Zack Quaintance
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- Editor-in-Chief, Comics Bookcase
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Articles by Zack Quaintance
DC Round-Up: ABSOLUTE GREEN ARROW #6 encapsulates several 2026 comics trends
THIS WEEK: Absolute Green Arrow #6 wraps up its first arc, feeling very much of this specific comics moment! Plus, End of Life is a violent good time, and more! Note: the review below may contain spoilers. If you want a quick, spoiler-free buy/pass recommendation on the comics in question, check out the bottom of the article for our final verdict.
Top Comics to Buy for October 21, 2026: We are so back
The Top Comics to Buy for October 21 has landed, and we are so back, following a month-long hiatus that I took to better-market a comic that I personally wrote on Kickstarter (which you can still buy via late pledges here, btw…). And it’s a good week to be back! A nice mix of interesting indie comics with great execution.
NYCC ’26: Jim Lee and friends share rough designs from ABSOLUTE BATMAN cartoon
At the Jim Lee and Friends panel Saturday at New York Comic Con, Jim Lee and some friends shared rough designs and even an animated sequence from the forthcoming Absolute Batman cartoon. Bad news, however, because room security prevented anyone from taking photos or videos of said designs. In fact, they wouldn’t even let me use my laptop or phone to take notes, so bear with me here as I try to recall everything that happened in the room.
NYCC ’26: How Richard Nixon, Jackie Gleason, and aliens inspired John Cusack to make comics
Famous actor John Cusack has a new graphic novel out, and Friday at New York Comic Con he revealed that it was inspired (in part) by the true story of Richard Nixon and Jackie Gleason flying out to look at what might have been aliens. The book is called Momo. It’s written by Cusack (no co-writer) and illustrated by Ignacio Noé with lettering by Taylor Esposito. Mad Cave Studios published the book late last month, and it’s a wild one.
NYCC ’26: What comes next for DC’s Absolute Universe?
Some of the primary architects of DC’s mega-popular Absolute Universe shared what’s coming next — including the line’s first-ever big series team-up — Friday on a panel at New York Comic Con. This included new villain design reveals — Silver Swan chief among them — news about what’s coming after Absolute Batman #25, and an intricate chart that explains the colors in Absolute Green Lantern, among other things.
NYCC ’26: Zatanna! Poison Ivy! O.M.A.C.! DC announces slate of new Black Label projects
During today’s DC Black Label / Vertigo Panel at New York Comic Con, DC Comics announced a new anthology series called DC Black Label Presents, which will feature 48-page, artist-driven one-shot stories. The series will launch in Summer 2027, featuring Terry Dodson writing/drawing a Zatanna comic, Amy Reeder writing/drawing a Poison Ivy comic, and Ho Che Anderson writing & Denys Cowan drawing an O.M.A.C. comic.
Top Comics to Buy for September 23, 2026: Space, Texas, and an island full of psychos
This week’s Top Comics to Buy for September 23 features a set of books that cover a lot of ground, which is my way of saying we have quite a bit of variety. We’ve got a new #1 issue for IDW’s excellent Star Trek comics, the return of one of my personal favorites with That Texas Blood, and the continuations of three super interesting books that launched this year. Meanwhile, I will also take this chance to remind you that my own comic — Death of Comics Bookcase, Vol.
Graphic Novel Review: Box Brown’s WTF IS A PODCAST WITH MARC MARON chronicles vital Internet history
Image courtesy of Z2 Comics Cartoonist: Brian Box Brown Publisher: Z2 Publication Date: August 2026 I don’t remember how I first heard about WTF With Marc Maron, but it was relatively early days for the show. It was the spring of 2012, and I was working a bad job that gave me a lot of silent time to sit and fill. I had always been a comedy fan/nerd, and so I probably came to it that way, maybe via a recommendation on Twitter or a write-up of the show somewhere.
Graphic Novel Review: Box Brown’s WTF IS A PODCAST WITH MARC MARON chronicles vital Internet history
20 stand-up comedy acts to see this fall in Atlanta Atlanta will be packed with a potpourri of stand-up comics this fall. There are the old-timers who have been cracking jokes on stage since before Gen …
Top Comics to Buy for September 16, 2026: A gruesome bunch of murder books
Without really thinking about it, I managed to compile a list of Top Comics to Buy for September 16 that’s about as gritty as five comics can get, with all of them featuring murder of some kind. Clearly, I am already in a Halloween state of mind, but hey, these book are good! Also, if you like my weekly comics recommendations, I JUST LAUNCHED A NEW KICKSTARTER, it’s called Death of Comics Bookcase, Vol. 2, and it’s a 48-page sci-fi/adventure comic written by me with art by Nick Cagnetti, John P.
