 10:30 – 17:30
Wednesday: 10:30 – 18:00
Thursday to Friday : 10:30 – 17:30
Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: CLOSED

Website: Close Encounters and Twitter: @CEncountersUK

THAT COMIC SHOP (PRESTON)

Retailers of new Comics weekly, Magic the Gathering Card Games, Board Games, Toys, T-Shirts plus loads more.

Monday: CLOSED
Open Tuesday to Thursday: 10:00 – 17:00
Friday: 10:00 – 21:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00
Sunday: CLOSED

116 Friargate, Preston PR1 2EE Tel: 01772 204287

Website: That Comic Shop and Twitter: @ThatComicShop

PARADOX COMICS (DORSET)

Comic book shop in Dorset, dealing in graphic novels, statues, action figures, card games, limited edition comics and more

Monday: Closed
Open Tuesday to Friday: 10:30 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 16:00

19 High Street, Poole, Dorset BH15 1AB Tel: 01202 661346

Website: Paradox Comics and Twitter: @ParadoxComicsUK

WAKEFIELD COMICS 616 (WAKEFIELD)

Comic Book Shop in the centre of Wakefield. Stocking the latest comics direct from the US.

Open Monday: 9:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 9:00 – 16:30
Wednesday to Saturday: 9:00 – 17:00
Sunday: CLOSED

3 The Springs, Wakefield West Yorkshire WF1 1PU Tel:  01924 375234

Website: Wakefield Comics 616 and Twitter: @wakeycomics616

COMIC BOOK GUYS (BELFAST)

Comic Book Guys – Northern Ireland’s newest independent comic book store also stocking movie memorabilia, toys & other collectibles… excelsior!

Open Monday to Saturday: 10.00 to 17.00
Sunday: CLOSED

130 Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7BG Tel: 02890 080169

Website: Comic Book Guys and Twitter: @comicbookguysni

RAYGUN COMICS (RICHMOND)

A welcoming and friendly comic book shop. Comics, toys, books, games and merchandise for all ages.

Open Monday to Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00 

26 Red Lion Street, Richmond TW9 1RW Tel: 0208 948 8476

Website: Raygun Comics and Twitter: @Raygun_comics

DAVE’S COMCIS (BRIGHTON)

Dave’s Comics, The Graphic Novel Shop.

Open Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday: 09:30 – 18:00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17:00

5 Sydney St, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4EN Tel: 01273 691012

Website: Dave’s Comics and Twitter: @DavesComics

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Visit Worlds Apart Birmingham for all your comic and geeky collectable needs.

Keep a track of all your upcoming comics, trade and creators using the League of Comic Geeks website and app.

 

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