Blade Runner 2019: The Complete Series Omnibus Preview

REGULAR COVER: Ben Oliver

  

This debut series welcomed readers back to the world of Blade Runner. While taking place concurrently with Rick Deckard's search for Roy Batty and other fugitive replicants, it introduced a new hero. Here's more info from Titan Comics:

 

BLADE RUNNER 2019: THE COMPLETE SERIES OMNIBUS

Author: Michael Green and Mike Johnson

Artist: Andres Guinaldo

Publisher: Titan Comics

HC, 352 pages, FC, $49.99

ISBN: 9781787748040

On sale September 2, 2025

 

Set in the world of Blade Runner, this is the officially sanctioned Omnibus edition of the first Blade Runner comic book series and based on the cult 1982 science fiction movie Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott.

 

Los Angeles, 2019 and LAPD’s best Blade Runner and detective, Aahna ‘Ash’ Ashina, has been assigned to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Isobel and Cleo Selwyn, the wife and daughter of business tycoon, Alexander Selwyn, a close personal friend of Eldon Tyrell. Ash’s search will take her on a journey from the crime-ridden underbelly of a rain-soaked, environmentally damaged Los Angeles to the promised land of the Off-World Colonies and back home again as she uncovers a terrible secret and a desperate conspiracy that forces her to confront her own hatred for Replicants – the synthetic humans that she hunts with such vengeance.

 

Here's where Blade Runner 2019 fits into the Blade Runner Universe Timeline:

 

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

DM COVER: Christian Ward

 

Blade Runner 2019: Los Angeles/Off-World/Home Again, Home Again. Collects 12 issues. Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million and Forbidden Planet for UK.

The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1 Review

 

Writers: Matt Bors, Tyrone Finch, & Robert Jeschonek

Artists: Fred Harper & Joe Orsak

Colorist: Lee Loughridge

Letterer: Rob Steen

Pinups: Chris Giarrusso; Cayetano Valenzuela; Mauricet; Carol Lay; Tristan Wright; Fred Harper; Ben Clarkson; J Gonzo; Matt Howarth; Sandy Jarrell; Dan Schoeneck; Greg Scott & Lee Loughridge; Ar Sullivan; Matt Bors

Cover Artist: Fred Harper

Trading Card Art & Design: Shannon Wheeler & Tom Napolitano

Publication & Logo: John J Hill, Rob Steen, & Mark Kaufman

Editor: Tom Peyer

Publisher: Ahoy Comics

Price: $3.99 ($4.99 with Trading Card)

Release Date: May 14, 2025

 

What lurks in your plumbing? Who cowers in your cupboards? How are people plotting to exploit you? And how many toxic pinups can you stand before you scream with insanity and delight? Let’s grab a plunger, leap into The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1, and see!

 

It’s A Girl: Story

In this charming five-page story, Melvin Junko is helping his customer, while Yvonne wants to discuss their relationship. Complications ensue when Toxie and Yvonne discover the source of the homeowner's plumbing problems. Matt Bors sprinkles his story with sparkling dialogue while helping you empathize with the characters’ dilemmas. But the story ends by reminding us that courage isn’t about not feeling fear but facing what frightens us and caring for others regardless of the dangers.

 

It's A Girl: Art, Coloring & Lettering

Despite how the toxic chemicals transformed his features, Fred Harper helps you understand how Yvonne could find Melvin attractive. After setting the scene on the first page, the next two burst with frantic action and Yvonne's fright. Fred Harper enhances the action with perspective shots that elevate the shock and suggest slow motion to enhance big-screen fight scenes.

 

Lee Loughridge lavishes a loaded palette on The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1. His interior scenes feature rich coloring, while the exterior shots boast a slightly overexposed quality. Rob Steen delivers uppercase letters in white dialogue balloons that grow bold for intonation, swell for raised voices, and deform balloons to convey fright. The red sound effects remind us how difficult it can be to see past exterior appearances to appreciate the person beneath.

