Image Comics is returning to Woodsburgh with Merciless, a five-issue sequel to Mirka Andolfo’s gothic horror hit Mercy (2020). Merciless #1 hits shelves December 2, 2026, with Andolfo writing and Lidia Bolognini on art — ScreenRant published an exclusive first look at covers and interiors on September 17.
Fifteen years later
Image’s official synopsis (quoted by ScreenRant) opens fifteen years after the Devil of Woodsburgh vanished — use that language, not ScreenRant’s “18 years” subhed. The former mining town thrived until a new Lady Hellaine arrives: Rory, now grown and accompanied by Joel, ready to open her factory while a strange drug called Electric Sumac spreads, making humans unusually strong and dangerous. Sheriff Bancroft also seems to have returned to settle scores his father left behind.
Andolfo: “MERCILESS is a brand-new story with a ‘new’ Lady Hellaine: Rory, now all grown up and ready to uncover some dark secrets in the old town of Woodsburgh,” praising Bolognini’s art. Preview pages recap Mercy for new readers while dropping fans back into Woodsburgh’s gothic dread.
Format
Five-issue mini-series; #1 on sale December 2, 2026. Covers and interior pages were shared with ScreenRant for the first look.
As-of: 2026-09-18 morning ~8:50 AM CT (America/Chicago). Dec 2 street, five-issue length, Andolfo/Bolognini creatives, and “fifteen years” synopsis language verified against ScreenRant first look / Image synopsis quote.
