Comic Book Feeds

De Camp's Pusadian Cycle

Sorcerer's Skull - Mon, 09/21/2026 - 11:00

 


Lately, I've been furthering my exploration of L. Sprague de Camp's fantasy work, with the Novarian stories, but I've also dipped into some of his earlier Pusadian series. It has sort of a similar relationship to the Howard's Hyborian Age stories that de Camp's Krishna novels have to Burroughsian Sword & Planet. That is, it's an attempt to do the same thing more "realistically" or at least in a concerted and methodological sort of way. For instance, de Camp uses current (to the 1950s) understanding of geologic change to inform his design of his landforms, and more rigorously derives his imagined countries and their names from Greek myth (mostly).

Whether any of that is necessary, every reader will have to decide for themselves, but I appreciate the thought behind it, at least. As I've said before, I find de Camp a very Gygaxian writer, though this is perhaps less true of the Pusadian series than the Novarian one. Still, the humor, and the pragmatic, if not venal characters are there. I also appreciate the less "standard fantasy" sort of setting. It's mostly a Bronze Age level of technology, with iron being the bane of magic.

I discovered that a number of the older Pusadian stories published in the pulps are available on the Internet Archive:

"The Eye of Tandyla" (1951)

"The Owl and the Ape" (1951)

"The Stronger Spell" (1953)

"The Hungry Hercynian" (1953)

"Ka the Appalling" (1958)


Let's Do the GRIDSHOCK Again!

Sorcerer's Skull - Fri, 09/18/2026 - 11:00


Paul Vermeren's game of futuristic, super-powered resistance fighters on the run is back in a new edition! The standalone game GRIDSHOCK ZERO, powered appropriately enough by Free League's Year Zero Engine is being crowdfunded now on Gamefound.

I've talked about my appreciation for GRIDSHOCK before. Paul has a familiar-but-fresh vision not really like anything else out there and he's assembled artists for this version (Simon Roy, Giannis Milonogiannis, and the returning Steven de Waele) to really give a great visual style.

I may even get a chance to pitch some adventure scenarios for it, so back it and stay tuned!

Announcing 2000 AD: A Visual History

First Comics News - Wed, 09/16/2026 - 14:50
Fifty years after it exploded onto shelves and revolutionised comics forever, the visual story of how 2000 AD has evolved is to be told in a special book. 2000 AD:…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

Marvel Comics Staff Face a Difficult Choice as New York Operation Moves to California

First Comics News - Wed, 09/16/2026 - 12:10
Marvel Comics employees are facing a major career and personal decision as the company prepares to relocate its New York-based comics operation to Burbank, California. Marvel, the iconic publisher that…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

Wednesday Comics: DC, December 1985 (week 3)

Sorcerer's Skull - Wed, 09/16/2026 - 11:00
I'm reading DC Comics' output from January 1980 (cover date) to the end of Crisis! This week, I read the comics on sale on September 19, 1985.

Warlord #100: Warlord hits 100 issues and Grell provides the cover. I reviewed it here.

Batman and the Outsiders #27: Barr and Davis have Halo getting a new, short, and very 80s haircut. Meanwhile, Sapphire and Rex are on their honeymoon, and Rex is kidnapped by men who appear to pull his soul or consciousness into a palm-sized sphere. Katana's co-worker Emily Briggs pays her a visit at the Wayne Foundation, but as she's leaving, she's kidnapped by thugs. Batman and the Outsiders think the gangster, Morgan Jones, is responsible, but it turns out not to be the case. The thugs that kidnapped Emily were mind-controlled. Elsewhere, Emily's strange captor with glowing eyes tells her she will be queen of the world.

Blue Devil #19: Mishkin/Cohn and Kupperberg/Maygar give this issue prominently featuring Kid Devil a retro feel with several short stories alternating protagonists between Kid Devil and Blue Devil. The Blue Devil ones call him "Kid Devil's Pal." The joke wears thin pretty quickly, unfortunately. There's a segment with the Trickster manipulating both Captain Cold and Kid Devil in an attempt to one-up his Roguish rival. My favorite is probably the one where Kid Devil and his pen pal Robin realize they both fought the same bicoastal villain who relies on public air travel to get back and forth. The Blue Devil sequences deal with him bouncing around some alternate realities before getting home.

Green Lantern #194: This is another Crisis crossover by Englehart and Staton. Guy is transported to Oa and as he meets with the Guardians, we get his backstory as well as Krona's history. Hal had followed part way, but then he was deposited on Oa, not in the Guardians' sanctum. He heads off to the Guardians' citadel, finding that since Oa itself has absorbed energy he is able to fly, but there are also monsters released by loss of the Power Battery's energy.
Meanwhile, Katma Tui is fighting natural disasters on Earth, but her ring suddenly shuts off. John Stewart is in the 19th Century fighting Shadow Demons with Cyborg, Jonah Hex, Bat Lash and Scalphunter, and his ring shuts off, as well.

