As we prepare to enter a new year, we’re already hyped for some new comic books coming our way. From Marvel to DC to indie offerings, here’s our 8 most anticipated comics debuting in January 2026.
2025 has been a massive year for comics. Some of the most popular issues have included historic Marvel–DC crossovers, as well as Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman series. We’ve also enjoyed a lot of indie comics too, with one in particular prevailing above all the rest. As we look ahead to January 2026, there’s a few new series beginning that catch our eyes, as well as some continuing series. Check out our 8 most anticipated comics of January 2026 down below!
Malevolent #1
From the superstar co-creators behind Spread—Justin Jordan, John Bivens, and Felipe Sobreiro—comes a brutal blend of horror, sci-fi, and survival in the upcoming Malevolent, launching in January 2026.
Published by Image Comics, Malevolent comes from the award-winning team of Justin Jordan, John Bivens, and Felipe Sobreiro, a trio known for science fiction horror Spread (which you can buy here). Their new series, Malevolent, takes place in a world rife with demons. While humans and demons may have initially co-existed harmoniously, mankind has developed a weapon powerful enough to vanquish demons.
The official synopsis for Malevolent reads: Thirty years ago, the gates of Hell cracked open when science went too far—and the world has never been the same. Humanity adapted, survived, even thrived in the shadow of demons. But now, mankind has made something new. Something dangerous. A weapon that can kill demons… if she doesn”t kill us first.
Pre-order Malovolent #1 here.
Iron man #1
2026 will get off to a strong start at Marvel Comics, notably with the release of ‘Iron Man #1’ from Joshua Williamson (Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths, Knight Terrors) and Carmen Carnero (eXceptional X-Men, Captain America, Miles Morales). Announced at New York Comic Con, the series kicks off when Iron Man”s plan to shape his legacy is twisted into an opportunity to weaponize the next Tony Stark.
The official synopsis reads: “The unapologetic Iron Man is a once-in-a-lifetime hero – but the beating heart behind the armor is a once-in-a-century genius. Years ago, Tony Stark was knocking on death”s door, so he created the Iron Man armor to survive! What happens the next time death comes calling? What weapon does he create then? What if…someone else creates it first? These questions have haunted Tony for years, a ticking time bomb inside of him waiting to explode. Femme fatale Madame Masque has also asked these questions, and with the power of Advanced Idea Mechanics behind her…she”s ready to create the next great weapon.”
Pre-order Iron Man #1 here.
Capes #3
Classic Invincible series Capes is back and better than ever before. Dive back into Capes Inc. as they protect New York City from threats big and small! With Capes, publisher Image Comics is re-introducing a series that dates back to 2003, where it was created by Kirkman himself and Mark Englert. The series is considered a cult in the fandom, but it went long out of print. This new reprint doesn’t just bring back the original; it builds on it. They contain all-new art and dialogue. It’s a thoughtful way of bringing them back. Rather than sending them back to the printer, Capes is being given its due, and the makeover is glorious. It feels like a labor of love.
The reprinted series has gotten off to a stellar start, and we can’t wait to see the series continue into 2026. The synopsis for issue #3 reads: The heroes of CAPES INC are attacked—many WILL DIE! But why is [SPOILER REDACTED] doing this? And what’s the Secret Origin of KNOCKOUT?
Pre-order Capes #3 here.
Alice Forever After #1
Dan Panosian (known for An Unkindness of Ravens, Canary) and Giorgio Spalletta’s mature Alice in Wonderland retelling comes to a close in 2026 with Alice Forever After, the final arc of the series.
Lewis Carroll’s seminal work Alice in Wonderland is one of the most influential stories in all of fiction. The story has been retold time and time again through various mediums. Of course, there’s the classic animated Disney film, the live-action Disney movies, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. One of the very best versions of the story in recent years came from comics writer Dan Panosian and artist Giorgio Spalletta. Published by BOOM! Studios, their 2022 series Alice Ever After was a wonderfully twisted take on the beloved tale.
The final arc, aptly titled Alice Forever After, begins in January 2026. The official synopsis for reads:
Alice faces her most perilous adversary yet—her own past! It”s been years since Alice returned to the real world, now living peacefully with her endlessly curious, young daughter Evelyn. Wonderland may now be a distant memory, but beyond the looking glass, things are far from what they once were as the realm cracks and crumbles into decay. A resentful Cheshire Cat seeks out the one thing that can fix what”s broken, but this time it isn”t Alice he”s set his sights on… With time running out, Alice will have to confront her past adventures—before they claim her beloved daughter.
Pre-order Alice Forever After #1 here.
Amazing Spider-Man #20
Joe Kelly and artist John Romita Jr.’s Amazing Spider-Man series has been a top-tier run from the beginning. It’s consistently been in the top 10 best-selling series for several months running.
The synopsis for issue #20 reads: “NIGHT OF THE GOBLIN (SLAYERS)! Norman Osborn may be purged of his sins, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still come back to haunt him! HOBGOBLIN wants Norman out of the SPIDER-MAN game (and this life) for good – and he’s got the hyper-lethal tech of an entire goblin-slaying army at his disposal. What does Norman have…?! A Spider-Man or Woman or two who trust him as far as they can throw him…”
Pre-order Amazing Spider-Man #20 here.
Assorted Crisis Events #8
From Deniz Camp and artist Eric Zawadzki, anthology series Assorted Crisis Events will reach its 8th issue in January 2026, and for its first story of the new year, it’s being printed in newsprint (the style of paper famously used for printing newspapers). Of course, in the early years of comics, most of them were printed in newsprint. The low-cost method helped publishers print bulk copies. By the mid-90s, printing shifted to high-grade glossy stock, and we haven’t really looked back since. Some indie publishers print in newsprint for a classic aesthetic, but it’s very few and far between nowadays.
Titled Life in the Gutter, the upcoming issue follows a struggling comic book artist, who quite literally gets lost within the gutters of his work. The official synopsis reads: “A homeless comic book artist falls into the gutters – literally! Can Wally find his way back to life and reality, or is he lost in the blank white space between panels forever?”
Pre-order Assorted Crisis Events #8 here.
Batman #5
So far, Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiminez’s Batman series has gotten off to a great start. The most recent issue #4 was our favourite so far, introducing a brilliant new villain in the form of The Minotaur. In issue #5, both Bruce Wayne and Dr. Annika Zeller go on a night out together… and naturally, chaos ensues.
FRACTION AND JIMENEZ DELIVER A DATE NIGHT TO REMEMBER! A night out with Bruce Wayne goes off the rails immediately for Dr. Annika Zeller–it seems her experimental Crown of Storms has her marked for death. And if they survive the legendary 000 Gang, they’ll still have to confront the sinister assassin known as Lady Death Man!
Pre-order Batman #5 here.
Absolute Batman #16
Absolute Batman by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta is one of our favourite series at the moment; we’ve written about it extensively. After a terrific introduction of the Joker in issue 15, the series will continue with Part 2 of the caped crusader’s story with Absolute Wonder Woman.
The synopsis reads: “Part two of our Absolute Batman/Absolute Wonder Woman story– Bruce Wayne is on a desperate hunt to help his friend Waylon, now transformed into a monstrous crocodile roaming the sewers, consumed with a deadly hunger. Batman’s last option for a cure is to turn to a god for help…but will he have to descend into the depths of hell to get it?”
Pre-order Absolute Batman #16 here.
Which comic releasing in January 2026 are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments down below!
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