That Texas Blood Vol. 3 Trade Paperback Cover By Jacob Phillips (Credit: Image Comics)
The Chris Condon series in question? His Image Comics book, That Texas Blood. This series he worked on with Artist Jacob Phillips. The series is being described as:
“Billed as Cormac McCarthy meets John Carpenter, That Texas Blood is a neo-noir Western following Sheriff Joe Bob Coates of Ambrose County, Texas, who questions his place in an increasingly violent world when a man returns home following the sudden disappearance of his brother, causing a spiral down into a past filled with treachery and blood.”
Jim Mickle and E.L. Katz are writing the series and executive producing it as well. Other executive producers include:
Michael Walsh
Adam Fasullo
Adam Fishbach
Jeremy Platt
Linda Moran
Chris Condon
We also learned that Jacob Phillips will be the Co-Executive Producer on the series as well. Now the series is in development, so it is unknown when it will premiere on FX.
Canadian Telecom Company Rogers is hosting its 2026 Upfronts event next week. But over the course of the last couple of weeks, they have renewed a whole bunch of Citytv originals. But they made a huge renewal announcement yesterday, and a surprise casting announcement to go with the renewal as well.
So Citytv’s popular police procedural, Hudson & Rex, was renewed yesterday. Now, the post yesterday on Instagram was a little cryptic, but it did leave everyone guessing with what was coming:
So, this definitely came as a shock to pretty much everyone. I think the internet didn’t think John coming back to the series was a possibility, but I for sure welcome it. So, we also got a quote from John talking about his excitement about coming back to the show:
“I’m excited to step back into the role of Charlie as Hudson and Rex moves into its next chapter. The series has earned a passionate audience around the world, and I’m grateful for the continued support. I’m looking forward to beginning production on the new season with the cast, crew, creative team, production, and network partners – and to sharing more adventures with Rex and the fans.”
Now, what we do know is that the show is back filming next week, and we also got a little bit of a description of what to expect with the new season:
“When viewers last saw Charlie Hudson, he was heading to South America in search of his missing brother, Jack. Next season will see Charlie shocking everyone with his return to St. John’s with one final task to accomplish before putting the Belize nightmare behind him. Charlie’s return creates a complicated dilemma for loyal Rex and sets off a chain reaction inside the St. John’s Police Department.”
The show returns for a 12-episode Season 9 this fall, and I cannot wait to see what happens.
With the 2026 Eisner Nominees finally settled, it’s time for Nerd Initiative to take a look at this year’s nominees. It took a while for the dust to fully settle on the Eisner Nominees after they were announced on May 14th, with an anthology nominee being withdrawn for containing AI-generated content. Don’t let AI-generated content kerfuffle distract you from the fact that the 2026 Eisner Nominee list is not only one of the most diverse in recent times, but a historical list of nominees.
In addition to all of the well-deserved nominations, Stephanie Williams joins her comic inspiration Dwayne McDuffie as only the second Black writer nominated for Best Writer in the 38 year history of the Eisner Awards. McDuffie was nominated in 1995 for his work on Icon for Milestone Comics. Williams becomes the first Black female writer nominated in history for her work on Temporal, Street Sharks, and Roots of Madness. Below you will find a list of this year’s nominees, with the comic containing a link to Nerd Initiative reviews for that series if available.
Best Short Story
“Blood Harvest,” in Brain Damage, by ShintaroKago, translated by Zack Davisson (Fantagraphics)
“The Curse Room,” in Brain Damage, byShintaroKago, translated by Zack Davisson (Fantagraphics)
“Football Is Not War,” by R. K. Russell and Wilfred Santiago, in Come Out and Play: The Queer Sports Project (Stacked Deck Press)
“Red Snapper in the Rea,” by Michael D. Kennedy, in Milk White Steed (Drawn & Quarterly)
“trAPPed” by Anand RK, Suparna Sharma, and Natalie Obiko Pearson (Bloomberg News)
Francesco Francavilla, Cyberpunk 2077, Star Wars: Tales from the Nightlands (Dark Horse); Absolute Batman, Absolute Martian Manhunter, Batman: Full Moon, Nightwing variants (DC); Green Hornet/Miss Fury (Dynamite); Star Trek: The Last Starship,Twilight Zone(IDW); Dick Tracy (Mad Cave)
José Villarrubia, This Ink Runs Cold (Alan Spiegel Fine Arts); Ghostbox(Comixology Originals); Dracula Book 2: The Brides, The Witcher: The Bear and the Butterfly (Dark Horse); Hunger (The Lab Press); It Rhymes with Takei (Top Shelf)
Best Lettering
Janice Chiang, Acro and the Cat, All Upon a Time, Beyond the Aural Vault, Republica, Solarblader (Sandstorm); John Carpenter’s Blood of the Taken: Next of Kin, Pause, Tales of Science Fiction (Storm King)
Ben Wickey, More Weight: A Salem Story (Top Shelf)
Congratulations from the Nerd Initiative team to all of this year’s nominees. If you’d like to learn a little bit more about Stephanie Williams’ historic nomination, you can check out the video below where myself and Megan from the Nerd Initiative team sit down with Stephanie and talk about her groundbreaking nomination, Dwayne McDuffie and his inspiration, and loving to read.
