This backyard battlefield is even bloodier and more brutal than before
Superstar creators Jason Aaron (Southern Bastards, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Absolute Superman) and Mahmud Asrar (Conan the Barbarian, X-Men, Batman & Robin) are back for an all-new chapter in their breakout sales beast, Bug Wars. Bug Wars: The Coming of The Wardoom ramps up the action and hits shelves this August from Image Comics.
This eight-issue story arc continues the savage suburban epic that feeds Honey, I Shrunk the Kids through a war grinder and marinates it in Conan-flavored myth and mayhem.
“Your favorite man-eating bug comic is back for another adventure, one that’s even bigger than before, with new heroes, new villains, new bugs and new exotic locales in the Slaymaker family’s backyard,” said Aaron. “I’m so grateful y’all have made this series such a success, because I seriously think there’s enough story here and enough of a fantastical world to explore that I could write Bug Wars until I’m worm food. May we all live to see the dew.”
Asrar added: “So excited to be back for more Bug Wars and this time there’ll be more than bug juice spilt. Hope you join us for the madness.”
Six months after the Yard ran red with insect blood, uneasy peace is shattered as ancient enemies rise from the Woods, corporate extermination forces close in, and Slade Slaymaker is dragged back into a brutal world where roach knights ride, squirrel armies gather, and survival means choosing your side in a war no human was meant to fight.
Bug Wars: The Coming of The Wardoom #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, August 19:
- Cover A by Asrar & Matthew Wilson
- Cover B by Christian Ward
- Cover C (1:10 copy incentive) by Nicoletta Baldari
- Cover D (1:25 copy incentive) by Juan Ferreyra
- Cover E NSFW variant by Babs Tarr
Bug Wars: The Coming of The Wardoom will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
InBug Wars, the Old Slaymaker House is shrouded in mystery. Neighbors whisper about it. Children dare each other to step foot in its overgrown lawn. Exterminators refuse to visit and shudder at the thought of what multi-limbed monsters may burrow in its earth… For Slade Slaymaker and his brother Sydney, it’s the last remnant of their father, a dedicated entomologist devoured by the very creatures he dedicated his life to understanding. Slade, too young to remember his death, continues his legacy with his own love of all things insect. Sydney, old enough to remember the gruesome scene, despises and seeks to annihilate any bug he sees.
When these two brothers’ opposing obsessions clash, Slade finds himself shrunk to the size of his diminutive subjects and thrust into the middle of a brutal Bug War, an earth-shattering struggle that will decide the fate of his family and, perhaps, uncover the secrets behind his father’s gruesome demise.
In Bug Wars, a kid from Alabama suddenly lost in a vicious world beyond his imagining… a world of marauding ant armies, spell-casting spider witches, and beetle-riding barbarians.
Bug Wars is where tiny warriors wage violent battles for dominance over an insect-driven kingdom all hidden beneath the grassline. Both Aaron and Asrar spoke in-depth about the series on the Let’s Talk Comics podcast.
The series was first announced at New York City Comic Con last year with a limited edition ashcan that whipped up early buzz with attendees at the show and landed it on IGN’s Most Anticipated Comics of 2025 list before going on to reach massive critical acclaim and multiple sell-outs and reprints.
Bug Wars: Book One trade paperback (ISBN: 9781534329850, Lunar Code 0825IM0459) is available now at local comic book shops, independent bookstores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Indigo, and Waterstones.
Select early praise for Bug Wars:
“Jason Aaron, known for his gritty crime creations Scalped and Southern Bastards, brought that steeliness to the tale… With art by Mahmud that gives vibes of Bryan Hitch and Rafael Albuquerque, the high concept pays off in a layered world and a story that is Honey, I Shrunk the Kids meets Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings. Pop fun.” —The Hollywood Reporter
“An imaginative and ambitious dark fantasy story full of epic moments.” —Pages & Panels
“A cool concept with epic art that is executed well and leaves plenty of mysteries on the table for future issues.” —Graphic Policy
“Gripping story, intricately detailed artwork, and deep thematic depth.” —Comic Crusaders
“If you haven’t heard of Bug Wars, do yourself a favor and go check it out immediately… Off to a really compelling start, giving us action right from the jump and promise of an epic (and violent) fantasy adventure, but also presenting a more delicate story about a family navigating grief and trauma.” —Engadget
“What an absolutely stunning book, everyone. And an incredible read.” —Geoff Johns
“Bug Wars is a beautiful mix of high fantasy, suburban horror and every creepy-crawler under the sun. It’ll get under your skin (in a good way.)” —Charles Soule
“Best Comic I’ve read in ages!” —Frank Quitely
“From issue #1 alone, Bug Wars has become my first new favorite comic of 2025. A huge congrats for Jason Aaron, Mahmud Asrar, Matt Wilson & Becca Carey on making such a fun comic!” —Joshua Williamson
“An epic adventure with huge heart—pre-order your copy from your LCS today so you don’t miss out!” —Scott Snyder