 

Pinups

This special issue contains a wealth of pinups. From Chris Giarrusso’s two-page Army Of Delights, to the Black & White Halloween Horror of Matt Howarth, Greg Scott and Lee Loughridge’s homage to classic Universal Monster movies, and Matt Bors’ tribute to another film that came out the same year as the first Toxic Avenger movie, The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1 has something for everyone.

 

Best If Used By: Story And Art

Jeremy Givens has a problem. He is hosting a family gathering but has forgotten a vital ingredient. A search through his cupboards yields a potential solution. But how important are those Best If Used By dates? Tyrone Finch's one-page prose story helps us identify with Jeremy and the story's protagonist. Although set at Thanksgiving, Finch's story evokes The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen. Joe Orsak's illustration reveals a family's plight as one member demands the attention it deserves.

 

Grief Is The New Crypto: Story And Art

When nothing else works, an unexpected caller awakens Vitus’ interest in the outside world. Instead of trying to sell him something, the man offers to give Vitus money. But as the saying goes, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Robert Jeschonek’s two-page prose story in The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1 reminds us that people always look for ways to exploit opportunities. The title suggests the association of crypto with financial scams. Joe Orsak's illustration conveys the fear of seeing strangers outside your door and worrying about what they want.

 

Final Thoughts

The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1 boasts a short comic tale, two prose shorts, an impressive image gallery, and an essay detailing all the upcoming Toxic Avenger titles from Ahoy Comics. Amid stories of love, horror, and responsibility, this special issue explores the demands and joys of family. Thanks to Ahoy Comics and Superfan Promotions for providing a copy for review.

 

Rating 9.5/10

 

To look inside see my preview of The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1.

Dark Planet Comics Kickstarter Project Preview

 

I spoke with a representative of Dark Planet Comics at Wondercon last year. He showed me what examples of the creator's story, and they looked like great fun! Here's an announcement for a new kickstarter project for them:

 

Acclaimed Cartoonist Stephan Franck’s Dark Planet Comics

Heads To Kickstarter With Two All-New Books

And A Reprint of An Impossible-to-Find Graphic Novella

The Campaign Features The First Ever Kickstarter Edition

Of The Rare And Hyper-Timely Dystopian Sci-Fi

ROMANCE IN THE AGE OF THE SPACE GOD

Plus: Two Brand-New Volumes of His Acclaimed Neo-Noir Series PALOMINO,

Set In The Lost Culture of LA's Country Music Clubs

Acclaimed cartoonist and award-nominated animator, writer, and director Stephan Franck’s graphic novels have caught the attention of comic book creators including Elsa Charretier, Jim Lee, Jeff Lemire, Jim Mahfood, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Bill Sienkiewicz. His stylish books have been covered by The Hollywood Reporter, IGN, The Nerdist, and NPR. Now Stephan's company Dark Planet Comics is back with two all-new books and a new printer of an impossible-to-find graphic novella, never before available on Kickstarter. The campaign will introduce new readers to ROMANCE IN THE AGE OF THE SPACE GOD — a hyper-timely dystopian sci-fi comic that Franck quietly published last year with a super limited edition 150-copy print run — as well as two brand new volumes of PALOMINO, his Ringo Award-nominated neo-noir graphic series set in the lost culture of Los Angeles’ country music clubs. ROMANCE IN THE AGE OF THE SPACE GOD and PALOMINO: Volumes 4 and 5 will both be available via Kickstarter.

“There are certain eternal themes that always seem to come back in my stories,” said Franck. “One of them is family, in all its forms. Whether it’s a father/daughter detective duo in a generational crime-mystery in PALOMINO, or two foster siblings like in ROMANCE IN THE AGE OF THE SPACE GOD, or even a ‘family by choice’ like in SILVER where a band of misfits find each other to recreate a family unit and steal from a castle full of vampires, it’s always an affirmation that — even in worlds that are amoral, cynical and transactional — there are people who will always have your back. It’s on you to find them, let them help you, and never let them go. The core idea is that we’re not alone, and I think that’s something we can all relate to.”

