Sparrows, Satire and Toxic Avengers – Wednesday Comics

Sparrows, Satire and Toxic Avengers – 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. I’ll be taking a break for a couple of weeks and will return on 2nd July 2025. Keep an eye on our social media though, as I may drop a couple of comics that catch my eye there.

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…

The Umbrella Academy: Plan B #1
Dark Horse Comics

By Gerard Way, Gabriel Bá, Dave Stewart and Nate Piekos

Buy from Forbidden Planet – The Umbrella Academy: Plan B #1 (Link)

After the mass release of The City’s greatest foes and the chaos that followed in Hotel Oblivion, the Umbrella Academy faces their most fearsome challenge to date — their other brothers and sisters. Known only as The Sparrows, they share a different connection to Sir Reginald Hargreeves and Mom. No one knows how to hurt each other more than family, and this powerful, ruthless brood will spare no brutality in favor of their sole objective — control and the obedient glare that comes with it.

The Umbrella Academy: Plan B #1 kicks off a thrilling new arc with Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá back at the helm. The issue introduces The Sparrows, a rival group of Hargreeves siblings, setting the stage for a tense, emotional showdown. Way’s writing blends dark humor with introspection, while Bá’s art remains dynamic and expressive. The story explores themes of identity and family dysfunction, delivering both action and heart. It’s a strong start that rewards longtime fans and intrigues new readers alike. With sharp pacing and rich visuals, Plan B promises an exciting evolution of the comic verison of The Umbrella Academy saga.

Toxie Team-Up #1
Ahoy Comics

By Mark Russell and Richard Pace

Buy from Forbidden Planet – Toxie Team-Up #1 (Link)

Spinning straight out of his acclaimed solo title, the Toxic Avenger battles alongside some of comics’ greatest and most controversial superstars in this surprise limited series. First up, from AHOY’s own SECOND COMING: Jesus Christ, the Son of God! Written and drawn by that smash hit comic’s creative team, Mark Russell (Batman: Dark Age) and Richard Pace, with a cover by Toxie’s own artist, Fred Harper!

AHOY Comics’ Toxie Team-Up #1 is a wild, witty crossover that pairs the Toxic Avenger with Jesus Christ from Second Coming. Russell’s sharp satire and Pace’s expressive art deliver a hilarious, heartfelt romp through absurdity and social commentary. The duo tackles everything from soup kitchens to supervillains, with cameos from Acid Chimp and the Jersey Devil. It’s irreverent, bold, and surprisingly touching, blending superhero chaos with theological humour. Fans of smart, offbeat comics will love this genre-bending debut. AHOY continues to prove that comics can be both outrageous and meaningful.

Blood Type #1
Oni Press/EC Comics

By Corinna Bechko, Andrea Sorrentino, Dave Stewart, Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith

Buy from Forbidden Planet – Blood Type #1 (Link)

Out of the pages of Epitaphs From the Abyss… A monstrous new EC comics milestone rises from the grave this June!

Oni Press presents the first look inside the next chapter of EC Comics’ resurrection with Blood Type #1 – the first issue of EC’s first-ever serialized horror spectacle from Hugo Award-nominated writer Corinna Bechko (Cruel Universe, Green Lantern: Earth One) and Eisner Award-winning artist Andrea Sorrentino (Gideon Falls, Old Man Logan)! Rising from the pages of her first appearance in last fall’s Epitaphs From the Abyss #3, EC’s own blood-splattered, bon vivant vampire will be making history as the first character to claw her way out of an iconic EC Comics short story… and into the first-ever standalone, serialized horror series from the most notorious name in terror!

When you’re a vampire, everybody sucks… sooner or later!  Meet Ada, an immortal vampire whose misdeeds have landed her on the doorstep of an idyllic Caribbean resort…  an island paradise teeming with wealthy tourists and superstitious locals—an ample food supply for the thirsty vamp looking to get away from it all! But as Ada stalks the boundaries of her new hunting ground, she’ll soon become embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse by moonlight… as an older, wiser, and entirely different kind of predator reveals its own carnal hunger for greed and power.  Who will survive when a brand-new kind of Blood Type declares war on a cunning bloodsucker with nothing left to lose… and what will be left of them?!