Who are you rooting for at this year’s Eisner Awards? Let us know in the comments below!
Now, these new episodes will be released throughout the summer, so fans of the series will have some new episodes to enjoy before the new season premieres this fall. There are 3 different episodes, but they all sound pretty incredible:
Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition:
In this Disney+ exclusive double-episode, Homer and Marge’s fun couples’ date night goes off the rails when Marge learns Homer left the kids unsupervised with only the doorbell camera as a babysitter. Frustrated with her imperfect husband, a tipsy Marge stirs up a trilogy of fantasies of a different Homer. The special guest stars Betty Gilpin, with musical guests Laufey and Tegan and Sara.
Simpsley:
When penniless con-artist Marge Bouvier is sent to Italy to convince wealthy sap Seymour Skinner to come home, she’s tempted by the trappings of his affluent lifestyle. But there’s a big fat fly in the ointment: Skinner’s clingy, dim-witted mooch of a houseguest, Homer Simpsley. Lies, lust and Italian lira are abound in this Disney+ exclusive Simpsons noir.
Yellow Mirror:
A defective lamp reveals a heartbreaking truth about what Homer believes is reality, and an AI-powered tablet befriends and controls Maggie. The Simpsons struggle to find the light through two dark tales of the curious and bizarre in this Disney+ exclusive.
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition premieres June 17th, Simpsley releases July 3rd, and Yellow Mirror drops on August 26th.
In 1980, Universal Pictures released a movie capitalizing on two characters created by Saturday Night Live stars Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. The titular Blues Brothers, “Joliet” Jake and Elwood, would perform blues standards on the show and eventually recorded an album, A Briefcase Full of Blues. Aykroyd developed a backstory for the duo and a movie script which was directed by John Landis. The film, a blend of comedy, action, and concert film, has gone on to become a classic. While there have been attempts to resurrect the Blues Brothers in a number of ways, the results have unfortunately been either lackluster or, in some cases, have not made it to production. The latest attempt is in the form of a graphic novel, Return of the Blue Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake, released by Z2 Comics written by Stella Aykroyd, Luke Pisano, and James Werner.
On A New Mission…
The story starts in an Illinois prison in 1997. After the events of the film, Jake and Elwood are near the end of their sentence after their mission from God. Jake Blues is taken from his cell by a mysterious figure. Furthermore, it’s left ambiguous as to whether he was kidnapped or if he escaped. Either way, the disappearance of Jake Blues is considered a dire emergency as their escapades are as historically important to the city as the Great Chicago Fire. The Chicago Police Department has decided to put Detective Zetdelik on the case. However, Zetdelik’s mother has an axe to grind with the missing Blues Brother, but has no clue where he can be. Even his brother, Elwood, thinks there is something strange going on, given that they are a few days from release.
On top of a missing Jake, there’s a missing briefcase that Zetedelik learns can change the past, present, and future of music. A briefcase full of blues, if you will, that has unreleased music in it. Ztdetelick crosses paths with many characters, new and old to the fold, but finds an ally in Wolfie, an orphan and blues player who was close to Elwood. Wolfie may know the location of the briefcase and will more than likely lead them to Jake.
Continuing The Legacy…
The book has numerous running gags, such as no one being able to pronounce Ztedelik’s name, but it also continues the ones established from the film, like car chases resulting in a mountain of police cars piling up. Yet, it also uses tropes common in reboots, particularly using the same formula as the original, à la Star Wars: The Force Awakens, using the template of the original to tell something new. If done right, it works fine and does work here.