 

 

Born in heavy times which have not gotten any lighter, ROMANCE IN THE AGE OF THE SPACE GOD is set in a world in erosion, in which the hallowed-out trappings of civil society remain in place, merely existing as a maze for people to stumble through. And then there is the Space God. What is it? What does it want? Is it here to Judge us? To Rule us? To end us? To enlighten all of us or maybe just a select few? Or does it want nothing at all—its inescapable presence an inscrutable void for people to project their existential struggles into?

 

Here's a look inside Romance In The Age Of The Space God:

 

 

 

“

ROMANCE IN THE AGE OF THE SPACE GOD is a strange comic for and about strange times,” said Franck. “It is cute and funny, it is sci-fi and dystopian, it has political satire and the kind of slice-of-life that I love. It introduces Nate, Lydia, Anya, all looking for their place in a difficult world, all profoundly human — even though they are adorable little mice. It started as a webcomic, but the plan was for it to be released in print, in an oversized format like a magazine. We did a very, very limited run last year just before San Diego Comic Con and it immediately sold out. The time has come to pull out all the stops and bring this comic to a much wider audience. It’s a little weird gem of a comic, and I hope you will give it a shot!”  

 

 

A captivating neo-noir crime mystery, PALOMINO begins in 1981 Los Angeles with Eddie Lang, an old-school, hard-ass, hardboiled former Burbank PD detective juggling his 6-nights-a-week gig in the Palomino house band, his P.I. business, and Lisette Lang — his teenage daughter, who might be even more hard-ass and hard boiled than her dad is. But tragedy looms large over their past, and a brand new case that's hitting a little too close to home upends their lives, sending them each down very dangerous paths. Told with action, suspense, humor, drama, and slice-of-life irony, PALOMINO, 1981 (Volumes 1-3) takes place at the Palomino club's high watermark, with Eddie leading the investigation in the Wilcox case, while PALOMINO, 1995 (Volume 4-6) takes place in the twilight years of the club, with his now-adult daughter Liz leading the case and bringing the story to its epic conclusion.

“As PALOMINO time-jumps 14 years at the beginning of Volume 4, not only do we transition from the club’s heyday to its twilight moments, but we also pass the baton from one detective to the next,” said Franck. “The world has moved on from the unsolved Eileen Wilcox case, but Lisette — now 29 and going by Liz — hasn't. So when a routine assignment at one of the Valley’s free weeklies reopens old wounds and Liz takes it upon herself to revisit the case her father was never able to close, she finds herself entering a world of deception and danger where the only way out is through.“

Stephan Franck has worked with some of the most popular characters of all time—including Spider-Man and the Smurfs — and has contributed to classic contemporary animation projects, including Despicable Me, The Iron Giant, and Marvel Studios’ What If...? as head of animation and director. But writing and drawing the graphic novel series PALOMINO is Franck’s passion project. “From my years playing music in clubs, to having raised two amazing and quite hard boiled daughters in Los Angeles, many of my lived experiences converged in PALOMINO with my absolute passion for noir, to create the most personal and lived-in work of my career,” added Franck. “At its core, PALOMINO is about the impermanence of all things we wrongly assume will always be there for us, as a society, as a culture, and about how the only thing that truly remains is the moral fiber of individuals, passed-down from one generation to the next.”

 

Here's a look inside Palomino Vol 4:

 

 

 

 

 

The Kickstarter will feature copies of all five available volumes of PALOMINO, as well as PALOMINO, 1981 box sets, slipcases, and signed book plates from the in-world fictional syndication catalog of Lamaz Television.

