Well, much like comic distributors across the country, Pages and Panels hit a “distribution snag” while my mom and I prepared to sell our house and move to a new state. That being said, supplies are back in stock, and we’ll be back to our posting schedule this month, plus a few of these “Back Issue” posts, touching on thoughts and news in the comics community that we missed while I was on hiatus. To start this our Back Issue recaps with with a bang, we’re focusing on the news we’ve missed from we’ve missed from BOOM! Studios.
BOOM! announced the promotion and hiring of several new members of their team for 2022. Eric Harburn is the new Executive Editor of BOOM! and is bringing the skills that helped make titles like Something is Killing the Children, House of Slaughter, BRZRKR, We Only Find Them When They’re Dead, successes for BOOM!. I’m very excited to see how the brand will grow under his leadership! BOOM! also hired Josh Hayes, previously with Diamond Comics, to be the new Vice President of Sales and Stephanie Lazarski as Director of Operations, who comes with a background in expanding brand sales and growth from her time as Expansion Controller at H&M.
It’s very likely that in the next few years, we’re going to see a lot of growth and expansion from BOOM! as they expand their products and really start to release other media adaptations. (I’m ready for news about Netflix’s version of Something is Killing the Children, whenever y’all.)
As for BOOM!’s upcoming print releases, we’ll get to see a new Jim Henson title called Jim Henson The Storyteller: Shapeshifters. Each issue of the four issue series focuses on retelling a fairy tale that features physical transformation of the characters. The first of these retellings is a version of the Irish folklore story “The Tragedy of the Children of Lir” which shares some similarities to the “Six Swans” fairy tale. Jim Henson Storytellers: Shapeshifters #1 hits stands next month.
BOOM! continues their fairy tale theme in April, with the release of Alice Ever After, a five issue miniseries detailing an adult Alice’s descent into Wonderland, addiction, and/or madness. Alice Ever After features Dan Panosian, Giorgio Spalletta, and Fabiana Mascolo as the creative team behind this twisted tale.
Also starting in April is new Buffy-themed title The Vampire Slayer. Sarah Gailey and Irene Flores head the creative team on this new story of the Chosen One. Poor Buffy can’t catch a break, and after a little bit of haywire magic, she’s lost all her memories- including what her responsibilities as a Slayer. As the Scooby Gang attempts to bring back her memories, Sunnydale will face more things that go bump in the night with the help of a newly risen Slayer. Buffy The Vampire Slayer is one of those shows that has managed to retain their cult following and transition from a screen-to-print format. And before you ask, No. It’s safe, Joss Whedon did not work on this book. Enjoy everyone’s favorite vampire-hunting cheerleader without the undercurrent of misogyny that made the tv show so… special.
Buffy will also be making an appearance in May for Free Comic Book Day! Held the first Saturday in May, publishers release special free one-issue stories or samples of their line-up for the next year. BOOM! is placing Buffy at the center of that event with a special 25th anniversary book that features the Scooby Gang’s exploits in a yearbook-styled retrospective featuring a variety of talents.
Also for Free Comic Book Day, BOOM! Is offering a first look at the new graphic novel from the BOOM! Box imprint called Hollow. From the creators of Lumberjanes comes a retelling of the Sleepy Hollow legend with both a modern twist. “Izzy” Crane moves to Sleepy Hollow and ends up teaming up with her new friends, Vicky Van Tassel and Croc Byun, to save Vicky from The Horseman’s Curse. It looks like it’s going to be a really fun take on the story, but I have a crippling fear of the Headless Horseman, so if you plan on picking up a copy, feel free to let me know how it is.
Finally, in other scary story news, May also brings a new ongoing title to print. Grim tells the story of Jessica Harrow, who doesn’t get to retire- even in death. She finds herself dead, with no memory of how she died or why she’s now a reaper… and no idea where the actual Grim Reaper is. The creative team consists of writer Stephanie Phillips, artist Flaviano, colorist Rico Renzi, and Tom Napolitano on lettering. I love a good spooky story and Grim looks right up my alley. I’m really excited for this one!
All in all, it’s looking like BOOM! has a big spring planned for us fans. Aside from their print line-up and their IP branded comics- titles like Dune, Buffy, Power Rangers- BOOM! partnered with Disney+ last year to release an adaptation of R.L. Stine’s middle grade graphic novel series Just Beyond, plus a first look deal at Netflix that resulted in the promise of a Something is Killing the Children series. (Which I’m not excited about. At all. If you couldn’t tell.) While BOOM! may not have the brand recognition that Marvel and DC have, they certainly have the stories and the talent. And I am very much looking forward to whatever they have up their sleeves for later on this year.
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