New Comic Book Day: This Week’s Must-Have Indie New Releases (2/22) #NCBD

New Comic Book Day, this coming Wednesday (2/22),
has some great new releases, debuts, and variants galore.

PopCultHQ has compiled a list of new releases from indie publishers
that we think are must-reads and ones to watch!

Our top picks this week are from Action Lab: Danger Zone, AfterShock Comics, American Mythology Productions, Black Mask Studios, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, IDW PublishingImage Comics, Oni PressValiant, and Zenescope.

Check out all the available covers, read up on each one’s synopsis,
and then pick them up this coming Wednesday!

#NCBD

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ACTION LAB: DANGER ZONE

 

Damon Clark’s The Circle #3 – Cover A by Alyzia Zherno
Damon Clark’s The Circle #3 – Cover B by Sami Makkonen

Damon Clark’s The Circle #3

Writer: Damon Clark

Art: Alyzia Zherno

Covers: Alyzia Zherno, Sami Makkonen

Cover Price: $3.99

The ritual has begun with the spilling of blood, and Christian’s soul is cursed forever… unless he can do the only thing that can reverse the ritual. Christian must kill all of his friends.


Vampblade 98 #1 – Cover A by Arturo Louga

Vampblade ’98 #1 (One-Shot)

Writer: Jason Martin
Art: Arturo Louga
Covers: Arturo Louga, Pow Rodrix, Daniel Campos

Cover Price: $3.99

Take a trip back to the late 90’s, when everyone obsessed over Y2K, and ‘bad girl’ books were the biggest thing in comics! One obscure book turned out to be real– the sexy nocturnal exploits of its titular vampire-slaying character weren’t tales of science-fiction, but chronicles of a hidden reality. Relive the cult classic story of Vampblade? for the very first time! Features 3 pairs of regular and risqué 90s style covers.

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COVERS AVAILABLE


AFTERSHOCK COMICS

Rough Riders: Riders on the Storm #1 – Cover A by Pat Olliffe
Rough Riders: Riders on the Storm #1 – Cover B – Photo

Rough Riders: Riders on the Storm #1

Writer: Adam Glass

Art: Pat Oliffe

Covers: Pat Olliffe, Photo variant

Cover Price: $3.99

Great jumping on point! Three years have passed since the Rough Riders last adventure, but when an assassins’ bullet takes President William McKinley’s life, Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt is thrust into the role of Commander in Chief. As a country mourns the loss of their leader, Roosevelt believes that the assassin is part of a bigger conspiracy, ones whose tentacles reach back to Europe and whose intentions are to destroy humanity through world-wide ANARCHY. To stop them Roosevelt must convince Harry Houdini, Jack Johnson, Thomas Edison and a surprisingly very alive Annie Oakley to band together again. But time has strained the bonds that once united them and the ideologies of their enemies may have already seeped into one of their own. Welcome to the ROUGH RIDERS SECOND ARC: ‘DARE MIGHTY THINGS’.


AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY PRODUCTIONS

Bedtime Stories For Impressionable Children #1 – Cover B by Mark Wheatley
Bedtime Stories For Impressionable Children #1 – Cover A by Joe James

Bedtime Stories For Impressionable Children #1

Writer: Jim Shooter

Art: James Nelms

Covers: Joe James, Mark Wheatley,
Blank Sketch cover also available

Cover Price: $3.99

Jim Shooter at American Mythology? You bet! The legendary comics writer joins creator-writer J.C. Vaughn (Zombie-Proof, Vampire, PA), newcomer writer-artist James Nelms, and cover artist Mark Wheatley (Breathtaker, Frankenstein Mobster) for a new take on the classic horror anthology, Bedtime Stories For Impressionable Children. American Mythology’s Year of Horror begins right here!


BLACK MASK STUDIOS

Quantum Teens Are Go #1

Writer: Magdalene Visaggio
Art: Eryk Donovan
Cover: Eryk Donovan

Cover Price: $3.99

Mad science is the punkest s*** there is. Teenage sweethearts Nat & Sumesh spend their nights breaking into abandoned superlabs to steal the parts they need to build a time machine – and they’ve just found the most important part. But mysterious entities keep trying to stop them turning it on. Now all they’ve gotta do is hang on long enough to figure out why. Magdalene Visaggio (Kim & Kim) and Eryk Donovan (Memetic) bring you a high-octane adventure full of robots, muscle cars, and queer-a** skater punks.


