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Double Victory at SDCC: Mad Cave Studios’ ‘Our Soot Stained Heart’ Sweeps Industry Awards

The tally is in, and Mad Cave Studios is bringing home some serious hardware. The publisher has announced that its northern dark-fantasy hit, Our Soot Stained Heart, took home two top-tier comic industry honors. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou won the 2026 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Lettering. Breakout artist Stipan Morian was named the recipient of the 2026 Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award. The dual victory caps off a stellar year for Mad Cave, which earned four total Eisner nominations across its lineup. That includes Best New Series and a shared Best Writer nomination for Stephanie Williams and Asiah Fulmore’s Temporal. There was also a Best Cover Artist nod for Francesco Francavilla’s work on Dick Tracy. What Is Our Soot Stained Heart? Our Soot Stained Heart is from writer Joni Hägg and artist Stipan Morian. Ropemann is the colorist behind the comic that features letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. The story is set in the frozen northern metropolis of The Coalition.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 28, 2026

Smart, Suave, and Still Deadly: Legendary Detective Rip Kirby Returns at Mad Cave Studios

Hard-boiled noir detectives might rely on knuckles and cheap bourbon, but Rip Kirby always preferred a sharper weapon: pure genius. Following a first look at San Diego Comic-Con, Mad Cave Studios and King Features have officially unveiled the return of comic history’s most sophisticated sleuth. Rip Kirby is back in an all-new comic series that pays homage to the brainpower, wit, and timeless elegance that made the character an icon. Spearheading the revival is two-time Eisner Award nominee Christopher Sebela (High Crimes, Dead Letters). Tango (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Archie Horror) is the artist behind it. They are joined by colorist KJ Diaz and letterer Jeff Eckleberry. Together, the team is crafting a fresh mystery built on one of the most enduring foundations in the medium. Brains Over Brawn Created in 1946 by Alex Raymond and Ward Greene, Rip Kirby broke the mold for mid-century crime fiction. Instead of bashing heads in dark alleyways, Kirby solved cases using scientific reasoning.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 27, 2026

Jack In: Apple TV’s New Series “Neuromancer” Hacks SDCC with Its First Teaser

The San Diego Comic-Connews feed keeps surging, and this time, Apple TV+ is plugging straight into the matrix. During the SDCC festivities, Callum Turner made a surprise virtual appearance to drop the very first teaser for Neuromancer—the long-awaited series adaptation of William Gibson’s seminal, multi-award-winning science fiction novel. The 10-episode cyberpunk epic officially boots up globally on Friday, January 22, 2027. It will launch with a two-episode premiere before dropping new chapters weekly through March 19. High Stakes, Low Life, and Razor Blades For the uninitiated, Gibson’s 1984 masterpiece basically invented the modern concept of cyberspace (and popularized the entire cyberpunk genre). The series follows Case (Turner). He’s a washed-up, damaged, top-tier super-hacker who gets dragged back into the neon-drenched underworld of digital espionage and high-stakes crime. Partnering with Molly (Briana Middleton)—a cybernetically enhanced “razor-girl” assassin with mirrorshades sealed over her eye sockets—the duo is recruited to pull off a dangerous heist against a shadowy corporate dynasty hiding game-changing secrets.</p>

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 27, 2026

Multiverse Mayhem: Apple TV+ Unleashes “Dark Matter” Season 2 Trailer at SDCC

If you thought navigating your own life was complicated, try managing a few dozen alternate realities. Apple TV+ invaded San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H to drop the official Season 2 trailer for its hit sci-fi thriller “Dark Matter.” The series is based on the bestselling novel by creator and showrunner Blake Crouch. Stars and executive producers Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly lead it. The 10-episode second season officially premieres on Friday, August 28, 2026, with new chapters out every Friday through October 30. Running Through the Multiverse When we last left physicist Jason Dessen (Edgerton), he had survived a terrifying, reality-hopping odyssey. Just to get back to his wife Daniela (Connelly) and son Charlie (Oakes Fegley). Season 2 picks up with the Dessen family trying to settle into a world that finally feels safe. That is until the unimaginable forces them back on the run. Naturally, peace doesn’t last long when you’ve unlocked the secrets of the universe. Jason’s growing

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 26, 2026

Dust Off Your Heavy Metal Records: Mad Cave Studios Announces ‘Satanic Panic!’