EXCLUSIVE: How my hometown dead mall inspired my new comic, DEATH OF COMICS BOOKCASE, VOL. 2
A couple years ago I was lost in my phone, scrolling, and I saw something familiar — my hometown mall, which, sadly, was dead. And it gave me the spark for the first story in my new comic, Death of Comics Bookcase, Vol. 2, which is live on Kickstarter as of today (more on that below). But first, the story of my mall. See, I had gotten hooked on dead mall videos, soothed by their haunting synths and slow pan through rotting spaces. One video led to another and another.
Wednesday Comics Reviews: THE KARMAN BLADE will stun you, and more
This week’s Wednesday Comics Reviews starts with a dream-like venture into The Karman Blade #1, pivots with a creepy trip to The Folk of Dooney Hollow, dives into The Forever Home, and more! Plus, The Prog Report! Writer: Darcy Van Poelgeest Artist: Ian Bertram Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou Publisher: Image Comics Review by Tim Rooney It is something of a cliche to refer to an artists’ work as “dreamlike,” but in the case of Ian Bertram’s art in the new Image...
Top Comics to Buy for September 9, 2026: Horror season starts NOW, and more
This week’s Top Comics to Buy for September 9 is, to date, the spookiest set of books of the year. This makes sense. In my opinion, spooky season starts as soon as Labor Day ends, and that’s where we’re at. But what that means is that we get good straightforward horror — see Hellraiser — mixed with gothic or horror-leaning titles. It’s nice too after a summer mostly dominated by superheroes (mostly).
Exclusive Preview: Gaze upon Henry Flint’s new mind-blowing pages from JUDGE DREDD – THE NEW FUTURE
If you are a Judge Dredd fan and weekly 2000AD reader like me, you almost certainly remember the 2024 story Judge Dredd – A Better World, which garnered comic of the year buzz for its searing social commentary, panel-busting art, and tense, shocking plotline. Well, now the same creative is reuniting for a follow-up (not exactly a sequel! but more on that below) called Judge Dredd – The New Future.
DC Round-Up: A triple review extravaganza, featuring DOOM PATROL, LEGION, and TEEN TITANS
THIS WEEK: We have a three-headed review monster, featuring new #1 issues for The Doom Patrol, Legion of Super-Heroes, and Teen Titans! Writer: Darcy Van Poelgeest Artist: Niko Henrichon Letterer: Lucas Gattoni Review by Zack Quaintance This new Doom Patrol #1 is my favorite type of superhero comic. It reads breezily, leans into the genre’s inherent ridiculousness, and yet still leaves readers with a sense that something deeper and more meaningful is at play.
How NYC’s PIT Crew Plans to Drive Civic Tech Forward
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani drove a go-kart around a racetrack at Coney Island this July, parked and then held a news conference to announce a new initiative inspired by more than a decade of American civic tech work.
Top Comics to Buy for September 2, 2026: A whole lot of strong new #1 issues
This week’s Top Comics to Buy for September 2 was an absurdly difficult list to write. I jumped around a lot in picking out not only my five favorites for the week, but also my 10 other comics I enjoyed section. Put it this way, you know it’s a tough week when there’s new #1s from Jeff Lemire & Dustin Nguyen and Steve Skroce that don’t make the top five.
Top Comics to Buy for August 26, 2026: CONCRETE might be the comic of the year, and more
So, your headliner for this week’s Top Comics to Buy for August 26 is, of course, Concrete, a masterwork that we’re lucky to see continue in 2026. I’m absolutely loving this new miniseries, which just passed its midpoint this week. On top of that, we get the start of a new Batman crossover, some vampire action, and much more.
Wednesday Comics Reviews: The 2000AD SCI-FI SPECIAL 2026 #1 is a great jumping-on point, and more
This week’s Wednesday Comics Reviews starts with a look at the Galaxy’s greatest comics and the 2000AD Sci-Fi Special 2026 #1, then we look at The Phantom vs.
Top Comics to Buy for August 19, 2026: Grounded crime comics, devils, and detectives
This week’s Top Comics to Buy for August 19 was a fun list to put together, containing as it does two of my favorite new original idea comics in a while — Killer Influences and Dispatched. If that weren’t enough, it’s got a great recent superhero run, a story arc finale for one of my favorite indies ever, and more. In other words, good week.
Self-Published Saturday: PJ Holden’s TERRAN OMEGA – THE GHOSTS OF WAR will remind you why you love sci-fi
Creator: PJ Holden Publisher: Self-published via PJ’s Patreon Simply put, if you haven’t been reading PJ Holden’s Terran Omega, you’ve been missing out on one of the best new sci-fi comics in years.
