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I am not sure if it is the New York Comic Con effect but this week of comics is stacked! Hardest one so far to narrow down to ten. Plenty of honorable mentions you’ll see after the list. For those of you who went to NYCC, first I am jealous! Second hope you had a great time and whatever you did do it again as it gave us so much to be excited about.
Editor note: All Description portions come directly from their respected publishers
On to the countdown…
10. Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #1
Writer/Artist: Patrick Horvath
Publisher: IDW
Description: Don’t. Murder. The locals.
This is small-town serial killer, upstanding citizen, and adorable brown bear Samantha Strong’s cardinal rule. After all, there’s a sea of perfectly ripe potential victims in the big city just beyond the forest, and when you’ve worked as hard as Sam to build a cozy life and a thriving business in a community surrounded by friendly fellow animal folk, warm décor, and the aroma of cedar trees and freshly baked apple pie…the last thing you want is to disturb the peace.
So you can imagine her indignation when one of Woodbrook’s own meets a grisly, mysterious demise—and you wouldn’t blame her for doing anything it takes to hunt down her rival before the town self-destructs and Sheriff Patterson starts (literally) barking up the wrong tree.
Why it Made the List: Right when I saw this cover I knew I had to check this book out. Yea, “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover”. That is what they say but this is comics. It’s part of the process. The book is described as “Dexter” meets Richard Scarry’s Busy Town so what’s not to love about that? Definitely think if this lives up to the premise it could be something special.
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Wilfredo Torres
Publisher: Dark Horse
Description: A man is living two lives. He is a private detective in a dystopian cyberpunk future trying to solve a triple murder. But when he falls asleep… he wakes up as a wandering adventurer in a barbaric fantasy world where magic exists. Is he two separate people? Or is he a third person that has undergone a psychotic split? He jumps back and forth from sword-wielding barbarian to jaded private eye trying to solve the brutal crime. But the bigger question is, can he merge these realities without losing himself?
Why it Made the List: Matt Kindt is one of those creators that if his name is on a book I am checking it out. One thing he is great at doing is finding unique artists that have a style well outside the norm that fit what he is trying to do. Wilfredo Torres is not an artist I know right away but looking forward to seeing what he can do especially with that description. Going to be a gnarly comic.
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Marco Renna, Abel
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: An army of nightmares begins its march on New Orleans and with Dylan still nowhere to be found and his friends and family scattered, who will step up to save the city? And, more importantly, how?
Why it Made the List: I love seeing superhero universes start up outside of the worlds of Marvel and DC such as the Massive-Verse. I have not kept up with every book but something about this series has clicked with me. For one I have found the mystery as well as the family dynamic to be quite compelling. It has been a good mixture of melodrama and action. Now in its third arc, this book is really getting going. Do not worry if you have not read other books in the universe like Radiant Black as this operates completely on its own.
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Ramon Rosanas
Publisher: ARTISTS WRITERS & ARTISANS INC
Description: Detective Hernandez is trapped in billionaire Bob Schrunk’s basement prison known as the “Rumpus Room” – and while she’s stuck there, she’s going to get to know her fellow inmates and learn how they had wronged Schrunk and earned their fate. Meanwhile, Schrunk is losing control of his tech company and must consolidate his position with the board of directors. Plus, what’s the secret of the billionaire’s collection of bizarre art?
Why it Made the List: The first issue of Rumpus Room was an amuse-bouche of social commentary and characters just easing us into the story. Setting the stage for this crazy concept rather than diving head first right away. We do have a great villain already that is quite captivating. My hope is that restraint in the first issue will lead to a more complete and exciting second issue.
Writer: Tim Seeley, Tony Fleecs
Artist: Tim Seeley, Tony Fleecs
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: “”THE DRY SEASON,”” Part One
Jack Xaver, Farmington’s very own LOCAL MAN, is called in to investigate a mysterious drowning on dry land. The problem is, Jack isn’t legally allowed to be a superhero. Oh, also, he’s sleeping with the police chief’s wife. AND there’s a conspiracy theory gaining traction that Jack murdered America’s most beloved champion, the Camo Crusader.
Now, Local Man, already in over his head, is drawn into another twisted case with dark ties to his superhero past.
On the flip side-meet Inga. Her stupid boyfriend just skipped town to join a superhero team. He left her with nothing…and now she has nothing to lose.
Why it Made the List: Local Man represents the history of Image from its earliest days to what he has become today. Starting off with the legacy of ‘extreme’ but then evolving into some far more dawn to Earth. Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs touch upon both those eras with this story of a superhero down on his luck and forced to go back home. Plus we get a bonus comic where Tim Seeley draws the glory days in that classic 90s style. Two comics and one. It’s hard to beat that.
