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It’s Thanksgiving week so it is the perfect time to give thanks to those things we love. With this article, I get the gift of being able to do that every week. Crazy to me there are so many great books out there it drives me crazy there are still people out there who do nothing but complain about the world of comics. I am rather thankful I am not one of those people. It must be a miserable way to live. With that, let’s look at this week’s list
(Editor’s Note: Solicitations Are provided by Respected Publishers)
10. Black Canary: Best of the Best #1
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Ryan Sook
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: The match of the millennium! It’s Black Canary versus Lady Shiva to determine who is the single greatest hand-to-hand fighter in the universe! Who will walk away with the title? Find out as writer Tom King (WONDER WOMAN, SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW) and Ryan Sook (LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES) go six rounds to see if our hero has what it takes to be… the best of the best.
Why it Made the List: Any time Tom King has a new series out I am going to give it a try. One thing for sure is that it will look amazing. Ryan Sook is a great artist already, but King tends to get the best out of artists so can imagine he will only level up further. Plus Dave Stewart will be on colors so that should only help things even more. Also a Super hero MMA based comic could be intriguing. Honestly, it seems far more straightforward than most Tom King comics so that makes me wonder if there is more to this than is being said. We shall see. Even if not should at least give us some great fighting set pieces. People love to debate over who would win in a fight. Well now this comic will give us some answers to those debates.
9. Resurgence of the Valiant Universe #3
Writer: Fred Van Lente, Aj Ampadu
Artist: Guillermo Fajardo
Publisher: Valiant / Alien Books
Solicitation: The fall of G.A.T.E. begins here as Silk’s Unity team launches a brutal assault on B.O.B, leading to a blood-soaked showdown! It’s brother against brother and friend against friend as loyalties will be tested and betrayals run deep. As the chaos unfolds, Tama encounters an unlikely ally in the Faraway. Don’t miss the explosive third issue of Resurgence of the Valiant Universe!
Why it Made the List: I am rather enjoying how this story is shaping up, for one it is making use of nearly every aspect of the Valiant universe as so many characters are taking part in this story. Often that could lead to a story being too big for its good, but so far that has not happened. Every character has a unique purpose so nothing feels tacked on so that they can put their image on the cover.
If you have never read a Valiant comic, this is a good place to jump head-first into the universe. It is like getting an appetizer sampler where you get to try bits of everything to find out what you really like. If there are characters that appeal to you then take that interest and check out some of their solo adventures. Valiant comics needed a big boost to bring them back, and this is doing what it can to accomplish that goal. Easily the best thing I have read from the Valiant universe in some time.
Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Goran Sudžuka
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Solicitation: A particularly pointed wound sends Val spiraling into another hallucinatory PTSD experience, but this one’s different. Her attacker is there.
It will take everything in Val’s mental arsenal to get back to reality and finish the job, but even more pressing — is this the last she’ll see of her attacker?
Why it Made the List: So where do things go now? At first, this appeared to be a straightforward crime story centered on a character dealing with a tortured past causing issues of PTSD. Now with the way the last issue ended, it makes it seem like there may be more to this story. Maybe, even a supernatural twist perhaps? Part of me hopes it is a fakeout and everything goes back to normal because I was enjoying this being more true to life.
Either way, I find the characters here rather compelling and it’s done a wonderful job of subverting expectations throughout. For example, I thought the story of Val’s actual mission would remain hidden for much longer only for it to disparate almost immediately. When this series first came out it compared itself to classic Vertigo and based on the first two issues I can understand the comparison. So if you are like me and love that era definitely check this out.
Writer: Peter Warren, Rick Remender
Artist: Francesco Mobili
Publisher: Image
Solicitation: Kasia isn’t just trying to figure out who killed her friend, she is trying to avenge the death of someone with whom she shared a passionate, complicated, heart-wrenching love affair.
The ballad of Johnny and Kasia takes an unflinching look at intimacy challenged by secrecy, disability, and fame. But at the heart of their romance lies a dark, deadly secret that may be the key to solving the mystery of Johnny’s death… or threaten to destroy The Tin Can Society forever.
Why it Made the List: A murder mystery engrained into a superhero story? Sure, cannot say no to that. Of course, the quick comparison would be something like Watchmen, but unlike Watchmen this isn’t attempting to deconstruct the superhero genre. Instead, it’s being true to both noir and superhero tales, and within that telling a human story about people and aging friendships. Also, where has Francesco Mobili been? This book looks so good.
All the genres mesh so well together because he’s able to morph the page into what is needed for every specific moment, whether it be flashbacks to kids playing in Elementary school or a massive battle between mech suits. One of the most refreshing takes on superheroes I have read this year.
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Danny Kim
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: ULTRON RETURNS… REDEEMED? Iron Man and War Machine have put together a new team of Avengers — one that includes villains seeking a path to redemption. Their case study? Ultron — who, against all odds, seems to be walking the straight and narrow… for now. But does the success of one guarantee the success of all? Spider-Woman and Firestar have their doubts. And can any amount of heroics really absolve Ultron of his past?
Why it Made the List: I love myself the West Coast Avengers. Heck love the Great Lake Avengers whenever they show up too. I did rather enjoy Gerry Duggan’s run on Iron Man so happy he gets to continue writing for the character. (Especially since I was not a fan of the recent Iron Man #1) The big selling point here is Ultron playing the part of a hero. That seems like a recipe for a quick heel turn, which could lead to some compelling drama. Also love to see Jessica Drew back on the Avengers as well. A lot of pieces of this have me interested my only concern is if it can all work together cohesively. Also, West Coast Avengers tends to have a short shelf life. Maybe this can change that.
