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It is the most wonderful time of year and that’s because we got new comics. What do you mean we get that every week? That’s why it’s great to be a comic book fan. Each week brings with it something to be excited about. This week is what I would categorize as an average week. Last week I was not super excited about and it ended up surprising me. This week has more things to be excited about but still a lot of unknowns. Hopefully, those unknowns turn into more comics to be excited about. What that let’s take a look at this week’s list.
10. The Hexiles #2
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Joe Bocardo
Publisher: Mad Cave
Solicitation: The children of Jamison Kreel want nothing to do with each other, nor do they want anything to do with the bargains their father struck on their behalf. What they want, though, means nothing, because the forces of Hell are intent on collecting that which is owed to them.
Why it Made the List: When I read issue one of this series I went in knowing very little about it. Just saw it was a Mad Cave new book and I always give those a try. Reading through I was rather impressed with how the book was executed both in its structure and design. When I saw it was written by Cullen Bunn everything made sense. Bunn is one of the most prolific writers of our day and he has mastered the horror genre with books like Harrow County and The Empty Man to name a few. The Hexiles has many similarities to The Empty Man in both style and atmosphere. Feels like you are entering a world where the darkness is overwhelming. What is different here is the villains are not the only ones with powers as they are trying to take vengeance on these kids who have been gifted, or maybe cursed their own tools for demonic battle. Bunn seems to be taking what he learned by writing superhero books and putting it into this tale. Also, Joe Bocardo’s arty style reminds me a lot of Vanesa R. Del Rey’s which is a high compliment. It is not as proficient when it comes to page layouts but it has a very distinct look that works for this story.
9. The City Beneath Her Feet #1
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Elsa Charretier
Publisher: DSTLRY
Solicitation: A bloody love letter to New York City, The City Beneath Her Feet is an action/thriller love story for a new generation by lauded creators James Tynion IV (Spectregraph, Something is Killing the Children) and Elsa Charretier (Room Service, Love Everlasting).
Jasper Jayne was the girl of Zara’s dreams, but their brief relationship came and went in such an intense blaze that Zara was left thinking Jasper was just that… a dream. Years later, Zara is thrust back into Jasper’s world — unknowingly listed as her emergency contact, Zara must piece together the mystery of Jasper’s life, all while being hunted by the assassins who once called Jasper one of their own.
Why it Made the List: They say do not judge a book by its cover, but with comics that is part of the process most times. With that said when I saw the cover of this issue I never guessed it was going to be written by James Tynion IV. Yes, I know his name is on the cover, but in my mind, I am so used to him doing things like Something is Killing the Children or Department of Truth forgot that is only one side of him as a creator. He has done far more stories that vary in both tone and style. Excited to see him approach a different tale yet again with this comic. Also, Elsa Charretier is an artist I am also excited to see more of, especially after reading some of her work with Love Everlasting. This is a creative team I would have never put together on paper but makes so much sense now that I see it.
8. Uncanny X-Men #7
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: David Marquez
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: “RAID ON GRAYMALKIN” Part TWO! THE GRAYMALKIN RAID CONTINUES as two conflicting teams of X-Men come to a crossroads at Graymalkin Prison, formerly Xavier’s Institute! As if the Perimeter protocols and the prison’s mutant TRUSTEES weren’t enough, team leaders ROGUE and CYCLOPS find themselves at war over the uncertain legacy of Charles Xavier!
Why it Made the List: On last week’s list I brought up how I was surprised they were already doing an X-Men crossover with this new line, however, I had hoped it could work out based on my love of past X-Men crossovers. I rather enjoyed X-Men last week because it felt like a natural extension of the story they were already telling and not just a forced tale to fit into this bigger story. Can the same happen with Uncanny X-Men #7? I have enjoyed this run, especially the focus on trying to create some new characters for the X-Men world and not just rely on what we already know. With the end of X-Men #8 we got an idea of where we are going but I have a sense this will take a few steps back before we move forward. I am especially interested in seeing how Rogue and Cyclops interact considering the different directions they have been heading since these new runs began.
7. Batman: Dark Patterns #1
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: Set during the early years of Batman’s career, Batman: Dark Patterns delves into four mysterious cases as he attempts to cement his place as Gotham City’s protector while the city itself fights back against him. This is the Dark Knight Detective at his most stripped-down core, a man relying on his wits, his skills, and little else as he tackles some of the most twisted mysteries Gotham City and its protector have ever encountered.
