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.
§ Publishers Weekly reports the SWAT Kats comics series has become the biggest Kickstarter campaign of all time for a single-issue comic book (rather than a graphic novel), after raising over $732,000. A continuation of the 1993 Hanna-Barbera cartoon created by the Tremblay brothers, the comic is being written by Kevin Roditeli and Frank J. Barbiere, with art by Jorge Corona, and edited by Joseph Illidge. It marks the first project from Roditeli’s new studio, Roditeli Productions, which he founded after leaving Massive Publishing last year. The book’s crowdfunding period has ended, but you can still pledge for available rewards.
§ Via Nerdist, Dark Horse revealed two Avatar: The Last Airbender books. The first is Avatar Legends: Masters of the Elements, an anthology of old and new comics, spotlighting the different Avatars, by various creators releasing on July 14, 2026. The second is Sokka’s Boomerang Class, a new installment of the Chibi graphic novel series by Kelly Leigh Miller and Ruka Ito, due out July 21. The books will coincide with the second season of the live-action Netflix series, and the new animated film The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender (arriving October 9).
§ Via IGN, Skybound announced a Super Creepshow series. Building off of October’s superhero-themed special, the first issue will feature two stories respectively by Kieron Gillen & Rossi Gifford (Wonder Woman: Black & Gold), and former Unbeatable Squirrel Girl team Ryan North and Derek Charm. Issue #1 will arrive on March 18.
§ Mad Cave will publish Virginia Woolf, a graphic biography of the iconic author by Liuba Gabriele, on May 26. The Italian book, which was originally released in English by comiXology, focuses on Woolf’s affair with fellow writer Vita Sackville-West (the inspiration for Woolf’s novel Orlando). Its release will mark 85 years since Woolf’s death, aged only 59, on March 29, 1941.
§ Paramount+ announced School Spirits season three will premiere with three episodes on January 28. The series, based on the unreleased graphic novel by showrunners Nate & Megan Trinrud (as well as artist Maria Nguyen) and starring Peyton List, will see heroine Maddie Nears and her friends continue to uncover the supernatural mysteries of their high school. Jennifer Tilly will join this season’s guest stars as Dr. Hunter-Price.
§ 20th Century Studios have delayed the release of the second Simpsons Movie to September 3, 2027. The sequel was announced earlier this year for a release on July 23, 2027, taking the place of an unannounced Marvel movie, for what would’ve been just in time for the 20th anniversary of the first film. It remains to be seen if Disney will schedule an MCU film again for that summer, although Sony’s Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is still set for that window between Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
§ The 2026 Golden Globe Award nominations were announced. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle was nominated for Best Animated Motion Picture alongside KPop Demon Hunters, which was also nominated for Best Original Song (“Golden”), and er, Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. Other nominations included Best Actor in a Television Series (Drama) for Diego Luna in Andor, and Best Actress in a Television Series (Musical or Comedy) for Jenna Ortega in Wednesday. For the full list, which was dominated by One Battle After Another, head to Variety. The winners will be announced on January 11.
§ The Critics’ Choice Award nominations, dominated by Sinners, were also revealed. Harley Quinn, Marvel Zombies, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man were all shortlisted for Best Animated Series, and KPop Demon Hunters was nominated for Best Animated Feature, and Best Song (“Golden”). Andor was nominated for Best Drama Series, and Best Actor in that genre for Diego Luna, while The Fantastic Four: First Steps was recognized for Production Design, and Superman earned a Visual Effects nomination. The winners will be announced on January 4.
§ Finally, 2000 AD shares British artist Adam Stone has passed away, aged just 34, following what Down the Tubes describes as “a tragic accident.” Stone was the winner of last year’s 2000 AD Talent Search, and his first work for the magazine, “Future Shocks: Infiltrator,” was published this July; his other work included Venus Rises, album covers, and game art. He is survived by his wife, son, mother, two aunts, and two uncles. You can donate to the RSPCA or English Heritage in lieu of flowers at his tribute page, here.