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Ivan Reis
Publisher: Image
Solicitation: The all-new horror series by the team behind Blackest Night and Aquaman: The Trench continues as GEOFF JOHNS and IVAN REIS dive deep into one of the denizens of Hyde Street — a boy scout on a mission to destroy a corrupt cop, and all other authority figures he can get his hands on. But who is Pranky, and where did he come from? And what’s his favorite knot to tie?
Why it Made the List: I was looking forward to the first issue of Hyde Street but ended up liking it more than even I expected. As a big fan of The Twilight Zone, it felt like a love letter to that classic series along with shows like Tales From the Crypt. Plus Ivan Reis has not missed a step whatsoever. His characters are so expressive and detailed their emotions jump right off the page. Clearly he and Johns bring the best out of each other.
Last issue we got a small taste of the character of Pranky and now we get to see more of his backstory. Rather interested to see what made him into this evil Boy Scout character, and also get some more insight into what Hyde Street is all about. Johns has a knack for worldbuilding that he put to good use during his career at DC and now he is expanding upon it with this brand new universe. Small hints as to what is going on without giving away too much. He’s a master at building intrigue and that skill has been on full display with this book thus far.
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: THOMPSON & SHERMAN’S RED-HOT REIMAGINING OF WONDER WOMAN UNLEASHES MONSTER MAYHEM! Gateway City has never seen anything like the Harbinger-Prime, the enormous, ravenous monster that has just risen from the depths of the ocean to darken its shores…but the Harbinger has never seen anything like the unstoppable Diana, Princess of the Underworld!
Why it Made the List: So far so good with the Absolute Universe. I rather enjoyed Absolute Wonder Woman #1 in large part because Hayden Sherman got to show so many new fans why he is such an amazing artist. His page layouts have been incredible and he just continues to get better. As a character, Absolute Wonder Woman did not come off as much different than what you would expect with the character.
It is more the world around her that has changed being the only Amazon standing. That makes me wonder what are the long-term impacts of that when she no longer has a home to return to, or at least a home that is on the Earth Realm. Cannot wait to see how Kelly Thompson continues the development of this character.
3. Justice League Unlimited #1
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: THE WATCHTOWER RISES! The Justice League is back and bigger than ever! In the wake of Absolute Power and the DC All In Special, Darkseid’s death has triggered a massive power vacuum in the DCU, and Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman must unite like never before and expand the Justice League to encompass every hero championing the forces of good in the face of incredible evil!
As our heroes work to uncover the mystery of the dark lord’s successor, Ray Palmer’s Atom Project triggers a race between hero and villain to control the fate of metahuman abilities on planet Earth, which threatens to destroy everything the League has built. Worlds will live, worlds will die, and a surprise is waiting in store on the last page… Do not miss the dawn of the new era of justice — it all begins here!
Why it Made the List: It is been such a long time since we had a Justice League comic. It has been an even longer time since we had a really good Justice League comic. For some reason, it has been difficult to make the Justice League the book that drives the DC universe. So who can change that? Mark Waid and Dan Mora of course.
Their run on World’s Finest had plenty of Justice League stories in it that represented the best of the DC universe. A big benefit of that book was that it was able to stay within its own corner of DC. Cannot do that here, but Mora and Waid have the talent to pull it off. Also, Mora cannot be human. Not only is he drawing this book but also Superman #20 that comes out this week. The man must own a time machine.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Chris Burnham
Publisher: IDW
Solicitation: Chris Burnham returns to art duties this issue as we finally learn the fate of Donatello! Trapped in a mutant zoo and forced to fight rich men looking for a thrill, his mind is still broken since last we saw him. As mysterious forces gather against him, can Donnie gather himself to defeat these enemies and set himself free? Superstar writer Jason Aaron continues his exploration of the individual Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, setting the stage for their reunion.
Why it Made the List: Can Jason Aaron go four for four? This series started off when each issue focused on a specific turtle. In my opinion, each issue was highly enjoyable and matched with incredible art. Now we are down to the BEST turtle…or at least my personal favorite. We got an idea of what this story will be with the Free Comic Book issue so there are fewer unknowns here.
At the same time been waiting for nearly six months to see the second part of this tale. Hoping that the wait will be worth it. Then the question becomes where does this series go from here? That will be the true test once the team gets back together. We did get the news that Juan Ferreyra will be the ongoing artist for the book starting with issue six so we at least know it will continue to look great.
Writer: Rick Remender, Brian Posehn
Artist: Brett Parson
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: Things go sideways in a hurry when the drunken and uninvited jocks decide they don’t like the look of our misfit friends. Based on true stories that changed the lives of two damaged kids forever.
Why it Made the List: This was one of those weeks where picking number one was quite easy, because Grommets right now is my favorite book on the shelves. Cannot imagine any other book right now placing higher than it. First Brett Parson and Moreno DiNisio are doing work with this series. The cartooning is so expressive, fun, and full of life. At times that expression is used for some moments of extreme humor and others will explosions of violence. Violence was a big part of the last issue as things got far more serious.
You get the sense Rick Remender and Brian Posehn are taking out their issues with the type of people they simply cannot stand. Lots of anger aimed towards jocks has been released. So far much of this book was about the escapism of youth, but with the ending of the last issue we saw what can happen when powerful people who cannot control themselves are fully unleashed. Was rather shocked with how graphic things became. Now we wait for the payback that is definitely coming.
