The Pull List — June 20, 2026: Marvel Unveils the Midnight Universe
Good morning, and welcome to The Pull List for Saturday, June 20, 2026 — your quick, no-hype run through what's moving in comics today.
📅 This Day in Comic History
- 1992 — The medium lost William Gaines, the publisher behind EC Comics and MAD, whose horror and satire titles left a long shadow. According to Wikipedia's comics anniversary records, he died on this date.
- 1965 — Writer Steve Niles was born; he later created the vampire chiller 30 Days of Night — fitting company for today's big horror headline below.
- 1965 — Artist Mike Dringenberg shares the date; he helped bring Neil Gaiman's Sandman to the page and co-shaped the look of Death.
- 1963 — Gosho Aoyama, creator of the long-running mystery manga Case Closed (Detective Conan), was also born today.
☕ Today's Big Story
Marvel pulls back the curtain on the Midnight Universe. According to Marvel.com and AIPT, the publisher announced a new horror-leaning line on June 18, anchored by three titles: Midnight X-Men from Jonathan Hickman and Matteo Della Fonte, Midnight Fantastic Four from Benjamin Percy and Kev Walker, and Midnight Spider-Man from Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Scie Tronc. The trio of debut issues lands together on October 7, and Marvel says they will be the only new books it ships that day. The premise sets vampires against a fraying mutant peace in a New York tipping toward open war.
🗞️ Industry Buzz — News & Reveals
DC drops its full September 2026 solicitations.
- According to AIPT and CBR, fresh launches of Teen Titans, Legion of Super-Heroes, and Doom Patrol arrive under a "DC Next Level" banner.
- Also flagged: a Golden Age-flavored Superman: The Stranger miniseries from Wes Craig.
First look at Hickman's Midnight X-Men.
- According to Comic Watch, early art leans into shadowy, gothic tones — vampires and mutants circling each other in a moody, after-dark New York. (We're describing the reveal; head to the source for the images.)
An X-Men '97 prelude bridges the animated seasons. 🎬
- According to Bleeding Cool, Marvel is running a five-issue X-Men '97: Season Two prelude by Steve Foxe and Salva Espín ahead of the show's return.
The Silver Surfer's screen origin gets a comic. 🎬
- According to Marvel.com, Fantastic Four: First Foes – Shalla-Bal #1 by Charles Soule and Mark Buckingham expands the world of The Fantastic Four: First Steps and tells how Shalla-Bal became Galactus' herald.
📰 Also This Morning
The X-line is busy on our shelves.
- Uncanny X-Men Annual #1 spins out of "The Dark Artery," introducing the Regulators and featuring Wolverine.
- In stock now at $4.99.
Grab Uncanny X-Men Annual #1 →
Spidey's "Death Spiral" rolls on.
- Amazing Spider-Man #26 puts Peter on the back foot as the last hero standing against Torment.
- Several variant covers are in stock from $4.99.
A legend returns to the mutants.
- John Byrne revisits the title he drew decades ago in X-Men: Elsewhen HC Vol. 1.
- On our shelves June 24 — pre-order open now.
🔥 New First Issues to Watch
🔥 Midnight X-Men #1 (Marvel, Oct 7)
Hickman's first X-Men ongoing since the Krakoan era, with a vampires-versus-mutants hook and a fresh mythology to build out. A high-interest debut and a likely first-print chase. If you liked the scope of House of X, you will love this.
Midnight Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, Oct 7)
Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Scie Tronc drop the web-slinger into the same after-dark world. If you like a moodier, horror-tinged Spidey, you will love this.
📚 In Print & Collections
- X-Men: Elsewhen HC Vol. 1 (of 3) | Collects John Byrne's new Uncanny X-Men saga | Hardcover | June 24, 2026 | Pre-order at Epic Panels
- X-Men '97: Great X-Pectations | Collects the animated tie-in plus X-Men #12 | Trade paperback | In print | Available at your local shop
🗣️ Rumor Mill
The following is unconfirmed and should be treated as rumor until officially announced.
- RM-001 (June 20, 2026) — According to Bleeding Cool's Daily LITG, Marvel has reportedly pulled a John Romita-linked cover connected to Amazing Spider-Man #1000; the reasons remain unconfirmed.
P.S.
Today's big horror headline lands on the same date comics lost MAD's William Gaines and gained 30 Days of Night's Steve Niles — the genre's roots run deep in this hobby.
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