Here’s what folks are saying about Stephen Franck:

“Stephan Franck has the unusual gift of being a great writer and an even better artist.”—Jimmy Palmiotti, co-creator of Painkiller Jane

“Writer/artist Stephan Franck is firing on all cylinders.”— NPR

"Great."—Jim Lee, acclaimed artist and DC Comics Publisher

“"Couldn't put it down. Want more. Now."— Legendary Writer Mark Waid 

on ROMANCE IN THE AGE OF THE SPACE GOD

To support the project, head to Kickstarter. For updates, follow Stephan Franck on Instagram and Bluesky and Dark Planet Comics on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

About the creator:

Stephan Franck is an Annie award-nominated animator/writer/director/ who most recently directed multiple episodes  of MARVEL STUDIO’s ”WHAT IF…?”. He was a supervising animator on the cult classic THE IRON GIANT, and contributed story to DESPICABLE ME. He co-created the animated TV series CORNEIL & BERNIE (Nicktoons - Hub Network), received an Annie Award nomination for Best Director In a TV Program for the featurette SMURFS: THE LEGEND OF SMURFY HOLLOW. Equally active in comics, Stephan founded the comic-book publishing company DARK PLANET COMICS, and his graphic novel debut SILVER earned a nomination for the prestigious Russ Manning Award at San Diego Comic Con’s Eisner Awards. SILVER was followed by its prequel ROSALYND, and Ringo Award-nominated L.A. crime series PALOMINO. A new hardcover edition of SILVER is currently published by Abrams ComicArts.

 

Thanks to Dark Planet Comics and Superfan Promotions for sharing this preview with us.

Downlands HC Review

 

Writer, Artist, Colorist & Letterer: Norm Konyu

Publisher: Titan Comics

Price: $29.99

Release Date: May 13, 2025

 

What happens when someone close to you dies? Does it bring you closer to the people you love? Or does the loss shatter a family, and force the bereaved to find solace elsewhere? In James Reynolds’ case, the answer is all the above.

 

Mysterious coincidences prompt an investigation into what happens after death and how the spirits of the departed can linger long after their deaths. What will the fourteen-year-old find as he seeks clues to his sister's death? And why did his sensible sister talk about a black hound a month before she died? Let's grab some tea and biscuits, leap into Downlands HC, and find out!

 

Story

Jen wasn’t just James’ sister. She was his twin. So when Jen dies, James feels like he has lost part of himself. He isn't alone. Yet he might as well be. His parents inhabit worlds of their own, regarding those around them with distant eyes.

 

A month after Jen's death, James' great-uncle passes away. At the reception, his aunt Flora mentions that her husband saw a giant black hound before he died. His cousin Abby confirms her grandfather's last words were of a black dog hunting him.  

 

In Downlands HC, James's need for answers prompts him to befriend a neighbor. Few people talk to Rose Walker, but she has much to say about the deceased. Like Inklings author Charles Williams, Rose Walker views her surroundings through the lens of history. What happened when the Celts, Romans, Vikings, and Anglo-Saxons inhabited Sussex seems as palpable to her as what occurs today. She suggests that the people who lived in her town left an imprint. Those perceptive enough can sense their lingering presence.

 

In Norm Konyu’s story, Rose Walker hesitates to help James when he wishes to see the echoes that souls leave behind. Some people hunger for the gift to peer into other realms. Life has taught Mrs Walker to be cautious in Downlands HC. She has seen the black hound and survived. But Mrs Walker inherited her mother’s gift. And her mother ended up in an asylum.

 

Art

Norm Konyu conjures people and places out of simple shapes. Straight lines and sharp edges portray people and conjure the worlds they inhabit. Set pieces of framed photographs, newspaper clippings, and books retell the events from years past. Vehicles appear taller, as if swelling to contain the life forces within. And always lingering nearby, a black hound watches with glowing eyes.

 

Downlands HC features an attractive palette of colors. Bright hues blend and swirl around characters and silhouettes. Night falls in shades of blue, morning light fills homes with bright blue and green, while lavender fills James’ bedroom as he studies Mrs Walker’s writings. Black And White photos hang in Mrs Walker's living room. Sepia photos cling to dark blue photo album pages courtesy of black picture corners.