DC Round-Up: A peak inside the KINGDOM OF ZOD, a new Superman crossover
THIS WEEK: We scope out the new Superman crossover, Kingdom of Zod. Plus, strong new issues from Absolute Batman and The Fury of Firestorm! Writer: Sophie Campbell Artists: Joe Quinones and Paolo Villanelli Colorists: Joe Quinones and Arif Prianto Letterers: Josh Reed and Becca Carey Don’t you love it when a plan (or multiple plans) comes together?
Top Comics to Buy for August 12, 2026: A new Superman event, a top tier BPRD book, and more
This week’s Top Comics to Buy for August 12 was a competitive field, at least as it applies to making my five recs this week. It was a week that saw new issues from some of my favorite indie titles vying with the direct market juggernaut, Absolute Batman, and more. But I did the work, and I’ve got my five favorites picked out for you below, along with the usual release lists.
Graphic Novel Review: Raquelle Jac’s BIMBO AGITPROP stuns with chaos and honesty
Cartoonist: Raquelle Jac Publisher: Fantagraphics Books Publication Date: August 2026 Cartoonist Raquelle Jac‘s graphic novel debut, Bimbo Agitprop, will likely hit you hard. Before you’ve even read a word, you’ll be struck by the contrasts of the imagery on the cover, the book design rimmed by a golden sparkly frame, and the sheer heft of an over-sized print format that tops out at close to 350 pages.
Top Comics to Buy for August 5, 2026: Superman, Batman, MINOR ARCANA, and more
This week’s list of Top Comics to Buy for August 5 features two of the most recognizable superheroes in comics, albeit in very different stories. We’ve got the Batman flagship comic paired with the boundary-pushing Absolute Superman alternate world comic. And if that were enough, this week also sees a fantastic new chapter from one of my favorite, (relatively) long-running indie comics, Minor Arcana.
Perception vs. Reality: Leading in the Age of AI
The average Joe usually doesn’t know a lot about the technology the public sector uses. People at bars rarely argue about performance dashboards in city halls. Electronic permit applications don’t make national headlines. And hardly any social media threads are posted about the societal impact of a state agency moving to the cloud. Important as these technologies are, general awareness of them tends to be low. That, however, was before artificial intelligence.
Navigating AI and Upskilling the Workforce in Tennessee
Kristin Darby became Tennessee’s CIO about a year and a half ago, during an eventful time in gov tech, with artificial intelligence playing an outsized role in nearly every facet of the job. 1. What have you accomplished as CIO so far? One priority has been positioning Strategic Technology Solutions (STS) as not just an IT organization but as a strategic business partner for state government. It’s a cultural shift for us.
Graphic Novel Review: In Katie Skelly’s HEAVEN, everything is NOT fine
Cartoonist: Katie Skelly Publisher: Fantagraphics Publication Date: July 2026 In simplest terms, cartoonist Katie Skelly’s new book Heaven is about an adrift young woman, Dolly, who becomes intrigued by a strip club on the edge of town and ultimately goes to work there. But from this simple premise, Skelly expertly incorporates touches of the fantastic and unreal, using surreality, mild erotica, and folk horror to exaggerate the already-big feelings driving her young protagonist.
Interview: Who are the mysterious SKRAWLLORDZ?
In the summer of 2020, Kickstarter comics were booming, with everyone stuck at home and independent creators finding themselves with a sudden glut of time for projects, and this was the context in which the SKRAWLLORDZ first seemed to emerge. The UK-based group of cartoonists officially arrived in August 2020 with their crowdfunding campaign for SKRAWL: Comix Magazine.
DC Round-Up: The SUPERMAN YEAR ONE THOUSAND ANNUAL glimpses DC’s future
THIS WEEK: We sort through the complexity of the Superman Annual: Year One Thousand #1. Plus, a Batman and Lex Luthor team-up in the Justice League: Knight Vision Special #1! Writer: Joshua Williamson Artist: Eddy Barrows and Yasmine Putri Colorist: Adriano Lucas Letterer: Ariana Maher The Legion of Superheroes has not had an easy time in the 21st Century.
Top Comics to Buy for July 29, 2026: A small but interesting week of releases
This week’s Top Comics to Buy for July 29 is, obviously, coming in the immediate aftermath of SDCC, wherein the industry is nursing a collective hangover. I didn’t go this year, though, so I had plenty of time this weekend to dig into the week’s small but mighty set of releases. And there are some real highlights, which I’ll get into below.
