Ignition Press is thrilled to conclude the Ignition Sequence series of announcements leading up to Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) with a new series announcement. From the twisted minds of Dan Watters (Nightwing; TMNT: Shredder) and Brian Level (Venom: Black, White & Blood) comes Mad Science Division—a madcap, sci-fi horror series that asks, “What if DOGE dismantled the SCP Foundation?”
“Mad Science Division is my first foray into creator-owned comics for a few years,” said writer Dan Watters. “I've been champing at the bit to work in this space again, and this book is an explosion of all the things I've wanted to do. I wanted to make something mad, gross, fun and funny, and I knew Brian was the perfect person to make that comic with. This story delights me. If you like any of my work at all, I think you'll like this too.”
"Mad Science Division is a book that is specifically my brand of comic to make: strange, gross, funny, and unnerving,” said artist Brian Level. “Dan and I get to run through a carousel of grotesqueries, mishaps, and frayed nerves while being grafted onto a unique band of rich characters. It's been nothing but a freeing joy to produce this nightmare."
It’s no secret Archimedes Anderson is a nepo hire. Assigned chief-coordinator of R&D at the American arm of genetic engineering and bioweapons development company Miyashi-Smith, everyone knows he’s here for one purpose: to slash the budget and trim the fat. If he can cut 30% from the unaffectionately nicknamed “Mad Science Division” budget, he’ll earn a cushy, high-level job at HQ.
He goes in with a move-fast-and-break-stuff attitude, knowing absolutely nothing about the dangerous genetic experiments taking place in the division. When he upsets the delicate equilibrium of the department factions and removes guard rails which protect the workers and the public, he winds up exposing them to terrible, evil experiments.
"Working with Dan, Brian, Lee, and Frank on this has been a gross, twisted, and oftentimes hilarious delight,” said Editor Ian Shaughnessy. “Dan keeps pushing the boundaries in each script, and when I see Brian and Lee translate his words into visuals, I continuously have to make double- and triple-takes because they consistently outdo themselves with the grotesque and often funny representations of what's really going on inside Miyashi-Smith."
Mad Science Division #1 will be available in comic shops November 4th, 2026 from writer Dan Watters (Nightwing; TMNT: Shredder) and artist Brian Level (Venom: Black, White & Blood), with colors by Lee Loughridge (American Caper, Dispatched) and letters by Frank Cvetkovic (Kingdom of Earth, Yumi: 00EX). This issue features two open-to-order covers from series artist Brian Level and Riley Rossmo (The Moon Is Following Us, Lobo), along with a 1-in-10 retailer incentive by Raúl Allén (Dune, Doctor Strange: Endless Nightmare).
To guarantee a copy, make sure to contact and reserve your copy with your local comic shop by no later than Monday, September 28th. 2026. To find a comic shop near you, go to https://findyourcomic.store/.
Attendees of SDCC can visit Ignition Press on the exhibit floor (booth #5531) and the publisher’s offsite pop-up – the Ignition Pavilion. Ignition Pavilion will be open with free admission to the public during the following hours:
- Wednesday, July 22nd: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
- Thursday, July 23rd: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
- Friday, July 24th: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
- Saturday, July 25th: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
- Sunday, July 26th: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
The Ignition Pavilion is located at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center located at 200 Harbor Drive, #120, San Diego, CA 92101.