AHOY Comics Launches Ongoing "TOXIC AVENGER" Comic Book Series
Image Courtesy of AHOY Comics
AHOY Comics is suiting up and diving headfirst into the radioactive sludge with a brand-new “Toxic Avenger” comic series—because what better way to celebrate everyone’s favorite mop-wielding mutant than with more mayhem on the page? AHOY is pulling out the big guns (or should we say, big toxic waste barrels) to bring fans an all-new adventure, just in time for the upcoming “Toxic Avenger” film. We’ve got your first look at some killer covers and all the gory details below!
Comic books have been our obsession since childhood—the thrill of hunting down the next issue, the endless debates over storylines, and the sheer joy of getting lost in those inked pages. But among all the caped crusaders and spandex-clad heroes, one mutant misfit rises above the rest—literally, atop a steaming heap of radioactive sludge. That’s right, we’re talking about The Toxic Avenger! And now, thanks to AHOY Comics, Tromaville’s favorite mop-wielding hero is getting a fresh, gloriously grotesque new tale. Steering this toxic ship is none other than The Nib founder and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Matt Bors—so you know we’re in for something delightfully demented.
Mark your calendars—The Toxic Avenger is oozing into comic shops on July 9, 2025! But this isn’t just another superhero book. Each issue will tackle a different genre, keeping things as unpredictable as Tromaville itself. The first issue dives headfirst into horror, followed by crime (issue #2), sci-fi (issue #3), romance (issue #4), and fantasy (issue #5). To keep things even more exciting, each installment will be illustrated by a yet-to-be-announced, top-secret artist. Who are these mystery creators? We’ll just have to wait and see—but one thing’s for sure, this series is shaping up to be as wild and weird as Toxie himself!
FROM THE PRESS RELEASE
Acclaimed Syracuse-based comic book publisher AHOY Comics is launching THE TOXIC AVENGER COMICS, an all-new ongoing series masterminded by THE NIB founder and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Matt Bors, who will be writing the series. Each issue of THE TOXIC AVENGER COMICS’ first story arc will be illustrated by a different artist and will showcase a different genre. The series launches in July with a horror-themed story written by Bors and illustrated by Fred Harper, with covers by Harper and Bors as well as a sketch variant cover and a trading card variant cover. Subsequent issues will be told in the tradition of crime comics (issue 2), sci-fi comics (issue 3), romance comics (issue 4) and fantasy comics (issue 5), with each drawn by a different top secret and yet-to-be-announced artist. THE TOXIC AVENGER COMICS’ debut comes in advance of the action-packed Toxic Crusaders beat 'em up videogame from Retroware and the highly anticipated Cineverse theatrical release of “The Toxic Avenger” film starring Peter Dinklage as Toxie on Labor Day weekend.
“When I first approached Lloyd Kaufman and Troma about reviving the Toxic Avenger in comics, I wasn't modest,” said Bors. “I pitched a new origin, outrageous new characters, and a fully mapped-out, mopped-up, multi-year storyline. Now, Fred Harper and I have been given the green light to go fucking nuts.”
In the debut issue’s self-contained horror story, kids are disappearing from Toxie’s hometown of Tromaville, NJ. Did they simply run away from the chemically polluted town? Or is the real explanation even more frightening?
Each issue of the first story arc — issues one through five — will feature the first appearance of an entirely new character and have a two-page story illustrated by Fred Harper that sets up the second story, “Toxie Goes to Washington” which starts with issue six.
AHOY Comics recently announced plans for a Toxic Mess Summer, which kicks off with the publication of THE TOXIC AVENGER (tpb) in bookstores on April 1, 2025. In May, a slew of incredible artists and writers will team up for for THE TOXIC AVENGER PINUP SPECIAL, followed by an ambitious mini-series, TOXIE TEAM-UP, that will launch in June and find Toxie rubbing elbows with characters from several other fan-favorite AHOY titles.
“The Toxic Avenger” first appeared in the 1984 cult classic film about a mutated weakling mopping up a corporate mess, directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz and starring Mitchell Cohen. Having already spawned five films, a cartoon, action figures, a musical, and a Marvel comic book series, the Toxic Avenger is a pop culture icon—and he is also perfect for AHOY Comics, a Syracuse-based publisher dedicated to satirizing horror, space opera, social satire, sword & sorcery, and superhero stories. TOXIC AVENGER is the second AHOY comic book series from Bors, following the release of JUSTICE WARRIORS, his critically-acclaimed comic with artist Ben Clarkson, which follows two police officers, Swamp Cop and Schitt, stationed in the world's first perfect city.
“Toxic Avenger has always been a genre mashup of horror, comedy, and superhero,” said Bors. “I wanted to lean hard onto what stories are possible with this specific character in this specific medium — comics. In these first five issues, we are delving into the crime rotting the heart of Tromaville, the romance between Toxie and his girlfriend Yvonne, the science fiction of mutant powers, and more. Me — and the talented they won't let me announce just yet! — are adding new mutated heroes, demented villains, and horny losers to every single issue. These are characters you will see again, as we lay the groundwork for a real ongoing series with years of stories ahead.”
Check Out The Covers For THE TOXIC AVENGER #1 From AHOY Comics Below
Image Courtesy of AHOY Comics
Image Courtesy of AHOY Comics
Image Courtesy of AHOY Comics
And if that wasn’t enough Toxie for you, mark your calendars—The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special drops on May 14, 2025, followed by Toxie Team-Up #1 on June 11, 2025. That means we’re about to be swimming in toxic goodness over the next few months, and honestly? We couldn’t be more excited. With a new film on the way and a fresh comic series to back it up, here’s hoping The Toxic Avenger reclaims his rightful place as a household name, just like he was in the ’80s. Will it happen? Only time will tell, but you can bet we’ll be front and center—both at the theater and the comic shop—ready to welcome him back with open, sludge-covered arms!
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