Once again we asked people from across the spectrum of the comics industry to talk about the year coming and the year past, and to give us a preview of what they have cooking for 2026.
Our bonus question this year is people’s favorite comics shops – so please check out the stores that people love – and why. Comics shops are community centers and that comes up over and over again here.
And check out the complete survey Right Here!
Benjamin Wilgus, Writer and editor
2026 Projects: Most of my personal projects are further out. But the final book in The Adventure Zone series — which I’ve been editing since 2018 – debuts this July, and I’m so excited for the entire team. They all worked incredibly hard to get here, especially Carey Pietsch, the absolute rock star powerhouse at the heart of the series!
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? I expect a lot folks are going to say the collapse of Angoulême, which is valid as hell. Personally, what’s on my mind is the loss of Baker & Taylor as a distribution channel. They did so much to get books into classrooms and libraries, and it’s awful to lose them at a time when margins are already razor thin for so many publishers.
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? The continued collapse of distribution, for one thing. The ongoing threat of AI and the looming question of whether/when the bubble will burst and plunge us into another recession, which always hits the arts the hardest. And I’m steeling myself for another enormous publishing merger to take advantage of the lawlessness and pro-corporate sentiment of the present moment.
Jeffrey Brown, cartoonist
2026 Projects: Two more middle grade graphic novels – Hulk Teach: A Tale of Two Teachers (Scholastic) and Nikolas Nurdblok and The Lost Brick (DK/LEGO). And trying to work on some personal type projects, maybe a new minicomic or two.
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? It’d be nice if the biggest story of the year was something to do with actual comics, but instead it’s the whole Diamond meltdown mess. Sigh.
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? People who have been getting graphic novels banned from library shelves will stop and actually read some comics and realize how wrong they’ve been this whole time. Then they’ll try to make their own comics, which turn out terrible, and because they can’t handle the response they go back and double down on banning graphic novels.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2026? Drawing more stuff that’s just for me, hopefully
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? Darktower Comics. They’ve put in the effort to expand their kids comics selection and aren’t afraid to support books that the majority of their customers might not be interested in. No judgement, no pressure, just a love of comics. They’ve also been super supportive of me as a cartoonist over the years (but aren’t afraid to give me a healthy Chicago style ego check when I need it).
Joe Casey, writer
2026 Projects: BLOOD SQUAD SEVEN (ongoing, from Image Comics), BEN 10 (upcoming from Dynamite Entertainment)
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? Not so much a story, but an ongoing question: what’s the honest state of our industry? Are we in trouble or are sales perfectly healthy? Are we experiencing honest growth or inevitable decline? I honestly have no idea, since everyone seems to have a different answer.
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? I really have no idea. I just hope I’m there for it.
Nate Powell, cartoonist
2026 Projects: I wrote and drew THE TWILIGHT ZONE #4, which will be out in February from IDW. In the early fall my next solo graphic novel, DIANA, will be released from Abrams ComicArts– this emotional, character-centered story is the most creatively satisfying book I’ve ever made. It’s also a prequel to FALL THROUGH, weaving both books together with COME AGAIN to make an interconnected triptych. (Look out for an expanded reissue of COME AGAIN in the fall as well!)
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? The fact that comics shops seem to be having a resurgence of regular customers, and monthly floppy comics are really having their moment right now. It’s exciting to go into the shop on Wednesdays and see what people are excited about in real space.
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? Hopefully the return of strong, sustainable sales and visibility for fictional graphic novels geared toward adults, after many years of carving out crucial space for YA, middle grade, and graphic nonfiction to thrive. It’s time!
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2026? Finding time to draw more things with no intention of publishing or posting them– creating and playing in a free space again.
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? My local shop is Vintage Phoenix Comics in Bloomington, IN. The owner has done a great job orienting the store layout to make it inviting for new readers and young readers, having off-the-cuff sales, raffles, and specials to get people into the shop on off-days, and generally fostering a supportive, inclusive environment each day.
Claire Draper, Literary Agent
2026 Projects: Red and the Wolves by Cherry Zong, published with Andrews McMeel Publishing 1/13/2026. Preview here.
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? Not local to me, but family on the West coast, The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach. It’s a solid space with a gaming side called Game Hub.
Henry Barajas, Author
2026 Projects: The full Death to Pachuco collection will be in stores April 2026. Gil Thorp is currently running in newspapers and GoComics.com for free Monday through Saturday.
