Convention - SDCC 2026 : From Smallville to Comics, Kristin Kreuk Launches Black Star #1

By Mulder, 08 june 2026

One of the most intriguing comic book announcements heading into San Diego Comic-Con 2026 is undoubtedly Black Star, a brand-new five-issue miniseries from Titan Comics that marks the comic book writing debut of Kristin Kreuk, the acclaimed actress best known for her performances in Smallville, Reacher, and Murder in a Small Town. Joining her on the project are fellow actor Peter Mooney, recognized for his work in Rookie Blue and Mistletoe Murders, and screenwriter Eric Putzer, while artwork is provided by Joe Bacardo, whose previous credits include Nightwalkers and The Hexiles. Titan Comics has confirmed that Kristin Kreuk, Peter Mooney, and Eric Putzer will all be attending San Diego Comic-Con 2026 to celebrate the launch of the series, giving fans a rare opportunity to meet the creative team behind one of the convention’s most anticipated original comic projects.

Far from being a celebrity vanity project, Black Star appears to be the culmination of years of development and creative collaboration. Described as a “Northern Gothic Noir” infused with horror and dark humor, the story transports readers to the early nineteenth-century North American fur trade, a period marked by fierce rivalries and territorial conflicts. Against this historical backdrop, the series follows Dashiell Carlyle, a young man who discovers he possesses magical abilities during a time of escalating violence between competing factions. His newfound powers lead him to a secret order determined to use magic to create a better world. However, as Dashiell becomes increasingly involved with the organization, he begins to realize that their vision of utopia may require sacrifices so horrific that they threaten to undermine the very ideals they claim to uphold. The combination of historical fiction, supernatural mythology, moral ambiguity, and horror elements gives the series a distinctive identity that immediately stands out within Titan Comics’ upcoming publishing slate.

The visual side of Black Star is equally impressive thanks to the work of Joe Bacardo, whose atmospheric style appears perfectly suited to the dark and mystical tone of the narrative. Early preview pages released by Titan Comics showcase haunting landscapes, richly detailed character designs, and a sense of creeping unease that complements the story’s gothic themes. Collectors will also have plenty to look forward to, as the first issue will launch with an extensive range of variant covers from some of the industry’s most respected artists. Cover contributors include Martin Simmonds, Joe Bacardo, Robert Hack, and Alison Sampson, with additional foil and virgin editions expected to generate significant interest among convention attendees and comic book collectors alike.

The first issue of Black Star will feature 32 full-color pages and serve as the opening chapter of a five-part story. Priced at $4.99, Black Star #1 is scheduled to arrive in comic shops on July 29, 2026, shortly after its high-profile debut at San Diego Comic-Con. For Titan Comics, the project represents a major original launch, while for Kristin Kreuk it opens an exciting new chapter in a career that has already spanned television, film, and now comic book storytelling. In recent years, an increasing number of actors and filmmakers have turned to comics as a platform for developing original worlds and stories unconstrained by traditional production budgets, and Black Star appears to be a particularly ambitious example of that trend.

What makes the project especially compelling is the passion that the creative team has demonstrated when discussing the series. Rather than simply attaching a familiar name to a comic book, Kristin Kreuk, Peter Mooney, and Eric Putzer have built an original mythology that combines historical realism with supernatural intrigue and psychological horror. The result is a story that feels both classic and fresh, drawing inspiration from gothic literature, fantasy epics, and dark historical dramas while maintaining its own unique voice.

With the attendance of Kristin Kreuk, Peter Mooney, and Eric Putzer now confirmed for San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Black Star has quickly become one of the convention’s most intriguing new comic book launches. Blending magic, horror, history, and dark humor into a richly imagined world, the series has all the ingredients to attract both longtime comic readers and fans discovering the medium through the work of its creators. As SDCC approaches, Black Star #1 is shaping up to be one of the must-watch independent comic releases of the summer.