New Licensed Comics This Week: April 26, 2023

The fun of licensed comics is seeing your favorite pop culture properties in a whole new medium. The heroes of Marvel and DC were created to be on the colorful pages of comic books. To characters from Alien and Star Trek in comic books, form means we can experience stories and adventures that were impossible to happen on screens. With smaller publishes like IDW and BOOM! leading the charge, there are plenty of licensed comics out there to enjoy. It's just a matter of knowing where to find them.

Let's check out some of our most anticipated licensed comics for the week!

Alien #1

By Declan Shalvey, Andrea Broccardo, and Triona Farrell

Image: Marvel Comics

Set within the universe of “Alien”, the beloved sci-fi horror franchise, this comic follows scientist Batya Zahn’s journey to escape a frigid moon that holds dark secrets underneath its frozen surface. It becomes a fight for her and her family’s life when the research team awakens a slumbering xenomorph buried under the ice.

Star Wars: Darth Vader - Black, White & Red #1

By Jason Aaron, Leonard Kirk, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Peach Momoko, Torunn Grønbekk, Klaus Janson

Image: Marvel Comics

Few villains are as dangerous, infamous, and imposing as Darth Vader. A collection of all-star comic creators come together for this new anthology series that puts a spotlight on the darkest side of the universe’s most feared Sith Lord. All will know that when Darth Vader approach, all that is left behind is fear and dead men.

Gargoyles #5

By Greg Weisman and George Kambadais

Image: Dynamite

With Goliath and Hudson both captured, the Gargoyles are left without their strongest leaders. Knowing that someone needs to take action if they ever want to see their friends again, Brooklyn steps up and takes command of the team. But in this dire time for the heroes, the villains of the city make their move to take control.

Dune: House Harkonnen #4

By Kevin J. Anderson, Brian Herbert, Michael Shelfer, and Patricio Delpeche

Image: BOOM! Studios

The interplanetary political drama continues in this comic book adaptation of the New York Times Bestseller, Dune: House Harkonnen. While Duke Leto and Kailea expert their first child, a traitor within their inner circle lurks in the shadows, sowing lies and discontent. Meanwhile, an exile from Ix comes seeking help from the duke in hopes of liberating his dying planet.

Star Trek #7

By Collin Kelly and Mike Feehan

Image: IDW Publishing

Captain Sisko and the crew of the U.S.S. Theseus are on a mission to track down Klingon King Khaless and stop his genocidal rampage. But after going through a physically and emotionally draining journey, it’s time to first go back home. It’s a family reunion for Captain Sisko in his return to Deep Space 9, but it’s not as happy of a moment as it seems.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin - The Lost Years #3

By Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, SL Galant, and Ben Bishop

Image: IDW Publishing

This dual-narrative tale follows Michaelangelo’s treacherous journey back to New York City in the past and Casey Marie Jones’ present story as the master to the new generation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The comic showcases Mikey as a force of nature in his worldwide quest for vengeance. Meanwhile, Casey grows into her new role hoping to make the master that came before her proud.