Case 01: We Are Wounded
A series of sickeningly gruesome murders has sent shock waves through Gotham. Are these the random works of a serial killer, or is there something more sinister at play? Batman attempts to get to the bottom of the mystery before any more victims are claimed.
Why it Made the List: It appears DC has a lot of faith in this series because they advertised it in nearly every DC comic I read lately. Now that can go two ways. Maybe they are worried about it so they want to market it as much as possible to help protect their investment. Kind of like when a movie studio spends a lot of money on a movie they know is not good but need to make their money back. Rarely does that happen in comics though plus when I look at the creators behind this I have reason to believe the former. I tend to enjoy Dan Watters’s work and Hayden Sherman is having himself a year with his work on Absolute Wonder Woman and Dark Spaces: Dungeon. Now he gets to take on Batman. Also glad this can exist outside of time and not be connected to anything currently happening. Batman stories tend to be at their best when they can be their own thing.
6. FML #2
Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Artist: David López
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: As Portland smolders, an airplane door falls from the sky, flinging Riley’s Mom into a trauma-induced reverie. This leads to a bizarre encounter with physicist Richard Feynman and ends with a gathering of middle-aged riot grrrls united to solve the murder that haunts them all.
Meanwhile, the school conducts a dystopian shooter drill and Riley’s monstrous form shields his peers, casting a ludicrous light on modern horror.
Why it Made the List: I did not pay attention enough to FML #1 when it was coming out. I should have realized with this creative team it would be a comic to look out for. That first issue was laugh-out-loud funny. I do not audibly laugh at comics often and it happened multiple times with FML #1. Sometimes the expressive lettering was enough to elicit a chuckle or two. There was just so much to relate to as you have these characters trying to make life work as best as possible as everything crumbles around them. Part of me worries about a story set during peak COVID times because those are not ideal days to revisit. Why it works here is the sense of humor and also how much of what is being talked about still relates to the world we live in right now. The book also just had so much personality. It used what looked like scrap paper at times to give certain moments more life and style. With how the issue ended I do wonder how much of that maintains as the concept kicks into full fear.
5. Skin Police #3
Writer: Jordan Thomas
Artist: Daniel Gete
Publisher: Oni Press
Solicitation: Rising star Jordan Thomas (The Man From Maybe) and bombshell artist Daniel Gete (Über) continue to shock and fascinate with a jolting current of hi-octane dystopian sci-fi that would make Orwell himself say, “That’s seriously messed up.” Don’t miss the mini-epic of the year!
In his role as an agent of the DIC, Brisson Eckis has earned his reputation as the best of the best. He’s made a career hunting and capturing potentially homicidal clones, aka “Dupes,” and for him, it’s always been business. But when someone very close to him is marked for assassination by the Pro-Dupe League, things are about to get very personal…
Why it Made the List: I rather appreciate all the ingredients that go into making this series. It is a high-concept science fiction tale with influences from all over including classic noir. I have never read a comic drawn by Daniel Gete before and I am rather impressed with his ability to both tell a story and build a vivid and lived-in world. Jason Wordie’s colors are a big part of that as well because instead of going the typical dreary atmosphere akin to Blade Runner he went the other way to make it stand out even more. It feels passé to compare it to The Incal but that is where my mind goes. And as mentioned on this list plenty of times Jordan Thomas continues to be a writer I am impressed with. On a side note continue to love the covers for this book as well. They are creative, well-designed, and very eye-catching. (This week that’s a literal assessment)
4. Space Ghost #8
Writer: David Pepose
Artist: Jonathan Lau
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Solicitation: In this issue: The painful events of the past meet the brutal events of the present as Space Ghost and Metallus clash – and while these titans do battle, Space Ghost’s young allies learn the shocking secrets behind their mentor’s tragic history!
Award-winning writer DAVID PEPOSE and acclaimed artist JONATHAN LAU add new layers of complexity to the Guardian of the Spaceways with Space Ghost #8 – enhanced by cutting-edge covers from FRANCESCO MATTINA, JAE LEE & JUNE CHUNG, BJORN BARENDS, and ANTHONY MARQUES!