Top Comics to Buy for July 22, 2026: If you’re not at SDCC, read these books
I am writing this list of Top Comics to Buy for July 22 in a relatively chill state of mind, mostly because I am not going to San Diego Comic Con this year. Don’t get me wrong, going to SDCC is a fun and exciting thing (if a bit pricey…or rather, a lot pricey), but it always makes for a pre-con crunch of getting all these regular features done before leaving.
Top Comics to Buy for July 15, 2026: Superheroes, sci-fi, and good old fashioned horror
This week’s list of top comics to buy for July 15 has two mid-arc superhero comics on it — in continuity and everything! — which I think is a bit rare for this list, especially given that neither title features an A-lister. But I’ve been enjoying both Deathstroke and Nightwing quite a bit and wanted to get some love for those very solid series on this list. Then, as is perhaps a bit more standard, we’ve also got two beginnings and an ending.
Graphic Novel Review: A GHOST ARM MADE OF ANGRY GHOSTS personalizes the modern superhero story
Writer/Colorist: Oliver Mertz Artist: Alex Diotto Letterer: Taylor Esposito Designer: Winston Gambro Publisher: Oni Press Due Out: September 2026 A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts is one of the most neurotic and personal superhero comics I think I’ve ever read, and I love it for that.
Wednesday Comics Reviews: Enlist yourself in OPERATION – IRON COFFIN #1, and more
In this week’s Wednesday Comics column, we are enlisting in Operation – Iron Coffin, making some deliveries with Dispatched, stopping by Witness Point, and much more! Plus, The Prog Report! Writer: Kenny Porter Artist: Tyrell Cannon Letterer: Shawn Lee Publisher: IDW Publishing Review By Zack Quaintance Operation: Iron Coffin is a comic in which Dracula teams up with the British during WWII to fight Nazis.
Top Comics to Buy for July 8, 2026: Dracula, Clayface, and a delivery guy walk into your LCS
This week’s Top Comics to Buy for July 8 feature lead characters who sound like the setup for a joke: Dracula, Clayface, a zombie, and an Amazon delivery guy walk into a bar, etc. But I think that speaks to the variety in concepts that are driving the comics this week. Even the most mainstream of my top five recommendations — Clayface — is an odd book centered on a melty character. The thing that unites these books, however, is strong interesting storytelling.
DC Round-Up: BATMAN/GREEN ARROW/THE QUESTION – ARCADIA #4 blows up your favorite heroes
THIS WEEK: Our main review looks at the Black Label imprint’s latest finale with Batman/Green Arrow/The Question – Arcadia #4. Plus, Absolute Martian Manhunter #12 and the return of 100 Bullets! Writer/Artist: Gabriel Hardman Colorist: Romulo Fajardo, Jr. Letterer: Simon Bowland I have enjoyed Batman/Green Arrow/The Question – Arcadia quite a bit throughout its run, even if the end product turned out a bit different from my expectations after reviewing the first issue.
Wednesday Comics Reviews: BEAST OF BORIKEN #1 issues an ecological call to arms, and more
In this week’s Wednesday Comics column, Beasts of Boriken is a challenging and well-done first issue set in Puerto Rico, a new Last Starfighter comic takes flight, the Shaolin Cowboy returns, and much more! Plus, The Prog Report! Writer: Julio AntaIllustrator: Daniel IrizarriColors: Patricio DelpecheLetterer: Lucas GattoniPublisher: Dark Horse Comics Review by Ricardo Serrano Denis Puerto Rico faces the harshest reminder of its colonial status when a natural disaster strikes.
Top Comics to Buy for July 1, 2026: So many good new #1s
I like to try to value mid-run comics in this column as much as I do new #1 issues, and yet this week’s Top Comics to Buy for July 1 is five new series launches. And, honestly, the next one or two up might have also been new #1s. Perhaps it’s the start of summer proper, but this is just an incredible week for new beginnings, from the return of Shaolin Cowboy to new books like Beast of Boriken or Dogsitter to a fun Marvel one-shot.
Eisner-nominated SCREAM! to return with 2026 Halloween special
The Eisner-nominated horror anthology Scream! is returning for a 2026 Halloween special that will feature creators Alex Paknadel, Babs Tarr, Zoe Tunnell, Zac Thompson, and Vic Malhotra, among others. The book — which is from 2000AD publisher, Rebellion — will be comprised of five stories, all about scary things, of course, ranging from Dracula to a malevolent AI. For the unfamiliar, Scream! is a storied horror anthology with a history that dates back to 1984 (good year, if I do say so myself…).
