Featuring a Foreword by David Dasmalchian, Cover by Joe Jusko, Illustrations from Francesco Francavilla, Liam Sharpe, Christopher Mitten, Alison Sampson, and More!
On Kickstarter Now from Clover Press!
September 23, 2026 – Legendary horror writer and 30 Days of Night co-creator Steve Niles’s iconic paranormal detective Cal McDonald’s hard boiled adventures have captivated fans since his first appearance in the 1990 story “Big Head.” Cal McDonald has seen it all. Vampires, werewolves, ghouls, demons, mutants, maniacs, and every other thing that crawls out of the dark. Throughout his celebrated career, Niles has returned to McDonald in novels, short fiction, and the acclaimed comic series Criminal Macabre. Now, he is revisiting his gruesome gumshoe in CAL McDONALD: PLAGUE OF EVIL AND OTHER STORIES, a collection of short stories featuring a foreword by acclaimed actor and horror creator David Dastmalchian (Count Crowley), and a stunning painted cover by master illustrator Joe Jusko. Published by Clover Press’s The Fourth Leaf, a new imprint for creator-owned comics, books and graphic novels, this 216-page hardcover will collect ten brand-new Cal McDonald stories, each with an illustration by a different beloved comic artist. Fans can support the project on Kickstarter now.
In the tradition of Mickey Spillane and Rymond Chandler, Niles sends Cal and his undead sidekick on a strange journey through a Los Angeles populated by monsters, freaks, ghouls, and all kinds of new creatures hell-bent on causing chaos.
“It’s hard to believe but I’ve been writing Cal McDonald in one form or another for almost forty years now.” Said Steve Niles. “The last short story collection came out almost 20 years ago, so I am excited to have PLAGUE OF EVIL coming out through Clover Press. Cal has always been my favorite character to write and it feels good to be back in the saddle again. I am especially thrilled with this volume because I have so many friends along for the ride; some of my favorite artists in the industry have added their talents. I hope readers enjoy this collection because I’m aching to do more.”
CAL McDONALD: PLAGUE OF EVIL AND OTHER STORIES will feature gorgeous chapter illustrations by an incredible lineup of artists, including Cat Staggs (John Carpenter’s Tales of Halloween Night), Liam Sharp (Star Henge), Scott Morse (Soulwind), Christopher Mitten (Hellboy and the BPRD), Gyula Nemeth (Criminal Macabre), Steven Russell Black (Magic The Gathering), Francesco Francavilla (The Black Beetle), Alison Sampson (Werewolf By Night), and Damien Worm (October Faction), each adding their own signature style to Cal McDonald’s world of hard-boiled horror.
“In this collection, Cal McDonald returns to prose for ten new hard-boiled tales filled with occult threats, vicious creatures, and the kind of trouble he and Mo’Lock are reckless enough to confront.” said Clover Press publisher Hank Kanalz. “It’s supernatural crime horror in the classic Cal McDonald tradition, full of blood, grit, dark humor, and noir only Steve Niles can deliver.”
In addition to the illustrated hardcover book, the Kickstarter campaign for CAL McDONALD: PLAGUE OF EVIL AND OTHER STORIES will also include prints, lithographs, stickers, t-shirts, and a slipcase upgrade. Fans can support CAL McDONALD: PLAGUE OF EVIL AND OTHER STORIES on Kickstarter now
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