Why it Made the List: I am extra excited about this because this issue appears to be giving us a lot of answers that have been building since the start. I do not know much about Space Ghost beyond what I read in this comic. I mean I watched the Cartoon Network show but I can guess that has little to do with the real history of the character. So I am interested in seeing more about what made Space Ghost, Space Ghost. He still very much remains an enigma of a character. I have said this before but it is worth repeating this series shows what a major benefit it can be when you have consistent creators as now we are eight issues in and Jonathan Lau remains on art duties. To add more points throughout that time this book never had a major delay. There is no ability quite like dependability and this series has that. That’s not easy to do in today’s comic book world. Hard work has paid off with what I feel is easily the best book Dynamite put out this year.
3. Minor Arcana #4
Writer/Artist: Jeff Lemire
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Solicitation: In a desperate bid to free herself of this new “curse,” Theresa finds herself thrown into the Unseen World once again.
Delving deeper into the mysterious realm, Theresa uncovers secrets that will prove vital to her understanding of this power… but also finds herself stalked by a Dark Figure whose presence grows increasingly sinister
Why it Made the List: I can not think of a better comic creator than Jeff Lemire when it comes to writing compelling broken characters. Far less astute creators would take his work and fill it with overt melodrama where Lemire gets to the heart of reality ironically often through the use of surrealism. He is like the Anti-Hallmark movie in the way he approaches the trope of someone coming home again despite never wanting to return. Those films tend to glorify the simplicity of the small town where he gets into some of the dour elements, although there is still a fondness for community. I tend to enjoy Lemire the best when he is writing and drawing his own stuff because the way he captures broken characters is unlike anyone in comics. He can tell so much using so few lines. Last issue we got such a sweet moment of kindness that hit me exactly as I was hoping this book would. Again he does not overdue sequences like that but it was a nice way to balance Theresa’s character and the cynicism she has been dishing out. Rather curious about where he goes in this issue and if we see a very different Theresa from here on out. My guess is we are not quite there yet.
2. Transformers #15
Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Jorge Corona
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: Soundwave moves to finish the war with the Autobots… and all of Earth will suffer. Meanwhile, Optimus Prime, and Wheeljack search for the answers to a mystery that may change everything they knew.
Why it Made the List: We are fifteen issues into this run so what that means is this is the fifteenth time this comic has made this list. Why is that important? To be honest I am running out of things to say about this series. Why it works at issue One in large part is why it works now–a combination of great art, a highly entertaining story, and the ability to take what made Transformers iconic and build upon that without forgetting what came before. I do wonder now with G.I. Joe #1 out do we see more of this Energon universe begin to come together? So far there have been some light touches as the world of G.I. Joe and Transformers come into one but nothing major quite yet. Also great to see Jorge Corona back on art duties. Jason Howard was doing good work but felt Corona was making this book his own before he took a break. Overall Transformers is fifteen issues into its run and remains one of the most exciting comics out today. That may not be a new statement but leaving it off this list would be a disservice for how great it continues to be.
1-Ultimate Universe: One Year In #1
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Jonas Scharf
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: THE CLOCK IS TICKING DOWN TO THE MAKER’S ARRIVAL! Deniz Camp flips the narrative on ULTIMATES and takes us inside the Maker’s Council! The heroes of the Ultimate Universe aren’t the only ones who have been preparing for the return of the Maker, and the clock is ticking down… This unique one-shot sets the stage for the second year of the Ultimate line and includes the debut of the Ultimate versions of two major Marvel characters!
Why it Made the List: This was one of those weeks where picking number one was quite hard. Nothing stood out immediately as I looked at this week’s books so it took some time to decide. I ultimately (pun intended) went with Ultimate Universe: One Year In #1 because currently, the Marvel Ultimate Universe is one of my favorite things in comics right now especially The Ultimates. That series is of course written by Deniz Camp so in a way this feels like simply the next issue in that book but with a much larger scope. I have found the way they have approached creating this new universe rather compelling. The differences between characters in this universe compared to past ones not only make sense but are different in a way that opens up so many storytelling possibilities. Not often you can say an issue is literally one year in the making like this. There has been this ticking time bomb over the entirety of the Ultimate Universe and now it is going to explode. What does that mean for the future? I legitimately have no idea and that is a big reason why I am so excited.
