Top News

Graphic Novel Review: PHENOMENA BOOK 3 is a perfect rattebattle ending for this Bendis, Araújo epic

Phenomena Book 3 is an excellent ending chapter for this fantastic graphic novel trilogy by Brian Michael Bendis and André Lima Araújo.

Graphic Novel Review: LOW ORBIT boldly explores the intersections of fiction and identity

Low Orbit is a sensitive LGBTQ+ coming-of-age story about exploring fiction and finding the courage to accept the complications of reality.

PEACEMAKER season 2 trailer reveals some very special guest stars

The trailer for the long-awaited second season, premiering August 21, doesn't shy away from its connections to the new DC Universe.

The week in Diamond Bankruptcy: filings and fees and questions

It was a quiet week in Diamond Bankruptcy news, after last week's thrill ride of shocking developments.

The Beat Digest 05/09/25: Schreier to reboot X-MEN?

On today's Digest, Jake Schreier is in talks to direct X-Men, Event Horizon gets a prequel, and Dark Horse reveals The Witcher: The Witcher.

LATEST NEWS

Latest News

The white smoke rises in time for BATTLE POPE comic 25th anniversary collection

The very first comic series from superstar creative team of Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore gets collected in one epic hardcover!

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN ride update

While the world worries about the Reds' Rocket Dare, and what really killed Ken Lay, there is really only one topic keeping us up...

The Beat: now with morning coffee

Thanks for all the well wishes and kind words! It's great to have interaction back -- although when the spammers get started, let's see...

Welcome!

Welcome to The Beat's new home at Publishers Weekly! We're still figuring a few things out, like categories and the sidebar and so on....

Heroes Con ’06 Photo Parade

With a heaping helping of southern hospitality, aided by caffeine infusions at all hours, and only slightly impeded by the terror of BAGWORMS, Heroes...

Xavier found in Gaslamp

Tom Galloway writes to tell us: Was surfing around to see what the Gaslamp Quarter restaurant scene looks like this year when I happened on...

Manga and Anime News

Chang Sheng’s award-winning series OLDMAN launches Kickstarter via eigoMANGA

eigoMANGA has launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring Chang Sheng’s "Oldman" to readers around the world. The award-winning manga tells the story of a mysterious court magician who escapes prison to seek revenge against an immortal queen. Known for its detailed art and powerful themes, "Oldman" has earned accolades including the International Manga Award and Taiwan’s Golden Comic Award.

Wonderful Wednesdays: GHOST AND WITCH, THE BEAST KING AND HIS APPRENTICE and more fantasy series from Seven Seas

Seven Seas stirs up a magical mix of fantasy, romance, and cozy charm in this week’s Wonderful Wednesdays. From mythical beasts to vengeful witches, February 2026 is shaping up to be an enchanting month for manga and light novel fans, with cats, books, and a whole lot of magic leading the charge.

PICK ME PICK ME launches May 28: flirt, sabotage, and compete in this AI-powered dating sim

"Pick Me Pick Me" is a new AI-assisted PvP dating game from Moncage devs Optillusion, arriving May 28 on Steam, iOS, and Android with voice chat, sabotage cards, and custom characters.

Penguin Random House and Disney sign new licensing deal

Penguin Random House have expanded their deal to publish books, including manga, based on all Disney properties.

RED NIGHT and DING DONG CIRCUS hit shelves this April from Breakdown Press

Breakdown Press brings experimental manga to the forefront with "Red Night" by Kazuichi Hanawa and a long-awaited reprint of "Ding Dong Circus" by Sasaki Maki, both arriving April 28, 2025.

Kodansha light novels now available on Barnes & Noble NOOK

Kodansha expands its digital library with 60 fan-favorite light novels now available on Barnes & Noble NOOK, including titles like "BAKEMONOGATARI," "Am I Actually the Strongest?," and "My Unique Skill Makes Me OP Even at Level 1."

Business News

The week in Diamond Bankruptcy: filings and fees and questions

It was a quiet week in Diamond Bankruptcy news, after last week's thrill ride of shocking developments.

Penguin Random House and Disney sign new licensing deal

Penguin Random House have expanded their deal to publish books, including manga, based on all Disney properties.

Kodansha light novels now available on Barnes & Noble NOOK

Kodansha expands its digital library with 60 fan-favorite light novels now available on Barnes & Noble NOOK, including titles like "BAKEMONOGATARI," "Am I Actually the Strongest?," and "My Unique Skill Makes Me OP Even at Level 1."

