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Usually in this opening, I try to point out something odd about this week’s comics. This week though? Is a pretty standard week so not much to say beyond the norm. A good mixture of big books, small books, new books, and old. So with that let’s just get on with it.
(Editor’s Note: Solicitations are Provided by the Respected Publishers)
10. Grendel: Devil’s Crucible – Defiance #3
Writer/Artist: Matt Wagner
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: Attacked by vampires while traveling to Hari and Ptolomey’s safe camp, Grendel and his new allies barely survive the trip to a protected clan base, but they-like the few who remain in the Cult of Grendel-refuse to die.
Why it Made the List: This is the first time I have ever read a Grendel comic. I know and I am sorry. Some may want to take my comic book fan card after hearing that, but the truth is we all have those series we have yet to catch up with. So going into this series I was ready to be confused and not understand anything that was happening. So far that has not been the case at all. Perhaps because this takes place in a possible future it does not have to rely on the past to tell this specific story, or maybe there are a ton of references I am simply missing. That may be the case but I am still able to comprehend the story being told which is the most important part. Plus it is just a joy to look at Matt Wagner’s cartooning. His style is one we do not see a lot in today’s market. Books tend to be overly polished nowadays even when it comes to smaller books. That can cause a disconnect between the art and the artist as you do not see them in their work. With Wagner that is never the case.
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Rafael de Latorre
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: WILL THE PENGUIN SURVIVE HIS FINAL ISSUE?
Oswald Cobblepot’s master plans for Gotham had him feeling like he had the whole city in the palm of his flipper. But it’s all gone so very wrong. Now, trapped in the Batmobile alongside his most hated enemy, sinking into a watery grave, the Penguin has found himself wondering if it was all for naught. But Batman’s avian adversary may have one more scheme up his feathered sleeve—if it isn’t too late. The Penguin’s epic saga ends here!
Why it Made the List: What a strange world. I have not been able to get into the mainstay Batman books but currently enjoying several series focused on his villains. (Spoiler Alert another one will be appearing on this list) This series leans into what Tom King does best. A twelve-issue series where he can focus on an off-to-the-side part of the DC universe so he can do his thing. This has basically been a crime family story starring the Penguin. It has taken elements you would expect with that genre and morphed them to fit into the DC universe. Penguin has never been a character I cared much about but this series has gotten me infested. You can see why he would have the power he does in the crime world, and why his family is so messed up because of it. Sad to see this series end but also it is coming at the right time. This will make for a great collection in the future as well if you have missed out.
Writer: Ben H. Winters, Chris Condon, Christopher Cantwell, Stephanie Phillips
Artist: David Lapham, Javier Fernández, Leomacs, Riley Rossmo
Publisher: Oni Press
Solicitation: You were an explorer who challenged the farthest reaches of existence. Until your technology inevitably failed you and you found yourself trapped in the endless void of space, drifting aimlessly amongst the nebulae, with only one question rattling through your tiny, dying, all-too human brain: What if the horrors of this reality are too great to comprehend? What if they were NEVER supposed to be explored at all? GOOD THING YOU STILL HAVE THIS COMIC TO KEEP YOU COMPANY, SPACEMAN! Test the boundaries of our cold and unforgiving CRUEL UNIVERSE with four bizarre tales of time and space by eight modern masters of the science fiction form: Christopher Cantwell (Thanos, Iron Man) and David Lapham (Stray Bullets); Chris Condon (That Texas Blood) and Javier Rodriguez (Amazing Spider-Man); Stephanie Phillips (Harley Quinn, Grim) and Riley Rossmo (The Sandman); and a very special surprise from Ben H. Winters (CBS’ Tracker) and Leomacs (Rogues). . . . At last, EC Comics dares you to look into the void and ponder what fate awaits us all! (It’s OBLIVION!)