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? Diamond filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy was something that continues to affect the comic book industry and economy to this day. Baker & Taylor folding isn’t getting enough attention because this is bad for comics in libraries and bookstores.
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? I say this year after year: UNION. The first ever union protecting the people that make comics is desperately needed. If not a union, a guild.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2026? Pluribus. Rhea Seehorn is a star. Bless Vince Gilligan for making this show to show the world she is a leading lady.
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? I live in Los Angeles where we have countless LCS all worthy of Spirit Awards. Golden Apple, SHQ, House of Secrets, Comic Bug, Collectors Paradise, and many more work 7 days a week to make sure LA is a thriving, literate city that keeps the medium alive.
Rob Salkowitz, Comics journalist
2026 Projects: Continuing coverage of the comics and pop culture industry, maybe some bigger projects
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? Diamond bankruptcy and aftermath
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? Consolidation/shakeout of publishers
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2026? Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4
Dean Haspiel, Cartoonist
2026 Projects: In 2026, I’m debuting the first issue of my one-man comix anthology, ANTIMATTER, featuring my personal pantheon of protagonists. I aim to crowdfund issue #2, early summer. Come Fall, the release of an as-of-yet-announced anthology that I co-edited should be breaking new ground from Cosmic Lion Productions. I’ll most likely continue to edit a “Comix Block” of cool comix strips for The Red Hook Star-Revue, featuring my character, The Red Hook. And I’m excited to launch year two of the VITO x DINO podcast with my pal/writer, Vito Delsante. I’ve written a couple of new plays I’d like to see on stage, too.
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? The collapse of Diamond Distributors clobbered publishers and retailers alike. Lesson learned. Don’t rely on a monopoly.
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? Auteur autonomy. The expanding culture of indie/alt creators and the downsizing of corporate produced comic books. When the pandemic forced a remote lifestyle, it helped shave overhead costs but it also galvanized freelance cartoonists to take more self-publishing risks and find new ways of distribution (see: Power Pulp for a curated group of independent creators and distribution). A hearty deluge of autonomous, albeit, target-based newsletters, podcasts, and YouTube channels has become necessary as Patreon and crowdfunding platforms continue to help underwrite our efforts between creator and customer. The comic shop remains a crucial intersection for cultural optics and book sales, but it will have to bend some of the rules when it comes to alternative comix. And, unless the world renegotiates its relationship with money, readers will have to pay more for the privilege of truly alternative fare. I have made a Marvel comic book but my self-published “Deep Cuts” aren’t Marvel Comics. If you’re looking for new ideas and characters not beholden to popular trends, corporate mandates and Hollywood streaming, follow the footsteps of Michel Fiffe, who self-published 50+ issues of his creator-owned series, COPRA. And look no further than the likes of Russ Kazmierczak, Nicholas Forker, Dan Goldman, and Mahdi Khene, for regular grass roots efforts. I predict anthologies will make a comeback, too. Bring back DC Comics Presents, Marvel Team-Up, Marvel Two-In-One, Dark Horse Presents, and Joe Pruett’s Negative Burn already! (Editor’s Note: that last one is happening.)
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2026? I’d love to see Mark Chiarello draw more but also bring back projects like Solo and Wednesday Comics under his guidance and his own imprint (or spark a double threat of high art comix and hitch his wagon to Scott Dunbier’s Act 4 Publishing). And, I swear to god, if Vito Delsante doesn’t publish at least three comix in 2026, I’m gonna deck him!
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? JHU Comics in Staten Island, NY, and Forbidden Planet in Manhattan, NY, are my regular comic book shops with great owners and staff members who still love comic books.
Brandon Montclare, Writer
2026 Projects: There will be two collected editions of DUCKTALES from Dynamite Comics in 2026. Also a mass market edition of Lalisa Comics’ ALTER EGO, which was a bonkers-but-fun project to help co-write.
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? Surely Diamond’s bankruptcy… although you could see that kind of market chaos coming since well before 2025.
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? I want to say AI generated comics content… but it still might be a few years away from making an impact? But then again… that stuff does move fast!
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2026? It’s looking like I’ll have the chance to work with several old collaborators on a handful of new projects… and I can’t think of anything better than that.
