#188: A look ahead

What's on my plate now and for the rest of 2026

Jan 06, 2026

Welcome to DECLARATIONS a bi-weekly newsletter by artist/writer Declan Shalvey.

This is a regular workblog featuring exclusive peeks at upcoming projects with advance releases of original art/merchandise.

ALL THE LATEST

Happy New year to you Decolytes! Hope ye all enjoyed the holidays.

To be honest I worked through them for the most part, took Christmas Day off to see family and came down with the flu that night. Got the chills while watching Fast X, thought I was just reacting to the film. Alas, no.

A lot of stuff just ended up hitting at the end of December that needed to be taken care of so I was working and trying to sleep enough to fight off the flu. No complaints though, I made time to enjoy myself [more on that below]. I have a LOT on right now, so I might give myself a break in February? Ha, yeah, sure you will, Dec. Anyway, here’s my Worklog for the past few weeks.

Coloured Ignition cover
Roughs, Ignition cover, 3x Marvel covers
Coloured PROJECT CLASH #2 cover
Coloured Marvel cover
Coloured DC cover
Colour roughs for PROJECT CLASH #1
Wrote a short story
Wrote TERMINATOR #5 script
Wrote THUNDERCATS #25 script
Wrote PROJECT PYRAMID #1 outline
Pencilled/inked PROJECT CLASH pages
Roughs/Pencils/inks/coloured 2 x Dynamite covers.
Roughs/Pencils/inks/coloured indie cover.

-A couple of unexpected Dynamite covers dropped in my lap that were needed in before the end of the year which was hard to do as I have a lot on my plate with PROJECT CLASH. But, they were needed so I got ‘em done.

-2025 ended/2026 started with a couple of ‘Best Of’ nods. I’m not too proud to say these do mean a lot when they happen in a fast moving, attention fleeing comics comics scene. First, was one of Comicon’s Best Cover Artists Of 2025 and also TLDR’s ‘Jim Lee Award’for Best Cover Artist of 2025 [shared with Caspar Wijngaard]

And their ‘Saga Award’ of Best Ongoing Series of 2025 for THUNDERCATS [along with FERAL]. Really great to see the book itself get some industry recognition.

-BIG NEWS; just before the end of the year, PROJECT LAZARUS was approved! I had a call with the editor before the holidays, working out some specifics. This will be my next major project and will be what I’ll be dedicating most of this year to once the bulk of CLASH is taken care of. I definitely can’t say what it is [and won’t be able to for a long time, not out ‘til 2027], aside from it being a real bucket list project. Should be starting in a couple of months.

-Currently in the middle of drawing PROJECT CLASH #1. I’ve pencilled nearly 10 pages, inked a handful of them. Will be working hard on this for the next month. I think it’ll be announced in a couple of weeks but if you’re paying attention to the rest of this newsletter, you might figure it out for yourself.

-I have to be vague about this I’ll be referring to something called PROJECT PYRAMID. I expect this will be reveales this month and I can talk more freely then.

With all that in mind, I have a pretty good idea of what my 2026 slate will be. Less conventions, plenty of writing but a lot more drawing. This is what’s on my plate for the year so far.

PROJECT CLASH: A miniseries I’m writing, drawing a 30 page #1

PROJECT PYRAMID: ‘Miniseries’ story I’m writing, connected to PROJECT CLASH

PROJECT SILENCE: Miniseries I’ve pitched for, as writer [Not confirmed]

PROJECT LAZARUS: Upcoming writing/drawing dream project [confirmed]

PROJECT ARCA: Creator owned mini-series, writing

PROJECT TREK: Creator owned series for Image Comics, writing

I’m looking to move on ARCA asap but CLASH/PYRAMID is eating up all time time at the moment. TREK is still in it’s ‘gestation period’ but I need to get moving on it as soon as I can. Things can change a lot in a year, but if this is everything that’s on my plate for 2026, I’ll have a very good year. Even as fortunate as I am to have the career I have, it’s always great to know as a freelancer, I don’t have to be stressing about looking for work.

