I know that National Science Fiction Day was yesterday, but I just had to make a post for this week's Science Fiction Saturday. The Fantastic Four 2026 Calendar from Amazon features artwork based on the Fantastic Four: First Steps movie and measures 12" x 12". Reed Richards aka Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch and the Thing are shown. The FantasiCar and rocket each gets a month, but Herbie the Robot is absent.
(This is a sponsored post)
Today is National Science Fiction Day so what a better time to pick up the Weird Retro Sci-Fi 2026 Calendar at Amazon. It measures 12" x 18" and features full color licensed artwork. Here is what the back cover says:
"Step into the unknown and journey to the furthest reaches of the imagination. From alien landscapes to surreal visions of the future, every month will transport you to where the impossible becomes reality and adventure awaits at every turn."
(This is a sponsored post)
Dynamite Entertainment released Red Sonja New Year’s Special 2025 #1 last week but I'm posting it for this week's Women Wednesday post since it's New Year's Eve. There are several alternate covers but I'm only posting the first three plus the two cover gallery pages. Here is the official summary:
"It’s time to ring out the old with an all-new seasonal story starring the She-Devil With a Sword! When Sonja is summoned to a mountain village under the ominous glow of the Red Moon, she finds herself caught in a web of deception, sacrifice, and monstrous foes. Facing betrayal together with impossible odds, the She-Devil must rely on her cunning and ferocity to turn predator against predator in a brutal fight for survival."
Joseph Michael Linsner is the artist for cover A:
Shannon Maer is the artist for cover B:
Cosplayer Ani-Mia for cover C:
May everyone have a safe and happy New Year!
Titans #29 from DC Comics is DC K.O. tie-in. The cover features Starfire, Beast Boy aka Changling (or whatever he is calling himself now), Nightwing, Amethyst and Raven. Here is the official summary:
"The Towers have lifted, and Earth’s evacuation is complete! As the Titans take to the stars to save humanity from the oncoming apocalypse, trouble can’t help but follow them! Our heroes are scattered across the galaxy — and across dimensions — each discovering that new worlds mean new dangers, something Starfire knows all too well as she ends up cornered by an Apokoliptian blockade!"
Titans #30 is also a DC K.O. tie-in with the cover focusing on Cyborg vs Swamp Thing:
Mravel released Werewolf by Night: Red Band #8 last week. Here is the summary:
"THE FANGS ARE OUT! Tortured by Lilith, separated from a mortally wounded Elsa Bloodstone and barely able to keep the beast within him at bay, things have never been worse for Jack Russell, A.K.A. THE WEREWOLF BY NIGHT! KEEP THIS RED BAND BOOK AWAY FROM THE FAINT OF HEART!"
This week's Superhero Sunday post has been switched with a Supervillain Sunday post. The cover of Superman #33 from DC Comics does not feature the main superhero. Instead it features Lex Luthor vs the Demon since it's a DC K.O. tie-in. Superman himself does not appear in this issue but Superboy Prime, Lois Lane and a Superman robot does.
For this week's Science Fiction Saturday post, I present to you the cover of The Flash #28 from DC Comics. The issue is a DC K.O. tie-in and features Jay Garrick the Golden Age Flash vs Green Lantern Guy Gardner. Interesting to see that both superheroes are fighting with swords.
Marvel Winter Break Special #1 was released this week. The cover features Deadpool, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Storm and Emma Frost aka White Queen. The story is titled "Walkin' in a Winter Savage Land" and there are several pinups featuring superheroes and superheroines mostly out of their costumes. Here is the official summary:
"FROM SWIMSUITS TO THE SAUNA! You asked for more Swimsuit Special, and you’ve got it — sort of! Hit the slopes with YOUR favorite Marvel heroes this winter, with the help of a team of superstar artists — and then warm up in the hot tub… hot springs… hot yoga… lots of places that start with “hot”! FRET NOT, True Believers, we’ve got equal parts action AND relaxation for your money in this one-shot!"
Wishing everyone a safe and Merry Christmas. Superman and Spider-Man is paying tribute to Santa Claus this year by wearing his hat. I hope you all enjoyed my little Countdown to Christmas.
Harley Quinn X Elvira #3 came out last week from DC Comics and Dynamite. While the issue has nothing to do with Christmas, I'm using it for this week's Women Wednesday post. Of course, there are several covers with most of them featuring Elvira, Harley Quinn and Powergirl. Cover A was done by Amanda Conner, cover B by Chad Harden and cover C by Joseph Michael Linsner. Here is official summary:
"NEXT STOP: TRANSYLVANIA! Harley Quinn’s plan to throw a borough-wide Halloween party in Brooklyn to save Elvira’s cancelled TV show is shaping up nicely — and by “nicely,” of course we mean “total chaos!” Facing a distinct lack of legitimate investors on this side of the Atlantic, Harley and her reluctant partner in crime have to broaden their appeals. That means courting Old World money — and money doesn’t get much older than the mouldering family fortunes found in certain European crypts!"
