The Three Most Interesting Things From NYCC 2026 (In My Opinion)

I followed the news as it trickled out from this year's New York Comic-Con. Three things stuck out to me the most. Let's discuss...

1. In terms of comics, DC looks like it keeps firing on all cylinders; Marvel appears to be struggling.

Marvel generally is doing fine in the comic-book sales market. However, it doesn't feel that way. With the insane success of its Absolute line, a vibe that DC is letting creators be creative with cool mini-series/one-shots, and there is an air of excitement with the publisher. Then, Marvel talked more about how it incorporated Miracleman into its main continuity, will be doing that Star Wars crossover that is getting lots of trepidation from fans, and has an anniversary issue planned for, "Daredevil," hitting 700-ish issues when you add them all up. There is an appearance that Marvel's comic division is aimless beyond going, "Let's reboot the Avengers comic again," and even if Chip Zdarsky is a great writer and will be doing that, Chip can only carry so much of the weight of Marvel on his shoulders. Would the upcoming, "Avengers: Doomsday," flick help fix some of the image problem the film division has and assist the comics a bit because a rising tide lifts all boats? Perhaps, but even if the MCU is, "Saved," this December by the latest Marvel movie, the comics might benefit from some kind of shot in the arm of creativity/energy/etc. At least Jed Mackay's work on, "Moon Knight," remains fantastic (as long as it doesn't get canceled). Perhaps if the, "Midnight Universe," does well, there's some hope to fix the optics?

2. "Something is Killing the Children," escapes development Hell.

"Something is Killing the Children," became a massive breakout hit over at BOOM! Studios. It got optioned, but seemed to be stuck in some kind of limbo. Was it going to be a Netflix show? A streaming movie? Go to theaters? Animated? Well, at NYCC the plan was finally made clear. Blumhouse is producing a theatrical (live-action) movie with Craig Zobel set to direct. SIKTC is probably one of the biggest non-Marvel or DC properties within comics in some time, so I am curious if its movie can cut through the, "Noise," of many other comic-book adaptations and strike a nerve that few comic-book flicks outside DC or Marvel have managed--there have been some, of course (Ron Pearlman's Hellboy remains beloved).

3. Grant Morrison is writing a, "James Bond," comic for IDW.

One of my favorite comic creators of all time, Grant Morrison, is no stranger to tackling epically popular franchises with their own unique take. "New X-Men," remains my favorite run on the team ever and, "All-Star Superman," ranks high on many, "Best Superman Stories," lists. Now, we'll be getting their version of, "James Bond," via publisher IDW. I've seen some great Bond stories in various forms, and some pretty messy takes too. I'm excited for Morrison to be at the writing helm of a Bond story, however. The Bond franchise can be grim or gritty as well as quite outlandish and wacky. Morrison is already promising we'll get something quite strange, and I'm totally here for it.

"Something is Killing the Children," and "Swamp Thing," Crossover Announced

Well, here's something I didn't have on my bingo card! It is another inter-publisher crossover, this time between BOOM! and DC. As revealed at New York Comic-Con, we are going to be getting, "Swamp Thing is Killing the Children," in a clever tale where Erica Slaughter goes toe-to-toe with Swamp Thing under the suspicion he's a kiddo-killing monster. SIKTC creators (writer) James Tynion IV and (artist) Werther Dell’Edera will be bringing us the crossover, which has most details under wraps except for the title (it really is a clever title) and the creative team. I'd imagine it will release in 2026 with more details revealed as 2025 winds down.

"Something is Killing the Children," Shall Be a Netflix Show

"Something is Killing the Children," has been a major hit comic and is probably the most popular series from BOOM! Studios (although they've had a number of great titles). It would have some news about an option on occasion but little would come from it. Well, Netflix has made it clear they're interested in making a show as, "Netflix has commissioned Baran Bo Adar and Jante Friese, acclaimed creators of Dark and 1899, to develop a TV series adaptation," of SIKTC. The comic's creative team James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera will be co-executive producing. Assuming the show gets made this could be a hit as folks love horror series lately. Whether it can keep going as lots of streamers seem to give shows just a season or two before canceling them will remain to be seen. At least we might get a good 8-13 episodes or so based on the comic, though. That might be fun.

It's Always Interesting When a Comic Gets More Issues Instead of Less

Often a comic will supposedly launch as an ongoing series but end up lasting all of 6-12 issues and become a, "Stealth mini-series/maxi-series." Not too often, a comic starts as a mini/maxi and is so popular that it becomes ongoing. It happened with the old, "Transformers," comic and was a recent occurrence with the smash-hit, "Something is Killing the Children," but again, it is rare. Hence, it is interesting to see, "Poison Ivy," and her self-titled series went from being launched as six issues, to twelve, to now being a full ongoing.

