New York Comic Con News: IDW Publishing made several announcements at NYCC, including a decidedly monochromatic high concept direction for Jem and the Holograms, new Mars Attacks and Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency comics, a new Artist’s Edition of classic DC war comics, and more.

The ongoing Jem and the Holograms comic series launched in 2014 (see “'Jem and the Holograms' Comic”), and January’s Issue #11 begins a new storyline: Dark Jem.  Just as the Holograms start their first tour, Synergy malfunctions, and something –or someone- named SILICA is threatening them.  Writer Kelly Thompson will be regoined by arist Sophie Campbell for Dark Jem-Part 1. The five collectible covers (see gallery below) will be available in a Complete Metallic Foil Box Set similar to Issue #1.

Mars Attacks: Occupation is written by John Layman, with interior art by Andy Kuhn, and throwback card-art inspired covers by Ryan Brown.  The story picks up after the Martians successfully conquered Earth,  and now Ruby Johnson has decided to fight back.

IDW’s next Artist Edition is The Best of DC War.  The 160 page 12”x17” hardcover will includes stories by Russ Heath, Jack Kirby, Joe Kubert, John Severin, and Alex Toth.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency: A Spoon Too Short is written by Arvind Ethan David, based on the alternative title for the Dirk novel Douglas Adams was working on at the time of his death.

Micronauts and ROM were announced at San Diego Comic-Con (see “ 'Micronauts,' 'ROM,' 'Transformers,' More”), and now IDW shared creative teams for both titles.  Micronauts will be written by Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Godzilla: Cataclysm), with art by David Baldeon (Nova, Skylanders). ROM The Space Knight will be written by IDW CCO/EIC Chris Ryall (Onyx) and Christos Gage (Spider-Man, Buffy),with art by Messina and Paolo Villanelle. Release is planned for Spring 2016.

Transformers #50 will see the Autobots’ leader declare Earth a member of Cybertron’s Council of Worlds, something neither the Decepticons nor the humans of Earth agree with.  The anniversary issue will feature variant covers by Jonathan Hickman, Mike Choi, Andrew Griffith, Casey W. Coller and a retailer incentive cover by Alex Milne.

Other projects include Luna the Vampire by writer/artist Yasmin Sheikh, debuting in January; a new Wynonna Earp comic in February to coincide with the upcoming SyFy series (see “Beau Comic Gets TV Deal”); and plans for the next Marvel Artist Select Series limited edition release which will featureGeorge Perez’s Avengers work.

For additional IDW NYCC announcements see: “ IDW to Publish New 'Bloom County' Collections” and “ICv2: 'Ghostbusters' Go Global in 2016.”