Alien Books is going big this summer with the return of two legendary pulp icons, and AIPT has the exclusive first look.
Announced at ComicsPRO this week, Alien Books is launching three new series under its partnership with IDW Publishing: Zorro by Howard Chaykin and Jorge Fornés, Tarzan Beyond by Steve Orlando and Renato Guedes, and Zorro’s Legacy by Dan Abnett and Aaron Lopresti. To mark the occasion, retailers at ComicsPRO are receiving an exclusive Tarzan & Zorro ashcan preview edition, and we’re sharing a closer look at what’s inside, along with additional art not featured in the ashcan itself.
The ComicsPRO ashcan includes a front cover by Jorge Fornés and a back cover by Agustin Alessio, along with preview covers and interior art from all three upcoming series. Highlights include covers for Zorro #1, interior pages by Renato Guedes from Tarzan Beyond #1, interior pages by Aaron Lopresti from Zorro’s Legacy #1, and concept art by Jorge Fornés and Andres Ponce. AIPT is also exclusively debuting inked black-and-white interior pages from Zorro #1 by Jorge Fornés that do not appear in the ashcan.
Alien Books Director and Editor-in-Chief Matias Timarchi shared his excitement about the relaunch.
“We’re thrilled to be launching new ZORRO and TARZAN series into comic shops this Summer,” Timarchi said. “Our retailer partners will be receiving an exclusive Tarzan & Zorro preview edition ashcan at ComicsPRO this week, but we didn’t want people at home to be left out of the fun. We’re delighted to show off even more art from these new series, including an incredible set of Zorro #1 pages by Jorge Fornés.”
First up is Zorro by Howard Chaykin and Jorge Fornés, a three-issue epic beginning in May. The series pits Don Diego de la Vega against Napoleon Bonaparte and his armies in what promises to be one of the masked avenger’s most formidable battles yet. Issue #1 is set to hit stores May 20, 2026, with final order cutoff on April 13. The debut features multiple covers by Jorge Fornés, Francesco Tomaselli, Juan Ferreyra, and Rodrigo Yoshimiya, with a full art incentive cover by Ferreyra.
In June, Tarzan Beyond swings into shops from writer Steve Orlando and artist Renato Guedes. The five-issue series finds an older Tarzan and Jane pulled back into adventure when Blackbeard and his undead pirate crew lay siege to their homeland in search of immortality. Issue #1 arrives June 10, 2026, with final order cutoff on May 4. Covers include art by Agustin Alessio, Federico Mele, Stewart Moore, Noobovich, and a Dustin Nguyen incentive.
Then in July, Zorro’s Legacy brings the myth into the modern era. Written by Dan Abnett with art by Aaron Lopresti, the four-issue series follows David de la Vega, a present-day descendant of Zorro who discovers his family’s heroic past in Los Angeles. As he attempts to carry the mantle into a world of advanced weaponry and modern threats, he must decide whether he can live up to the legend. Issue #1 goes on sale July 8, 2026, with final order cutoff on June 1.
Between a Napoleonic war epic, undead pirates hunting immortality, and a modern-day Zorro stepping into the spotlight, Alien Books is clearly aiming to reintroduce these classic heroes with bold creative teams and fresh stakes. With the ComicsPRO ashcan offering the first taste and additional exclusive art now revealed, this summer’s pulp revival is officially underway.
Check out the ashcans for the flip book below, along with the full solicitation text!
Zorro #1
Rated: T+
Retail Price: $4.99
FOC: 04/13/2026
Release Date: 05/20/2026
Writer: Howard Chaykin
Artist: Jorge Fornés
Cover Artists:
- Cover A – Jorge Fornés
- Cover B – Francesco Tomaselli
- Cover C – Juan Ferreyra
- Cover D – Rodrigo Yoshimiya
- Cover RI (15) – Juan Ferreyra Full Art- 73238818464400151
THE MASKED AVENGER ZORRO IS BACK IN AN ALL-NEW SERIES FROM COMICS LEGENDS HOWARD CHAYKIN (American Flagg!) AND JORGE FORNÉS (Batman)!
Don Diego de la Vega, known to the world at large as Zorro, is no stranger to facing down dangerous foes and risking his life to help the less fortunate. Now, he will face his biggest challenge yet as he goes up against the might of Napoleon Bonaparte and his armies!
Can Zorro overcome the odds and continue his quest for justice or will his story be cut short by Napoleon? The first chapter of this three-part epic starts here!
Tarzan Beyond #1
Rated: T+
Retail Price: $5.99
FOC: 05/04/2026
Release Date: 06/10/2026
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Renato Guedes
- Cover A – Agustin Alessio
- Cover B – Federico Mele
- Cover C – Stewart Moore
- Cover D – Noobovich
- Cover RI (1:15) – Dustin Nguyen
TARZAN RETURNS TO THE WORLD OF COMICS WITH AN ALL-NEW SERIES!
The years have been kind to the lord of the Jungle and his faithful companion Jane. They’ve grown older, wiser, and carved out a peaceful existence after decades of adventuring.
But not all good things are meant to last, as their world becomes threatened when the nefarious Blackbeard the Pirate and his crew lay siege to Tarzan’s homeland in search of the secrets of immortality!
Can Tarzan return to his adventuring ways and save Jane and the rest of the world from Blackbeard’s crew?
Redhot writer Steve Orlando (Scarlet Witch) and legendary artist Renato Guedes (Superman) team up to bring one of the world’s most iconic characters into the future in the all-new TARZAN BEYOND series!
Zorro’s Legacy #1
Rated: T+
Retail Price: $5.99
FOC: 06/01/2026
Release Date: 07/08/2026
Writer: Dan Abnett
Artist: Aaron Lopresti
- Cover A – Aaron Lopresti
- Cover B – Juan José Ryp
- Cover C – Noobovich
- Cover D – Stewart Moore Wraparound
- Cover RI (1:15) – Ariel Olivetti
IT’S AN ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT ZORRO!
Fan-favorite writer Dan Abnett (Guardians of the Galaxy) and artist Aaron Lopresti (X-Factor) team up for an all-new series that follows the adventures of a modern-day descendant of Zorro in Los Angeles!
What would you do if you found out that your family’s legacy is tied to one of the greatest heroes of all time?
David de la Vega discovers his connection to the original Zorro and begins a quest to live up to his newly-discovered heroic roots!
In a world where Zorro’s classic whips and swords struggle to measure up against advanced weaponry, can David possibly succeed as the new Zorro?
Well, if his uncle, a former hero in his own right, has anything to say about it, the answer is YES!
An all-new ZORRO adventure begins here!
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