What happens when fear itself becomes the most dangerous monster in town? Move over, Geraldo Rivera—Mad Cave Studios is dragging us back to the most delightfully paranoid decade in American history. Get ready for SATANIC PANIC, a relentless new four-issue horror comic series. It mixes classic slasher bloodshed with the absolute height of 1980s moral hysteria. Heavy Metal, Head-Hunters & Hysteria Set in a sleepy ’80s town gripped by full-blown devil-worship frenzy, a masked slasher begins carving up the locals. Naturally, the town doesn’t blame the actual killer. They blame heavy metal cassettes, Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks, and any teenager wearing too much eyeliner. Enter Naz, Sal, and Terry: three local misfits, tabletop geeks, and Ozzy Osbourne enthusiasts who suddenly find themselves framed as the ultimate scapegoats. To survive, the trio must race to unmask the real killer, clear their names, and avoid getting lynched by a mob of enraged parents. In a town desperate to blame the weird kids,

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 26, 2026

Eli Roth Serves Up Brain Freezes and Bloodshed at SDCC for ‘Ice Cream Man’

Just when you thought it was safe to listen for the cheerful chime of the neighborhood ice cream truck, Eli Roth is here to ruin your childhood memories all over again. Ahead of its theatrical debut, the splatter master took a deliciously deadly detour through San Diego Comic-Con. He’s promoting his latest horror offering, Ice Cream Man, which scoops its way into theaters nationwide on August 7, 2026. To mark the occasion, Roth invited brave SDCC attendees over to Kansas City BBQ for a photo opp to die for. The event featured the San Diego debut of The Ice Cream Social Massacre Installation. It was conceived by visionary experiential artist Maximillian (the brain behind the famed I Like Scary Movies 3D experience). Fans who survived the installation were treated to brain-freezing desserts and limited-edition swag served straight out of an overhauled, custom truck, a collaboration with Street Freeze. A Recipe for Pure Homicidal Madness Set in a picture-perfect, sun-drenched summer

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 25, 2026

Paramount+ Drops Massive Avatar News and Trailers at SDCC

The Four Nations officially converged on Comic-Con® International’s iconic Hall H yesterday, marking a historic first for the Avatar Legends franchise. Moderated by the original voice of Korra, Janet Varney, the star-studded panel celebrated the highly anticipated premiere of the feature film Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, while dropping a major bombshell: the brand-new animated series Avatar: Seven Havens will premiere globally on Paramount+ on Friday, October 9, 2026. Adult Aang Takes the Stage The Hall H panel featured an exclusive conversation with Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender cast members Eric Nam, Dave Bautista, Román Zaragoza, Jessica Matten, and Dionne Quan, alongside franchise co-creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, and director Lauren Montgomery. The creative team gave fans an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the process of bringing the beloved ‘Gaang’ into adulthood. The feature film Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender premieres globally on Paramount+ on Saturday, July 25 at 12:00 AM PT / 3:00 AM ET. Directed by Lauren

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 25, 2026

Silicon Valley Screams: Mad Cave Studios Announces Terrorbytes Halloween Annual #1

If you thought your smart home glitching was terrifying, Mad Cave Studios is about to double down on your techno-paranoia. This October, the publisher returns to its unsettling sci-fi horror anthology with TERRORBYTES HALLOWEEN ANNUAL #1—an oversized 40-page special proving that the scariest monsters aren’t lurking in your closet; they’re sitting in your browser history. Building on the acclaimed series’ signature theme of humanity’s toxic romance with technology, the annual pairs established creator Mark London (Mister Nemo, Honor & Curse: Eternal) with fresh blood: the winners of Mad Cave’s 2025 Talent Search, Jennifer Liao and DL White. Three Tales of High-Tech Terror Positioned perfectly for fans of Black Mirror, The Twilight Zone, The Silver Coin, and classic EC Comics, this triple-threat anthology serves up futuristic nightmares brought to life by artists Mac Rey, Aguste Calcagno, and Gabriele Falzone, colorists Pedro Estouco and Edson Jimenez, and letterers Marina Leon and Chase Snyder. Wrapping up the package is an eerie main cover

