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With so many comics out each week, I do not notice delays as much as I used to back in the day. Sometimes I will look at a new release and realize it has been months since the last time we saw it. Well, the planets aligned this week as a few series with longer-than-normal release schedules come out on the same week. For the purpose of anticipation, it does work. Now the question is will they live up to expectations?
(Editor’s Note: Solicitations provided by Respected Publishers)
Writer: Ben Berkowitz, Max Berkowitz, Josh Gad
Artist: Ariel Olivetti
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: In a dark turn, comic book writer Stan Siegel’s life dives into a neo-Nazi occult nightmare. Orchestrated by legendary Josh Gad and the Berkowitz Brothers, The Writer plunges Stan into a whirl of folklore and magic. Amid demonic chaos and high-speed chases, Stan’s hunger for answers unveils hidden identities, setting off a desperate race against time in this thrilling saga. To combat the rising tide of terror, Stan must become the hero from his pages.
Why it Made the List: Any time a celebrity’s name is on a comic the eyebrows raise a bit. In recent years we have seen several comics backed by celebrities be worth your time and money. Last week one of my favorite comics was Rifters #1 which comedian and actor Brian Posehn co-wrote so hopefully this can continue that trend. I genuinely find Josh Gad to be quite a funny and memorable presence in everything he does. Granted being in a comic is not the same thing as being in a movie or TV show. The Berkowitz Brothers are new to comics as well so there’s a lot to prove here. I hope the desire here is to make a comic and not just a stepping stone for a later project. Usually, you can tell if that is the case pretty quickly. The premise sounds interesting so we shall see.
9. When The Blood Has Dried #3
Writer: Gary Moloney
Artist: Daniel Romero Ulloa
Publisher: Mad Cave
Solicitation: Thanks to Boru’s meddling, Meabh finds herself committed to a duel with Darius for the fate of her inn. For most people, challenging Darius – the greatest hero of the Adventurers’ Guild – would be a fool’s errand. But Meabh of Cklonia is not most people and is ready to prove she’s more than what the Guild made her.
Why it Made the List: There has been a plethora of fantasy books recently so in order to stand out from the pack you need to do something special. What I have enjoyed about When The Blood Has Dried is that it has taken things slow to allow these characters to be established. We get these constant flashbacks to past horrific battles to ensure the stakes are set, but most of the story has been localized which I find unusual compared to other fantasy comics today. It is often about creating the biggest and broadest epics so I appreciate a story that is trying to make it more personal. It also helps ensure it does not get lost within its own lore like other fantasy tales tend to do. Just another series to add to the list to show why Mad Cave is having quite the 2024 thus far.
8. Uncle Scrooge and the Infinity Dime #1
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Paolo Mottura, Francesco D’Ippolito, Vitale Mangiatordi, Alessandro Pastrovicchio
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, MARVEL AND DISNEY TEAM-UP TO BRING YOU THE STORY OF THE ¢ENTURY! It’s the story you never expected! One of the greatest characters in the history of comics leaps into his most epic adventure yet, in the manner only MARVEL can deliver! When UNCLE SCROOGE’S fabled money bin gets stolen by a shocking culprit, the world’s toughest duck must undertake a quest unlike any other, alongside a surprising array of allies: other versions of himself! An oversized special, from Marvel mainstay writer Jason Aaron (THOR, AVENGERS) and a cadre of celebrated Scrooge artists! Also re-presenting the classic CHRISTMAS ON BEAR MOUNTAIN, the first appearance of Scrooge McDuck by the legendary DISNEY COMICS creator, CARL BARKS!
Why it Made the List: I am unsure how many comic fans know the historical significance of Uncle Scrooge. You of course have the legendary run by Carl Barks who is known for defining the character and much of his world. My personal history with that run is limited but like many in my generation I grew up with Disney Afternoon and Ducktales, and many of those episodes were heavily inspired by Banks’ work. This appears to be a celebration of the comics bringing a ton of classic artists back to the character they help made famous. Hoping it does the legacy justice.
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: THE SHOCKING CONCLUSION OF THE ULTIMATE OPENING ARC! Spider-Man must finally confront the head honcho himself: Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin! Kingpin, as owner and operator of the Daily Bugle, has been working with the Maker’s Council to control the spread of information in their favor… Which means he’s the first domino that must be toppled to end their regime! PLUS: Mary Jane holds her own. ‘Nuff said!
Why it Made the List: Every time this comic makes this list I talk about how I am enjoying it but I am ready for it to take that next step. Last issue we went a step back with a focus on Norman Osborn but with this issue, we are getting the finale of the opening arc so it would seem something major will be happening. One major thing that is happening for sure is the return of Marco Checchetto to art duties. I thought David Messina’s work was better in the last issue but still not at the same level as Checchetto’s. Happy to have him back. Will we get the showdown with Kingpin and Spider-Man as the cover promises? Probably not but I can hope.
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Andrei Bressan
Publisher: Image
Solicitation: THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THE COBRA THREAT BEGINS HERE.
James McCullen Destro XXIV is the man behind M.A.R.S. Industries, the undisputed leader in providing high-tech weapons to world powers…for the right price.
But the emergence of Energon has changed everything.
As Destro’s ambitions grow, the “Crimson Twins” Tomax and Xamot Paoli emerge to destroy their competition, and Cobra Commander realizes his current ally could be his future greatest enemy.
