Joseph P. Illidge Joins The Comic Shop Anthology: A Hit TV Show Tie-In!

It’s a Stacked Creative Roster to Bring “Ratz City” to Life in the Breakout Anthology of the Year

This fall, Lifeline Comics is expanding with the hit web comedy The Comic Shop—about a quirky crew doing anything to save their store—now leaps from screen to page with an ambitious new Kickstarter anthology.

Among the standout contributors is acclaimed writer Joseph P. Illidge (Heavy Metal, Batman), teaming with dynamic artist Paris Alleyne (Black Panther) for Ratz City, a razor-sharp tale that channels the show’s irreverent spirit while pushing the boundaries of social commentary and high-energy comics storytelling.

The anthology is packed with inventive one-shots from a dream team of creators: Cody Ziglar (Miles Morales: Spider-Man) and DJ Kirkland (Black Mage) on Stephanie’s Day Off; Stephanie Williams (Nubia: Queen of the Amazons) and Tango (Killadelphia) on Edible Man; Akira B (Heartstopper) and Bex Glendining (Cosmoknights) on The Curious Case of Keke Wyatt; and Chris Robinson (Children of the Atom) and Jamila C (Princeless) on Keith Is Late. Editors Michele Abounader, Kat Calamia, and Phil Falco oversee the collection, with story contributions from Cheyenne Ewulu, Joshua David King, and Zeno Robinson, lettering by Jodie Troutman, and striking covers by Sway, Val Peri, and Meechdoodle.

From the publishers of the Ringo-nominated anthologies Transphoria and Hairology, this new release doubles as a love letter to comic-shop culture and a can’t-miss companion to the fan-favorite series that inspired it!

Joseph P. Illidge spoke of joining this amazing team:

“The Comic Shop is one of the funniest and full-of-heart shows on YouTube, so when I got the call to write a story within the comic book world of Cheyenne Ewulu’s cinematic universe, my mind was already racing. Getting to work with Paris Alleyne sealed the deal, so expect Ratz City to have some Shinchiro Watanabe mixed with Frank Miller’s Daredevil.”

Editor, Kat Calamia, added, “We’re very excited to blend mediums through the power of Kickstarter with some of the biggest voices in comics to bring the anthology to life!”

Perfect for fans of Clerks, Abbott Elementary, and offbeat ensemble comedies, The Comic Shop Anthology captures the chaos, camaraderie, and sheer heart of the spaces where comics—and friendships—are made.

Backers can jump in now to secure exclusive rewards and help bring this meta celebration of fandom to print.

To learn more about The Comic Shop Anthology Kickstarter, drop by the campaign page for tiers, previews, and updates.

Author Profile

Al Mega

I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!