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This is a weird week of comics. We have some unlikely returns, some classic characters coming back, and some old faithful comics making their appearance yet again. Rarely do I put a book on this list because I am morbidly curious but I could not avoid that this week. So with that let’s move onto the list.
(Editor’s Note: Solicitations are provided by the respected Publishers)
Writer/Artist: Kaare Andrews
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: BACK TO THE (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN’S) FUTURE! Award-winning writer/artist Kaare Andrews returns to the world of SPIDER-MAN’S dystopian future in this sequel to the landmark, genre-defying SPIDER-MAN: REIGN! And who is the new BLACK CAT?! What tragedies and triumphs await this older, grizzled Peter Parker? Peter isn’t the only one who aged… wait until you see what happened to MILES MORALES!
Why it Made the List: I am still in shock this is actually happening. I know many were not a big fan of the first version of Spider-Man: Reign, but I remember enjoying it more than most. Not sure if it stands up nearly twenty years later. Most only know this book for the infamous reason Mary Jane died. I can’t speak to it directly here because it is a family show…or article. I guess it will become a thing again because of this new installment. With all that said I am just widely curious how this will all turn out. Part of me feels like this is Marvel trying to use name recognition from anything in hopes of getting attention, or maybe there is an important story here that Kaare Andrews wants to tell. Either way, it should provide plenty to talk about.
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Publisher: DC
Solicitation: THE HEROES OF THE DC UNIVERSE ARE POWERLESS! THE TRINITY OF EVIL HAS WON! …THE RESISTANCE MUST RISE! DC’s epic summer event kicks off with a bang, as the combined might of FAILSAFE and the BRAINIAC QUEEN has at last given Amanda Waller the ability to steal the metahuman abilities of every hero and villain on planet Earth. As chaos erupts in the streets and a massive misinformation campaign sways public opinion to her side, the founder of the Suicide Squad methodically targets each superhero dynasty one at a time, starting with SUPERMAN. But even in this darkest of hours, a resistance is forming… and BATMAN is out for vengeance. It’s a shocking blitzkrieg across the globe that is decades in the making — and will shape the course of the DC Universe for years to come! Brought to you by the superstar talents of MARK WAID and DAN MORA — it all starts here!
Why it Made the List: Last week we got Absolute Power: Ground Zero and it did very little to impact my anticipation for this series in either way. Just your typical prelude issue that is all set up. Really wish those would stop and we would jump into it. Now the proper series begins and I am hoping for the best. My hope is Mark Waid and Dan Mora will make this work as best as any DC event. When DC events click they can be something special and the talent is there this time around. Personally would rather this team just do more World’s Finest but at the same time if you are going to be someone on an event why not the creators behind your best current series?
8. Canto: A Place Like Home #2
Writer: David M. Booher
Artist: Drew Zucker
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: Canto is… deceived? As Canto rushes to save his friends atop the Emerald Tower, he learns they’re only a distraction so the Shrouded Man can move his forces to defenseless New Arcana. But Canto’s people will not give up so easily. How long can they fend off the strongest army in the Unnamed World until reinforcements arrive?
Why it Made the List: Canto came back and did not lose a step. For those who have not read this series previously, I could see a lot of confusion with the last issue as it did not do a lot to bring you up to speed. I would highly advise going back and reading the other volumes because they are worth your time. Seems like this is building up to the final arc which is sad but also feels appropriate. If you enjoy series like Bone or Mouse Guard I would highly advise giving this a try. It is a wonderful fantasy world with a group of characters I have grown quite fond of over all these years.
7. The Goon: Them That Don’t Stay Dead #2
Writer/Artist: Eric Powell
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: To mark the 25th anniversary of The Goon, Eric Powell returns with an all-new miniseries, Them That Don’t Stay Dead! When one of the Goon’s most hated enemies delves into black magic to settle their grudge, there are unsuspected consequences. for them, the Goon and all of Nameless Town. An old evil returns in a new way to reclaim Lonely Street.
Why it Made the List: I was worried there for a while that we were not going to get another issue of The Goon. The last time we saw this book was back in March, and after some delays, it has made its return. When I look at the cartooning of Eric Powell I also understand because he puts so much love and care into his craftsmanship. I would rather him wait until he feels it is ready than rush it out for the sake of schedule. Unlike Canto, this is a series you can jump into without having much back knowledge. I first started reading The Goon when it moved to its own publisher several years ago and had no problem keeping up with the story. The stories are simple enough to follow but entertaining to keep your attention.
Writer: David Pepose
Artist: Jonathan Lau
Publisher: Dynamite
Solicitation: “Because you’re not the only ones who lost their family to these monsters.”
Enter the Widow! Is she friend or foe? Rolling the dice and trusting the potentially untrustworthy, the Ghost crew takes the fight to Robo-Corp. Will their new ally be the key they’ve been missing in bringing down the evil Robo-Corp once-and-for-all? Find out in this issue!
Why it Made the List: When you bring back a character like Space Ghost it is a challenge because how do you move away from the comedic take most know him for. Well, David Pepose, Jonathan Lau, and the rest of the creative team have found a way by slowly revealing bits and pieces of his character. Last issue we got hints at a tragic backstory but not enough to bring down the entire issue. Each conflict so far has been an opportunity to demonstrate Space Ghost’s ‘powers’ as well because before this I could not tell you what they were. This is more than just a book trying to gain attention because of the name of its title character. There is a story here to tell. Jonathan Lau’s art has been good as well. Dynamite comics can be hit or miss in the art department, especially with licensed books like this. Glad this one has been a hit so far.
