Vault Comics Archives | Otaku No Culture

Free Comic Book Day and Comics Giveaway 2026: My Top Picks on What To Grab May 2nd

Free Comic Book Day 2026 and the inaugural Comics Giveaway Day are both on my radar this year, and there’s a surprisingly fun mix of titles worth watching. From Greatest American Hero to Journey to the West, these are the free comics that are must grabs.

After the demise of Diamond Distribution as being the main depot to find comics, and advertise Free Comic Book Day 2026 in their catalogue, it’s harder to know ahead of time what will be released. Thankfully we have the Internet. However, not everyone makes the effort to look ahead. And not everyone knows that there’s “two” events instead of one to cover all the publishers. According to The Beat, there was once a plan to have three, but it’s been scaled back.

Not only is there the normal FCBD, there’s also Comics Giveaway Day. As far as I’m concerned, it’s one and the same, just under different distribution channels. There was supposed to be a third, but when Oni Press threw its support behind the original event, the momentum behind that idea collapsed with it.

Continue reading “Free Comic Book Day and Comics Giveaway 2026: My Top Picks on What To Grab May 2nd”

From Free Comic Book Day, The Teaser for Def Leppards Hysteria Graphic Novel is a Misnomer

Although some musical talents gel very well in the comic book medium, others may well be a head scratcher when there’s no added rock and roll element to make them antiheroes. Def Leppard’s Hysteria is an example.

Vault Comics

Release Date:
July 29, 2025

The next band to jump on the comic book bandwagon is Def Leppard! Whether that’s good or bad depends on whether readers like me are ready for a story about other characters rather than the band featuring Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Phil Collen (who wrote this story), Rick Savage and Vivian Campbell. Although they do not have stage personalities like KISS, what’s offered with issue #0 on Free Comic Book Day is more of a prologue, with no sign of the band in sight.

The victims in the opening pages reminded me of Ritchie Valens and his tragic death. Although this musician never bought a cursed guitar or continued playing as that plane crashed, the similarities in appearance could not go unnoticed. The tale then jumps forward a few years and introduces Foz.

Continue reading “From Free Comic Book Day, The Teaser for Def Leppards Hysteria Graphic Novel is a Misnomer”

Fox and Hare’s All Explosive Cyberpunk Action! (and May 25th Release)

Fox and Hare is all cyberpunk, and is finally headed to comic book stores near you this week. (or mail order)

Fox and Hare #1 From Vault Comics Not to be confused with the stop-motion animated series of the same name, Fox and Hare, by Vault Comics is all cyberpunk! That’s a good thing for the duo who take on this codename about two bounty hunters, or should that be mercenaries? Because of unforeseen circumstances, this comic originally slated for November 2021 was delayed. But it’s on track for release ‌soon.

Jon Tsuei (writer) and Stacey Lee (artist) have crafted a work that brings the colourful aesthetics from Blade Runner to life. It’s not as noir as the film, but instead comes through as slick and clean. Lee’s manga style presentation gives us a work that truly shows how Asian talents can reclaim the aesthetics of the cyberpunk genre. These talents wanted to demonstrate this ability, and I feel this debut issue does the job.

Continue reading “Fox and Hare’s All Explosive Cyberpunk Action! (and May 25th Release)”

‘Punk it up with Vault’s Fox and Hare!

The protagonists of our story are rebelling against the status quo of their world just as much as we, the creators, are rebelling against the status quo of the cyberpunk genre.

Fox and Hare Comic Book Cover Vault Comics
Coming November 2021

Vault is thrilled to announce Fox and Hare, a thrilling new cyberpunk series co-created by writer Jon Tsuei (Sera and the Royal Stars, Run Love Kill), and artist Stacey Lee (Marvel’s Silk, The Unstoppable Wasp, Gwenpool).

When black market coder Aurora Yi uncovers top secret data that has tapped into the past lives of the citizens of Mazu Bay, her world is turned upside down. The mega corporation Synastry Designs wants its data back and is hot on her trail. Aurora has no choice but to turn to the Fox and the Hare, the most feared mercenaries in the city, for protection. Rebellion. Reclamation. Rebirth.

“I’ve always been drawn to the cyberpunk genre, but I never saw myself represented in those stories, despite their heavy usage of Asian aesthetics,” said Jon Tsuei. “I began to wonder, what if Asian people reclaimed the aesthetics of cyberpunk and centered ourselves in the narrative? As I spent time with that question, I realized that it wasn’t enough to just place Asian faces in the story. We also had to reframe the themes of new technology (cyber) and rebellion (punk) through an Asian lens.

Continue reading “‘Punk it up with Vault’s Fox and Hare!”

Radio Apocalypse #1 Delayed Till Oct 2021

The wait may be hard for some, but for those anxious to know a bit more, a synopsis for issue #1 is…

Today Vault Comics announced that, due to Covid-related delays, the release of Radio Apocalypse #1 has been pushed back to October 2021.

“Anyone who has read Ram and Anand’s other work knows just how exceptional their creative efforts truly are,” said Vault Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Adrian Wassel. “Covid has thrown a wrench into every aspect of our lives, and yet somehow we’ve all learned to keep moving forward. Still, the last thing we want to do is rush what will be a singular and masterful series, and so we’ve decided to hold the Radio Apocalypse release just a bit longer. I promise, it’s worth it.”

Continue reading “Radio Apocalypse #1 Delayed Till Oct 2021”

Preparing for December’s Picture of Everything Else at Vault Comics!

“The Picture of Dorian Grey has always been a favorite of mine, both as a novel and a concept,” said Watters. “But I think it’s been squandered a little when it’s been revisited.”

Radio Apocalypse By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Publisher
Vault Comics

Release Date:
December 2020

Although not slated for October 2020 release, The Picture of Everything Else feels like a type of “sequel” which would be perfect for the season. I wouldn’t call this comic book as a proper continuation of Oscar Wilde’s tale, The Picture of Dorian Grey, but the title says it all. Writer Dan Watters admits to being inspired by it. I can’t wait to take a look at this tale because I’ve seen or read various adaptations of the seminal tale of madness!

As most people know, ghost stories are perfect not only for the Halloween season but also Christmas!

Continue reading “Preparing for December’s Picture of Everything Else at Vault Comics!”