Popverse's top stories

• The real star of The Lord of the Rings: the Rings of Power isn't Sauron or the One Ring - it's Mount Doom
• Scott Snyder says most DC Comics pitches from writers fail for the same three reasons, and he wants to help everyone get better
• Marvel’s new Spider-Woman series is embracing horror, noir, and gore... and we have a first look at a prequel story for her 50th anniversary

If you love the action and comedy found in Shōnen Jump as well as the themes from She-ra Princess of Power, Josie Campbell has the comic book for you. During the ALA Annual Conference, she spoke about I Heart Skull-Crusher from Boom! Studios.

The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where the biggest sport is a combination of Thunderdome and soccer. An 18 year old queer girl named Trini forms her own team and enters a tournament in order to win the affection of her favorite athlete, Skull-Crusher.

Campbell thinks this homage to manga and Mad Max would be best for middle schoolers and teenage kids who both enjoy My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and One Piece and the inclusive and “effortlessly gay” world of She-ra. The latter makes sense considering the writer’s involvement in the animated series.

On a personal level, Campbell said, “It really is my love letter to who I was as a young bisexual teenage girl who was obsessed with soccer. Who had Brandy Chastain’s picture up on my wall, but also somebody who started loving reading.”

The creative team behind I Heart Skull-Crusher include Campbell, artist Alessio Zono, colorist Angel De Santiago, and letterer Jim Campbell.

Interested? Here's where to find your closest local comic store, courtesy of Sweet, and here's a guide to how (and where) to read comics online. If you're looking for the best comics in recent memory, check out the Eisner Awards winners and the Harvey Awards nominees. And if you like free comics, here's everything we know about Free Comic Book Day 2027.