Plus, BRAND-NEW details on one of the big books of 2027…
One of the items I was most tickled by coming out of this year’s San Diego Comic-Con was the news that TwoMorrows would be publishing an oversize, illustrated biography of Don Newton, one of the great — if still unsung — artists of the Bronze Age.
Don Newton: Drawing With Power, by Jay Willson with Chris Irving, is scheduled for April 2027 and here’s the official description, along with ordering info:
Don Newton (1934–1984) got his start in comics illustrating the Phantom at Charlton Comics before moving to Marvel Comics in the mid-1970s. But it was his switch to DC Comics that earned him acclaim for his runs on Aquaman and the New Gods, an exceptional tenure on Batman, and in 1978, drawing the Shazam! comic, featuring his childhood favorite character Captain Marvel.
A lifelong proponent of fitness and bodybuilding, he brought that knowledge of human anatomy to the strips he drew, imbuing his characters with a sense of strength and dynamism few could match. But his death in 1984 at just 49 years old, tragically cut short an artistic career that was yet to reach its peak. Now for the first time, Don Newton: Drawing With Power pays tribute to this Bronze Age fan-favorite artist.
Co-written by close friend Jay Willson and historian Christopher Irving, it includes a comprehensive overview of Newton’s life and career, personal anecdotes and tributes by his family and friends, plus private photos and a wealth of unseen art by the artist. Experience the power of a true master of comic art: Don Newton. Featuring a new cover collaboration by Don Newton and Joe Rubinstein! SHIPS APRIL 2027!
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The 160-page, full-color hardcover runs $37.95. It will be in comics shops next year, but you can pre-order it now directly from TwoMorrows. Click here.
As I imagine you know, the front is a public-domain riff on Newton’s popular cover for 1983’s Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #13:
And there’s more: TwoMorrows’ MarvelMation — covering Jack Kirby’s latter-day career — is now on the schedule for December, and there will be a special limited hardcover run, in addition to the softcover. Dig the link below!
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MORE
— SNEAK PEEK: The Late DON NEWTON To Receive Much-Deserved ILLUSTRATED HISTORY. Click here.
— MARVELMATION: New Book Exploring JACK KIRBY’s Later Years Gets Special, Limited HARDCOVER Edition. Click here.
September 22, 2026
I will definitely be getting this. No library of comic art history could be complete without Don’s work. I was a huge fan of his version of Captain Marvel and BATMAN.
September 22, 2026
You’re right those were some awesome comics at the time including new gods
September 22, 2026
Thanks for the note, Dan! I worked hard on this book and am excited for people to read it!
September 22, 2026
I wrote the outline for a Phantom story Don and I were set to do for Charlton in 1975 as a Bi-Centennial issue focused on The Phantom of 1776. I still have that outline in some file.
September 22, 2026
Make that 1976
September 22, 2026
I remember being so excited when I saw Don Newton’s name in the art credits for Batman in Detective Comics. I had seen his work with The Phantom and I always thought he would be a great fit for the Dark Knight, and he really was. I loved his Captain Marvel and Aquaman as well. It’s a shame we didn’t get to see more.
September 22, 2026
It’s really sad he only contributed three covers to the Batman/Detective magazines
September 22, 2026
His Phantom covers were masterpieces. Also his run on Captain Marvel is an underrated classic