What does Batman and Scrooge have in common? They are both fictional rich men. Other than that, they are complete opposites for Bruce Wayne is known to give to charities while Ebenezer hates them until the end of his tale. You can still get this Batman as Ebenezer Scrooge Funko Pop at Amazon as a belated Christmas present for a friend or yourself.
(This is a paid post)
EC Comics and Oni Press released Shiver SuspenStories Volume II #1 last week just in time for Christmas. Cover A by Dustin Weaver features the Grave-Digger, the Tormentor and the Grim Inquisitor playing hockey with a severed head. There is also a cover B (not shown here) by Adam Hughes. There are five horror holiday-themed stories including "Eight Vengeful Nights" (Hanukkah), "Mistletoe" (Pagan), "Ginger-Snapped" (Christmas), "Red Season" (Christmas) and "The Execution" (the latter was originally published in Crime SuspenStories #12 (August-September 1952).
Here is the official summary:
"Yes, we know: It smells like dinner might be getting a little overdone! Never fear, because EC’s newest annual tradition also comes complete with an extra-added EC Comics classic—newly restored back to its authentic original coloring! As you sift through the charred remains, just remember: SHIVER SUSPENSTORIES is here to bring the horror back to the holidays . . . and we wouldn’t want it any other way!"
Yuletide is a three-issue mini-series from Oni press that came out the last few months. Each issue has three covers but I'm only showing the A covers of each since they feature Lady Perchta, the Christmas Witch. The story is set in modern times but has elements of fantasy and horror. Here is the official summary:
"Have you ever wondered why our brightly colored and joyously cheerful Christmas festivities are held at the peak of winter’s frigid darkness? That is no mere coincidence—and now the truth about the monsters the yuletide holds at bay will finally be revealed in a gleaming gift of epic holiday adventure from creators George Northy (EC’s Shiver SuspenStories) and Rachele Aragno (Leonide the Vampyr)! Welcome to the small town of Christmas, Pennsylvania—the merriest place on Earth . . . or so they’d like everyone to think. When December rolls around, these folks pull out all the stops for America’s biggest, brightest holiday display . . . but not everyone in Christmas, PA, is so enthusiastic. Teens Jake, Abe, and Wyn are more interested in the dark side of the holiday that their parents like to pretend doesn’t exist . . . The ancient legends of mythic monsters and pagan pandemonium that are deeply tied to the festival’s long-forgotten origins. So when their hobby leads them to an abandoned wing of the local Christmas museum to investigate, they’ll discover an ancient relic that, when activated, will bring a furious procession of yuletide horrors long since banished from our plane—and with it, a darkness that has been waiting centuries for its chance to overtake the world! In the tradition The Goonies, Hocus Pocus, and Goosebumps, the countdown to Christmas starts now as Yuletide presents the first three extra-sized, 40-page issues unleashing a monstrous new kind of holiday tale for readers young and old!"
Image Comics released Startling Tales of Santa Claus 2025 Annual earlier this week. This anthology issue features six Christmas stories with a fix throwing in a dash of horror. There are six different covers featuring Santa Claus, Krampus and a few other characters from the stories. Here is the official summary:
"Six seasonal fantasy-adventure stories to drive the cold winter away! See : Saint Nicholas match wits with a devil! Mrs. Claus take on the Wild Huntsman! The birth of a log that poops nougat! The grisly outcome of trying to outlaw the Krampus! How many cookies really make a dozen! PLUS : How they do Christmas in Lovecraft country!"
Archie Comics Digest #3 was released by Archie Comics this week and it's the winter special. The cover features Archie, Betty and Veronica skiing. Not only are there Christmas stories but there is also one for Valentine's Day. Here is the official summary:
"Our brand-new digest line continues to heat things up… even in the winter, including a BRAND-NEW STORY! Archie’s ski lodge speed dating event isn’t going the way he planned—could Sabrina magically whip up the rizz he needs to find a cold-weather companion? Plus, get ready for snowball fights, cozy romance stories, and the puzzles, fashion pages, and pin-ups you know and love, all loaded with winter fun!"
Christmas may be a week away, but ThunderCats Holiday Special 2025 #1 came out yesterday from Dynamite Entertainment. Yes, I know it's spelled "Ho!(liday)" on the covers but the copyright page has it as "Holiday" so I'm going with that. This Festival of the Claw tale features mostly Lion-O, Panthro and Snarf. Here is the official summary:
"While on a mission in the snowy mountains of Third Earth, the ThunderCats stumble across Snowman, the last of his people, on the eve of the Festival of the Claw — a day of celebration, food, and gifts, and a time for Snowman to pay tribute to those he’s lost. With no others of his kind remaining to pass his traditions on to, Snowman shares them with the ’Cats, who understand all too well the need to persevere in the face of overwhelming loss. Meanwhile, just outside of Snowman’s mountaintop village, Queen Tartara’s royal guard are preparing to use the holiday as a perfect opportunity for a surprise attack. But even on this hallowed occasion, not every Thunderan has let down their guard!"