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 24, 2026

Horror-Comedy BUDDY Unleashes a Unhinged New Trailer

Meet BUDDY. He’s an aggressively orange, painfully cheerful unicorn. He hijacks your TV screen, weaponizes catchy synth-pop, and forces your kids into state-mandated optimism. Behind the candy-coated facade of the hit kids’ show “It’s Buddy!”, however, there is a zero-tolerance policy for insubordination. Ahead of its San Diego Comic-Con panel on July 24, Roadside Attractions and Saban Films, BoulderLight Pictures and Low Spark Films have dropped a brand-new trailer for BUDDY. And let’s say… your childhood is about to get slaughtered. Play Along or Pay the Price On the surface, set life at “It’s Buddy!” is a pastel fever dream. Synchronized children spend their days singing, dancing, and worshipping their favorite horned corporate ruler. The cheerful music cuts out, however, when one child dares to break character and refuse the script. Turns out, Buddy doesn’t handle constructive feedback well. As the rogue kid pushes back, the neon walls begin to fracture. This exposes a terrifyingly dark, blood-soaked underbelly behind the

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 23, 2026

Mad Cave Studios Announces Horror Comic ‘Hammer Head’ Ahead of SDCC

Some nightmares refuse to stay dead. Mad Cave Studios has officially announced HAMMER HEAD. It’s a relentless new five-issue horror miniseries from acclaimed creative duo Ed Brisson (Predator, Ghost Rider) and artist Damian Couceiro (Wolverine & Kitty Pryde, X-Force). It features colors by Dee Cunniffe and letters by Patrick Brosseau. Blending classic ’80s slasher terror with psychological dread, the series focuses on Jules. She’s the sole survivor of the legendary Hammer Head killing spree. However, for twenty years, Jules has carried the overwhelming trauma of watching everyone she loved be cut down. Every few years, Hammer Head inexplicably rises from the dead to resume his slaughter. This drives Jules deeper into her own dark coping mechanisms with every fresh wave of violence. Jules is unlawfully thrown into prison without a trial. However, she discovers she is part of a dark, twisted ritual, one that can force her back into the nightmare, the one she’s spent two decades trying to escape.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 22, 2026

More from Conventions

Double Victory at SDCC: Mad Cave Studios’ ‘Our Soot Stained Heart’ Sweeps Industry Awards

The tally is in, and Mad Cave Studios is bringing home some serious hardware. The publisher has announced that its northern dark-fantasy hit, Our Soot Stained Heart, took home two top-tier comic industry honors. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou won the 2026 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Lettering. Breakout artist Stipan Morian was named the recipient of the 2026 Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award. The dual victory caps off a stellar year for Mad Cave, which earned four total Eisner nominations across its lineup. That includes Best New Series and a shared Best Writer nomination for Stephanie Williams and Asiah Fulmore’s Temporal. There was also a Best Cover Artist nod for Francesco Francavilla’s work on Dick Tracy. What Is Our Soot Stained Heart? Our Soot Stained Heart is from writer Joni Hägg and artist Stipan Morian. Ropemann is the colorist behind the comic that features letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. The story is set in the frozen northern metropolis of The Coalition.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 28, 2026

Smart, Suave, and Still Deadly: Legendary Detective Rip Kirby Returns at Mad Cave Studios

Hard-boiled noir detectives might rely on knuckles and cheap bourbon, but Rip Kirby always preferred a sharper weapon: pure genius. Following a first look at San Diego Comic-Con, Mad Cave Studios and King Features have officially unveiled the return of comic history’s most sophisticated sleuth. Rip Kirby is back in an all-new comic series that pays homage to the brainpower, wit, and timeless elegance that made the character an icon. Spearheading the revival is two-time Eisner Award nominee Christopher Sebela (High Crimes, Dead Letters). Tango (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Archie Horror) is the artist behind it. They are joined by colorist KJ Diaz and letterer Jeff Eckleberry. Together, the team is crafting a fresh mystery built on one of the most enduring foundations in the medium. Brains Over Brawn Created in 1946 by Alex Raymond and Ward Greene, Rip Kirby broke the mold for mid-century crime fiction. Instead of bashing heads in dark alleyways, Kirby solved cases using scientific reasoning.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 27, 2026