Cover wise, plenty of THUNDERCATS stuff, I have about 3 Marvel covers due in February, and an Ignition mini-series I’m about halfway through my cover run. That’s all I can say for now, I think there’ll be a lot more to report on some in the next Declarations.

-NEGATIVE BURN, the multiple Eisner, Harvey, Eagle, and Gem Award–nominated comics anthology by Joe Pruett is back! Returning via Zoop today, the new anthology issue will feature stories by Mike Allred, Brian Bolland, Paul Pope, Sam Kieth, Dan Panosian and more [including this lovely Joe Linsner cover above]. I’ll be writing a story for it too! You can support the campaign here.

Funny story, Joe was at a Brighton show many many years ago back when I was looking to break in. I handed in my work then to submit for NEGATIVE BURN …and never heard back [as happens often when you’re starting out]. I recently met him again at Baltimore Comic Con, where he asked if I’d be interested in doin a story for the new book. I of course …let him know he rejected me years ago! Once I’d determined he’d grovelled enough, I quite graciously accepted his offer. God, I’m so humble.

Anyway, will be nice to finally make it into the pages of NEGATIVE BURN, hope ye do check out the campaign, the better it does the better the contributors will do.

-DC Comics released my variant cover for Deniz Camp & Javier Rodruiguez’s ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #13? Was fun to play around more with this one. Hmm, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash and now Martian Manhunter …is there an Absolute book I haven’t done a cover for yet…?

-Marvel Comics released my DOOM HOMAGE VARIANT cover for Jed MacKay & Devmalya Pramanik’s MARC SPECTOR: MOON KNIGHT #2. It’s an homage to Jack Kirby’s FANTASTIC FOUR #330 cover. I’m not generally into doing homage covers, but this was too good to pass up, I’m a sucker for an opportunity to draw my MOON KNIGHT armour costume.

-As I was saying above, I caught the flu on Christmas Day so spent the holidays in bed/working as much as I could. I did treat myself a little though, by building the LEGO set for the USS Enterprise D. I’m not much of a LEGO guy, but I did enjoy the hell out of making this.

Was nice to give myself a non-work challenge outside of the coughing and sneezing. By the time it was built, I was all better. Found a good spot for it too.

And as icing on the cake, my pal Jamie Teehan immortalised us and Stephen Mooney in LEGO form.

PS, I’ll be at MEGACON Dublin on the 17-18th of this month, just a week or so away. I’ll be there with the likes of Erica D’Urso, Will Robson and Reece Hannigan. Come say hi.

ART DECO

We’re starting the new year off with a DECLARATIONS exclusive! A massive new selection of original cover art is now up for sale in the Art Deco web store.

Around 30 new pieces are available including some highly sought after titles like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ultimate Spider-Man, Iron Man, Absolute Green Lantern and a healthy dose of new pieces from my own series Thundercats and Terminator. We’re giving you all first notice of release, so I hope you take advantage of this early offer!

NEW covers on Art Deco

Lastly, I recently did this MR KNIGHT piece as my final commission for 2025.

DEC RECS

Writer [and pal] Alex Paknadel has a ney CYCLOPS series coming out with artist Rogê Antônio next month. I got to read the first issue and while I already expect great things from Alex, I was really impressed by it. I’ve always loved Cyke [one of my favourite X-MEN for sure], the first issue did a great job of re-introducing the character with some of his backstory in a meanngful way and setting up some great new/old villains. Excited to see where the story goes and DAMN, Rogê did some phenomenal stuff. Was previously unaware of them, now an instant fan. If you’re an old school X-head, I think you’d enjoy this book that’s very much a contemporary book that doesn’t get in it’s own way regarding current contuniuty.

I praise this book, if only as a change to post some previous CYCLOPS art over the years.

CYCLOPS #! is out February 11th, the FOC is January 11th, so preoder asap!

