Ari Ackerman may have just witnessed a murder. Or two. Then again, he may not have seen anything at all. Oni Press will release A GHOST ARM MADE OF ANGRY GHOSTS on September 2, 2026. The new comic comes from writer and colorist Oliver Mertz, known for The Monuments and First Law of Mad Science, and acclaimed artist Alex Diotto, known for Youth and Indigo Children.
The book blends conspiracy, faded superheroics, and suburban angst in ʼ90s Washington, D.C. Oni Press is positioning the title for readers who like What’s the Furthest Place from Here?, Love and Rockets, David Lynch, Daniel Clowes, Seinfeld, Agatha Christie, Powers, Fugazi, and Wes Anderson.
Oliver Mertz Looks Back at the D.C. Punk Scene
Mertz said the story grew out of his own memories of the ʼ90s Washington, D.C. music scene.
“I grew up in the ‘90s, going to see bands like Fugazi, Jawbox, and the Monorchid play in cramped venues scattered around the Washington D.C. area,” said Oliver Mertz. “When I started writing A GHOST ARM MADE OF ANGRY GHOSTS, I knew I wanted it to be a love letter to that time and place. But as I kept writing, the book got weirder and weirder. And ironically, the stranger it got, the more personal and emotionally honest the story became.”
Ari Ackerman Faces Grief, Punk Rock, and Death
The story follows teenager Ari Ackerman, who loves the Washington, D.C. punk scene. He is also trying to process the repeated impending death, and frequent resurrections, of his cancer-stricken father.
Ari’s best friend, Maya Meng, has a simpler goal. She wants to hang out and see Jawbox play at the Black Cat.
Then a series of unexplained deaths starts to escalate. That can ruin a perfectly good day.
A GHOST ARM MADE OF ANGRY GHOSTS combines dark humor, offbeat mystery, and stylistic experimentation. The story explores what it feels like to be an outsider, make sense of a strange world, and search for a place inside it.
Alex Diotto Connects With the Characters
Diotto said he felt an immediate bond with the cast.
“Since Oliver introduced me to the characters of A GHOST ARM, I immediately felt a strong connection to them,” said Alex Diotto. “I found many similarities between Ari, Maya, Sona and myself, namely being an outcast and a long time fan of punk bands, and that connection grew even stronger as we progressed working on the book and the book got even weirder. It’s not an everyday thing seeing a bowl of soup talking through its mouth, or a giant head residing in a cabin!”
The Haunting Begins in 2026
With its mix of punk nostalgia, suburban dread, superhero fallout, and surreal mystery, A GHOST ARM MADE OF ANGRY GHOSTS aims to stand out when it reaches comic shops on September 2, 2026.