While beloved, The Blues Brothers aren’t in the zeitgeist as much as other franchises, let alone ones from Saturday Night Live. Aykroyd, Pisano, and Werner leave enough connective tissue to keep old fans interested and entice newer fans to give the original a watch. The hard-to-translate aspects have nothing to do with either of the writer’s skills. The cameos and music performances are more or less what made the film unique and wouldn’t translate well to the page. Although, in all fairness, an attempt is made and it works for what this book is trying to achieve. Some of the cameos connected to the original movie are there and mostly occupy the same role.
Unfortunately, as the blues music genre moved through the years, it hasn’t expanded as it had when the genre was given a boost by Aykroyd and Belushi. While blues music is still alive in many regions throughout the United States it has remained stagnant in terms of being a popular genre. It’s great when anyone with influence boosts a thing from the past, but it’s also important to recognize its history.
Felipe Sobreiro’s art is a little cartoony, but it sets the tone for the wacky and wild journey. Sobreiro shares coloring duties with Gab Contreras, which jumps between two different schemes as we jump back and forth between past and present. While it definitely feels modern for the present story, the flashbacks have almost a Robert Crumb quality to them, lending credence to the eras, as we see the lineage of the Blues Brothers moniker. It also kind of stays in line with the aforementioned attempts to reboot the franchise previously.
Overall Grade: 8.5 out 10
Overall, this book does what it needs to do. Its faults have nothing to do with the project or the team involved, but the medium chosen for it. The Return of the Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake reboots the franchise in a way that is respectful to its source but accessible to newer fans. With Dan Aykroyd getting up in age after a career of hit movies, he has done well in his choices for passing the torch to the newer generations in caring for these franchises he put work and love into. Keeping this franchise in the family was the right choice for a number of reasons, and the end result is proof of that.
You can purchase it directly from Z2 Comics, but as always the best place to buy it is from your local comic store.
Check out Forrest’s interview with Dave Baker about his latest book, Halloween Boy.
It’s now officially 1200 days since DC Comics has released a Black-led ongoing comic series in their main timeline. The DCSoWhite campaign has put a spotlight on this huge lack of representation, stating every fact that goes along with it.
Here at Nerd Initiative, we are very dedicated to supporting more representation in the comic book world, and every other form of media. With supporting the DCSoWhite campaign, we at Nerd Initiative know how important it is that comic fans of every color, every sexuality, and every background be represented. Supporting DCSoWhite isn’t just about supporting Black characters in particular, but supporting marginalized groups that rarely see themselves represented in comic books. When supporting a movement like this, you have to put yourselves in the shoes of people that have to make movements like this just to be treated equally.
Some things the movement focuses on are
●The lack of sustained, ongoing titles led by Black characters in the mainline continuity ● Short-lived initiatives without long-term commitment ● Limited marketing support for Black-led books ● Underrepresentation of Black editorial and creative talent ● Disparities in publishing opportunities, such as not valuing digital sales and not allowing titles to get to trade before cancellation.
This isn’t asking much. This is just asking for the same representation that white characters have gotten from the beginning of comic book culture. It’s easy to dismiss a movement when you’re not personally affected by it, but this goes so much farther than just seeing Black characters in comic books. This is about what’s right.
Phase 2
Nerd Initiative fully supports the DCSoWhite campaign, and moving forward will adhere to Phase 2 of the movement.
What’s included in Phase 2 is a DC boycott called DCBlackOut. The DCBlackOut calls on it’s supporters for the following –
● Post on social media and call for DC Comics to publish 1-3 brand new ongoings for Black heroes in their mainline continuity with strong Black creative teams. ● Cancel their pull list subscriptions for all DC titles, including ongoings, mini series, and collected editions, until a Black-led ongoing in mainline continuity is solicited. ● Raise awareness about the fact that digital sales are not valued the same as preorders of single issues. ● Push for transparent, long-term commitment and investment to Black representation. ● Support Black creators through independent and creator-owned projects. ● Encourage industry-wide conversations surrounding equity, visibility, and sustainability.
As the saying goes, be the change you want to see in the world. Change starts with one person, and grows into something more. all DCSoWhite is asking for is the representation in comic books that these groups have every right to.