While I was stuck in bed, I treated myself to the latest CRIMINAL installment; THE KNIVES. Was of course, brilliant. It’s not like you need me of all people to reccommend the latest Ed Brubaker/Sean Phillips book, but I reccommend it nontheless.

THUNDERCATS

Dynamite released their solicitations for March, revealing that THUNDERCATS #25 will be the end of mine and Drew Moss’ run on the THUNDERCATS book. Here’s my cover for the landmark issue, I really wanted to go all out for this cover and celebrate all that Drew and I [with some help from Stephen Mooney & Joe Mulvey] built leading up to now.

From Dynamite’s solicitations…

THUNDERCATS AT THE CROSSROADS!
Ever since he fled the destruction of his home world, Lion-O has wondered about Thundera's history and his place in it - and how he would measure up against those who preceded him in the royal line.
Now, after two years and countless adventures on Third Earth and beyond, the young leader of the ThunderCats is about to learn the long-hidden secret of Thundera's origin - and the shocking truth that is revealed could tear the ThunderCats apart!
In this milestone 25th issue of their acclaimed series, author DECLAN SHALVEY and artist DREW MOSS bring an epic story arc to a close while also opening a new chapter in an even larger tale - an event expanded upon in this month's ThunderCats X SilverHawks: Road to War one-shot!

There’s lots to talk about, but that is all I can comment on the subject for now, save for the fact there is more THUNDERCATS coming from me and Drew. In what form, I can’t say just now, though Dynamite are lining up some podcasts interviews for me in the next month or so.

There are significant clues though, the same month as THUNDERCATS #25 is THUNDERCATS X SILVERHAWKS: ROAD TO WAR #1 written by Ed Brisson with art by Elton Thomasi and Alice Leclert. Will be interesting to see what happens with that clash.

The one-shot also features a logo cover that I designed/hand-drew for the upcoming initiative. Here’s a better look at it.

Drew Moss just wrapped up drawing Issue 23, next for him is the aforementioned Issue 25 which is going to be such a treat to see him draw. As always, I am now in the anticipation stage of waiting to see what he does with it. Here’s a lovely page from issue 23.

Issue 24 is a standalone story that digs into the THUNDERCATS’ past that will drive the story of Issue 25. I knew we’d want Drew to be fresh for the challenge of that issue, so we reached out to David O’Sullivan to draw 24. He worked with me on issues of TERMINATOR [#2,3 & 7] and helped out on Issue 20 so was excited to see what he would with a whole issue in this sandbox. The answer: he nailed it. Here’s a peek

Again, I should have LOTS more THUNDERCATS news in the next Declarations, if news is shared by then, so keep your eyes peeled. If not I’ll have to keep quiet again, ugh.

TERMINATOR

Finally! TERMINATOR Vol 1: OUT OF TIME is out this week!

The book is out as a regular TPB and Hardcover. Featuring the main story written by myself with art by Luke Sparrow, David O’Sullivan, Lorenzo Re & Joe Mulvey with a backup story written by Sal Crivelli with art by Colin Craker. Very excited to finally have this collection in my hands.

I finished my script for TERMINATOR #5 so that’s the series wrapped. I’m going to miss telling these kinds of stories, working on this license was a great playground for telling tales that maybe leaned a bit on the grim side but what can I say …that’s a space I like to tell stories in. When first offered the book, I had no idea that it’d be so satisfying from a writing point of view so it’s great to have the first set of issues together like this.

And, while the current METAL series is only five issues, it’s all we were actually promised so I can’t be annoyed or anything. It was great to write with Rory McConville again as well as having a chance to work with Colin Craker, Lorenzo Re and Luke Sparrow again, while bringing Eoin Marron back into the comics fold. Once we do the lettering notes on Issue 5, I can satisfyingly tidy away the ‘Terminator’ file on my computer.

All pages for #4 by Fabio Gallo are in and wonderfully coloured by Colin Craker. Here’s a peek at one of them.