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Science Fiction

They Are Here To Serve Us

Twenty years ago writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely knocked it outta the park (again) with a limited comic book series called WE3: “Deep inside a top-secret U.S. Air Force research facility, a revolution in cybernetics is taking shape. Using ordinary domestic animals for their test subjects, the scientists of Project AWE have created a new class of cyborgs — flesh-and-metal creatures designed to rule the battlefields of tomorrow. The project’s crowning achievement is a trio of prototypes code-named WE3 — each one custom-built and trained to work as specialists within a team. With their nervous systems enhanced and supplemented by cutting-edge military hardware, WE3 are the ultimate smart weapons — programmable yet autonomous, loyal yet utterly ruthless. But successful as they are, WE3 are still only prototypes, to be dismantled when their testing is complete. Inside their fearsome mechanical shells, however, are three lost pets whose amplified traits include the will to survive— an instinct which proves to be even stronger than their makers knew. Faced with destruction, WE3 runs —out into a frightening and confusing world, where they are now as much of a threat as those who hunt them. Relentlessly pursued, WE3 fights with the combined firepower of a battalion — and a faint, warm memory of somewhere called Home.” Now, two decades later, DC Comics brings us WE3: The 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, including the original graphic novel compilation plus some extensive behind-the-scenes material. It also features a new forward by director James Gunn — who has admitted that aspects of Batch 89 from Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 were directly inspired by this comic.

image c. 2025 DC Comics

Ruff and Ready

After they gave us Marvel Meow, the folks at Marvel Comics decided to even the score with Marvel Mutts, a new limited series. “Join the Marvel Mutts in their very first comic book adventure! Collecting issues #1-12 of the Friday Funnies series, these heartwarming tales – and wagging tails – are sure to elicit a round of a-paws. Featuring Lockjaw, Lucky, Cosmo, Bats and Ms. Marvel’s dearest doggie, Mittens, this pack is packing the cute.” Hmm, we should find out more about the Friday Funnies. Anyway, this new comic is written by Mackenzie Cadenhead and illustrated by Takeshi Miyazawa. Check it out for yourself.

image c. 2025 Marvel Comics

Yub Yub

Last year Marvel premiered the Star Wars: Ewoks comic miniseries — and now this year, the furry denizens of the Endor moon come together in the new Star Wars: Ewoks trade paperback, collecting all four issues. “A team of Imperial-led bounty hunters and scavengers arrives on the forest moon of Endor searching for a secret cache of deadly weaponry! But are they prepared to face off against the battle-ready Ewoks who took down so many of their ranks? Plus: Who is the mysterious new warrior Ewok returning to Bright Tree village, and what is their connection to Wicket W. Warrick?” Written by Steve Orlando (Rainbow Bridge), with art by Alvaro Lopez and Laura Braga. The Ewoks are back this July.

image c. 2025 Marvel Comics

You Opened Up a Can o’ Woof-Arse

And then, we went to the L.A. Times Festival of Books — where we saw things like the preview of Ten Ton Titan Terrier, a new comic from writer David Pepose (Spencer & Locke) and artist Ornella Greco (Total Suplex of the Heart). “When an asteroid unleashes a horde of alien monsters known as Bio-Titans, Earth must turn to a suit of extraterrestrial battle armor to save the day — but there’s just one catch. Because the only creature on the planet capable of turning it on… is an 11-inch-tall terrier named Holly. With the Bio-Titan threat escalating by the second, Holly and her scientist owner Sam will find their unique bond tested, as he trains his mischievous mutt to become not just man’s best friend, but humanity’s only hope.” Look for it this October, from Papercutz.

image c. 2025 Papercutz

Peace will Prevail and Protect

Here’s another independent comic book series that’s been around for a while — but we were only lucky enough to discover it recently. Tokai is a shaded black & white science fiction comic written and illustrated by A.R. Lytle. According to them, it’s about “…a little alien named Tokai caught in a war on his home planet, Arurha. He’s taken in by a family of rebels, bent on reclaiming their planet from the Network Invaders. The only problem,:Tokai is a pacifist. Tokai must use his wits to stay alive and protect the innocent as the war gradually descends into chaos at the hands of religious fanatics.” Four issues are available now.

image c. 2025 Andrew Lytle Press

Mice. Mechanisms. Mystery.

While at WonderCon we met Stephan Franck and got to check out their new full-color furry comic. Here’s how they describe it: “Romance in the Age of the Space God takes place in a world not unlike ours, in which Nate, Lydia, and Anya struggle to find their place and purpose, only to find themselves at the center of a mysterious plot of cosmic proportions. [It is] either the first chapter of a long saga, or an open ended short-story—only time will tell. It is part dystopian sci-fi thriller, part slice-of-life, part political satire. It is about life in a world where the unthinkable has been slowly normalized, and follows adorable little mice struggling to find their purpose and meaning in it.” Take a look at the preview pages over at the web site for Dark Planet Comics.

image c. 2025 Dark Planet Comics

Battling Beastie Blackbelts

Zoo Jitsu Fighters is a new full-color independent comic series, created by martial arts fans for those who feel the same! “Successfully funded on Kickstarter, this action-packed series plunges readers into a dystopian future where genetically engineered animals are forced to battle in brutal combat. Follow the heroic journey of Tiago the Tiger as he fights for freedom and justice in a world of exploitation and cruelty.” Created by Patrick Wang (a 2nd-degree black belt himself), two issues have been released so far. What’s more, recently Patrick and crew released a new line of tie-in action figures as well!

image c. 2025 Icon Heroes

Her Avatar is a Beaver — Almost Literally

We’re learning more about Hoppers, the upcoming Pixar Studios feature for 2026. It’s written and directed by Daniel Chong, the creator of We Bare Bears. The official Pixar press release goes like this: “What if you could talk to animals and understand what they’re saying? In Disney and Pixar’s all-new feature film Hoppers, scientists have discovered how to ‘hop’ human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals! The adventure introduces Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use the technology, uncovering mysteries within the animal world that are beyond anything she could have imagined.” Hoppers is set to hit theaters in March of 2026. Want to see some early footage? Check out the report from last year’s D23 Expo (and look for the Zootopia cosplay!)

image c. 2025 Pixar Studios

Pack Your Trunk for Adventure

Here’s the publisher’s notes on the new comic series Squish and Squash: “Squish and Squash are two young cadets trying to make it into the Intergalactic Search and Rescue Squad. In order to become rescuers, they must pass the difficult ‘Save the Gimblemans’ simulation test. It’s not going to be easy, especially with tough Captain Twomey breathing down their necks. Breaking the rules and saving the crew from a burning galactic cruise ship lands our two cadets in trouble. The duo are given one last chance to pass the test or be thrown out of the academy for good. Our adventurous heroes must find new and imaginative ways to earn their patch and become bona-fide rescuers!” For some reason though, they neglected to mention that Squish and Squash are an elephant and a pussycat! Issues of Squish and Squash (by Niall O’Rourke and Mike Hartigan) are available now from Keenspot Entertainment.

image c. 2025 Keenspot Entertainment