Resources
To support the cause, we implore you to sign the petition here!
After the end of the last issue, it became clear that this run would wear its unpredictability on its sleeve. While this doesn’t always pay off, it’s more than safe to say that it does here. If you need proof, read it for yourself, but also take it from Shawn and I here as we entice you!
Writer & Artist: Lorenzo De Felici Lettering: Rus Wooton Design: Drew Gill
Source: Lorenzo Di Felici, Image Comics
Writing the Roots
Shawn: I really enjoyed this issue. I thought as good as issue #1 was, Lorenzo De Felici really stepped up his game. One thing he did really well was give you enough information to feel like you’re learning more about the roots while also still leaving enough to the imagination to keep you coming back.
This is shaping up to be such a unique story. De Felici lets us see how our two individuals begin to bridge their stories together. The way he seamlessly introduced a new setting was magnificent and I’m anxious to learn more about where our characters now find themselves.
Edalyn: I’m in complete agreement with Shawn here. The way De Felici pulled off the impossible is absolutely awe inspiring. Introducing a new setting in such a way as this is no easy feat, yet De Felici made it look so. Any aspiring writers looking to do something outside of the norm should be looking this way and taking note.
While reading, I knew right away that this was a fantasy world that I want so much more of. It felt truly living and thriving, with its own set of characters and history, yet we don’t yet know what that is. In the coming issues, I truly hope we get more as I’m absolutely still hooked.
Source: Paul Azaceta, Image Comics
Art That Stands Out
Shawn: As good as the writing is, De Felici’s artwork may be even better. He forms a symbiotic relationship with his written words as both begin to feed off each other. This in turn raises the overall quality of the issue. In making the two work so well together, De Felici creates some really surprising blink or you’ll miss it moments. In one panel, a character remarks that they are missing their glasses and De Felici takes a moment to make the rest of the panel distorted and fuzzy as if someone were looking at it without their glasses.
Edalyn: The art here by De Felici himself was absolutely next level, elevating everything to greater heights. It’s probably some of the most unique I’ve seen and truly made me feel enthralled into this new world. I could feel the dirt and grime seeping out of the page and into my bedroom. When an artist can make that happen while simultaneously excelling in the writing department, you know you’re reading something special.
Source: Flaviano Armentaro, Image Comics
Final Thoughts
Shawn: Overall, this is a really strong follow-up issue. I’m intrigued by this story and can’t wait to see what happens next. While De Felici is known primarily as an artist, “Red Roots #2” shows that he’s a strong writer as well. This is a story I can’t wait to see more of.
Edalyn: De Felici is truly a wonder maker. From his writing to his artwork, he excels on both fronts, something that isn’t easy to do. I’m super excited to see where things go from here!
BRZRKR is one of my favorite ongoing series. This run seems to have a lot of different elements that made me laugh. The main character has excellent lines that I was not expecting. Just like the original BRZRKR series, it has some world-building immediately. This mostly does not focus on the main character, but on the two scientists. These scientists are so smart and willing to take chances when it comes to experiments. I really didn’t know where the story was going at first. I suddenly realized that it was taking a comical approach to the entire lore.
It does have some world-building, as the scientists play a major part in all of it. I like world-building because it sets the standard as to what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised that there was not a lot of gore in this. Maybe I am being impatient, and have to wait for the next issue. BRZRKR is most notable for the gore. That is one of the many reasons as to what keeps me coming back to this world.
To be honest, I was a little underwhelmed with this one. I was waiting for a lot of action, and it just wasn’t there. I am willing to give it a chance for later issues. Maybe something far more sinister is coming for the beloved anti-hero. As far as the art, it’s always nice. Both Ribic and Avallone did a wonderful job with the cover art and art in general. I love seeing the textures in each comic page, and that engages me to read more and more. Overall, this first issue was just okay. I really want them to ramp it up the next time that I read BRZRKR.
What did you think of BRZKR Light Draws Breath? Sound off in the comments below!
In the previous issue, writers Tim Seeley and Ryan O’nan introduced us to their modern, horrifying version of “Hamlet” in “Pretty Hate Machine”. We met our main character, Thomas, going through the trials and tribulations of losing his father at the hands of those he should trust most: his own family. Will he continue to struggle as he’s urged towards violence? Or will he give in? Find out with me as we dive into “Pretty Hate Machine #2”!