Why it Made the List: We are not a few months into the return of EC Comics and I have to say it feels like the buzz has died down a bit. The horror anthology series was fine but I did not think it did enough to separate itself from the plethora of other horror anthologies out right now. Cruel Universe #1 however I enjoyed a great deal. Part of that is because unlike horror we do not get many science fiction anthologies in comics right now. So that helped separate it from the pack. Also, the stories were good, especially the opening story focusing on Cosmic Gladiators. The ending caught me off guard in the best way possible. Looking at the talent lined up for this issue there’s also reason to be excited. Anytime I see Javier Rodriguez on a comic I am there, but also names like Stephanie Phillips, Chris Condon, Christopher Cantwell, and Riley Rossmo give me reason to be excited. Writing a good short story is not easy. Even the best writers are not able to pull it off. When it works though it is something special. Issue one had some of those special moments. Hoping for the same with issue number two.
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Jacob Edgar
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: Eel O’Brian might be a superhero now — but before he was anything else, he was a crook. Until the accident that turned him into the pliable Plastic Man, Eel was bad to the bone… and just because he no longer has bones doesn’t mean that’s not still true. When an incident on a Justice League mission leads to catastrophic cellular damage, Plastic Man discovers he just might be out of time to make amends for the past he’s tried hard to outrun — or to save the soul of his son, who (unfortunately for him) might have inherited more from dear old Dad than just his superpowers…
Why it Made the List: Speaking with Christopher Cantwell he is out with a new series focused on Plastic Man. I have been a fan of Cantwell’s past work especially his Iron Man run, and based on the Solicitation this leans into what he does best as a writer. Those individuals who are a bit emotionally stilted trying to overcome their own neurosis but cannot get out of their own way due to their ego. With this being Black Label we can get an ending to this type of story. Often when the premise is about a character dying you know that will not actually happen. With Black Label though there are no rules. So maybe they will pull the trigger? Either way just hoping for a good story.
Writer/Artist: Chip Zdarsky
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: It’s hiring day! Dallas Comics needs a team to make their comic book empire a reality, but will anyone be up to the task? And can Syd move past the shocking revelations of last issue? CHIP ZDARSKY (BATMAN, NEWBURN) continues his award-winning series about the comic industry and how goddamn hard it is working in it. Like, wow. Who would choose this life?
Why it Made the List: Movies about movies, comics about comics, TV shows about TV shows, there is something about a medium reflecting upon itself that works for me. This arc of Public Domain has been focused on how to bring back a classic character for a new generation. It has just been good human drama. The legend trying to show what he has but feeling under-appreciated by those around him, while others are trying to do what they think is right. Everyone has their reasons, which makes the drama all the more intriguing. It is also a bit strange we have gotten the comic they are making in real life, but that just makes the conflict feel all the bit more real. You can see the connection to the real world and actual creators but those connections are not overt. Zdarsky has been stretching himself as a storyteller with this one.
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Marcio Takara
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: DON’T MISS THIS SPECIAL OVERSIZED 25th ISSUE!
Written by G. Willow Wilson, Grace Ellis, Gretchen Felker-Martin, Joanne Starer and Dan Watters Art by Marcio Takara, Brian Level, Atagun Ilhan, Haining and DANI Join G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, and a verdant grove of creators as they tell stories of Ivy’s past, present, and future! Discover the sad and true story of two cousins who loved mushrooms a little too much, a man who played with fire, a very hungry crocodile, and an orphan who dresses up like a bat! Plus, a sneak peek at what’s to come in year three of Poison Ivy! All this and more in this special oversized extravaganza.
Why it Made the List: After a few months off this series is making its return. This book has quietly been one of DC’s best books over the last few years. As mentioned with The Penguin #12 this has been a good time for comics focused on Batman villains. What has worked with this book is that it is not trying to make Posiion Ivy into a straightforward hero. Sure she is sympathetic but she still has those villain tendencies. She has just faced off with people who are much worse than her. This is also a bonus issue including stories from a number of creators. This would have made the list without it, but that fact is sprinkled on top of an already beautiful Sundae.
