INK ALLIANCE DEBUTS WITH EXCLUSIVE NEW TITANS #38 VARIANT CELEBRATING STATIC’S RETURN
New National Alliance of Black-Owned Comic Book Retailers Launches with Limited 1,000-Copy Sanford Greene Variant Cover
Ink Alliance launches with its first retailer-exclusive release, celebrating Static’s long-awaited return to the Titans with a limited Sanford Greene variant cover.
UNITED STATES — Ink Alliance is a national retailer alliance of Black-owned independent comic book shops dedicated to expanding opportunity, ownership, and representation throughout the comics industry. Today, the alliance proudly announces its first retailer-exclusive release: an exclusive variant cover for DC Comics’ highly anticipated New Titans #38, the issue marking Static’s return to the Titans and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the iconic hero.
Limited to just 1,000 copies worldwide, the retailer-exclusive edition celebrates one of comics’ most influential Black superheroes while showcasing the power of independent comic shops working together to create something truly special for collectors and fans.
For generations of readers, Virgil Hawkins—better known as Static—has inspired audiences through his intelligence, humor, and heroism. As excitement builds around his return to the DC Universe, Ink Alliance has partnered to commemorate this milestone with an exclusive cover illustrated by acclaimed artist Sanford Greene.
The Ink Alliance exclusive variant will be available exclusively in-store through participating member stores beginning August 19. Remaining copies, if available, may be offered through participating retailers’ online stores beginning 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on the Sunday following the book’s official release date. Once the 1,000-copy print run has sold out, no additional copies will be produced.
“Static means a great deal to readers who grew up seeing themselves reflected in his stories,” said Phillip Rollins, co-founder of Ink Alliance and owner of OffBeat in Jackson, Mississippi. “This project is about more than an exclusive comic. It’s about celebrating an iconic character while demonstrating what independent comic shops can accomplish when we work together. We hope this is the first of many collaborations that strengthen our stores and the comic book community.”
“Ink Alliance was founded on a simple belief: together, we can create opportunities that none of us could create alone. This exclusive cover is more than a comic—it’s proof of what becomes possible when Black retailers choose collaboration over competition and invest in building something bigger than any one shop. We hope it’s the first of many examples of what Black cooperation can achieve, not just in comic retail, but across the entire comics ecosystem. So get ready!” said Mike Davis, co-founder of Ink Alliance and co-owner of Blerds Underground Comics & Collectibles.
“A collective of comic shop owners coming together to expand the narrative of comics and fandom,” said Byron Canady, owner of Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics.
“Representation matters at all levels of the industry,” said Antonio Cade, owner of Challenges Games & Comics.
“The Ink Alliance is going to be huge for the comics industry, and I’m excited to have been included on the ground floor,” said Jermaine “Lord Retail” Exum, owner of ACME Comics in Greensboro, North Carolina.
“Ink Alliance… comic book retailers united as ONE to be extraordinary today, tomorrow, and beyond!” said Fred Wright Jr., owner of Eastgate Comics.
The collaboration brings together Black-owned comic retailers from across the country with a shared mission of growing comic culture, increasing representation, supporting creators, and creating unique opportunities for collectors and fans. By combining resources, experience, and audiences, Ink Alliance is building a stronger future for independent comic retail while creating opportunities that benefit readers, creators, publishers, and local communities alike.
Participating Ink Alliance Retailers
● Blerds Underground Comics & Collectibles – La Grange, Illinois
● OffBeat – Jackson, Mississippi
● Challenges Games & Comics – Atlanta, Georgia
● The Comic Den – Los Angeles, California
● Third Coast Comics – Chicago, Illinois
● Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics – Houston, Texas
● ACME Comics – Greensboro, North Carolina
● Cuts And Comics – Newnan, Georgia
● Windu’s Comics & Collectibles – Clermont, Florida
● Eastgate Comics – High Point, North Carolina
Ink Alliance hopes this release will not only excite collectors but also shine a spotlight on the thriving network of Black-owned comic shops serving communities across the country. Through collaborative events, creator signings, educational programming, and exclusive publishing initiatives, the alliance is committed to expanding access to comics while strengthening independent retail.
Collectors interested in securing a copy are encouraged to contact any participating Ink Alliance retailer for availability and release information.
INK ALLIANCE MEDIA CONTACTS
Phillip “DJ Young Venom” Rollins
Co-Founder, Ink Alliance
Owner, OffBeat
Jackson, Mississippi
Mike Davis & Marcell Kirk
Co-Founders, Ink Alliance
Owners, Blerds Underground Comics & Collectibles
La Grange, Illinois
Byron Canady
Founding Member, Ink Alliance
Owner, Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics
Houston, Texas
Antonio Cade
Founding Member, Ink Alliance
Owner, Challenges Games & Comics
Atlanta, Georgia
Jermaine “Lord Retail” Exum
Founding Member, Ink Alliance
Owner, ACME Comics
Greensboro, North Carolina
Fred Wright Jr.
Founding Member, Ink Alliance
Owner, Eastgate Comics
High Point, North Carolina
Media Inquiries
Email: inkalliancecollective@gmail.com
Website: theinkalliance.org
Instagram/Threads: @InkAlliance
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Inkallianceshops
ABOUT INK ALLIANCE
Ink Alliance is a retailer alliance of Black-owned independent comic book shops dedicated to expanding opportunity, ownership, and representation throughout the comics industry. Through collaboration, exclusive publishing initiatives, creator partnerships, community engagement, and shared resources, Ink Alliance demonstrates what’s possible when independent retailers build together. By working collectively, the alliance creates new opportunities for retailers, creators, publishers, and fans while strengthening the future of comic book culture nationwide.
