Bug Wars: Book One [Aaron, Jason]

Author: Jason Aaron

"A perfect choice for fans of intricate worldbuilding, tortured family dynamics, and high-fantasy adventure." --Library Journal

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids meets Conan The Barbarian in this epic tale of a kid from Alabama suddenly lost in a vicious world beyond his imagining, a world of marauding ant armies, spell-casting spider witches, and beetle-riding barbarians.

The Old Slaymaker House; Neighbors whisper about it. Children dare each other to step foot in its overgrown lawn. Exterminators refuse to visit and shudder at the thought of what multi-limbed monsters may burrow in its earth. For Slade Slaymaker and his brother Sydney, it's the last remnant of their father, a dedicated entomologist devoured by the very creatures he dedicated his life to understanding. Slade, too young to remember his death, continues his legacy with his own love of all things insect. Sydney, old enough to remember the gruesome scene, despises and seeks to annihilate any bug he sees.

When these two brothers' opposing obsessions clash, Slade finds himself shrunk to the size of his diminutive subjects and thrust into the middle of a brutal Bug War, an earth-shattering struggle that will decide the fate of his family and, perhaps, uncover the secrets behind his father's gruesome demise.

From the superstar team of writer JASON AARON (Southern Bastards, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Absolute Superman) and artist MAHMUD ASRAR (Conan the Barbarian, X-Men, Batman VS Robin) comes BUG WARS: BOOK ONE, collecting issues #1-6 of the sprawling new dark fantasy epic.

Select early praise for BUG WARS:

"What an absolutely stunning book, everyone. And an incredible read." --Geoff Johns

"Bug Wars is a beautiful mix of high fantasy, suburban horror and every creepy-crawler under the sun. It'll get under your skin (in a good way.)" --Charles Soule

"Best Comic I've read in ages!" --Frank Quitely

"Bug Wars has become my first new favorite comic of 2025. A huge congrats for Jason Aaron, Mahmud Asrar, Matt Wilson & Becca Carey on making such a fun comic!" --Joshua Williamson

"An epic adventure with huge heart." --Scott Snyder

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 10/21/2025
Pages: 160
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.03oz
ISBN: 9781534329850

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 08/01/2025 pg. 66

About the Author
Jason Aaron is a comic book writer best known for his work on the critically acclaimed crime series Scalped for Vertigo Comics and the Eisner-nominated SOUTHERN BASTARDS from Image Comics, as well as for various celebrated projects with Marvel Comics.

Aaron's current work for Marvel includes the creation of the headline-grabbing female version of Thor and the launch of an all-new Star Wars series, the first issue of which sold over one million copies to become the best-selling American comic book in more than 20 years.

Aaron was born in Alabama but currently resides in Kansas City. He enjoys many things but shaving is not one of them.

Mahmud Asrar grew up with the passion to draw comic books which led to a university education in art. After graduation he pursued a career in comics and has since worked internationally for most major comic publishers such as Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, Image Comics, Dark Horse, Boom and others.

Some of his more notable works include Dynamo 5, Supergirl, All-New X-Men, All-New All-Different Avengers, Hulk, X-Men Red. After award winning stints on Conan The Barbarian, King Conan and X-Men, he's worked on the event Batman vs Robin for DC Comics. Currently he's working on his creator owned book, Bug Wars by Image Comics.

Asrar resides in Vienna, Austria with his wife and son.

Matt Wilson has been coloring comics since 2003, getting his start coloring for the comics coloring studio Zylonol Studios. After a few years in the studio Matt branched out on his own to color titles like: Phonogram, Young Avengers, Thor, Daredevil, Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, The Wicked + The Divine, and Paper Girls. In 2015 Matt's work earned him Eisner Award and Harvey Award nominations.

Becca Carey is a graphic designer and letterer who has worked on books like REDLANDS, VAMPIRELLA/RED SONJA, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and more secret fun projects to watch out for.