Jack In: Apple TV’s New Series “Neuromancer” Hacks SDCC with Its First Teaser

The San Diego Comic-Connews feed keeps surging, and this time, Apple TV+ is plugging straight into the matrix. During the SDCC festivities, Callum Turner made a surprise virtual appearance to drop the very first teaser for Neuromancer—the long-awaited series adaptation of William Gibson’s seminal, multi-award-winning science fiction novel. The 10-episode cyberpunk epic officially boots up globally on Friday, January 22, 2027. It will launch with a two-episode premiere before dropping new chapters weekly through March 19. High Stakes, Low Life, and Razor Blades For the uninitiated, Gibson’s 1984 masterpiece basically invented the modern concept of cyberspace (and popularized the entire cyberpunk genre). The series follows Case (Turner). He’s a washed-up, damaged, top-tier super-hacker who gets dragged back into the neon-drenched underworld of digital espionage and high-stakes crime. Partnering with Molly (Briana Middleton)—a cybernetically enhanced “razor-girl” assassin with mirrorshades sealed over her eye sockets—the duo is recruited to pull off a dangerous heist against a shadowy corporate dynasty hiding game-changing secrets.</p>

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 27, 2026

Multiverse Mayhem: Apple TV+ Unleashes “Dark Matter” Season 2 Trailer at SDCC

If you thought navigating your own life was complicated, try managing a few dozen alternate realities. Apple TV+ invaded San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H to drop the official Season 2 trailer for its hit sci-fi thriller “Dark Matter.” The series is based on the bestselling novel by creator and showrunner Blake Crouch. Stars and executive producers Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly lead it. The 10-episode second season officially premieres on Friday, August 28, 2026, with new chapters out every Friday through October 30. Running Through the Multiverse When we last left physicist Jason Dessen (Edgerton), he had survived a terrifying, reality-hopping odyssey. Just to get back to his wife Daniela (Connelly) and son Charlie (Oakes Fegley). Season 2 picks up with the Dessen family trying to settle into a world that finally feels safe. That is until the unimaginable forces them back on the run. Naturally, peace doesn’t last long when you’ve unlocked the secrets of the universe. Jason’s growing

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 26, 2026

Dust Off Your Heavy Metal Records: Mad Cave Studios Announces ‘Satanic Panic!’

What happens when fear itself becomes the most dangerous monster in town? Move over, Geraldo Rivera—Mad Cave Studios is dragging us back to the most delightfully paranoid decade in American history. Get ready for SATANIC PANIC, a relentless new four-issue horror comic series. It mixes classic slasher bloodshed with the absolute height of 1980s moral hysteria. Heavy Metal, Head-Hunters & Hysteria Set in a sleepy ’80s town gripped by full-blown devil-worship frenzy, a masked slasher begins carving up the locals. Naturally, the town doesn’t blame the actual killer. They blame heavy metal cassettes, Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks, and any teenager wearing too much eyeliner. Enter Naz, Sal, and Terry: three local misfits, tabletop geeks, and Ozzy Osbourne enthusiasts who suddenly find themselves framed as the ultimate scapegoats. To survive, the trio must race to unmask the real killer, clear their names, and avoid getting lynched by a mob of enraged parents. In a town desperate to blame the weird kids,

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 26, 2026

Eli Roth Serves Up Brain Freezes and Bloodshed at SDCC for ‘Ice Cream Man’

Just when you thought it was safe to listen for the cheerful chime of the neighborhood ice cream truck, Eli Roth is here to ruin your childhood memories all over again. Ahead of its theatrical debut, the splatter master took a deliciously deadly detour through San Diego Comic-Con. He’s promoting his latest horror offering, Ice Cream Man, which scoops its way into theaters nationwide on August 7, 2026. To mark the occasion, Roth invited brave SDCC attendees over to Kansas City BBQ for a photo opp to die for. The event featured the San Diego debut of The Ice Cream Social Massacre Installation. It was conceived by visionary experiential artist Maximillian (the brain behind the famed I Like Scary Movies 3D experience). Fans who survived the installation were treated to brain-freezing desserts and limited-edition swag served straight out of an overhauled, custom truck, a collaboration with Street Freeze. A Recipe for Pure Homicidal Madness Set in a picture-perfect, sun-drenched summer