Writers: Tim Seeley, Ryan O’Nan Artist: Hank La Marca Colorist: Roman Stevens
Thaw And Resolve
Picking up from the incredible first issue, Seeley and O’Nan continue their wonderous work here. Not a single bit of the intensity has been lost, as this issue gets readers straight into the action, quite literally! I loved how things played out right in the beginning, showing the planning going on but bringing in an element of dark humor. While it may not be everyone’s taste, I always feel that dark humor in horror can be great in the right momnts to ease the tension. It’s used expertly here throughout the entire issue, making me giggle on more than one occasion!
Also, throughout the entire issue, Seeley and O’nan do a great job at making the reader guess. Will Thomas succumb to the dark urges? Will he forgive his mom & uncle for what they did? The constant wonder keeps this a wonderful page turner. Simultaneously, they make the reader afraid to turn the page, making us guess what horrors await on the other side.
Source: Todor Hristov, Mad Cave Studios
Art of the Kill
Not only did the writing stand out, but the art and colors of Hank La Marca and Roman Stevens did as well! Together, they create pieces that feel both tangible and intensely grotesque. This is the kind of stuff people like Tom Savini dream about. Without going into too much detail, the final shot is absolutely something that will stick with you. If I could give a comparison, think of the bedroom scene in “Terrifier 2”.
Every shot here felt intentionally meant to put the reader in either disgust or unease, and I absolutely loved it. Paired with the so far excellent writing, “Pretty Hate Machine” is something you need to be checking out.
Final Thoughts
So far, this whole team can do no wrong. From Seeley & O’Nan’s intense story evoking the likes of “Hamlet” or “Death Note” to the insane artwork, “Pretty Hate Machine” is a whole different beast. This is a beast clawing its way from the pits of Hell itself, demanding to be read, and it should be.
In the previous issue of “In Your Skin”, writer Aditya Bidikar dared to ask the question, “What happens if a parasocial relationship is taken too far?” Here, he seems to want to ask the opposite: what might happen if a celebrity tired of the spotlight gets a chance at a new life? Bidikar continues to push the boundaries, and I’m absolutely loving every second of it.
Writer: Aditya Bidikar Artist: Som Pal Colorist: Francesco Segala Color Assistant: Gloria Martinelli
Source: Som Pal, Image Comics
The Other Side
After having read the first issue, seeing things from the other side isn’t where I expected to go, but I’m so happy that Aditya Bidikar took things there. Seeing things from Ayesha’s perspective was such a unique yet perfect layer to this already spectacular story! Bidikar works hard here to make readers feel the stress of her everyday life and body dysmorphia from getting older. In an industry where age, for some reason, matters, it can really weigh someone down, make them feel like they’re too old, and question what things would be like if they were young again. Bidikar tackles this issue with beauty and grace.
The other thing that he continues to excel at here is the horror. The issue has this near-perfect balance of the body and the psychological. Aditya Bidikar truly forces readers to be inside the skins of the two main characters, putting us through this psychological torture in the best way imaginable. I seriously can’t get enough of this series and am looking forward to a re-read as well as the next issue.
The Art of the Body
Artist Som Pal and colorists Francesco Segala and Gloria Martinelli were all on their A-game here. Matching Bidikar’s efforts to put readers in a horrifying position, the team does a stellar job depicting every moment of body horror. How those moments are drawn by Pal just feel and look so twisted and gross, and I mean that as an utter compliment. For the first time in a while, I felt truly disgusted at times while reading, unsure of what awaited me on the next page.
Coupled with the art style is the usage of colors from Segala and Martinelli. The way they used color to show the psychological differences both characters were going through was simply a masterclass. To exemplify this, there were several moments throughout where these deep reds were used. In each of those moments, I felt nothing but pure anger, confusion, and terror all rolled into one. When you can elicit those reactions from a reader, you know you’ve done something right. Here, the art and colors truly come together to elevate something that’s already perfection.
Source: Dani, Image Comics
Final Thoughts
Aditya Bidikar and his art team continue to astound and amaze. So far, “In Your Skin” is something that feels truly timeless, especially in this modern age of fandom and social media. Bidikar continues daring to ask the questions everyone else is afraid to, and I love this all the more for it. I feel as if it’s safe to say we have a modern horror classic on our hands, and you should be reading.
