FOR RELEASE - 07/8/2026 NY, NY
FAN-FAVORITE TRADING CARD BRAND ‘CRANIACS’ ANNOUNCES ‘THE SUMMER OF SKULL’, A PROMOTIONAL INITIATIVE SHOWCASING THE DEBUT OF A DEDICATED YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND THE LAUNCH OF ‘CRANIACS’ BOOKS FROM AUTHOR R. L. STINE AND PUBLISHER SIMON & SCHUSTER!
LICENSEE CROSS-PROMOTIONS, SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH AND CREATION OF AN ONLINE SHOP WITH EXCLUSIVE MERCH ARE AMONG THE OTHER ‘CRANIACTIVATIONS’ COMING THIS SUMMER!
A newly created, dedicated ‘CRANIACS’ YouTube Channel will debut in late July. A key component of the channel will be the introduction of animated episodes based upon the ‘CRANIACS’ comics published by TITAN COMICS. For the very first time, the ‘CRANIACS’ brand will come to life on-screen -- with motion, character voices, sound and visual effects. In addition, a host of artist-driven original content will be posted on the channel, including GIFs of the key characters and more – all sure to delight core fans and those newly introduced to the brand.
But wait, there’s more, MUCH more… R.L. STINE, the creator of global phenomenon GOOSEBUMPS, and publishing powerhouse SIMON & SCHUSTER, have joined forces to introduce a series of ‘CRANIACS’ books geared towards middle-school kids ages 8 and up. R. L. Stine is on board to write three 'Create Your CRANIACS Quest’ titles; the first two launching simultaneously on August 25, 2026: ESCAPE FROM THE CHROME DOME and REVENGE OF THE RHINOBINO. With over 400 million GOOSEBUMPS in print, Stine brings an unrivaled track record and a limitless imagination that places him in rarefied air in book publishing history. Complementing Stine’s storytelling are spectacular cover paintings and detailed interior illustrations from ‘CRANIACS’ co-creator and celebrated artist Joe Simko.
Coinciding with the launch of the YouTube Channel and the SUMMER OF SKULL campaign is the introduction of an online ‘CRANIACS’ Shopify Shop. The Shop will feature exclusive branded merchandise, as well as first-looks at upcoming product releases, including Cranimal Chaos, the fourth card series, scheduled to hit retail counters mid-October. Creator-curated content and merch offerings will appear across all social media, including Instagram and TikTok.
In further celebration of the SUMMER OF SKULL, TITAN Comics will release the first ‘CRANIACS’ trade paperback, a deluxe collection of their previously released four-part mini-series. Featuring a new wrap-around painted cover by Joe and bonus new pages, this keepsake edition releases on July 22 -- a perfect addition to the summer ‘skullabration’ schedule.
Additionally, the upcoming SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON will provide the ideal venue for fans (or Craniacolytes as we call them) to express their ‘CRANIACS’ passion. Ira and Joe host a trading card scavenger hunt on the exhibition floor across all four days of the show. Exclusive ‘puzzle’ cards will be available free of charge at the booth locations of four different participating partners – while supplies last. During the show, Joe also will be signing cards and comics at TITAN's stand (#5537), CGC Grading company (#5500) and at the Simon & Schuster booth (#1128), promo prints of one of the Stine book covers, signed by Joe will be given away to lucky fans.
NEW YORK, NY. July 8, 2026 – ‘CRANIACS’ co-creators Ira Friedman and Joe Simko announce a multi-partner, multi-format initiative designed to broaden its base of collectors and grow its following on social media. “We know that our fans love the colorful, skull-headed world that we’ve built. With so much happening now – and all that is coming around the corner – the SUMMER OF SKULL is a good reason -- and the right SEASON -- to celebrate and experience the brand in fun and meaningful ways!” says Ira and Joe.
Other opportunities for fans to engage with ‘CRANIACS’ and its creators include:
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August 1 at Nova Gateway Comics, Fredericksburg, VA – Joe will be making a personal appearance, signing comics and cards.
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September 19 at Society of Illustrators, NYC – Simon & Schuster book release party will include an art exhibition, activities and prizes, a Q&A session with R. L. Stine, Joe, and Ira in attendance.
This integrated campaign is the result of key collaborators working behind the scenes to help bring the SUMMER OF SKULL to life: animation and licensing industry veterans IRENE WEIBEL and ANDREW KERR, with LOWBROW STUDIOS creating and producing the digital content and STARCHESTER building and orchestrating the brand’s YouTube presence.
About Craniacs:
In the ‘CRANIACS’ universe of skull-headed folks, two planets collide and force two very different societies – stone-aged Retrovia and ultra-futuristic Futerra – to figure out how they’re going to make this new planet-sharing world order work! High-octane action, wacky physical comedy and outrageous competitions will be at the heart of every story, alongside the importance of friendship, fraternity and family.
JOE SIMKO visualized the entire world of ‘CRANIACS’ – including all the character designs, vehicles, accessories and environments. Joe enjoys a large and loyal following throughout the fan and collector community and via his social media channels. He is a long-time lead artist at Topps and a key member of the Garbage Pail Kids roster, for which he is revered.
IRA FRIEDMAN spent over 30 years as a senior executive and officer at Topps, occupying a variety of key roles including overseeing trading card product development and driving inbound and outbound entertainment licensing. In addition to publishing many comic books and fan magazines, Ira worked for Lucasfilm in a consumer products-related capacity during the early days of the original Star Wars movie saga.
To learn more about ‘CRANIACS’ visit www.craniacsworld.com.
For more information about ‘CRANIACS’ cards and consumer products, contact: Ira Friedman at: ifpower1@gmail.com
For ‘CRANIACS’ press enquiries contact: Andrew Kerr at: andrewk@akcoi.com
Digital Assets:
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07.08.26 ‘CRANIACS’ ANNOUNCES ‘THE SUMMER OF SKULL’ Press Release (pdf)
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'Create Your CRANIACS Quest' by R. L. Stine, published by Simon & Schuster - Book Cover Art
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CRANIACS Trade Paperback 4 -Part Mini-series, published by Titan Comics - Cover Art
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San Diego Comic Con 2026 CRANIACS Scavenger Hunt Infographic