Panic Pug 'Don't Panic Poncho' Lands Macmillan World Rights, Debuts 2027

Get ready for some serious cuteness — and a long wait. Thiago de Moraes's new full-color comic series, Don't Panic Poncho, just landed a massive world rights deal with Macmillan Children's Books. But fans will have to wait until Spring 2027 to meet the adorably anxious pug.

Poncho, a perpetually panicked pug, embarks on hilarious (and terrifying, for him) capers with his pals Maurice, Bouncy Boi, and Turnip. Their first adventure involves a camping trip filled with mystery noises and potential bears. De Moraes, a Brazilian-born British author known for blending mythology and humor in works like Myth Atlas and Phoenix's The Dunnos, seems a perfect fit for this kind of playful chaos.

Macmillan is clearly investing big. They see Poncho as a significant step in expanding their "high-energy comic book market" presence, aiming for the kind of market-leading success they've seen with popular graphic novel series like InvestiGators. This kind of upfront commitment to multiple titles signals serious publisher confidence in de Moraes's vision. New titles will follow every six months after the 2027 debut. It's a long wait, but the promise of a relatable, panic-prone pug might just be worth it.