Following its first-ever Eisner Award nomination, Clover Press has announced a new creator-owned imprint, The Fourth Leaf, just in time for the publisher’s appearance at San Diego Comic-Con 2026. Today, The Beat can reveal the first three titles from the new imprint, all of which will hit Kickstarter later this year.
“We’re living in an unparalleled time of creativity and opportunity in the comic book industry,” said Clover Press Publisher Hank Kanalz. “We may not have flying cars (yet) and we may not be living on space stations (yet), but we are absolutely living in the future of near endless creative possibilities. It’s our distinct pleasure at Clover Press to spotlight some of the stories that resonate deeply with us, and connect them directly to readers looking for something new and different.
“These are bold, bloody and pulpy stories by fearless creators, and we’re proud to provide them a place to create without limits,” Kanalz continued. “These are stories to invigorate and ignite the future.”
“We are thrilled to be expanding Clover Press’s line of publications to include more original creator-owned content. We’re starting slowly, and are adding books that we like to read to our line,” said Clover Press Co-Founder and Senior Art Director Robbie Robbins. “A Clover Press publication means a combination of quality content with a higher end format—we like to have fun making books and hope you’ll have as much enjoyment reading them.”
Here are the details on the first round of titles from The Fourth Leaf.
I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits by Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard
From the creative team behind Image Comics’ Plastic, Plush, Vinyl, I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer, and Narco comes a brand new graphic novel that blends the dark comedy and horror they’re known for with a wild supernatural twist, all delivered with their signature irreverent humor.
Resurrected in a vat of holy motor oil, a nerdy pacifist finds himself trapped inside the hulking body of a supernatural slasher and forced to protect a psychic kid from the forces of Heaven, Hell, and everything in between. It’s a lot to process, but at least he’s got a Halloween mask and a squad of homicidal chickens!
Sign up on the I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits Kickstarter prelaunch page to be notified when the campaign is live.
Bear Pirate Viking Queen by Sean Lewis and Jonathan Marks Barravecchia
From writer Sean Lewis (King Spawn) and artist Jonathan Marks Barravecchia comes a dynamic, deluxe, and blood-splattered oversized hardcover of conquest and carnage. Rendered in stunning watercolor, Bear Pirate Viking Queen is a gripping and gorgeous story of bloody battling bears, violent Vikings, and the epic struggle for what the world will become. This publication marks the first time that the popular series has been published in hardcover.
Sign up on the Bear Pirate Viking Queen Kickstarter prelaunch page to be notified when the campaign is live.
Cal McDonald: Plague of Evil and Other Stories by Steve Niles and various artists
From legendary horror writer Steve Niles, creator of 30 Days of Night, comes Cal McDonald: Plague of Evil and Other Stories, a new short story collection starring his cult-favorite paranormal detective, Cal McDonald. In the tradition of Mickey Spillane and Rymond Chandler, Niles sends Cal on a strange journey through a Los Angeles populated by monsters, freaks, ghouls, and all kinds of new creatures hell-bent on causing chaos.
Sign up for the Cal McDonald Kickstarter prelaunch page to be notified when the campaign is live.