5. Grendel: Devil’s Crucible – Defiance #1
Writer/Artist: Matt Wagner
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: A new Grendel story from visionary creator Matt Wagner!
Grendel Prime has returned to Earth, but things are not as he left them. The pockets of humanity that remain and the “Necro Lords” that rule them have turned against Grendel. Grendel Prime will need to hide his identity as he explores his suddenly hostile home planet.
Why it Made the List: Time for a Confession. I have never read a Grendel comic. Wait, that’s not true. I have never read a Grendel comic that Batman was not in as well. Despite that, I always wanted to and this seems like a great chance. Sometimes it can be fun to jump into a series that has been ongoing and try to figure things out. That is what I did with The Goon and I became an immediate fan. Will that happen with this? I hope so. Grendel holds such an important place in the history of Dark Horse comics feels like a massive failure to wait this long to read it. If this interests me enough the additional good news is the amount of great comics to add to my read pile.
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Ibraim Roberson
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: WHO IS THE LAST NOVA?! A remote town on a remote world is devastated by the ravenous, unforgiving KNULL SET, a gang of raiders and thieves obsessed with offering all life up to the darkness. But that all changes when a stranger comes to town, a stranger from the stars who answers to his own code. THE LAST SURVIVOR OF XANDAR… the LAST NOVA. Who is the Last Nova, and what great tragedy does he carry on his back? Is he the inheritor of the NOVA CORPS or its destroyer?
Why it Made the List: Peanut butter and jelly, chocolate and peanut butter, bacon..and pretty much anything– all great combinations. I loved Annihilation when it came out twenty years ago. Boy does that hurt to type. I enjoyed a good amount of the 2099 comics that originated ever earlier than Annihilation. Well, this is putting my mind in a weird place. Putting them together should mean magic. Will it? We shall see. I have loved Steve Orlando’s work with Scarlet Witch so hope that can continue with this story arc. I miss Nova as a character so if he is showing up anywhere I will give it a chance. Knull is also a part of this story so that has me curious as well.
Writer/Artist: Juni Ba
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: DAMIAN TEAMS WITH RED ROBIN! The cunning Tim Drake has always been the smartest of Batman’s sons… and the most comfortable matching wits with the most sinister geniuses on Earth. Damian Wayne doesn’t like feeling outsmarted — to him, no smugly-written insult could ever be sharper than his sword — so when he’s forced to infiltrate a super-villain gala alongside the sneaky Red Robin, the biggest danger the two of them face might not be Lex Luthor but Damian’s own temper!
Why it Made the List: Am I becoming a Damian fan? Maybe. I have definitely become a big fan of Juni Ba. The last issue focused on Red Hood and Damian who are two characters I am not the biggest fan of and it ended up being one of my favorite books that week. In fact, Juni Ba may have written the best version of Red Hood I have ever read. Now we get Tim Drake, who is my favorite Robin. By default, I should like this even more than. Interested to see the approach Juni Ba takes with Tim as a character. I know people get sick of Batman books but this is a Batman book where Batman’s lack of prescenes plays a major role. Juni Ba has already put his stamp on that world already.
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Chip Zdarsky, Rachael Stott
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: The hit Image series that won the Eisner for BEST NEW SERIES is back! Can it now win BEST SERIES? Probably not! That’s a really competitive category! DALLAS COMICS is up and running! But can Syd put aside his feelings and make a DOMAIN comic for a new generation before Jerry Jasper and Singular Comics beat him to it? And who is the mysterious British hunk, CARTER DUSK? Nobody knows, but it’s his first appearance, so you better buy this issue and get it graded just in case! CHIP ZDARSKY (Batman, NEWBURN) is back, writing and illustrating his fun and heartfelt examination of the comic book industry and (Vin Diesel voice) family!
Why it Made the List: I had no idea this series was coming back until I was looking at the new releases for this week. The first volume of Public Domain was one of the best comics Chip Zdarsky has put together so I am happy to see this story continue. It was much more true to life than most of his other work so even if you are not a fan of his story normally you may want to give it a shot. Movies about movies can be a good time, and so can comics about comics. Right now we have Drawing Blood which is inspired by true life while this seems to be mostly fabricated, however does make great points regarding the treatment of comic creators by large corporations.
Writer: Tim Seeley, Tony Fleecs
Artist: Tim Seeley, Tony Fleecs
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: The fate of Farmington is on the line, and Jack Xaver is all out of friends. Now, to stop the Faceless Horde, Local Man will do any damn thing… including giving himself over to the evil of the fright! But there’s one being more malevolent than an ancient alien fear god in town… former U.S. VP Dan Quayle
Why it Made the List: If I was going to list my favorite comics out right now this would be near the top. Similar to Public Domain this is a comic about a comic but in a much different method. In a way, we are in this new era of superhero comics that falls somewhere in between the cynical takes made popular by Watchmen and The Boys and the more idyllic designs of their original creation. Local Man’s commentary on the comic book medium is a bonus as the story in general has been rather intriguing. Also is there anyone in comics right now having a better 2024 than Tony Fleecs? He has this, Uncanny Valley, and Feral all going strong right now. That’s an impressive run.