BOOM! STUDIOS

 

Jim Henson Power Of Dark Crystal #1 – Cover A by Jae Lee

Jim Henson’s The Power of the Dark Crystal #1

 

Writer: Simon Spurrier
Art: Nichole Matthews

Cover Price: $3.99

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal, return to the world of Thra in an official sequel to the beloved fantasy film. Discover an all-new race of creatures called Firelings that live in a realm near the planet’s core, based on official character designs by Brian Froud. Years have passed since the events of the original film, and though Jen and Kira have ruled Thra as King and Queen, bringing Gelfling back to the land, they have become distracted by power and can no longer feel or see the needs of the world the way they once did. Thurma is a young Fireling tasked with stealing a shard of the Dark Crystal to restore power to her realm. Along the way she’ll befriend the young Gelfling Kensho, bring back the Skeksis and Mystics, and embark on one incredible adventure.

COVERS AVAILABLE


DARK HORSE COMICS

The Visitor: How And Why He Stayed #1

Writer: Mike Mignola
Art: Paul Grist
Cover: Paul Grist

Cover Price: $3.99

In 1944 Hellboy was conjured in a ceremony meant to give Hitler the ultimate occult weapon. Fortunately, Professor Trevor Bruttenholm was there to witness, and to guide Hellboy to become the greatest paranormal detective in the world. But Bruttenholm wasn’t the only witness to Hellboy’s arrival. A visitor was there, sent to kill the Beast that had been prophesied to kill us all. What the visitor saw, and why he stayed his hand, leads to the most mysterious Hellboy spinoff yet ?


IDW PUBLISHING

Darkness Visible #1 – Cover A by Brendan Cahill
Darkness Visible #1 – Subscription Variant by Dave Kendall
Darkness Visible #1 – 10 Copy Cover by Frazer Irving

Darkness Visible #1

Writer: Mike Carey
Art: Brendan Cahill
Covers: Brendan Cahill

Cover Price: $3.99

From bestselling author and screenwriter Mike Carey (Unwritten, Lucifer, Girl with All the Gifts) and Arvind Ethan David (Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency) comes an all-new, original world of darkness and demons. When the demons came, humanity reluctantly learned to share the world with another sentient race. Eighty years later, this uneasy co-existence has spawned an endless terrorist conflict. Detective Daniel Aston, charged with being the thin blue line between the two sides, is tested to the limit when a demon sets up house inside his soul. But to save his daughter, he’ll pay any price-including genocide.


IMAGE COMICS

Belfry #1 (One-Shot)

Writer: Gabriel Hardman
Art: Gabriel Hardman
Cover: Gabriel Hardman

Cover Price: $3.99

AN ALL-NEW HORROR ONE-SHOT FROM GABRIEL HARDMAN! When an airliner crashes in a remote jungle, everyone walks away unscathed only to find you can’t escape the lush, brutal world of the Belfry. From Hugo Award-nominated writer/artist GABRIEL HARDMAN (INVISIBLE REPUBLIC, KINSKI, Star Wars Legacy), THE BELFRY is a self-contained one-shot that may just strip you of your humanity.


Curse Words #2 – Cover A by Ryan Browne
Curse Words #2 – Cover B by Chip Zdarsky
Curse Words #2 – Image 25th Ann. Tribute Cover by Ryan Browne

Curse Words #2

Writer: Charles Soule

Art: Ryan Browne

Cover: Ryan Browne

Cover Price: $3.99

‘THE DEVIL’S DEVIL,’ Part Two-Wizord, New York City’s beloved sorcerous protector (at least that’s what he wants you to think) has done something TERRIBLE to the city. It was sort of an accide-no. It was completely on purpose, and now he has to fix it before everything goes to hell. Meanwhile, evil wizards, including Wizord’s ex Ruby Stitch, are lining up to take him down. It ain’t gonna be pretty-but it’s gonna be MAGIC.


The Few #2 – Cover A by Hayden Sherman
The Few #2 – Image 25th Anniv. Tribute Cover Variant by Hayden Sherman

The Few #2

Writer: Sean Lewis

Art: Hayden Sherman

Cover: Hayden Sherman

Cover Price: $4.99

As Hale and the Boys run further from Herrod they find themselves taken in by the father of the militia men. Hale’s past comes more and more into light as we discover how these boys are as good at guerilla warfare as they are.


The Old Guard #1

Writer: Greg Rucka
Art: Leandro Fernandez
Cover: Leandro Fernandez

Cover Price: $3.99

Eisner-winning writer GREG RUCKA (LAZARUS, BLACK MAGICK, Wonder Woman) and critically acclaimed artist LEANDRO FERNANDEZ (THE DISCIPLINE, Deadpool, Punisher: MAX) team up together to introduce THE OLD GUARD, the story of old soldiers who never die?and yet cannot seem to fade away. Trapped in an immortality without explanation, Andromache of Scythia – ‘Andy’ – and her comrades ply their trade for those who can find-and afford-their services. But in the 21st century, immortality is a hard secret to keep, and when you live long enough, you learn that there are many fates worse than death.