Acclaimed writer DAN WATTERS (UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON LIVES!, Loki) and artist ANDREI BRESSAN (DARK RIDE, BIRTHRIGHT) change the balance of power in the Energon Universe forever.
Why it Made the List: We get a new installment of one of the most exciting things happening in the world of comics with a new Energon comic. I grew up a big G.I. Joe fan and Destro was always a character I was fascinated by since I first saw him. His design is great but his relationship with Cobra Commander was always hilarious. Destro has already made his presence known in this new universe in Duke and Combra Commander’s books. I am already a fan of their direction, so I look forward to learning more about his backstory. Great creative team as well.
Writer: Landry Q. Walker
Artist: Justin Greenwood
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: Shyla and her friends lock themselves away in their motel rooms, each of them grappling with the feverish visions induced by the tainted meat they consumed. Are the voices whispering to them real? Has the Butcher of La Perdita come to claim their flesh? Or is the sickness that each of them carries within simply bubbling its way to the surface? Take a bite and find out, as the temperature of this macabre horror story is rising quickly.
Why it Made the List: The first issue of this series was a big surprise for me. Right away it caught my eye with an intriguing gimmick I do not think I have seen before in a comic. We got introduced to all these different characters and got the ultimate before and after pictures on each page. The before was what they look like a normal day while the after was the horror that will be facing them shortly. What a great way to utilize the unique tools of the medium. My one concern is that will be the highlight of the entire series because, after that great opening, I found myself rather annoyed with the characters. It was like being invited to a friend group you did not know that well and all they did was fight with each other the entire time. I assume that was purposeful with what is headed their way.
4. Batman / Superman: World’s Finest #28
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: HEROES UNITE TO SAVE THE FIFTH DIMENSION — AND THE EARTH! Something is destroying the fifth dimension — and if an army of evil imps can obliterate all the joy and life from an entire reality, what chance do Superman and Batman stand against it? A multitude of DC guest stars — and their fifth-dimensional counterparts — join the World’s Finest duo in a last-ditch attempt to save Earth from the ultimate darkness!
Why it Made the List: This evil imps storyline has been such a blast. Mark Waid and Dan Mora have constructed a storyline where they can pretty much do whatever they want. Should we give Robin the powers of Superman? Sure! What about giving Superman cool Batman armor? Let’s do that too. When you have Dan Mora drawing all of that is going to look amazing. Within that chaos, there is also a story. This is the type of comic that you read with a smile on your face from beginning to end. With how great this book is I completely understand why this team is leading this summer’s Absolute Power event, and it is their involvement that gives me hope it will be good.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution #2
Writer: Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman
Artist: Ben Bishop, Esau Escorza, Isaac Escorza
Publisher: IDW
Solicitation: Casey Marie and the new generation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have taken on the mantle of New York City’s protectors, unaware that an insidious foe is preparing to spring a trap, plunging the city into violence and terror. With pockets of resistance gathering forces and information to fight back, the young Turtles learn about the bloody history of the Hamato Clan’s fight against the Foot… as well as discover revelations about themselves that will shape their futures. The legacy continues as legendary TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman reassembles the acclaimed creative team for the next epic chapter of The Last Ronin!
Why it Made the List: They say that absence lets the heart grow fonder and if that is the case fans of this series may have reached their limit of fondness as it finally returns after three months. Not to mention the years it took to get this sequel series in the first place. The first Last Ronin series took its time as well and it was a massive success so hopefully, patience will be awarded yet again. March feels like three years ago but I did enjoy that first issue and the direction they are taking the series. Creating a future turtles team sounds like a bad idea but it has worked thus far. Tom Waltz and Kevin Eastman’s presence on this project is probably a big reason why.
Writer: Tony Fleecs
Artist: Dave Wachter
Publisher: Boom Studios
Solicitation: Oliver finds himself someplace outside our world, a two-dimensional place where his mom is desperate to get him back from, but it seems impossible.
As Oliver runs into very real danger in the cartoon realm, someone from his family’s past and other allies may be just the help he needs…
Why it Made the List: I had high hopes for this series since the start and it has done everything to surpass them. One thing that fascinates me about art is how each medium has its unique language, which includes both comics and animation. Here Tony Fleecs and Dave Wachter get to play with both in a way that is not just done for gimmicks or gags. There are real stakes here even with a scene of someone walking on air because they do not look down. Dave Wachter’s art is something to behold. I have no idea how he combines two very different styles on the same page yet it works every time. This has been such a gem and I hope the comic book world gives it the attention it deserves.
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Bilquis Evely
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: Helen returns to the grounds of Wyndhorn House from what appears to have been from a fantastical warrior paradise. Was what she experienced real or from the mind of her late father who penned stories of a barbaric adventurer in a bizarre land.
Why it Made the List: Speaking of comic book gems we have this series. Going into this year this was one of my most anticipated books and so far it has lived up to that hype. A lot of that is due to Bilquis Evely and Mat Lopes who have constructed one of the best-looking series on the shelves right now. With When The Blood Has Dried I mentioned how many fantasy comics there are at the moment and in order to stand out you need to do something different. This has accomplished that by creating a book that oozes prestige from the way it is presented to how the story is executed. I can understand why it takes two months for each issue to come out. So far every time it has been worth the wait.
