New Comic Book Day | August 12-19th, 2026

To believe in transformative justice is to believe people capable of change. But, as our mediator said during the process, “transformation is heartbreak.” It is crushing and painful, but it is also our right as human beings. I haven’t spoken to Warren Ellis in over 6 years. I don’t know who he is now. I don’t know how he’s changed, but I’m sure he has. I know Warren read all of SoManyOfUs.com and I can’t imagine an outcome where doing so doesn’t change you. But, as Kai Cheng Thom says, ‘Change is inevitable, growth is optional.’ I was often sad that Warren, when confronted with the consequences of his actions, didn’t react in the way I expected him to. But I am grateful it led to me untangling 15 years of complicated feelings and hurtful actions.

I’m grateful that I believe we can change and hold ourselves accountable in this world. But, quoting our mediator again, ‘being called to accountability feels like being reminded that your shit stinks, and coming clean is hard to do.’ It can feel impossible to look in the mirror and confront the worst version of ourselves. Without having the necessary support systems in place to make it possible, I don’t blame or fault anyone for not being able to do it.

We all tried our best. When our attempt at a community accountability action failed, I was disappointed, but grateful that we tried. And grateful to know that Warren had tried, too.

I currently work as an editor in comics, with books I work on being published by Image. I love comics. I love the comics community and how we all keep making them despite it being so hard, with no financial security, and no safety nets. I see groups within the community doing so much good and fighting hard to make the industry more sustainable and safer for everyone involved.

But there is no set process for anyone in the comics community to account for our actions and change our behaviour after harm or abuse has happened. This has led many people to be forced out of the industry – victims, perpetrators, and witnesses. My heart hurts for all the people who were bullied, ostracized, shunned, or threatened out of this community, particularly those I spoke to back in June and July of 2020, impacted by Warren’s actions. I hope one day this changes.

I’m grateful to everyone who was wondered if Warren has “made amends to the satisfaction of all involved.” It shows me solidarity and care are widespread within comics. I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied, but I also would say I am no longer personally invested in Warren’s transformation.

I am personally invested in the books I work on that come out with Image, and I really hope you don’t take any disappointment you feel in Image’s actions out on the creators whose work they publish. Seeing people boycotting Image comics feels a cruel joke when that directly affects my livelihood and that of the people who respect and support me. But I get it – this seems like a financial decision from Image, so respond in a financial fashion. I hope we can all keep ourselves open to change in the future.

Marvel
August 19th:

• Alien: King Killer #5
• Avengers: Armageddon #3
• Bishop #3
• Captain Marvel: Dark Past #5
• Daredevil #5
• Inglorious X-Force #8
• Punisher VS. Spider-Man #2
• Queen in Black #3
• Queen in Black: Defenders of Light and Dark #2
• Silver Surfer #6 (Facsimile Edition)
• Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day #4
• Spider-Man/Hulk: Fire and Brimstone #1
• Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Echoes of the Empire #5
• Thor #800
• Ultimate Impact: Reborn #4
• Uncanny X-Men #34
• What If…? Runaways #1

August 12th:

• Absolute Flash #18
• Absolute Green Arrow #4
• Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #54
• Batwoman #6
• Catwoman #90
• Dark Knights of Steel II #2
• Deathstroke: The Terminator #6
• End of Life #7
• Lobo #6
• New Titans #38
• Nightwing #141
• Superman: Unlimited #16
• Wonder Woman #36

August 12th:

Let’s talk comics, ONTD! TV, movie, and video game adaptations are fair game.
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