Outcast By Kirkman & Azaceta #25 – Cover A by Paul Azaceta
Outcast By Kirkman & Azaceta #25 – Image 25th Anniv. Tribute Variant Cover by Paul Azaceta

Outcast By Kirkman & Azaceta #25

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Art: Paul Azaceta

Cover: Paul Azaceta

Cover Price: $0.25

NEW STORY ARC! ‘LIGHT OF DAY’-A major turning point in the series! New characters are introduced! Big things are in store for Kyle Barnes as he’s faced with something he never could have prepared for-hope! Everything changes as we celebrate our 25th issue! ALSO, HOLY CRAP! THIS ISSUE IS .25 CENTS TO CELEBRATE THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF IMAGE COMICS!


Sun Bakery #1

Writer: Corey Lewis
Art: Corey Lewis
Cover: Corey Lewis

Cover Price: $4.99

The sold-out indy hit returns through IMAGE COMICS! SUN BAKERY comics anthology features the following stories: ‘DREAM SKILLS,’ about a city where guns are obsolete and the social culture is swordplay; ‘AREM,’ a space adventurer on a quest to photograph the most beautiful galactic vistas; and ‘BAT RIDER,’ a supernatural skateboarding comic.

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ONI PRESS

Letter 44 #30

Writer: Charles Soule
Art: Alberto Alburquerque
Cover: Alberto Alburquerque

Cover Price: $3.99

President Stephen Blades prepares for the most important press briefing of his career. Likely the most important press briefing of all time – it’s time to let the world know the truth about what’s coming. On Mars, negotiations with the Builders have failed. The surviving crew of the Clarke must flee for their lives… but with no ship, on a dead planet, where can they go?

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VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT

Cover A by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC (DEC162029)

Divinity III: Stalinverse #3

Writer: Matt Kindt
Art: Trevor Hairsine
Covers: Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic, Tom Muller, Adam Gorham, Greg Smallwood, Jeffrey Veregge

Cover Price: $3.99

Red rebellion! Across continents, the world bows to the oppressive and ruthless might of the global Russian regime. Former Russian intelligence officer Colin King, however, knows that this reality is not his own. With the truth on his side, Colin King is about to mount a resistance with aid of the world’s most feared undesirables?and release the classified asset known as Abram Adams from a prison guarded by the CCCP’s greatest super powers. But when Myshka – the divinely powered enforcer of the Soviet Union – comes to crush their uprising, will the man once known as Ninjak live long enough to discover the sinister reason that the Stalinverse came to be? The truth behind Valiant’s shocking new reality will finally be revealed as New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (NINJAK) and blockbuster artist Trevor Hairsine (DIVINITY II) pull back the iron curtain and reveal the insidious mastermind who will stop at nothing to preserve this twisted world order!

COVERS AVAILABLE

<PREVIEW VALIANT’S NEW RELEASE (2/22): DIVINITY III: STALINVERSE #3>


Cover A by DARICK ROBERTSON (DEC162044)

Harbinger Renegade #4

Writer: Rafer Roberts
Art: Darick Robertson
Covers: Darick Robertson, Dave Johnson, Monika Palosz, Cryssy Cheung, David Lafuente, Jim Mahfood

Cover Price: $3.99

Retaliation! Faith Herbert, the heart and soul of the Harbinger Renegades, has been captured! Now, Peter Stanchek, Kris Hathaway, and John Torkelson must put their powers to practice and rescue their beloved ally from a radicalized group of psiots bent on fraying the fabric of society. But as the rechristened Renegades make their move, their newfound rivals strike first by making Peter an offer he can’t refuse. As the clock ticks closer to tragedy, will the omega-level harbinger make a do-or-die decision to save his friends… or himself? Valiant’s latest smash-hit series fires back onto the frontline as multiple Harvey Award nominee Rafer Roberts (Plastic Farm) and superstar artist Darick Robertson (Transmetropolitan, The Boys) present the final moment of truth!

COVERS AVAILABLE

<PREVIEW VALIANT’S NEW RELEASE (2/22): HARBINGER RENEGADE #4>


ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT

 

GFT Robyn Hood I Love NY #9 – Cover A by David Lorenzo Riveiro

GFT Robyn Hood: I Love NY #9

 

Writer: Joe Brusha

Art: David Lorenzo Riveiro

Covers: David Lorenzo Riveiro, Marc Rosete, Allan Otero, Jose Luis

Cover Price: $3.99

Death in NYC Death Force is on an unexplainable rampage in NYC. Robyn fights to protect her home turf, stop Death Force from hurting innocent people, and solve the mystery of his madness. But revenge comes in many shapes and sizes and, in this case, with the power of a dragon!

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COVERS AVAILABLE