Alien Books is entering a new phase of growth and creativity, revealing a fresh logo and a stacked lineup of new releases planned for 2026, all just ahead of this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Among the highlights are the sci-fi fantasy manga BADDUCKS by Toryumon Takeda and the prestige anthology X-O MANOWAR: BLACK, WHITE & GOLD, both of which anchor a dynamic year of publishing alongside anticipated titles like Valiant Beyond and a new Zorro series.
“It’s been a huge year,” says Matias Timarchi, Director and Editor-in-Chief. “We’ve launched successful Kickstarters, partnered with IDW, teamed up with Zorro Productions, and continued building the next era of Valiant. The momentum’s only picking up.”
BADDUCKS, arriving Fall 2026, follows Morgan Gray, a man-turned-cyborg on the run with a woman, a briefcase of cash, and a baby, trying to stay one step ahead of the mob. Spanning four volumes, the manga will be distributed via Penguin Random House through Alien’s partnership with IDW. “Toryumon Takeda’s work is electric,” says Timarchi. “We’re thrilled to bring it to a wider audience.”
On the superhero side, X-O MANOWAR: BLACK, WHITE & GOLD continues the success of BLACK, WHITE & BLOODSHOT with an all-new Kickstarter hardcover anthology featuring stories across the eras of X-O. Creators range from Valiant legends to new voices, including Shintaro Kago, Marc Guggenheim, Alex Segura, Dan Abnett, Peter Milligan, and more. Backers can also snag exclusive items like a facsimile of X-O MANOWAR #1 and an artist’s edition of X-O MANOWAR #0.
The publisher’s updated logo, debuting on new Valiant Beyond titles like Bloodshot and Tales of the Shadowman in August, takes cues from ‘80s and ‘90s aesthetics. “It’s not just nostalgia,” says Timarchi. “It’s a reminder of when physical media meant something—and stood out.”
Looking ahead, fans can expect more crowdfunding campaigns and an unannounced crossover project featuring a Valiant icon battling a character from a legendary fighting game franchise. “I can’t say more without getting into trouble,” Timarchi teased, “but if you loved comics and video games in the ’90s, this will blow your mind.”
To get an early taste of what’s next, fans attending SDCC can grab a free Valiant Beyond Preview Edition Ashcan at IDW’s booth #2729. Upcoming issues are also up for pre-order via the IDW Publishing Monthly Catalog and PRH Comics.
You must be logged in to post a comment.