Fletch-a-Sketch Talent Representation launches with five artists

F.A.S.T. Rep is a new talent rep working with Bernard Chang, Riccardo Federici, Emanuela Lupacchino, Dustin Nguyen and Giulia Pellegrini for events

Court approves sale of Diamond assets to Universal/Ad Populum

The court has approved the sale of most of Diamond's assets to Universal Entertainment and Ad Populum

Diamond files motion to approve sale to Universal and Ad Populum

As many expected, Diamond Comics has filed a motion to approve sale of their assets to Universal Distribution and Sparkle Pop/Ad Populum

Reviews

Graphic Novel Review: PHENOMENA BOOK 3 is a perfect rattebattle ending for this Bendis, Araújo epic

Phenomena Book 3 is an excellent ending chapter for this fantastic graphic novel trilogy by Brian Michael Bendis and André Lima Araújo.

Ruby Sunday gets her “Lucky Day” in latest DOCTOR WHO episode

After she left the TARDIS, Ruby joined UNIT in order to continue fighting aliens. Now she must face something even deadlier...boys!

Graphic Novel Review: LOW ORBIT boldly explores the intersections of fiction and identity

Low Orbit is a sensitive LGBTQ+ coming-of-age story about exploring fiction and finding the courage to accept the complications of reality.

Graphic Novel Review: TSUNAMI is a disarming, coming-of-age debut comic

Tsunami by Ned Wenlock is a stirring debut and a disarming feat of cartooning that taps into the highs and lows of growing up. 

The Marvel Rundown: Segura and Noto bring political intrigue to a new STAR WARS #1

The Beat's Marvel team reviews this week's new books including Star Wars #1, Fantastic Four Fanfare #1, and Sam Wilson: Captain America #5!

DC Round-Up: ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #7 delivers a terrifying new version of Brainiac

Absolute Superman #7 is the lead review in this week's DC Round-Up column, which also checks in with Absolute Green Lantern and Poison Ivy.

Wednesday Comics Reviews: CAPTAIN PLANET and FREE PLANET orbit the same week, and more

Captain Planet returns to comics with a new volume that has our reviewer excited. Plus, we look at the return of Heavy Metal Magazine!

Top Comics to Buy for May 7, 2025: Do you like HEAVY METAL and fight comics? This is your week

This week's Top Comics to Buy for May 7 is a hard-hitting bunch, featuring punchy books like Black Canary, Ultimate Wolverine and Heavy Metal.

Classic Comic Compendium: ULTIMATE DOOMSDAY helped solidify one of Marvel’s greatest villains

Ultimate Doomsday was one of the formative stories within the original Ultimate Universe, and it's implications are still being felt.

Entertainment

Ruby Sunday gets her “Lucky Day” in latest DOCTOR WHO episode

After she left the TARDIS, Ruby joined UNIT in order to continue fighting aliens. Now she must face something even deadlier...boys!

Chang Sheng’s award-winning series OLDMAN launches Kickstarter via eigoMANGA

eigoMANGA has launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring Chang Sheng’s "Oldman" to readers around the world. The award-winning manga tells the story of a mysterious court magician who escapes prison to seek revenge against an immortal queen. Known for its detailed art and powerful themes, "Oldman" has earned accolades including the International Manga Award and Taiwan’s Golden Comic Award.

PEACEMAKER season 2 trailer reveals some very special guest stars

The trailer for the long-awaited second season, premiering August 21, doesn't shy away from its connections to the new DC Universe.

THE OLD GUARD 2 trailer pits Theron against Thurman

Netflix has released the trailer for the sequel, which will finally arrive five years after the first film on July 2.

Former IDW exec David Ozer sentenced in embezzlement case

A former IDW Entertainment exec has been sentenced to jail after embezzling money on a TV show that was based on a nonexistent comic book

PICK ME PICK ME launches May 28: flirt, sabotage, and compete in this AI-powered dating sim

"Pick Me Pick Me" is a new AI-assisted PvP dating game from Moncage devs Optillusion, arriving May 28 on Steam, iOS, and Android with voice chat, sabotage cards, and custom characters.

Wrestling News and History

Turnbuckle BEATdown: WrestleMania Sunday a livelier affair as John Cena makes history

Historic main event tops a much improved second night card

Turnbuckle BEATdown: WrestleMania Saturday delivered a mixed baguette with a couple of gems

The main event was certainly one for the ages.

Turnbuckle BEATdown: We predict Wrestlemania 41

We're thinking Cena takes the belt from the American Nightmare. You?

Turnbuckle BEATdown: WWE, John Cena Team Up With Drumstick For Summer-Long Promotion

I thought it was CM Punk who famously demanded more WWE ice cream?