Top Comics to Buy for June 24, 2026: The most packed week of the year (so far)
I know I say this not infrequently, but this week’s list of Top Comics to Buy for June 24 might actually be the most competitive week I’ve had in the eight (!!) years I’ve done this column across various websites. To start, my list of interested in books to read was a massive 43. All that means is that I think you should pay extra close attention to the 10 Comics I Also Enjoyed This Week section, because any other Wednesday, every one of them would have ended up in my top 5.
Graphic Novel Review: SHIN ZERO BOOK 1 uberizes the Power Rangers
Writer: Mathieu Bablet Artist: Guillaume Singelin Translator: Dan Christensen English Re-Lettering: Chris Northrop Publisher: Magnetic Press Publication Date: March 2026 The gig economy has and continues to make great fodder for comics. There are almost too many examples to list, from early days character-driven pieces like Crowded to more recent, tech commentary stories like Gigs.
Top Comics to Buy for June 17, 2026: Peak high-profile releases, starting with new CONCRETE
This week’s Top Comics to Buy for June 17 has a few books that are a big deal, starting with the first new issue of Concrete in more than a decade. This comes along with a new issue of the best-selling title in monthly comics, Absolute Batman, and the second chapters of a pair of stellar creator owned. It was a tough week to narrow my top recommendations down to five, but I’ve tried my best.
DC ROUND-UP: BLEEDING HEARTS #5 realizes the series potential
THIS WEEK: Bleeding Hearts #5 is the best issue of this new Vertigo series yet. Plus, Supergirl remains excellent, The Fury of Firestorm remains intriguing, and Absolute Catwoman #1 expands the hottest line in comics. Note: The reviews below may contain spoilers.
Wednesday Comics Reviews: MONSTER RACING LEAGUE #1 needs a better motor, and more
In this week’s Wednesday Comics column, M1: Monster Racing League speeds out of the gate, Bad Thoughts come into our heads, Monsters Are In Love, and much more! Plus, The Prog Report and FOC Watch! Writers: Lily and Robert Windom Artist: Jae Lee Colorist: June Chung Letterer: Joe Sabino Publisher: Image Comics Review by Jordan Jennings M1: Monster Racing League #1 is the stylish debut issue of the latest ongoing series from Image Comics.
Top Comics to Buy for June 10, 2026: A mix of new starts and consistent favorites
This week’s Top Comics to Buy for June 10 is a solid list, one that reminded me how lucky we are to have some of the ongoing runs we currently have. Comics has perhaps bent towards shorter books in the past decade and change, but this week I was reminded by Supergirl (in its 14th issue) and Bleeding Hearts (just starting its second arc) how much I like it when a book settles in and rewards consistent readers. It’s one of the great things about being a weekly comics sicko, if you ask me.
Top Comics to Buy for June 3, 2026: FML ends its first arc with a quirky good time, and more
This week’s Top Comics to Buy for June 3 is led by the unique excellence that is FML, Kelly Sue DeConnick and David Lopez’s magic family drama comic that is also about Portland. Lean in and love this one, crossing your fingers that it comes back soon. But that’s not all, obviously! There are some other true gems this week too, including a must-read Deadman series launch, a lowkey big fun Iron Man run settling in, and more.
Interview: James Tynion IV and Marguerite Bennett talk ODIN, a bloody mix of Norse mythos and Neo Nazis
The newest book from Tiny Onion, Odin #1, hit last month, selling out at the distributor with the accompanying second printing. The book is audacious, featuring an undercover journalist who follows a group of Neo Nazis as they head to Norway, believing they can summon Odin to achieve their racist goals. What ensues is a blood-soaked, death metal-evoking neon nightmare (see the preview pages below).
Wednesday Comics Reviews: Finales from KILL ALL IMMORTALS, EXQUISITE CORPSES, and more
In this week’s Wednesday Comics column, a deadly tournament comes to a crashing end in Exquisite Corpses #13, all things must die at the end of Kill All Immortals II, and more. Plus, The Prog Report! Writer: James Tynion IV Artist: Michael Walsh Colorist: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Becca Carey Publisher: Image Comics – Tiny Onion Review by Zack Quaintance If you’re going to do a fight tournament comic, you need to have a thunderous jaw-dropping ending.
Top Comics to Buy for May 27, 2026: An eclectic but excellent week
This week’s list of Top Comics to Buy for May 27 speaks to several different things that comics publishers are doing well right now. It’s got a pair of books that empower fantastic idiosyncratic cartoonists to get weird, a rollicking satirical romp from Tiny Onion, the Vertigo revival, and righting of a wrong from superhero comics past. There is, simply put, a lot to like in this week’s releases.
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