Writer/Artist: Jeff Lemire
Publisher: Boom Studios
Solicitation: Theresa, the daughter of a small-town “psychic” fraud, returns home to care for her ailing mother, however begrudgingly.
But when Theresa discovers that there may be more to the magic than she originally believed, she’ll find herself caught up in a town that desperately needs her help…
One of the most renowned creators in comics, New York Times bestselling and award-winning writer and artist Jeff Lemire (Descender, Black Hammer) arrives at BOOM! Studios with an extra-length opening chapter of a must-read ongoing series inspired by, and intricately linked to, the tarot and perfect for fans of his creator-owned work as well as Helen of Wyndhorn and Locke & Key
Why it Made the List: Essex County is my all-time favorite comic so any time I see a book coming out that is written and drawn by Jeff Lemire I am excited. Lemire is so good when it comes to stories about broken families and based on the Solicitation that is what we are getting. Also appears he is leaning into the surreal once again which he has done a good amount lately including his last series Fishflies. If he can capture a similar spirit to that we should get another great series from one of today’s best creators. I am ready for the tears to flow any time I am reading a Lemire book.
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Phil Noto
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: THE FATE OF THE ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR! Doom’s years of torture at the hands of the Maker finally catch up to him in this secret history of the real Reed Richards! And tensions rise among the Ultimates when Doom might be more fixated on re-creating the life he should have had than the life he’s got…
Why it Made the List: So if you have been following Deniz Camp on social media you know the lore that has been built up regarding this issue. Saying that this issue was the reason Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU. Do I think he is serious? Of course not but I very much respect the effort. That’s not why I am excited about it though. I simply have enjoyed this series the most out of all the current Ultimate line. Feels like they are actually trying to do new and exciting things with the Marvel Universe including the last issue that included a new spin on She-Hulk and Gamma Radiation. Now we get to see what happened to the Fantastic Four. Doctor Doom feels like he has just been sitting there for this moment. So far he has been on the side of the heroes but that is not his nature. Maybe this is not the reason RDJ is returning to the MCU but I do think it will set a new foundation for this current Ultimate Universe moving forward.
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Bilquis Evely
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: Helen and Barnabus continue their adventures passing between the other world and Wyndhorn House as she begins to learn the skills of a warrior from her adventurous relative.
Why it Made the List: There are a lot of books out right now that can claim the title of ‘Best Looking book on the shelves’ but few have the resume of this series. Bilquis Evely did great work with Tom King with their run on Supergirl but somehow she has leveled up even further for this series. I can completely understand why it takes two months for each issue to come out with how pristine the artwork is on each and every panel. I would rather they take this time making the best book they can rather than rush it out. So no complaints here about delays. You can’t rush greatness as they say. The story has been captivating as well. A fantasy tale about a broken woman trying to find her way in life. We dove deep into the fantasy world with the last issue so looking forward to how the changes things moving forward.
Writer: Tony Fleecs
Artist: Dave Wachter
Publisher: Boom Studios
Solicitation: In the penultimate issue of the truly unique series where animation meets reality, the villainous showdown between The First, Oliver, his mother, and the other toons ensues!
While toons can’t die, they can still meet a terrible fate, and it’s up to Oliver to hand himself over… or risk his family.
Why it Made the List: Last week I mentioned that Grommets is my favorite comic on the shelves right now. Well, Uncanny Valley is very close to capturing that title as well. As a fan of animation, I love the way this incorporates the language of cartoons into comics. We also got good news during San Diego Comic-Con that this has moved to an ongoing. That makes me so happy because that also means it is getting the attention it deserves from fans as well. Plus I get the sense they are just getting started so I am happy Tony Fleecs and Dave Wachter get a chance to build upon this world. Wachter also deserves a lot of credit for what he is doing with this book including having a multitude of different styles on the same page at the same time. This book is a joy and happy any time we get a new issue. It harkens back to my days watching Saturday Morning cartoons while also hitting the family dynamic that relates to life today. A quality read for Young, old, and everything in-between.
