Starfighters, Dogsitters and Beasts. Welcome to Wednesday Comics. Each week, we will highlight our Comic of the Week, along with other notable releases, classic favourites, and industry news. Please note the links to Forbidden Planet are not affiliate links, and we receive no revenue from them. They are provided as an alternative if you don’t have access to a local comic shop. You can also pick up most of these books digitally from a number of online sources.
If you want to send any comics for review 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 Last Starfighter #1
MAD CAVE STUDIOS
By Deric Hughes, Ben Raab, Willi Roberts, Francesco Segala and Rob Jones
Buy from Forbidden Planet – The Last Starfighter #1 (Link)
Small-town teenager Alex Rogan has already saved multiple worlds. But that was only the beginning of his story. Forty years after the cult-classic movie that pioneered CGI and inspired generations of fans, an all-new story picks up from the end credits and takes off for the stars! Now the leader… and sole member… of the Star League, Alex must rebuild the galaxy’s only defense force against Xur and the Ko-Dan Armada. Introducing a new cast of Starfighters alongside fan-favorite faces — and new killers and cutthroats in the shadowy employ of the Ko-Dan — The Last Starfighter #1 launches a sci-fi legacy to new heights!
Greetings, Starfighter! If you spent 1984 wishing your local arcade cabinet was a secret recruitment tool for the Star League, Mad Cave Studios is fulfilling your childhood dreams.
This official sequel series picks up right from the movie’s end credits. Alex Rogan has saved the universe, but now he’s the sole remaining member of the Star League and has to rebuild the fleet against Xur and the Ko-Dan Armada. Written by Deric Hughes and Ben Raab with stunning art by Willi Roberts, this is pure “heart over hardware” nostalgia. Grab it with both hands.
The Dogsitter #1
IGNITION PRESS
By Jamie S. Rich, Megan Levens, Nick Filardi and Crank
Buy from Forbidden Planet – The Dogsitter #1 (Link)
Heel… sit… stay — for a summer rom-com with bark and bite!
Gemma Monroe should be reveling in her ’20s. Instead, she’s on a leave of absence from veterinarian school to save for rising tuition, stacking shifts at a flower shop and juggling her side gig as a dogsitter. Gemma’s favorite canine client — an Akita with an identity crisis — comes with the most demanding dog-mom: Portia Ross, a high-powered executive with deep pockets who sees Gemma as a pet project of her own. It’s delicate, but Gemma knows that getting her life back on track means this customer is always right. And the policy works… until Gemma locks eyes with the charming Neal Mandell, and what starts as a welcome casual fling unleashes a transactional love triangle that could throw her future to the dogs.
Jamie S. Rich and Megan Levens, the veteran romance collaborators behind Ares & Aphrodite and Madame Frankenstein, reunite for a new romp — and a lineup of dog-crazy cover artists joins the pack! All variants for this series will feature the artist’s real-life four-legged friends, beginning with…
If you are looking for a breezy summer rom-com with plenty of bark and bite, Ignition Press has the perfect treat for your pull list.
Ares & Aphrodite collaborators Jamie S. Rich and Megan Levens reunite for a hilariously messy new series following Gemma, a 20-something veterinary student on a leave of absence. To pay her tuition, she’s juggling shifts at a flower shop and a demanding side gig as a dogsitter. But when a casual fling unleashes a complicated love triangle, Gemma’s future is thrown to the dogs. With Nick Filardi’s radiant colours and seamless lettering by Crank, this debut is pure, chaotic fun!
The Beast of Boriken #1
DARK HORSE COMICS · TINY ONION
By Julio Anta, Daniel Irizarri, Patricio Delpeche and Lucas Gattoni
Buy from Forbidden Planet – The Beast of Boriken #1 (Link)
A thrilling new True Weird series from Tiny Onion by co-creators Julio Anta (Frontera; Sí, Se Puede) and Daniel Irizarri (Xino, Cementary Kids Don’t Die) bringing el Chupacabra to life!
In contemporary Puerto Rico, Loli Flores is a fierce activist fighting the overdevelopment of the island by outside investors. When a ground-breaking ceremony is violently interrupted by a supernatural force, Loli discovers that the stories of el Chupacabra are not just echoes from the past, but a brutal protector of generations extending back to the indigenous people of the island. As Loli uncovers the horrors firstand, el Chupacabra is on a parallel path with elemental destruction left in his wake.