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? Forbidden Planet, NYC. They always have what I’m looking for, or can get it. Plus it carries a broad and big enough selection that a reader can always find something new. Jeff’s great. Always a nice break to talk to Justin, Paul, Val, and everyone else.
Eric Reynolds, Publisher
2026 Projects: LOCAS by Jaime Hernandez, BITCHY! by Roberta Gregory, THE LIGHTS OF NITEROI by Marcello Quintanilha, YOUNG SHADOW & THE WATCHDOGS by Ben Sears, BIMBO AGITPROP by Raquelle Jac, HEAVEN by Katie Skelly, MEGAHEX PERFECT EDITION by Simon Hanselmann, WHAT WE MEAN BY YESTERDAY V. 2 by Ben Marra, PEEPSHOW by Joe Matt, FORMING by Jesse Moynihan, BEDFORD ST. by Ross Murray, IDENTICAL by Leah Hayes, NIRVANA IS HERE by Mikael Ross, SANTOS SISTERS Vol. 2 by Greg + Fake, THE MESS by Noah Van Sciver, LOVE AND ROCKETS by Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, BUTCH! by Peter Bagge, ALL THE LIVING by Roman Muradov.
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? The implosion of Diamond and the bad faith actors who made it happen.
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? Not quite local, but Floating World Comics in Portland is my favorite comic shop and a must-visit to anyone passing through the Pacific Northwest.
Dave Elliott, Creator
2026 Projects: A1 Deadline, Monster Massacre, and …
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? Diamond
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? Who ends up with DC after the sale of WB
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2026? The Avengers movie?
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? Gosh Comics. Best selection of zines I’ve ever seen.
Andrew Farago, Cartoon Art Museum Curator, writer
2026 Projects: Cartoon Art Museum exhibitions, multiple books with Insight Editions and DK Publishing in the pipeline
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? Endurance. This year was so tough for so many people on so many fronts, but most creators, publishers and retailers rolled with the punches and are ready for whatever 2026 has in store.
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? Beats me. We’re due for some good news, though.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2026? Loved the Superman movie and Peacemaker, and looking forward to the new Supergirl movie.
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? Fantastic Comics in Berkeley is my regular shop. Always fun to go in and talk comics with the owner, Uel, and his dog, Gizmo. The Escapist, Dr. Comics and Mr. Games, Flying Colors and Comics, Comix Experience, and Mission: Comics and Art are some of my other favorite San Francisco Bay Area shops. We’re pretty spoiled out here.
Annie Nocenti, writer
2026 Projects: Oni Press EC horror stories (wicked fun) and a new graphic novel
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? The Dreaded Diamond Distribution Debacle
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? The return of Vertigo. I hope it captures the spirit of all Karen Berger did, and bonus points to DC if they bring Karen back as a guest editor on special projects
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? Midtown Comics is my go-to shop, but I love wandering into any comic shop when traveling, asking the staff what they’re reading, and buying whatever they recommend.
Amy Chu, writer
2026 Projects: Fighting to Belong! Vol.3 Asian American Pacific Islander History, Emma Frost The White Queen TPB
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? Diamond Chapter 7
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? AYCE
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2026? AYCE Korean BBQ Hotpot with my comics peeps again
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? Final Boss in Lawrenceville, NJ Floyd Bennett brings community spirit into everything he does.
James Greene, Cartoonist
2026 Projects: I’m finishing a 12 page pitch for a book of comics stories about DOGS! And I’m soon to pencil the follow up to my 2025 book “The Windlords of Io-Wah Book One: Toll Road.” Book Two will be entitled “Lizard Brains.”
What was the biggest comics industry story in 2025? DC announcing it will not use generative AI in any of its comics. That’s big news given how much of a push there is to use AI in corporate America.
What will be the biggest comics industry story in 2026? That public libraries across the US will set new records for library card sign ups!
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2026? Grand Theft Auto VI. What can I say? I live in Florida.
Do you have a local comics shop? What do you like (or love) about it? I love my LCS, it’s called Black Cat Comics and it’s in Jacksonville Florida. The store’s owner, Daniel, is a mensch who in addition to stocking local Duval County comix and zines, also organized a Halloween horror anthology of Jacksonville creators. The store is just a classic comic shop! No Funko, no filler, just graphic reading material: new releases, local releases, back issues and older stuff like classic Heavy Metal.
