Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon’s ‘Spectators’ Gets a Hardcover Release

Image Comics has announced that on September 23, Brian K. Vaughan (Saga) and artist Niko Henrichon will be releasing their gorgeous Spectators in a hardcover compendium. Spectators was first available in Vaughan’s Substack newsletter. But this isn’t the first time the two have worked together; almost two decades have passed since the pair teamed up for the award-winning Pride of Baghdad.

Here’s more from a press release from Image Comics:

Now, Spectators promises to put the “graphic” back in graphic novel and will feature an unconventional supernatural romance, a critical exploration of sex and violence, and a deep dive into the very different ways we obsessively watch both.

Set hundreds of years in the future, New York City is haunted by many ghosts, including a voyeuristic woman who died in our present day and a mysterious gun-toting man from the distant past. Normally solo travelers, these two specters meet each other just in time to observe what might be the end of the (living) world.

Spectators is a story I’ve wanted to tell my whole career, and after more than three years of meticulous hand-painting by genius co-creator Niko Henrichon, we’re excited to finally share our epic standalone graphic novel with all of you mature readers out there,” said Vaughan. “This is a spicy one, so thanks for supporting the retailers who bravely support comics for adults!”

Henrichon added: “The bold and unconventional script of this comic book challenged my artistic boundaries like never before. It was an exhilarating experience and a true honor to create artwork for such a distinctive story.”

Bandcamp Friday Picks – May 2025

Here are some tunes to purchase on this Bandcamp Friday, May 2!

Rain Money Dogs by Miynt
  • MiyntRain Money Dogs Dreamy, lackadaisical pop from Sweden. Hints of Mazzy Star and Elysian Fields. Pre-order this album that comes out on May 30th and get four tracks now.
Swallow by Steve Queralt
  • Steve Queralt – Swallow This is another pre-order recommendation because you don’t want to wait to get the brilliant track “Lonely Town” that features Emma Anderson! Queralt (Ride) and Anderson (Lush/Sing-Sing) join forces on two tracks of his debut solo album.
Choose Myself by Jessica Lea Mayfield
  • Jessica Lea Mayfield – Choose Myself Mayfield creates some of the saddest music in the world. This five song EP is no exception. I think of Mayfield as a descendant of Lisa Germano. Bonus: Rhett Miller (Old 97’s) appears on Choose Myself. I’m super excited to catch her on tour with Lucero this autumn.
Welcome to My Blue Sky by Momma
  • Momma – Welcome to My Blue Sky Blissful alternative rock, with touches of shoegaze, from L.A. They’re currently on tour with my next pick …
Planet Popstar by Wishy
  • Wishy – Planet Popstar These Indianapolis up-and-comers made it onto my Favorite Albums list last year with their debut full-length Triple Seven. When I bought Triple Seven on vinyl at Nice Price Books and Records, both staff members were ecstatic. Wishy makes me hopeful for the future of alternative rock.
Natural by terraplana
  • terraplana – Natural This Brazilian outfit trades in shoegaze, dream pop, and noise pop with aplomb.
Don’t Wanna Know / Rock & Roll Queen by Alex Lahey
  • Alex Lahey – Don’t Wanna Know / Rock & Roll Queen “Don’t Wanna Know” is a power pop gem that I listen to on repeat. “Rock & Roll Queen” is the cover I didn’t know I needed.

Bandcamp Friday Picks March 2025

  • Winter Gardens – “Anthropocene” This fantastic synth wave/shoegaze single is such a tease. I want a full-length album from this UK outfit!
  • Andy Bell – Pinball Wanderer Shimmering dream pop plus some groovy Madchester-sounding tunes from Ride’s Andy Bell. Includes a heavenly cover of The Passions’ “I’m In Love with a German Film Star” featuring Dot Allison and Michael Rother. It’s on one of my favorite labels-Sonic Cathedral.
  • Saint Etienne – The Night Somehow, I missed this chill album when it came out in December of last year. It’s a shift for the band, moving to a more ambient, atmospheric vibe.
Travels With Brindle | Photo by Vintage Girl Studios
  • Travels With Brindle – No. 1 In Heaven Starring Travels With Brindle This fully-licensed Sparks covers album takes the original Giorgio Moroder-produced disco gems and gives them a lovely, twee second life. Recommended for fans of The Magnetic Fields.
  • Various Artists – Los Angeles Rising Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Jarvis Cocker, and others have donated previously unreleased tracks for this fundraising compilation to aid those affected by the Los Angeles fires.
  • Die Feen – Dinner & Drinks & Desserts Addictive dark wave with a touch of new wave on Die Feen’s latest two tracks.
  • SPC ECO – Hello The prolific Dean Garcia (Curve) and his daughter, Rose Berlin, have manifested another electronic opus with gorgeous layered synths.
  • Chalk – Conditions III I am obsessed with Chalk. As I said in my “Favorite Music of 2024” list, Chalk would’ve fit in perfectly on Wax Tracks in the ‘90s. They’ve released another EP of thrumming industrial rock. I’m dying to see them live.

Top TV of ‘24

Here’s a list of my favorite TV shows from the past year and where you can find them.

  • Somebody Somewhere (Max)
  • Heartstopper (Netflix)
  • Ripley (Netflix)
  • The Empress (Netflix)
  • Agatha All Along (Disney+)
  • Hacks (Max)
  • The Bear (Hulu)
  • Dead Boy Detectives (Netflix)
  • Uzumaki (Cartoon Network/Max)
  • House of the Dragon (Max)
  • Doctor Who (Disney+)
  • What We Do In the Shadows (FX/Hulu)
  • The Boys (Prime)
  • Fargo (FX/Hulu)
  • Bridgerton (Netflix)
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm (Max)
  • Interview with the Vampire (AMC+)