News about comic book creators for June 21, 2025

Here’s the latest news about Canadian comic book creators for Saturday, June 21, 2025

CBC promotes children’s books for the summer
CBC Books published an article listing the 20 Canadian children’s books to read this summer. Notable books include:
– Free Piano (Not Haunted) by Whitney Gardner, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
– Mallory and the Trouble with Twins by Arley Nopra, published by Scholastic
– Way Off Track by Carl Brundtland, illustrated by Claudia Dávila, published by Kids Can Press
– Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros, published by Quill Tree Books
– Astronautical! by Brooklin Stormie, published by Annick Press
– Shark Girl by Kate Beaton, published by Roaring Brook
– Hazel Has Her Hands Full by Nathan Fairbairn, illustrated by Michele Assarasakorn, published by Penguin Random House Canada
– Barnacle Bay by Jana Curll, published by Greystone Kids
Read more at https://www.cbc.ca/books/20-canadian-children-s-books-to-read-this-summer-1.7516376

Kim Smith auctions rights to first graphic novel
Bleeding Cool announced that Kim Smith has auctioned the rights to her first graphic novel. The article reported that First Second will publish Along The Coast in Spring 2027. Read more here https://bleedingcool.com/comics/kim-smith-auctions-rights-first-graphic-novel-along-the-coast/

Cambridge councillor brings Captain Canuck to life
Cambridge Times reported that Cambridge Councillor Scott Hamilton has appeared in public wearing the famous uniform of Captain Canuck at the recent Toronto Comic Arts Festival. The article reveals that Scott was on hand to witness the induction of creator Richard Comely as he was inducted into the Giants of the North: Canadian Cartooning Hall of Fame at the 21st annual Doug Wright Awards. Read more at https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/news/waterloo-region/cambridge-councillor-leaps-off-pages-as-canadian-comic-book-hero/article_a75282b7-c53b-5a6b-8b47-cfc2f670f588.html

Jason Loo promotes Dazzler: World Tour trade paperback
In a LinkedIn post, Jason Loo wrote that the Dazzler: World Tour trade paperback is now available for sale in comic books and book stores this week. Jason wrote that the collection includes issues #1 to #4 plus the ‘Concert of Champions’ and that you should “add this to your bookshelf!” Read more at https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jasonloo_dazzler-world-tour-trade-paperback-is-out-activity-7340853441054822400-1Cx0

Canadians contributed to award-winning LA Strong: A Charity Comic
Mad Cave Studios posted on LinkedIn about the 2025 Bob Clampett Humanitarians Award given by Comic-Con International to LA Strong: A Charity Comic. Among the many comic book creators who contributed to the worthwhile effort, Canadians were in the mix including Francine Delgado and Megan Huang. Read more at https://www.linkedin.com/posts/madcave_bob-clampett-humanitarian-award-comic-con-activity-7340851940240621569-7aST

Ray Fawkes takes on The Phantom
Popverse announced that Ray Fawkes will join with Russell Olson to bring The Phantom to comic books stores once again featuring the Lee Falk pulp newspaper strip hero. The article indicates that Mad Cave Studios will publish the all-new series starting this September. Read more here https://www.thepopverse.com/comics-the-phantom-mad-cave-studios-preview-king-features

Maurice Vellekoop wins another award!
Hot off the heels of his Doug Wright Award for Best Book, Maurice Vellekoop has won the Ontario Trillium Book Award (English) for his graphic novel I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together. Published by Penguin Random House Canada, the award-winning graphic novel continues to entertain audiences and critics. Read more at https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ontario-s-trillium-book-award-prix-trillium-winners-announced-853375592.html

Marcus To will illustrate new Secret Wars story
CBR reported that Marcus To along with writer Christos Gage will Battleworld – a five-issue limited series that tells the story of the Marvel Universe’s next Secret War. The article reveals that the series go on sale starting September 24 and will include a wraparound connecting variant cover by Nick Bradshaw. Read more at https://www.cbr.com/marvel-secret-wars-battleworld-announcement/

Tate Brombal goes west in new zombie limited series
Comic Book Club revealed that Tate Brombal will team up with Jacob Phillips for a zombie western entitled Everything Dead & Dying. The new five-issue series from Image Comics is slated for stores on September 3. Read more here https://comicbookclublive.com/2025/06/19/everything-dead-and-dying-tate-brombal-jacob-phillips-image-comics/

Kelowna ComiCon to return next weekend
Castanet announced that Kelowna ComiCon will return June 28 and 29 to the MNP Place featuring a variety of exhibitors including creators Francine Delgado and Matt “Batt” Banning. Read more at https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/557011/Kelowna-ComiCon-returns-June-28-29-at-MNP-Place

Cassandra Calin wins award for The New Girl
CBC Books wrote that Cassandra Calin won the 2025 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award for The New Girl. The write up explained that the annual awards recognized excellence in writing and illustration in English-language Canadian children’s literature. Read more at https://www.cbc.ca/books/cassandra-calin-yewande-daniel-ayoade-and-ken-daley-win-2025-ruth-and-sylvia-schwartz-children-s-book-awards-1.7562692

David Finch teams up with Robert Kirkman for action epic series
IGN revealed that David Finch will join forces with Robert Kirkman to create a new action epic comic book series called Skinbreaker. The article offers cover art and sample page while indicating that the new series from Skybound and Image Comics will hit stores on September 24, 2025. Read more here https://www.ign.com/articles/skinbreaker-skybound-exclusive-preview-robert-kirkman-david-finch

And in case you missed it, check out this chat with Brandon Mitchell about his latest book Sheila Shares Her Gift.