Iron Men, Jedi and demons, oh my…
New releases, interviews, fun stuff and even a trailer for Godfather of Hell!
Hello there!
Pinch punch, it’s the first of the month and time for another round-up.
May has largely been taken up with edits to my current novel, which I hope to finish in the next two weeks. They turned out to be more extensive than expected, not because of style or structural concerns, but to bring the story in line with other aspects of the wider IP, incorporating a lot of lore that I didn't have access to before. That's franchise storytelling for you! These things happen more often than you think when working on large IPs, and while they can play merry hell with your schedule, I think they will, in this case, make for a far more satisfying read.
Once that's in, I'll be diving straight into blocking out a new graphic novel adaptation, the second I've worked on over the last few years, but more on that in future updates.
While May has had lots of highlights – for more on those, see below – there was one particularly sad moment when I learned of the passing of actor Michael Keating, who I worked with on the audio continuation of Blake's 7. In case you missed it, I wrote a little piece about Michael and how his character of Vila was central to my plans for the series. While those plans never came to fruition, he remains my favourite character I've ever had the chance to write for – and Michael, one of my favourite collaborators. He'll be missed.
CONTENTS
In this edition, we have:
- A new book trailer for Godfather of Hell
- New interview on This Dad Reads
- X-Men Age of Revelation Overture
- Star Wars: The High Republic Phase III Vol 1
- Keeve Trennis: TV star?
- Scream! up for an award
- Five great things that happened in May
- What I’m reading, watching and listening to
NEW GODFATHER OF HELL BOOK TRAILER
The Godfather of Hell hype keeps building!
Vault Comics has released an exciting new trailer for my neo-noir horror. You can watch it here:
Isn't it fantastic?
There's a little bit of news regarding the on-sale date as well. To bring everything nearer to Halloween, Vault has moved publication to Tuesday, 13th October, which, to be honest, is absolutely perfect.
NEW INTERVIEW: THIS DAD READS
I'm back on the This Dad Reads podcast talking to host Jason about my latest Star Wars Audible Original, Terror on Mustafar and all kinds of other cool stuff including:
- a preview of my upcoming Star Wars all-age graphic novel Smugglers and Scoundrels featuring the first canonical meeting between Han Solo and everyone's favourite green space rabbit, Jaxxon*
- the bonds The High Republic forged
- the importance – or lack thereof – of canon
- the importance of libraries
- my plans for the rest of 2026
You can watch the video below (and witness how I forgot it was being recorded on camera and so spend a lot of time talking to the floor. Whoops!) or listen via your favourite podcatcher app!
X-MEN AGE OF REVELATION OVERTURE RELEASED
If you missed my X-Men Age of Revelation tie-in, Iron and Frost then you have a second chance to pick it up as part of the shiny-new Overture collection.
With art by Ruairi Coleman, Iron and Frost pits Iron Man and Emma Frost together in a dystopian future. Can they rekindle their relationship or will they tear each other apart as the world burns?
X years later, the heir of Apocalypse reigns! Former New Mutant Doug Ramsey played a vital role as the voice of Krakoa. In the wake of its fall, he became the heir of Apocalypse. Then Cyclops' X-Men welcomed him into their ranks. And that's where it all went wrong! As Revelation, Doug is tasked with ensuring that only the fit survive - and only mutants are fit to survive! X years later, he and his Choristers hold power in the Revelation Territories - and the world around them is transformed!
The remnants of the X-Men enact a desperate scheme to reshape the status quo, and the help of an unexpected ally may turn the tables!
What has become of Emma Frost and Tony Stark? After 3K's devastating terrorist attack cost them everything, the Heartless Queen returns to what remains of her past. But secrets hide in the ruins of New York, and the Hellfire Club has a dangerous new leader!
Why has Laura Kinney abandoned the legacy of Wolverine and taken on the guise of her bitter enemy, Sabretooth?
With the universe crumbling, Binary returns to save what's left. But power this great always comes with a price. Will the end of everything begin with her?
And the biggest question of all: Cloak or Dagger?! Tandy and Tyrone have tied the knot - but their bond has come with a terrible cost. Now they can no longer exist on the same plane at the same time!
Collecting X-MEN: AGE OF REVELATION (2025) #0, X-MEN: AGE OF REVELATION OVERTURE (2025) #1, AMAZING X-MEN (2025) #1-3, BINARY (2025) #1-3, CLOAK OR DAGGER (2025) #1-3, IRON & FROST (2025) #1-3 and LAURA KINNEY: SABRETOOTH (2025) #1-3.
STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC ADVENTURES — THE COMPLETE PHASE III PART 1
It's been so good seeing Phase III of Star Wars: The High Republic getting the omnibus treatment, too.
First up was the Marvel Trials of the Jedi omnibus, collecting my complete Phase III runs, and now the spotlight falls on the all-age adventures published by Dark Horse Comics, including my Ty Yorrick: Saber For Hire series.
The thrilling opening act of Phase III of the High Republic Adventures saga is collected here! Join heroes from across the galaxy as they fight for freedom from the Nihil’s reign!
One year after the fall of Starlight Beacon, the High Republic is in peril!
Marchion Ro and his Nihil marauders continue to advance further into Republic space, leaving destruction in their wake. Meanwhile, the Jedi are kept at bay by terrifying Nameless creatures that prey on their connection to the Force.
But a growing movement seeks to free the galaxy from Ro’s oppression!
On the planet Eriadu, Zeen Mrala and Jedi Knight Qort look for powerful allies to join the fight against the Nihil. In their search, they find evidence that their friends, presumed dead, may have survived the fall of Starlight Beacon! Who are the survivors, and where have they been all this time?
Meanwhile, Alys “Crash” Ongwa and her ragtag crew hunt down Nihil commanders on Corellia. But when Crash’s mission leads her to the notorious Krix Kamerat, she joins forces with her enemy in the hopes of catching Marchion Ro! How far will Crash follow her vengeful path?
And behind the impenetrable barrier of the Stormwall, former Jedi Ty Yorrick is content to hunt monsters in exchange for credits galore. That is, until she stumbles upon a mission that forces her to take a stand against the Nihil and confront her troubled past!
Join bestselling authors Daniel José Older and Cavan Scott, two of the original story architects of the Star Wars: The High Republic initiative, along with artists Harvey Tolibao, Rachael Stott, Toni Bruno, Nick Brokenshire, and Rachele Aragno for the thrilling first chapters of Phase III of the High Republic Adventures saga!
Collects Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures (Phase III) #1-10, Saber for Hire #1-#4, the Crash Landing one-shot, and the Crash and Burn one-shot
KEEVE TRENNIS: TV STAR?
Talking about The High Republic, CBR.com has included my Phase I Marvel run in their list of 10 Star Wars Comics That Would Make Incredible Disney+ Shows.
I wholeheartedly support this message!
SCREAM! WE’RE UP FOR AN AWARD!
Well, here’s a lovely thing.
Scream: The Specials, which includes the Dracula Files story that first united me with artist Vincenzo Riccardo has been nominated for an Eisner Award!
Just as exciting, my pal Francesco Francavilla has been nominated for Best Cover Artist for his work on Cyberpunk and our very own Star Wars: Tales from the Nightlands.
Go vote, fellow pros!
FIVE GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN MAY
- Clare and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. 21 glorious years!
- George Mann and I marked May Day by following Bristol’s Jack in the Green through the streets of Bristol in both rain and shine! That’s Jack in all his green — and soggy — glory above. You can check out more of my photos here!
- Downend Folk and Roots delivered another toe-tapping night, this time with the Charlotte Cavirrick Band, which was all the more amazing when it was revealed that it was only their second gig with fiddler Niles Krieger. You can see them in action here (and should also check out the venue’s recently revealed autumn/winter season.)
- I had a great time at UK Games Expo up at the NEC, catching up with friends, meeting folk on the Warlord Games Konflikt ‘47 booth and having my first game of Daggerheart.
- I completed my latest Lino print — a reduction for my Grogu-loving eldest, printing one colour at a time. Pretty pleased with how the little guy came out.
CURRENTLY READING
THINGS WE FOUND IN THE GROUND by Eleanor Bruce & Lucille Gray: A highly passionate account of how two cousins discovered the joy of metal detecting in lockdown. Disclaimer: May result in you buying a detector of your own!
CURRENTLY LISTENING TO
SIXTY YEARS OF HURT with David Baddiel: A brilliant BBC Podcast explaining all the contradictions of being English as seen through the lens of the beautiful game.
CURRENTLY WATCHING
BERGERAC season 2: A mainstay of my youth has been brought back for the 21st century in UKTV's wonderful twisty-turny remake starring Damian Molony as the maverick Jersey cop. If you didn't catch the brilliant first season, the BBC has just announced they'll be showing it this summer.
Wow! That turned into a bumper edition! Hope there was something there you enjoyed!
Until next time, look after yourself and each other.
