Exclusive: Papercutz to Publish Mike Kunkel’s Herobear | News and Preview

Mike Kunkel’s Herobear and the Kid has found a new home at Papercutz, and they are kicking things off with a brand new story for Free Comic Book Day, followed by four original graphic novels.

The first Herobear comics, which tell the story of 10-year-old Tyler and his magical companion, were published over 20 years ago, and they won the 2002 and 2003 Eisner Awards for best children’s comics. BOOM! Studios brought them back in 2013, and now Papercutz has picked up the ball, with plans for four graphic novels, with the first set for September 2025.

In the FCBD comic, Tyler finds a comic he’s been looking for but doesn’t have the money to pay for it, so instead he gives the comic shop owner a comic he drew about Herobear – and Herobear himself delivers it.

“Getting to join forces with the amazing group of folks at Papercutz was an opportunity I couldn’t NOT do,” Kunkel said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “I’m so excited for this new chapter in Herobear and the Kid’s journey and the opportunity to bring new stories to life for readers everywhere.  And it starts with this brand new story for FCBD 2025!  It’s my love letter to comic shops and their owners.  Launching into my collaboration now with Papercutz, the future feels full of endless possibilities, and I’m excited to dive in and see where it takes us.”

Papercutz will publish the first graphic novel, Herobear and the Kid: The Inheritance (previously published in 2004 by Astonish Factory and in 2014 by BOOM! Studios) on September 2, 2025. Enjoy!

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, News, Previews