Indie hit ‘Skull Maskerade’ returns with its first-ever collected edition

May 6, 2026

Rising indie creators Carla Wyzgala (Twilight Zone, Rogue Sun) and Justin Tauch are bringing readers back into the strange and haunting world of The Deadlands with Skull Maskerade Volume 1. This marks the first collected edition of the indie series, gathering the first five issues, many of which have been difficult to find, into hardcover and softcover formats.

At the center of the story are the masked women of Manor Macabrea, protectors of lost souls trapped in a place between worlds and outside of time known as the Deadlands. Spirits from across existence gather there, ranging from noble to dangerous to outright bizarre. Among them is Hollowman, a newly awakened and unsettling force who shares a mysterious connection with Dahlia, the latest arrival and newest member of the masked heroines.

The collection is launching through Kickstarter, with a 30-day campaign that includes stretch goals, exclusive variants, and premium tiers. Early backers within the first 24 hours will have their names included in an in-universe guest list printed in both editions of the book.

Alongside the collection, a limited reprint of issue #1 will be offered, featuring variant covers for the first time in the series’ history. Artists Sveta Shubina and Eisner-nominated Abigail J. Harding contribute new covers, while Wyzgala adds a NSFW variant and Tauch makes his debut as a cover artist with a piece centered on Hollowman.

Both editions of the collection will also include a pin-up gallery showcasing artwork from a wide range of creators, including Sveta Shubina, Abigail J. Harding, Erika Kosmatka, Melissa Pagluica, Jiji, Harmony Gong, M. Victoria Rabado, Naomi Butterfield, Justin Tauch, and Arjay Frances.

“This is the moment I have been personally waiting for since I first decided to do a comic book of these characters–making a big beautiful book with the mysterious cat skull girl on the cover,” said co-creator and artist Carla Wyzgala. “Now a decade later, seeing the ladies all dressed up for the masquerade ball and waltzing through the pages of epic storytelling?! It is surreal, and I could not have made this book without my talented husband and all his insane story ideas. We really poured our hearts out into this introductory five issue arc and I can’t wait to see it in this beautiful new package. Plus…there is so much more still to go on this wild adventure. So buckle up!”

“Skull Maskerade is a fever dream of a story,” said co-creator and writer Justin Tauch. “When I set out to write the first five issues I wanted the reader to sit with the characters and experience them before the plot starts to unravel. The mystery of Dahlia in this world, where anything is possible, gave me so much freedom to use my imagination. I pulled inspiration from Jim Henson, Studio Ghibli, Sailor Moon, and the films of Guillermo Del Toro to name but a few. I’m really proud of what we created and this volume really showcases how it all started. It is a must have for any collectors of our story.”

Beyond the book itself, fans can also connect with the series through a unique collaboration with Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, which has created character-inspired fragrances based on the personalities of the Manor Macabrea cast. These are available at conventions and through the brand directly.

Skull Maskerade Volume 1 is now live on Kickstarter, offering fans a chance to step into its eerie, dreamlike world. Blending gothic aesthetics, fantasy storytelling, and a touch of the surreal, it’s a series that will appeal to fans of The Labyrinth, Studio Ghibli, and other visually rich, emotionally driven fantasy worlds.

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