Infinity, Inc. #20: The Thomases and McFarlane/Montano/DeZuniga formally introduce the two new heroes they've been telegraphing were on the way for the past few issues, and they both have pretty bad costumes. After the wedding of Green Lantern and the Harlequin, Harbinger appears to take the JSA and Infinity, Inc. to the Monitor's satellite. Rick Tyler, left behind, has already decided to become the new Hourman. He heads to South Carolina (hitchhiking) to check on Beth Chapel, who lost her sight in the daytime but now, like Dr. Mid-Nite, can see in the dark. After she and the new Hourman are attacked by the Anti-Monitor's shadow-demons, she decides to her adopt her own superhero identity, designs a costume and becomes "Dr. Midnight." The Chapel family home is hit by a cannonball, so Dr. Midnight and Hourman are immediately thrown into action.

New Teen Titans #15: Arella tracks Raven to a Louisiana leper colony that has been holding her captive, but both are abducted and the lepers killed by Mother Mayhem and the Church of Blood. 
Meanwhile, the Titans in space arrive at Tamarran, and discover what Captain Karras hasn't been telling them: the royal family expects Kory to wed to end the civil war, and the person she must wed is the heir of Kalapatt, Karras. Apparently, none of them know that Blackfire is on Tamarran fomenting unrest.

Sgt. Rock #407: Two stories this issue with three shorter, humor pieces. In the main story, Kanigher and Catan have Easy get a new kid (a shiny "new penny"), but after the first engagement the kid is shellshocked into near catatonia. The lieutenant (who never sees the kid's face. This is important!) demands Rock take the kid to the MPs and wants him court martialed for cowardice. On the way to find MPs in a warzone, the new penny finds his courage and saves Rock by firing an artillery piece at the cost of his own life. When the lieutenant arrives, he finds not only that he was wrong about the kid, but the kid is his own son, just 16, who lied about his age to enlist.
The second story involves pie laced with rat poison being fed to German soldiers, saving two captured G.I.s. The interesting thing here is that it was written, drawn, and colored by Scott Madsen, and so far as I can tell, it's his only comics credit anywhere.

Saga of Swamp Thing #43: Hippie naturalist and sometime drug dealer Chester, happens to pick up one of the tubers that dropped from the Swamp Thing. Examining it, he cuts it into 3 parts. One eventually goes to a woman dying of cancer, who experiences psychedelic visions of her oneness with the Earth and cycles of life, and dies free of pain and at peace. Another is stolen by a bully and dealer who has a bad trip wherein he relives the horrific events of the Swamp Thing's life before he's hit by a car. Chester, hearing these stories, decides the plant must reveal a person's true morality. He considers taking the last bit himself, but them decides against it.

Who's Who #9: We are in "G-H" now. Newer characters Gypsy and Halo show up, courtesy of Patton and Aparo. Harbinger is here by Perez, but her first appearance is wrong. She doesn't even appear in in New Teen Titans (1980) #21. We get the Hawks of two Earths with Hawkgirl (Earth-Two) being drawn by Steve Rude. McFarlane provides the art for Infinity, Inc. antagonists, Helix. With the debut of Hourman II this month, both Rex and Rick Tyler appear here, with art by Murphy Anderson and Denys Cowan, respectively. The newly married Harlequin is here by Nodell/Giordano. There's also the Haunted Tank by regular penciler Sam Glanzman.

‘Tis the Season for Terror! EC Comics’ Haunting Holiday Tradition Returns in SHIVER SUSPENSTORIES 3 #1

First Comics News - Tue, 09/15/2026 - 20:55
You Better Watch Out! For the Third Year Running, EC and Oni Press Present 56 Pages of Head-Lopping Holiday Horror Courtesy of John Arcudi, Sarah Gailey, Ryan Kelly, David Lapham…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

MAVERICK’S HIT YOUNG ADULT GRAPHIC NOVEL “NAVIGATING WITH YOU” RETURNS WITH VOL. 2 THIS NOVEMBER

First Comics News - Tue, 09/15/2026 - 20:52
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ​ SEP. 15, 2026 (MIAMI, FL) —​ Mad Cave Studios’ young adult graphic novel imprint, Maverick, presents the highly anticipated sequel to Navigating With You, with Volume 2…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