Blood Type #1 from Oni Press and EC Comics delivers a stylish, unsettling start to a new horror saga. Writer Bechko introduces Ada, a vampire stranded on a sun-drenched island, blending psychological tension with sharp character work. Sorrentino’s art is haunting and experimental, using fragmented layouts and stark contrasts to heighten the unease. The story leans into moral ambiguity, making Ada both predator and sympathetic survivor. It’s a bold, blood-soaked evolution of EC’s legacy—perfect for fans of cerebral, character-driven horror.

The Purpose Project #1
Artists, Writers & Artisans Inc

By Danny Hogan, Felipe Cunha and Lee Loughridge

Buy from Forbidden Planet – The Purpose Project #1 (Link)

This imaginative odd couple workplace comedy pairs an unambitious stoner with a salty soon-to-be-retiree as part of a new government initiative dubbed “The Purpose Project.” Its goal: to help everyday citizens adjust to a world in which most jobs have been made obsolete and where people have an opportunity to find alternative sources of purpose beyond the traditional concepts of “work.”

The Purpose Project #1 from AWA Studios is a clever, heartfelt satire set in a future where work is obsolete. Writer Hogan introduces two unlikely heroes—a stoner and a retiree—tasked with helping people rediscover meaning in a post-labor world. The story is both funny and thought-provoking, exploring themes of identity, purpose, and connection. Cunha’s art is clean and expressive, while Lee Loughridge’s colours add warmth and charm. It’s a one-shot that balances humour with depth, offering a fresh take on the future of work and what it means to truly live.

Survival Street: The Radical Left TP
Dark Horse Comics

By James Asmus, Jim Festante, Abylai Kusainov, Taylor Esposito and Ellie Wright

Buy from Forbidden Planet – Survival Street: The Radical Left TP (Link)

Survival Street is an unrepentant action satire tearing through a dystopia packed with economic and humanistic cautionary tales.

The political satire action-adventure hit series returns!

After America is sold off to private companies, this A-B-C-Team of ex-entertainers rescues kids from cruel company towns. But Portland can’t hold everyone, and the cracks are about to break… Prepare for a radical departure in the series Library Journal called a “blisteringly satirical mash-up of Sesame Street and Robocop.”

A candy coating of pop culture madness, humor, cartoonishly absurd hyper-violence, and just enough hope to keep holding on.

Collects Survival Street series II #1–#4.

Survival Street: The Radical Left is a blistering, puppet-fueled satire that blends the absurdity of Sesame Street with the dystopian grit of RoboCop. This second volume continues the saga of ex-children’s TV entertainers turned freedom fighters, now facing the consequences of their rescue missions in a privatised, post-America landscape.

Writers Asmus and Festante sharpen their political commentary with humour and heart, tackling AI, corporate colonialism, and fractured activism. Artist Kussainov’s expressive, chaotic visuals match the tone perfectly, while Wright’s colours and Esposito’s lettering elevate the storytelling.

It’s bold, bizarre, and biting—perfect for fans of radical satire with a conscience.

Get A Rasp On

A soulless detective conducts a seemingly simple investigation that turns into an incredible experience which will change him forever.

Nord was a fantastic book that hooked me in to Martin Simpson’s incredible storytelling talent. Now he is back with his next project Rasp, which is Kickstarting now.

Rasp: Book One is a 52 page book that begins a new limited series from illustrator and comics creator Martin Simpson. If you’re a big fan of things like: Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, Sherlock Holmes, Bladerunner, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, George Orwell’s ‘1984’ or V For Vendetta… there’s a good chance you’re going to like ‘Rasp’ too.

The Story

Detective Agent Fritz Rasp works for ‘The Agency’, a ruthless, all-powerful institution that enforces order and discipline across a vast totalitarian metropolis of slaves.

He is considered the perfect agent until the day his dark and puritanical worldview is challenged by a seemingly everyday investigation that quickly spirals out of his control and comprehension.

Now forced to question everything he believes in, something unexpected will awaken within Agent Rasp…

An imagination!

So begins the self-discovery of this once ‘soulless’ detective as he attempts to solve the greatest mystery of his life and escape from the prison he has been unwittingly born into.

BOOK ONE: THE SPINDLES
In this first part of a limited series, we witness the very beginning of Rasp’s journey as a routine search for a missing employee of ‘The City’ turns into an experience that will change him forever.

Check Out This Art…

If you needed anymore convincing then check out these sample pages and prepare to have your socks blown off…

RASP is now available for backing via Kickstarter from the – Official RASP Book One campaign page (Link)

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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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