Top News

Tariffs are upending the toy industry – with no clarity in sight

Even with a deal in sight, the current 145% tariff on Chinese imports has had a massive effect on the toy industry - and manufacturers are scrambling.

Preview: TO BROADWAY follows a gay dancer in post-World War II

Check out a preview of To Broadway by Maurane Mazars follows a young gay man as he pursues his dancing dreams in the wake of WWII.

Horror Beat: LAST RITES is the final Conjuring entry…of Phase 1?

Can we just leave this ‘phases’ nonsense to Marvel?

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.

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.

LATEST NEWS

Latest News

Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up: CLOUD TOWN, ACID BOX, LETS GO! and more projects you’ll love!

In this week’s Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up, check out what happens when deep stories meet sketchbook art, a rave culture story, newspaper-style comics criticism, and more!

Anime Expo this weekend

It's the biggest anime/manga fest of the year, highlighted by the epochal appearance of CLAMP! Pata has an entertaining run down of panels 1:00-2:00 pm...

ALA in perspective

Robin Brenner, Creator & Editor in Chief of Noflyingnotights.com, wrote to give us some much needed background on the graphic novel panel at...

Hollywood sure is swell!

The New York Times looks at the "Slick. Young. Hip. Powerful." world of studio execs, a lizardlike world where face and ritual rule...

Ennis: No Preacher TV show

Seeing as how we were responsible for getting a new round of "Preacher is an HBO miniseries" rumors going, we decided we would go...

PaperRad: Good enough for the Tate but not Diamond

As we've often mentioned here, as monopolies go, Diamond is one of the most benevolent ones out there. We often hear general kvetching about...

SDCC: Help wanted, rooms wanted

Over here at SBM we look at the daily Comic-con countdown at Sky McCloud's LJ and despair. Time is short. Is there any general...

Manga and Anime News

Beat’s Bizarre Adventure: Bird is the word in Laica Chrose’s WINGED

This week, Beat's Bizarre Adventure covers the manga series CATCH THESE HANDS! and DORORO, as well as the webcomic WINGED.

Manga Review: YOU TALK TOO MUCH, SO JUST SHUT IT ALREADY! is a comedy of miscommunication with heart

In this review of "You Talk Too Much, So Just Shut It Already!," we explore a sweet, silly manga full of heart, humor, and hilariously failed sign language.

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.

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

Beat’s Bizarre Adventure: Bird is the word in Laica Chrose’s WINGED

This week, Beat's Bizarre Adventure covers the manga series CATCH THESE HANDS! and DORORO, as well as the webcomic WINGED.

Classic Comic Compendium: CATACLYSM – THE ULTIMATES’ LAST STAND effectively ended the Ultimate branding

The event story CATACLYSM - The Ultimates' Last Stand effectively ended the Ultimate branding, even though a trio of titles continued.

Manga Review: YOU TALK TOO MUCH, SO JUST SHUT IT ALREADY! is a comedy of miscommunication with heart

In this review of "You Talk Too Much, So Just Shut It Already!," we explore a sweet, silly manga full of heart, humor, and hilariously failed sign language.

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.

Entertainment

Horror Beat: LAST RITES is the final Conjuring entry…of Phase 1?

Can we just leave this ‘phases’ nonsense to Marvel?

Ryan Coogler is what real meritocracy looks like

The Black Panther and Sinners director Ryan Coogler is having a generational run.

THE LIBRARIANS celebrate by giving back to the Little Free Library

TNT partners with Little Free Library to distribute free books and swag for the series premiere.

THE LAST OF US S2x05 Recap: Seattle, Day Two

THE LAST OF US S2x05 Recap: Seattle, Day Two. Tell me, where is Abby?

Tariffs are upending the toy industry – with no clarity in sight

Even with a deal in sight, the current 145% tariff on Chinese imports has had a massive effect on the toy industry - and manufacturers are scrambling.

Manga Review: YOU TALK TOO MUCH, SO JUST SHUT IT ALREADY! is a comedy of miscommunication with heart

In this review of "You Talk Too Much, So Just Shut It Already!," we explore a sweet, silly manga full of heart, humor, and hilariously failed sign language.

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.

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?