First Look: Elita Prime’s Fight for Cybertron in Transformers #37

First Comics News - Tue, 09/15/2026 - 18:22
Elita Prime Story Starts New Arc in the Eisner Award-Winning Series This October! LOS ANGELES 09/15/2026 — Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, shared a…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

FANHOME ANNOUNCES THE SPIDER-MAN MASTERPIECE COLLECTION

First Comics News - Tue, 09/15/2026 - 18:20
The best of Spider-Man in a one-of-a-kind full-color collection of hardcover graphic novels New York, NY – Fanhome, the leading producer of subscription-based collections announces the launch of the Spider-Man…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

Kirby Museum Receives Major Gift of Original Jack Kirby Art

First Comics News - Tue, 09/15/2026 - 18:17
The donation includes more than 50 pages spanning Kirby’s 1950s western comic Boys’ Ranch through his animation concept art of the 1980s, including some pages from Kirby’s 1960s Marvel Age…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

AWA STUDIOS RETURNS TO THE UNDEAD APOCALYPSE WITH YEAR ZERO: THE ZOMNIBUS EDITION, A DEFINITIVE 400+ PAGE COLLECTION OF THE ACCLAIMED GLOBAL ZOMBIE SAGA

First Comics News - Tue, 09/15/2026 - 18:13
Featuring the Complete Year Zero Series, an All-New 30-Page Story from Benjamin Percy, and Premium Art from Frank Cho, Tim Bradstreet, and More, the Exclusive Zomnibus Edition is Available for…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

Rebellion Publishing Agree Deal with Universal for Direct Market Distribution

First Comics News - Tue, 09/15/2026 - 18:11
In a new non-exclusive deal covering North America and Canada, Rebellion Publishing, the home of both 2000 AD and The Treasury of British Comics, are partnering with Universal Distribution to…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

CARTMAN, KENNY, STAN AND KYLE ARE BACK AS SOUTH AMERICA SEASON 29 PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH AFTER WINNING SIXTH EMMY

First Comics News - Tue, 09/15/2026 - 18:09
Additional New Episodes Of The Hit Animated Series Will Premiere Wednesdays: September 30, October 14, October 28, November 11, November 25 At 10PM ET/PT On Comedy Central And Next Day…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

Terry Moore to Deliver 2026 Ringo Awards Keynote Address

First Comics News - Mon, 09/14/2026 - 18:08
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – September 14, 2026 – The 2026 Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards will be presented at the Ringo Awards Banquet and Ceremony in conjunction with the 2026…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

Judge Dredd Megazine 496 preview

First Comics News - Mon, 09/14/2026 - 17:28
Judge Dredd Megazine 496 RELEASE DATE: 16th September £7.50 US RELEASE DATE: 14th October $14.99 COVER: ANTHONY WILLIAMS In this issue: JUDGE DREDD // ROJIMBO by Geoffrey D. Wessel (w)…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

2000 AD Prog 2500 preview

First Comics News - Mon, 09/14/2026 - 17:27
2000 AD Prog 2500 UK RELEASE DATE: 16th September £4.99 LUNAR RELEASE DATE: 30th September$8.99 COVER: MIKE PERKINS In this issue: JUDGE DREDD // THE NEW FUTURE by Rob Williams…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

RETURN TO THE WORLD OF FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS AND WITNESS THE DEBUT OF THE FRIGHTFUL FOUR IN FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST FOES – THE WIZARD #1!

First Comics News - Mon, 09/14/2026 - 17:26
This December, Marvel Comics expands the history of Fantastic Four: First Steps with FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST FOES – THE WIZARD #1 by Fabian Nicieza and Mark Buckingham, the latest comic…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

JUST IMAGINE! August 1972: Marvel’s Forgotten Feline

First Comics News - Mon, 09/14/2026 - 11:57
I have a soft spot for superheroes who never found their audience, and one of them is Greer Nelson, the Cat. Created by Marvel in 1972 as a feminist heroine…
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

It Came From The Radio: Hellbilly Hollow

First Comics News - Mon, 09/14/2026 - 11:51
Mark along with Hassan Godwin cover the news, plus El Man Jenny Feldy interviews Filmmakers Kevin Wayne and Kurt Deimer
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

FANTASTIC COMIC FAN: Kitson on L.E.G.I.O.N.

First Comics News - Mon, 09/14/2026 - 11:43
Barry Kitson returns for a deep, behind‑the‑scenes dive into L.E.G.I.O.N., sharing fresh stories, sharp insights, and the kind of creator talk fans love.
Categories: Comic Book Blogs

Pages

Subscribe to Furiously Eclectic People aggregator - Comic Book Blogs