 

Generous uppercase letters haunt dialogue balloons and colored narrative boxes. Words hover against backgrounds as they grow bold for emphasis and swell for raised voices. Hand-printed letters relate James' intention to keep his sister apprised of events after her death. Wailing fills a chilly evening as James seeks answers to a mystery that frightens all who hear it. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Mysteries pervade the fabric of life in Sussex, England. Folklore suggests that the church bells ring to frighten away evil spirits. And everyone who counts the circle of stones on a nearby hill comes away with a different tally. When teenager James Reynolds probes the mystery of the black dog that appeared before his sister's death, he enters a world of spirits, folklore, and unsolved deaths in Downlands HC.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Downlands HC.

Corpse Blade Vol 3 Solicit

 

The first volume in this series was exciting and engaging. I didn't get a chance to review it, but I wanted to. If you're looking for an fast-paced story that will draw you in, check it out! Here's the order info for Vol 3:

 

CORPSE BLADE VOL. 3

(W/A) Hajime Segawa

Publisher: Titan Manga

B&W, SC, 192pp, $12.99, On Sale July 16, 2025

 

TSUTSUKI FINALLY UNCOVERS THE TRUTH ABOUT HIS LOST SISTER — CAN HE BOTH SAVE HER AND ESCAPE FROM THE NIGHTMARE HE’S BECOME ENTRAPPED IN?

 

Lost after the devastating battle of Akihabara, Tsutsuki and his allies must push forward to finally save his sister. However, there are dark truths to be learned, about both himself and the mysterious sword known as the CORPSE BLADE.

 

 

For more see my preview of Corpse Blade Vol 1.

Lenore: The Time War HC Solicit

 

Roman Dirge Cover

 

If you've been following along, you know how much fun I had reviewing issues 1-3. The hardcover edition also features Lenore #12 to give you greater insight into how this cosmic odyssey began. Here's all the order info:

 

LENORE: THE TIME WAR

(W/A) Roman Dirge

Publisher: Titan Comics

HC, FC, 112pp, $24.99, On Sale July 23, 2025

 

“I LOVE LENORE!” Rosario Dawson (Star Wars, Daredevil, Sin City)

 

“ROMAN DIRGE HAS THE BEST IMAGINATION THIS SIDE OF TIM BURTON.” CAROLINE THOMPSON (WRITER, NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS)

 

Roman Dirge’s cute little dead girl, Lenore, faces off against the legendary Time Goats in the G.O.A.T. fight of the century! Join Lenore, Pooty, Ragamuffin and Taxidermy for an adventure 100 million and six years in the making!

 

Collects Lenore #12 and Lenore: The Time War #1-3.

 

Kit Wallis: Direct Market Cover

 For more, see my review of the first issue.

New Champions #4 Review

 

Writer: Steve Foxe

Artist: Ivan Fiorelli

Colorist: Arthur Hesli

Letterer: Travis Lanham

Cover Artists: Gleb Melnikov & Arthur Hesli; Pablo Villalobos; Rian Gonzales

Graphic Designer: Kat Walkington

Editors: Sidney Stubbs, Alanna Smith & CB Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 23, 2025

 

Like the other New Champions, Hydra brainwashed Hellrune. Liberty, Moon Squire, and Cadet Marvel returned to their families thanks to Spider-Woman. Sadly, Hellrune sank back into the foster system. So, when her magical birds located her aunt on a Norwegian island, Hellrune remained with Veleda instead of returning to San Francisco with the New Champions.

 

The remaining New Champions were saddened to lose their friend. Fantasma, Amaranth, and Gold Tiger can’t replace Hellrune, but they seem viable recruits. So, when Gold Tiger sends an SOS, Liberty answers the call. But it will take time for Liberty and her teammates to travel to Los Angeles. Can anyone reach Gold Tiger first? Let’s hitch a ride on Liberty’s “flying saucer,” leap into New Champions #4, and find out!

 

Story

Like many runaways, Gold Tiger walks the streets of Los Angeles. When the Wakandan kid enters the pawn shop, Discount Don is about to close for the night. Her offer of a gold brick for American currency intrigues him. But Gold Tiger backs away when Discount Don wants to check its authenticity. She offers to let him keep it gratis. Outside, she discovers that the Sons of the Serpent have already answered Discount Don's text. Thankfully, Gold Tiger has the Hard Light communicator Liberty gave her on the Viking zombie island.