This issue includes a haunting True Weird short story by Justin Jordan, Tony Akins and Aditya Bidikar!
Dark Horse and James Tynion IV’s Tiny Onion imprint are unleashing a phenomenal slice of folk horror this week.
Co-creators Julio Anta and Daniel Irizarri team up for a gripping True Weird tale set in contemporary Puerto Rico. The story follows Loli Flores, a fierce activist fighting the corporate overdevelopment of her island. But when a construction ground-breaking is violently interrupted, she learns the legendary el Chupacabra isn’t just a myth—it’s a brutal, elemental protector. Elevated by Patricio Delpeche’s eerie colours and Lucas Gattoni’s sharp lettering, this debut masterfully blends political bite with supernatural terror.
Event Horizon: Inferno #3
IDW PUBLISHING · IDW DARK
By Christian Ward, Robert Carey, Xenon Honchar and Alex Ray
Buy from Forbidden Planet – Event Horizon: Inferno #3 (Link)
Two hundred years have passed since anyone boarded the Event Horizon. Built to advance the human race beyond the known limits of space, the vessel is now a microcosm of Hell. Those trapped there have been experiencing their deaths over and over for two centuries. And you’re about to discover… Hell is a loop to be experienced again and again.
We’ve raved about IDW Dark’s Event Horizon universe before, and this third issue proves exactly why we’re utterly obsessed.
Christian Ward’s nightmare sequel shifts into overdrive as billionaire Daniel Durante’s private corporate forces realize they are entirely out of their depth. Artist Robert Carey captures the suffocating, claustrophobic dread of the legendary starship, now a looping, torturous microcosm of Hell itself. Visually supercharged by Xenon Honchar’s intense colours and Alex Ray’s sharp lettering, this issue delivers the perfect mix of Aliens-style sci-fi action and pure, unadulterated cosmic horror. Do not miss it.
Dave Gibbons Goes Apex
Before Watchmen and Martha Washington, there was 2000 AD – and now, Rebellion is proud to announce The 2000 AD Art of Dave Gibbons: Apex Edition. Head to Near Mint Condition to watch the full announcement video!
The latest in Rebellion’s Apex Edition oversized hardcover art books series will feature early work from one of Britain’s most distinctive comic artists, known the world over thanks to his partnership with Alan Moore on the groundbreaking superhero series Watchmen.
With his work appearing from the very first issue of 2000 AD, Gibbons quickly established himself as a pre-eminent talent — his clean lines, bold characters, eye for detail, and inventive imagination winning over a generation of readers and marking him out for greatness.
OUT IN NOVEMBER
Due for publication on 11th November 2026, The 2000 AD Art of Dave Gibbons: Apex Edition will give readers a unique insight into this pivotal moment in Gibbons’ career, from establishing himself as the definitive artist on future sports strip Harlem Heroes and revamping the archetypal British comic character Dan Dare, to co-creating the genetically-modified sci-fi warrior Rogue Trooper — the subject of a forthcoming movie written and directed by Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code).
Lovingly put together by Rebellion’s experienced reprographics and editorial teams, this new 128-page collection will presents Gibbons’ work at its true size — all pages will be newly-scanned at high resolution from the original artwork, giving readers an unprecedented up-close look at the work of a comics master.
SIZE DOES MATTER
Measuring 481mm × 371 mm, this Apex Edition will feature work from Gibbons’ runs on Harlem Heroes and Dan Dare alongside pages from robot rescue squad series Ro-Busters, its anarchic successor ABC Warriors, Judge Dredd, and Rogue Trooper.
It will also include many pages from his first collaborations at 2000 AD with writer Alan Moore, including the time-travel short story ‘Chrono-Cops’. Following their work on 2000 AD, the pair would go on to redefine the superhero genre with their stunning work — alongside fellow 2000 AD alumni colourist John Higgins — on the twelve-issue 1986 series Watchmen for DC Comics, which remains one of the best-known and best-selling graphic novels of all time.
The 2000 AD Art of Dave Gibbons: Apex Edition (ISBN: 978-1-83786-761-5) is out on 11th November 2026. The standard edition will be available from all good comic book stores and the 2000 AD webshop at 2000AD.com, while a special, limited edition slipcase edition will be available exclusively from the 2000 AD webshop.