5. Hack / Slash: Back to School #1
Writer: Zoe Thorogood
Editor: Tim Seeley
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: MINISERIES PREMIERE HACK/SLASH returns with an untold tale and critically acclaimed cartoonist ZOE THOROGOOD at the bloody helm! Slasher hunter Cassie Hack is only just getting used to her man-monster partner, Vlad, when she’s drawn into a new case involving a murderous bunny mascot, dead kids, and an entire squad of maladjusted teenage serial-killer hunters! A completely new chapter in the beloved, long-running series that’s perfect for new readers and old fans alike, just in time for Halloween.
Why it Made the List: I do not have much history with the Hack / Slash franchise but I am a fan of Zoe Thorogood. (The Future of Comics!) It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth was one of my favorite books last year so I was waiting to see what she would do next. I was not expecting this but that’s also awesome. To take on a series she is clearly a fan of and put her own spin on it with the blessing of the creator. I have a strong feeling after reading this I will be diving head first into back issues of Hack / Slash.
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Gleb Melnikov, Edwin Galmon
Publisher: DC Comics
Description: A special oversize issue celebrating Superman and his super-legacy! Since the start of Superman #1 and Dawn of DC, a mystery has been brewing in Metropolis. Now that mystery’s secrets are unleashed, with startling revelations that set up a massive story in 2024! The Chained continues as Superman battles against an overpowered new menace who wants to destroy Metropolis! Superman must decide if he is willing to follow Lex’s tragic orders to take the Chained down! And Lex Luthor is visited by a blast from his past. One that will impact his future forever.
Why it Made the List: I have been saying for some time now that we are in a golden age of Superman comics. With miniseries like Superman: Lost and Action Comics and this series firing on all cylinders Superman fans have plenty to be happy about. I loved the last issue and how it introduced a brand-new villain that looks to have a lot of promise. Plus it is a special issue marking 850 issues of Superman. Quite an achievement.
Writer: Jordan Thomas
Artist: Shaky Kane
Publisher: Oni Press
Description: In the dry and dead future that’s coming soon, all life belongs to Oppenheimer-obsessed billionaire Harvard Denny and his corporate scavengers from Smile, Inc., who pillage the wastelands in search of atomic contraband.
As the race to acquire the a crashed spacecraft’s cargo begins, our fate will be decided by a masked bandit and the cold iron of his laser rifle. He knows no name, no home, no surrender-only the whispered hush of those in need who dare call him . . . THE MAN FROM MAYBE!
Why it Made the List: Last week I mentioned how much I was looking forward to this series with the end of Weird Work. Something about this style of artwork meshed with dystopian future and Western just scratches an itch I did not know I had. Plus after really enjoying Weird Work I am following this creative team with whatever they want to do next, and I love how different this seems compared to the last book. They are really pushing themselves forward to exciting places.
2. The Sensational She-Hulk #1
Writer: Rainbow Rowell
Artist: Andrés Genolet
Publisher: Marvel
Description: THE SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK IS BACK! Jen Walters is dusting off her adjective and kicking off a new era! The best hero slash lawyer in the Marvel Universe is going to remind you why she’s so SENSATIONAL, going up against her deadliest challenge yet! PLUS: MARVEL STUDIOS SHE-HULK series writer Jessica Gao makes hers Marvel in a short story with the Jade Giant!
Why it Made the List: Marvel doing Marvel things relaunching She-Hulk with a new number one despite the creative team not changing. Personally, if it gets more people to check out this series I am all for it as it has been one of my favorite Marvel titles since it started. It’s an interesting superhero story because most of it has been personal and relationship drama with action sprinkled in here and there. Usually, that would be a death knell for a series but the dialog and character work is so strong you barely notice. If you liked the She-Hulk TV show you will definitely get a lot out of this one.
Batman / Superman: World’s Finest #20
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Publisher: DC Comics
Description: MARK WAID RETURNS TO THE WORLD OF KINGDOM COME! The return of Boy Thunder! To find and save Superman’s former protégé, the World’s Finest duo bridges the dimensional gulf between their world and an Earth with a jaded Superman, a broken Batman, and a war-hungry Wonder Woman—the world of Kingdom Come!
Why it Made the List: Picking number one was rather easy this week. Nothing against the other books but when you take what has been one of DC’s best books and add in the world of Kingdom Come you have piqued my interest. Plus it means far more when you have one of the Co-Creators of that world Mark Waid on writing duties. Waid is not someone to revisit past work unless he has a good reason so it makes me wonder what they have in store. Oh, and Dan Mora must own a time machine with his output and how great his work remains. Despite this being the 20th issue I would bet my lunch money it will be super easy for anyone to jump into, especially those that are fans of the original story.
Other Books I’m Anticipating that didn’t make the list: Nightwing #107, The Incredible Hulk #5, Daredevil #2, The Invincible Iron Man #11, Grim #14. Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #1. Jay Garrick: The Flash #1. Green Lantern: War Journal #2. Crypt of Shadows #1, Kill Your Darlings #2, Hexagon Bridge #2, Klik Klik Boom #5, Coda #2
