DC Comics captured an impressive 48.98% of tracked weekly comic-shop sales, led by the runaway success of Absolute Batman. But the real story isn't simply DC's lead over Marvel. It's how the Absolute Universe is proving that familiar superheroes can be radically reinvented without abandoning what makes them compelling—or replacing the versions readers already love.

In 2010, Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma introduced readers to Morning Glory Academy, a school where sinister experiments, time-bending mysteries, and deadly secrets awaited six students. After 50 issues, Morning Glories vanished in 2016, leaving its elaborate mythology unresolved and readers waiting for answers. In Case File #002 of The Longbox Morgue, we investigate the comic's sudden disappearance, its creators' explanations, and whether this ambitious Image Comics series will ever return to finish its story.

Jack Kirby's Etrigan returns in a new series from James Harren, with a second printing already announced. Meanwhile, the long-lost Swamp Thing 1989 finally reveals another chapter of the Demon's history, making 2026 a remarkable year for DC's supernatural antihero.

Comic-book crowdfunding has raised millions of dollars, but some backers are still waiting years for their rewards. From Ethan Van Sciver's campaign backlog to long-delayed projects and questions about cross-campaign financing, The Crowdfunding Carousel examines the money, the promises, the documented delays, and what happens when yesterday's obligations collide with tomorrow's fundraising.

Ten years after *Afterlife with Archie* disappeared from comic shops, Reggie Mantle's promise to murder Betty Cooper remains unresolved. We revisit the zombie apocalypse that destroyed Riverdale, the wedding that never happened, and the missing issues that could finally put this unfinished horror story to rest.

After ten years without a new issue, *Afterlife with Archie* is rising again. Disney+ is developing a live-action series for 2027, while Oni Press launches an oversized Kickstarter edition of Francesco Francavilla's artwork. But will Archie Comics finally finish the original zombie apocalypse?

White Ash Comics joins IDW Publishing after raising more than $1 million on Kickstarter, bringing its creator-owned fantasy universe to comic shops in 2027.

James Gunn insists his DC Universe is unfolding according to plan, but the standalone success of Clayface has reignited questions about how interconnected the DCU is supposed to be. Is Gunn correcting fan expectations, or struggling to explain a vision that was never clearly communicated?

As Absolute Batman #25 reportedly surpasses 775,000 retailer orders, DC's Dark Knight challenges the narrative of a dying comic-book industry. Are readers abandoning comics, or are publishers failing to give them stories worth buying?

With Newsarama's dedicated newsroom gone and Popverse abandoning editorial journalism, who is left to hold the comics industry accountable? Bill Casticart examines the economics behind the disappearing comics press, the growing influence of publicity and social media, and why independent reporting matters more than ever.