07/01/2026
Punchline and the Vaude-Villains vs Violante #1 (of 2)
FOC Date: 6/29/2026
Hero Tomorrow Comics Ted Sikora
Comic book writer/and filmmaker Ted Sikora is proud to announce Hero Tomorrow Comics has a new distribution agreement with Asylum Press marking the publisher’s return after a hiatus following the bankruptcy of previous distributor,
Diamond Comics. Ted Sikora is the architect of the connected Hero Tomorrow Universe. Since its first release in 2016, Hero Tomorrow has sold over 100,000 units. Previous titles include Tap Dance Killer, Apama the Undiscovered Animal, Bloom, and Punchline and the Vaude-Villains.
Asylum Press, founded by Frank Forte has built a reputation for high-quality horror and action- packed content. Said Forte, “I’m excited to add the Hero Tomorrow line of comics to the Asylum
Press library. Ted has created an action-packed shared universe of characters that has a built-in fanbase, and our goal will be to expand readership, publish new titles as well as collected TPB editions of previously published singles and mini-series.”
The first release currently in solicitation through Lunar Distribution is Punchline and the Vaude-
Villains vs Violante #1. This will be followed by a collected editions of the acclaimed series
Bloom, and and a deluxe Vaude-Villains Origin Edition of Tap Dance Killer.
Said Sikora, “Frank Forte’s resume, which spans beyond comics to film, storyboard art, and gallery shows, has always impressed me. We’ve both been running our own companies for over forty years collectively. It’s been amazing to have his insights applied to our label. Comics aside, we can talk for hours about our favorite bronze age Marvels and the first six Van Halen albums. I’m honored to be partnering with such a talented kindred spirit.”
Punchline and the Vaude-Villains vs Violante #1
Drayton Hayes was a heavyweight boxer who was kidnapped by the Vaude-Villains and transformed into a super-powered murderous clown Punchline! The scientist who conducted his transformation (Fletcher) learned DNA enhancement from a session in Mexico with a mystic healer named Violante. Fletcher wanted those discoveries for himself alone and murdered the healer. Now Violante The Undead has come back with seething vengeance in the comic book brawl of the year! This double-sized issue is loaded with extras to make an easy entry point for all.
The main story has 34 all new pages, and a 7 page prequel reprinted from Tap Dance Killer. Story, colors, and letters by Ted Sikora. Art by Yvel Guichet & Donny Hadiwidjaja.
COVER A Yvel Guichet (LUNARCODE: 0626AY0544)
COVER B Nik Poliwko (LUNARCODE: 0626AY0545)
COVER C Gonzo! 5:1 FREE incentive (NO LIMITS) (LUNARCODE: 0626AY0546)
Available for pre-order with Lunar Distribution.
Retail: $6.99 Page Count: 48
Initial Due Date: 6/25/2026
FOC Date: 6/29/2026
In-Store Date: 8/5/2026
About Asylum Press
Founded by Frank Forte in 1999, Asylum Press is a premier independent publisher of
sophisticated horror, dark sci-fi, and gritty underground comics. Known for its atmospheric
storytelling and world-class illustration, the publisher pushes the boundaries of the medium with
a focus on “dark-genre” narratives. The Asylum Press library features a diverse stable of visceral
titles, including the dystopian cyborg-noir Warlash, the acclaimed horror anthologies Zombie
Terrors, Asylum of Horrors, Vampire Macabre, and Steve Mannion’s good girl heroine Fearless
Dawn. Asylum Press remains a relentless force in independent publishing, delivering high-
concept, visually stunning content for fans of the macabre and the futuristic.
About Ted Sikora
Ted Sikora is a Cleveland/Akron based comic book writer and filmmaker. He is the president ofHero Tomorrow Comics, and the creator of Tap Dance Killer, Punchline & the Vaude-Villains, Bloom, and Apama The Undiscovered Animal. As a filmmaker he directed and co-produced
the dark comedy indie feature Hero Tomorrow, and the feature doc Move On! Ted has directed hundreds of shorts in realms of documentary, music videos, and education. He also wrote the
libretto, principle music and lyrics for the horror show musical Nothing Like Vaudeville for which
the character Tap Dance Killer was originally created.
