Welcome back to The Beat Digest, a twice-weekly round-up of the biggest comics-related news stories we’ve missed every Tuesday and Friday. Is there a story out there you think we should cover? Be sure to let us know in the comments
§ Marvel launched X-Men ’97: Strike Files, an Infinity series on Unlimited, written by Steve Foxe with art by Marcio Fiorito (Avengers United). The TV show tie-in explores how Nathan Summers became Cable in the far future. X-Men ’97 season two, featuring Chris Potter as Cable and Michael Johnston as young Nathan, is now releasing on Disney+, and issue #2 of the print prequel (also written by Foxe) will arrive on July 8
§ Speaking of X-Men ’97, Marvel teamed up with Garage Beer with a commercial capitalizing on the nostalgic feelings the show evokes, complete with an appearance from Garage co-owner Jason Kelce as Wolverine. The commercial’s release coincided with the day of the wedding of Jason’s brother (and Garage’s other owner), Travis, to Taylor Swift on Friday, July 3
§ Dark Horse revealed four manga releases in the run-up to this weekend’s Anime Expo, including Gou Tanabe‘s latest H.P. Lovecraft adaptation, The Haunter of the Dark (out April 27), Kenji Tsuruta‘s tale of a laidback aircraft pilot The Sky is but One Roof of the World (April 6), a deluxe edition of Hiroya Oku‘s Gantz (also April 6), and a second edition of Yoshitaka Amano‘s Deva Zan (March 2). For more, head to the link, and click here for Dark Horse’s manga releases in Fall 2026
§ Papercutz revealed Meteor Mite: Up & At ‘Em!, a new addition to Art Baltazar‘s Aw Yeah Universe, due out September 22. The children’s graphic novel follows Mite, a bug who becomes a superhero after being empowered by an Enchanted Crystal from outer space, which the evil Meteor Mongers seek to possess. It will retail in paperback for $12.99, and hardcover for $17.99, and mark Baltazar’s third Aw Yeah book at Papercutz, following Action Cat & Adventure Bug: Let’s Do This!, and Webster the Spider Monkey: Spectacular Amazement.
§ Mugshots creators Jordan Thomas and Chris Matthews are reteaming on The Gods and Monsters of Hedgrave, now being crowdfunded on Kickstarter. The graphic novel, which involves “aliens, ambition, conspiracy, Nazis and family,” is set in 1934, and follows an inventor who moves with his family to apprentice in the titular English village. However, he soon finds himself torn between his family, who realize something is amiss, and the dark secrets his mentors offer. The Kickstarter, which closes on August 2, has raised £6,116 of the £18,000 ($24,102.72) goal at the time of writing.
§ In more Kickstarter news, Panick Entertainment will launch a crowdfunder for a Attack of the Killer Tomatoes comic, based on the cult classic film series of the same name. The comic, written by Bob Frantz and Kevin Cuffe (Skeeters) with art by Bob Timony (The Night Owls), will bring together new characters with legacy ones like Chad, Tara, and Dr. Nicholas Mortimer Gangreen. It coincides with the upcoming reboot Organic Intelligence, the rights for which have been acquired by Anchor Bay Entertainment. Sign up to be notified of when it launches at the link.
§ Finally, a horror movie based on prolific cover artist Trevor Henderson‘s character Siren Head is in the works at Warner Bros., with Brian Duffield (No One Will Save You) set to direct, and write with producer Zach Cregger (Weapons). The Hollywood Reporter states the rights to Henderson’s creature were acquired following a five-studio bidding war. Created in 2018, Siren Head is a design of a giant yet camouflaging monster with two sirens for a head, that subsequently went viral on social media. Duffield’s next movie, Whalefall, will be released in theaters in the meantime on October 16.
