Dark Horse Comics and Tiny Onion present Beast of Borikén, a thrilling new tale in the True Weird series featuring el Chupacabra. Beast of Borikén is a five-issue miniseries written by Eisner Award-nominated author Julio Anta (Home, Frontera, This Land is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story), illustrated by Daniel Irizarri (Xino, Cemetery Kids Don’t Die), colored by Patricio Delpeche (TexArcanum, Minor Arcana), and lettered by Lucas Gattoni (Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers, Absolute Green Lantern). Issue #1 will be released in July 2026 and will feature cover art by Daniel Irizarri, Naomi Franq, and Max Fiumara.
About Beast of Borikén:
In contemporary Puerto Rico, Loli Flores is a fierce activist fighting the overdevelopment of the island by outside investors. When a groundbreaking ceremony is violently interrupted by a supernatural force, Loli discovers that the stories of el Chupacabra are not just echoes from the past, but true tales of a brutal protector of generations extending back to the indigenous people of the island. As Loli uncovers the horrors firsthand, el Chupacabra follows a parallel path, leaving elemental destruction in his wake.
“Beast of Borikén is a tropical horror story inspired by all the creature features I grew up devouring,” said Anta. “It’s both an epic tale encompassing over 500 years of colonialism and resistance and a gory character drama starring Latin America’s most terrifying cryptid, the Chupacabra. I can’t wait for readers to sink their teeth into this book, beautifully illustrated by Daniel Irizarri… no one’s ever seen a Chupacabra this horrifyingly human!”
Irizarri added, “Beast of Borikén has been a home-coming to draw my island and its people as I’ve witnessed them in all their shapes and sizes, their joy and their rage. It was bold and refreshing of Tiny Onion to take a chance on a different direction for the next chapter of their True Weird series. Julio’s story is a sharp portrayal of Puerto Rican resistance that made me feel seen, while also giving us the space to create a modern, snarling interpretation of the Chupacabra as well as our violent history and myths. I’m excited to bring my artistic sensibilities to this pulp-horror story of protester grit and ancient spirits of vengeance.”
Beast of Borikén #1 (of 5) arrives in comic shops on July 1, 2026. It is now available for preorder from your local comic shop for $4.99.
Be sure to follow Dark Horse Comics on social media and check our website, www.darkhorse.com, for more news, announcements, and updates!
Praise for Julio Anta and Daniel Irizarri:
“By juxtaposing Mateo’s present treacherous situation with harrowing scenes from Guillermo’s and other migrants’ pasts, Anta pulls no punches, organically weaving together myriad contemporary border issues.”—Publisher’s Weekly, starred review for Frontera
“An extremely beautifully written book.” —Major Spoilers on Home by Julio Anta
“It can often be difficult to incorporate skin-crawling elements into a series, especially one where a creative team is attempting to take on a more energetic, ‘manga’ style with its art, but the team behind Cemetery Kids Don’t Die does so in spades.”—Comicbook.com
“Cemetery Kids Don’t Die stands out as a brilliant example of a comic book that combines story and art magnificently. Zac Thompson and Daniel Irizarri craft a world that is immersive, thrilling, and uniquely executed.”—Capes & Tights