I haven't read the comic yet, but I've heard good things about it. Written by G. Willow Wilson with art done by Marcio Takara, I have noticed a ton of great covers for the series and as I said, I've been told the plotting and art within the comic are superb. A collection of the first six issues will be released as, "Volume 1," when the 12th issue hits stands and then the 13th issue will roll out after that, with more to come!

"Grim," #1 is a Great Start to the Latest Big BOOM! Release

The publisher BOOM! has put out a number of quality titles for some years now with, "Something is Killing the Children," being one of their most massive hits lately. The next big release is unrelated to that Universe but also has a bit of a snazzy horror vibe. Titled, "Grim," it gives us a lot to chew on in a jam-packed first issue that left me eager to read more. Sometimes comics get going too slowly, but, "Grim," just hits the ground running. Thanks for this is owed to writer Stephanie Phillips who isn't afraid to have us readers asking questions with answers coming (assumably) later. 

We are introduced to a grim reaper named Jessica Harrow who can't remember how she died but now, along with other reapers, claims souls who are dead. She takes one such recently deceased person over a River Styx of sorts to an otherworldly waiting room and then some other fun little plot twists happen to really pique our interest too. It was good stuff. 

Props are also due to Flaviano, the artist, and Rico Renzi, the colorist. The illustrations are fantastic, making the, "Real world," and the world of Death/afterlife/etc. both stand out as different and intriguing. The deep reds we often witness in the post-life realm are eerie and the supernatural elements coexist with the grounded stuff stupendously thanks to the art and colors. It's a gorgeous comic.

The first issue of, "Grim," gives us the basic plot, establishes some delicious mysteries, and has fantastic art and colors. It is a marvelous first issue and I look forward to seeing where the series goes. I give this debut...

5 out of 5 stars.

I Know I'm Late to Discuss this, but the First Issue of, "The Nice House on the Lake," is Amazing!

I am behind on reading my comics. I have a big ol' stack of them that I've lately been trying to make a dent in. I finally had a chance to read issue #1 of, "The Nice House on the Lake," and goddamn was that a crazy comic. It starts slowly, as all these people arrive at a beautiful house by a lake, then as the comic nears the end of its debut an utterly insane twist (which I won't ruin so that you too give this comic a chance) is revealed and now I've already been in the process of finding issues #2, #3, and #4 that are out because this book is wild. I should've expected a great comic as James Tynion IV is the writer and he's been on fire with some stellar books lately. Alvaro Martinez Bueno illustrates everything amazingly too. I am so delayed in being amazed by this comic compared to everyone else but this first issue of, "The Nice House on the Lake," helped remind me why I love comics and why I love horror too.

I've revealed as little as possible about the plot on purpose, but I will talk about how surprising it is this book is at DC under its Black Label as opposed to Image or BOOM! Studios where Tynion has his other works. As I understand it, this is a rare example of a new creator-owned book at DC. Long ago, in the early days of the Vertigo imprint (may it rest in peace) DC had that, but then Vertigo quit letting creators own their books and everyone went to Image whilst Vertigo withered away. Tynion has a hit book at three publishers right now, "Something is Killing the Children," is dominating the charts with BOOM!, "The Department of Truth," is a smash with Image, and now we've got, "The Nice House on the Lake," over at DC. Plus, he does self-published work with his Tiny Onion Studios and has a popular Substack. The man is on fire.

Anyways, I'm sorry I am so late to the party when it comes to singing the praises of, "The Nice House on the Lake." I'll be trying to get the issues that have come out so far post-haste so that I can immediately enjoy them!

5 out of 5 stars.

"Something is Killing the Children," gets a Spin-Off Comic, "House of Slaughter."

The comic, "Something is Killing the Children," has been a huge hit. It follows a lady named Erica Slaughter who fights monsters that, well, kill children. I don't love the series as much as some other stuff written by James Tynion IV, but it is interesting. The book has gone bonkers in terms of everyone wanting to get earlier issues and the new ones coming out sell like hotcakes. An option with Netflix was just announced as well. A spin-off was revealed today, "House of Slaughter," and the press release hints it might be the first spin-off of many. 

"House of Slaughter," focuses on another character in the main comic, Aaron Slaughter (everyone comes from a mysterious group hence the shared last names) back when he was younger. It's probably going to get a ton of orders considering how huge, "Something is Killing the Children," has become. I like a lot of Tynion's stuff so I'm just happy his comics are doing well--for my money, "The Department of Truth," is the best thing he's currently putting out though.