The MSM continues to make a fuss over "crime noir" comics

Here's two examples in the news of how darkness continues to remain a sad staple of what the mainstream press considers newsworthy. For example, from last February on Broken Frontier, there's IDW's new special imprint called IDW Crime, and look who's editing it:

Following the success of the horror imprint IDW Dark, IDW Publishing is proud to announce IDW CRIME, a line of gripping crime comic books that explore what it takes to turn a saint into a sinner and revels in the twisted, everyday acts of humans that we just can’t look away from.

“Crime has a deep, often under-celebrated history in comics, from hard-boiled noir to social thrillers that pushed the medium to be bolder, sharper, and more adult,” commented Senior Group Editor Heather Antos. “With the IDW Crime imprint, we’re honoring that legacy while giving it a modern spotlight — elevating creator-driven stories that feel urgent, character-forward, and unapologetically human. These are stories about obsession, consequence, and the ability to hold a mirror up to society, and we couldn’t be more excited to help bring them back to the forefront of mainstream comics.

The same Antos who played a part in ruining Marvel artistically and neo-Valiant in the past decade (and even once acted oblivious to the disgraced Scott Allie's offenses) actually considers crime noir by far the greatest genre ever produced, quite possibly in contrast to romance and sex? What a sad farce. Now, she's one of at least a few people who formerly worked in mainstream whom IDW is actually giving a chance to continue working in comicdom no matter how washed up they are elsewhere. And what's this about "reveling"? Does that mean taking pleasure/delight? The use of that word only makes clear what's wrong with the promotion and marketing. And then we wonder what's going wrong with society. That's why we don't need this in mainstream.

Now, more recently, Art Threat reported actor Nathan Fillion's publishing more crime noir comics in his writing premiere to the medium proper:

Nathan Fillion just revealed his stunning debut as a comic book writer, and fans of The Rookie and Firefly are buzzing. He’s co-writing Witness Point, a dark noir thriller hitting shelves on July 8, 2026. The 4-issue series promises murder, secrets, and a small Wisconsin town that’s harboring something sinister.

From Castle to Comics: Fillion’s Next Creative Move

Nathan Fillion has always been a storyteller at heart. After years playing Detective Richard Castle and leading The Rookie as tough cop John Nolan, he’s now stepping fully into the writer’s chair. This project marks his official entry into the comic book world, published by the legendary Dark Horse Comics. Fillion collaborated with Heath Corson, a veteran screenwriter whose credits include DC animated projects and the critically acclaimed drama Animal Kingdom.

According to Fillion, the idea came directly from Corson’s brilliant premise. “Heath pulled me into his world with Witness Point, and I immediately knew this was a story that would lend itself to a comic series,” Fillion stated. The collaboration bridges television and comics, bringing cinematic storytelling to the graphic novel format.

A Small Town, A Big Secret, A Brutal Murder

The story takes place in Baraboo, Wisconsin, a seemingly peaceful Midwestern town famous for its circus history. But beneath the surface lies a 40-year-old federal conspiracy. The entire town serves as a hidden hub for the Witness Protection Program, relocated there without most residents’ knowledge. Criminals, informants, and dangerous felons have quietly integrated into this unsuspecting community.

Everything changes when the naked, dismembered body of a U.S. Marshal is discovered in the town square. Now, skeptical sheriff Carter “Kite” Calhoon and contentious deputy marshal Priya Khabrani have only days to solve the murder before Baraboo’s beloved Harvest Festival kicks off. As paranoia spreads and tempers flare, every resident becomes a suspect.

More repellent disgust. Do we need this kind of emphasis? No. Also note how the writers and publishers are doing exactly what historian Sean Howe once argued was a bad idea. When you make comics look like movies and television, it's hardly making comics convincingly.

Above all, it's tiresome how dark themes - including, but not limited to - the crime noir genre, keep getting sugary headlines at the expense of brighter fantasy adventure. That's reason enough to boycott crime thriller stories like what's being gushed over in these press articles, because it's long become way too much.