 

In New Champions #4, Fantasma comes to Gold Tiger’s aid. But LA's roller derby hero is displeased with the impromptu rescue. Hellrune's spell accidentally drew Fantasma into a battle with Viking zombies. Monte and Magnetrix have painted targets on Liberty, Cadet Marvel, and Moon Squire's backs. Now, Gold Tiger has adversaries who hunt her. Fantasma wants to know more about who she may be risking her life alongside.

 

In Steve Foxe's story, Fantasma is more interested in interviewing her potential teammates than sharing personal details. While Liberty acts as team leader and hosts an orientation in her family's garage, Moon Squire is the glue that binds the team. He makes others comfortable by showing wisdom and compassion in New Champions #4. 

 

 

 

Art

Liberty dines with her parents beneath globe droplights, a flower vase, and a fruit bowl in her modern, two-story home. Moon Squire sits on the floor while Cadet Marvel reclines on his daybed. Amaranth travels alongside the Scarlet Witch through the surreal shapes of another dimension. Fantasma breaks away from her roller derby team to take Liberty's call. While Gold Tiger walks the streets alone, Ivan Fiorelli portrays the other New Champions in their homes and with the people supporting them.

 

Arthur Hesli paints Gold Tiger in red, turquoise, and gold, evoking her colorful homeland. The Sons of the Serpent wear green uniforms reminiscent of the organization that brainwashed Liberty, Moon Squire, and Cadet Marvel. Gold Tiger's claws rip lines of blue-white energy through the air, linking her with Fantasma's Ghost Rider power and Liberty's hard light energy, wings, and inventions. Soft greens and blues often fill the interiors of the richly colored New Champions #4. Gold shines from illuminated windows, Cadet Marvel's visor and lightning bolt, and the burnished beast emblematic of Gold Tiger's power.

 

Travis Lanham conjures uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons. The letters grow bold for inflection, swell for volume, and never shrink. White letters in red narrative boxes introduce our heroes, and white letters in blue balloons portray Fantasma’s dialogue. Larger lowercase white letters with red borders locate us in time and space, while music notes highlight Gold Tiger's love of music. Sound effects help us hear slashing claws, clunking gold bricks, and the lash of Fantasma's chain on flesh in New Champions #4. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Hydra made Moon Squire, Cadet Marvel, and Liberty household names. Moon Squire's large family provides emotional support to deal with being a public figure. In New Champions #4, the team's charter members realize that, like Hellrune, their recruits may have fewer supportive people. The teammates need to know each other sufficiently to work effectively together. But Amaranth, Gold Tiger, and Fantasma should have the option of keeping as much of their identities secret as they wish, not only from the team but also from Joe Public.

 

Still, Gold Tiger seeks connection. Her story overflows with mysteries that the Wakandan has yet to understand. Like her new teammate Amaranth, Gold Tiger wields immense power. Others hunger to harness her uniqueness. And not everyone who wants to study Gold Tiger is as ethical as the scientists in Wakanda.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu HC Solicit

 

REGULAR Cover: CELINA

This is an involving series that weaves historical people and situations into a fun and mesmerizing tapestry. Prepare to have your mind blown! Here's all the info:

MINKY WOODCOCK: THE GIRL CALLED CTHULHU

(W/A) Cynthia von Buhler

Publisher: Hard Case Crime (imprint of Titan Comics)

HC, FC, 112pp, $24.99, On Sale July 9, 2025

 

Sensational artist, author, and playwright Cynthia von Buhler melds her glorious illustrations with the eldritch elements of H.P. Lovecraft and Aleister Crowley.

 

Inspired by a true WWII maritime operation, shocking satanic events, monstrous men, and one salacious sea creature, this third series tells the tale of Minky’s encounter with legendary horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, creator of the dreaded Cthulhu.

 

Collects #1-4 of Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu.

 

For more see my review of the first issue.