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 25, 2026

Paramount+ Drops Massive Avatar News and Trailers at SDCC

The Four Nations officially converged on Comic-Con® International’s iconic Hall H yesterday, marking a historic first for the Avatar Legends franchise. Moderated by the original voice of Korra, Janet Varney, the star-studded panel celebrated the highly anticipated premiere of the feature film Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, while dropping a major bombshell: the brand-new animated series Avatar: Seven Havens will premiere globally on Paramount+ on Friday, October 9, 2026. Adult Aang Takes the Stage The Hall H panel featured an exclusive conversation with Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender cast members Eric Nam, Dave Bautista, Román Zaragoza, Jessica Matten, and Dionne Quan, alongside franchise co-creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, and director Lauren Montgomery. The creative team gave fans an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the process of bringing the beloved ‘Gaang’ into adulthood. The feature film Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender premieres globally on Paramount+ on Saturday, July 25 at 12:00 AM PT / 3:00 AM ET. Directed by Lauren

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 25, 2026

Silicon Valley Screams: Mad Cave Studios Announces Terrorbytes Halloween Annual #1

If you thought your smart home glitching was terrifying, Mad Cave Studios is about to double down on your techno-paranoia. This October, the publisher returns to its unsettling sci-fi horror anthology with TERRORBYTES HALLOWEEN ANNUAL #1—an oversized 40-page special proving that the scariest monsters aren’t lurking in your closet; they’re sitting in your browser history. Building on the acclaimed series’ signature theme of humanity’s toxic romance with technology, the annual pairs established creator Mark London (Mister Nemo, Honor & Curse: Eternal) with fresh blood: the winners of Mad Cave’s 2025 Talent Search, Jennifer Liao and DL White. Three Tales of High-Tech Terror Positioned perfectly for fans of Black Mirror, The Twilight Zone, The Silver Coin, and classic EC Comics, this triple-threat anthology serves up futuristic nightmares brought to life by artists Mac Rey, Aguste Calcagno, and Gabriele Falzone, colorists Pedro Estouco and Edson Jimenez, and letterers Marina Leon and Chase Snyder. Wrapping up the package is an eerie main cover

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 24, 2026

Horror-Comedy BUDDY Unleashes a Unhinged New Trailer

Meet BUDDY. He’s an aggressively orange, painfully cheerful unicorn. He hijacks your TV screen, weaponizes catchy synth-pop, and forces your kids into state-mandated optimism. Behind the candy-coated facade of the hit kids’ show “It’s Buddy!”, however, there is a zero-tolerance policy for insubordination. Ahead of its San Diego Comic-Con panel on July 24, Roadside Attractions and Saban Films, BoulderLight Pictures and Low Spark Films have dropped a brand-new trailer for BUDDY. And let’s say… your childhood is about to get slaughtered. Play Along or Pay the Price On the surface, set life at “It’s Buddy!” is a pastel fever dream. Synchronized children spend their days singing, dancing, and worshipping their favorite horned corporate ruler. The cheerful music cuts out, however, when one child dares to break character and refuse the script. Turns out, Buddy doesn’t handle constructive feedback well. As the rogue kid pushes back, the neon walls begin to fracture. This exposes a terrifyingly dark, blood-soaked underbelly behind the

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 23, 2026

Mad Cave Studios Announces Horror Comic ‘Hammer Head’ Ahead of SDCC

Some nightmares refuse to stay dead. Mad Cave Studios has officially announced HAMMER HEAD. It’s a relentless new five-issue horror miniseries from acclaimed creative duo Ed Brisson (Predator, Ghost Rider) and artist Damian Couceiro (Wolverine & Kitty Pryde, X-Force). It features colors by Dee Cunniffe and letters by Patrick Brosseau. Blending classic ’80s slasher terror with psychological dread, the series focuses on Jules. She’s the sole survivor of the legendary Hammer Head killing spree. However, for twenty years, Jules has carried the overwhelming trauma of watching everyone she loved be cut down. Every few years, Hammer Head inexplicably rises from the dead to resume his slaughter. This drives Jules deeper into her own dark coping mechanisms with every fresh wave of violence. Jules is unlawfully thrown into prison without a trial. However, she discovers she is part of a dark, twisted ritual, one that can force her back into the nightmare, the one she’s spent two decades trying to escape.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 22, 2026
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