The 2000 AD Art of Dave Gibbons Apex Edition collects the stunning artwork of the Master Artist into an unmissable package – head to the 2000 AD webstore to pre-order your copy today!
The Brooding Muse Universe
The Underground Has Been Building. Now the Signal Expands
Cherry Bomb Comics LLC has been operating beneath the mainstream for years — quietly accumulating mythology, developing a dedicated readership, and building a creator-owned dark fantasy horror universe with the kind of serialized continuity that only exists through sustained, deliberate work.
The Brooding Muse Universe is not a new arrival. It has history, continuity, and an established underground readership behind it. What’s expanding now is the reach.
At the center of the catalog is Dollhouse! and The Powered Book One — a psychological horror graphic novel built inside a larger interconnected mythology and currently slated for a July 2026 release. It doesn’t function like a standalone. It reads like an artifact from a universe that was already in motion before you arrived. Because it was.
The Book
Set in a ruined, lawless landscape where power has collapsed and something far older has taken its place, Dollhouse! follows a rogue unit known as The Country Club as they’re lured into a sealed structure whispered about only in fragments. Violence here isn’t incidental. It’s remembered.
At the center of the myth is Blackhand — a masked figure bound to the structure itself, wielding a rusted sledgehammer with ritualistic intent. Not a villain. Not a slasher. Something closer to consequence. A force that operates by rules this world no longer controls.
The narrative carries parallel conflicts and an interconnected mythology working just out of view. The story implies, from its first pages, that this is one front in something that has been accumulating for a long time.
The Publisher
Founded by writer Zack Slattery in 2022, Cherry Bomb Comics LLC has spent years cultivating a creator-owned horror mythology built on serialized continuity, collectible physical media, and slow-burn psychological storytelling. The imprint occupies the space between prestige horror and underground punk — drawing tonal lineage from Clive Barker, early Vertigo Comics, and the atmospheric discipline of cult horror cinema.
The Brooding Muse is an expansive graphic novel universe exploring dark fantasy, existentialism, and psychological horror.
Some universes are launched. This one was already in motion.
The Brooding Muse Universe draws from underground horror’s long tradition of building mythology beneath the surface — slow, accumulating, patient. Horror does not remain fixed. It changes its face without losing its nature, and the continuities built to hold it must be capable of the same.
Older terrors and newer ones share the same ground here. The grammar of dread does not change, even when the language does. Nothing is overridden. Nothing recedes.
Everything persists.
Built for mature readers and collectors who want philosophical weight, layered mythology, and a dark fantasy horror universe with the depth to reward long-term engagement.
Not a Launch. A Signal.
Dollhouse! doesn’t arrive demanding attention. It exists the way things with real gravity always do — grounded, deliberate, and becoming harder to ignore. Those already inside the universe know what it is. Those arriving now are finding something with years of mythology behind it.
Find out more about The Brooding Muse Universe, reading order, and upcoming releases visit: https://broodingmuse.com
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. NEW ADDITION – CITY CENTRE COMICS IN GLASGOW
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
CITY CENTRE COMICS (GLASGOW)
A specialist back issue comic shop based in Glasgow. They also stock new monthly comics, graphic novels, t-shirts and toys. Thousands of titles in stock, they also buy and sell Marvel, DC, Image and indie comics. Glasgows best silver / bronze age comic dealer with a large selection always in stock.
Established in 1992, City Centre Comics was founded by Pete Root who started out in the Argyle market and in July of 1993 moved into AKA comics in Parnie Street (A1 Comics today).After a couple of years there he moved to the back of Forbidden Planet Glasgow and was there until 2002 moving back to Parnie Street in Kollectables.In 2007 Current owner Chris O’Brien took over and was there until May 2012 moving the shop to its current location in the West End.
Monday Closed
Tuesday 11am till 4pm
Wednesday 10am till 5pm
Thurday/Friday 11am till 4pm
Saturday 10am till 5pm
Sunday 12pm till 4pm
37 Ruthven Lane, Glasgow G12 9BG Tel: 0141 357 6325
Website: City Centre Comics and Instagram: @city_centre_comics
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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