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That’s more like it. The last few weeks have been a bit mediocre when it came to books I was excited for. Of course, there was some good stuff but we have not had one of those weeks that felt filled to the brim with books to be excited about. That changes this week because this week. Perhaps an early Christmas present for comic book fans around the world. With that, let’s take a look at this week’s list.
(Editor’s Note: Solicitations are provided by the Respected Publishers)
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Christian Ward
Publisher: DSTLRY
Solicitation: The end is nigh for James Tynion IV and Christian Ward’s debut DSTLRY series!
Ambrose Everett Hall worked his entire life to cheat death… but what if he actually succeeded? Trapped in the labyrinthine tunnels below his tomb-like mansion with the ghostly remnants of his grisly experiments hot on their trail, Janie and Vesper are about to find out. Don’t miss the stunning conclusion to James Tynion IV & Christian Ward’s horror opus.
Why it Made the List: I wondered what a comic by James Tynion IV and Christian Ward would look like. Both approach the horror genre with astute minds as they find new ways to approach classic stories. Ward tends to delve into the surreal as we have seen with this series along with Tynion’s knack for crafting characters. This is a series that has given me actual anxiety as it has the ultimate ticking time bomb.
Janie Chase has left her child home alone in his highchair and is now paying for that mistake. That’s a strong choice to make to start with because how can you have sympathy for a character that would do such a thing in the first place? Perhaps you cannot but my heart goes out for the kid who is no doubt suffering. Janie made a bad choice and now is paying for it as she is trapped inside the ultimate nightmare.
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tom Reilly
Publisher: Image
Solicitation: Cobra Commander unveils the next phase of his plan — meet THE VALKYRIES, the newest Cobra special operatives unit. And as they race to retrieve the new mysterious weapon, will Duke suffer his first failure as the leader of G.I. Joe?
Why it Made the List: The first word that comes to mind with the first issue is balance. First balance in how this builds upon previous mini-series like Duke in a way that makes the moments in that book matter more without alienating those that are coming in blind. It felt very familiar to what you would expect from the world of G.I. Joe but modernized and matured enough to justify its own existence.
There were great character interactions, especially between Cobra Commander and Destro and plenty of standout action. Plenty of slight twists on classic ideas, like why lasers are used instead of bullets, that also raise the stakes compared the a Saturday Morning Cartoon. This is a comic that is not ashamed of where it is coming from but also understands the need to make a name for itself in a new era. Getting Transformers last week and G.I. Joe this week is a pattern I can continue to get behind.
Writer: Peter Warren
Artist: Francesco Mobili
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: It seems everyone in the Tin Can Society is harboring a secret — and perhaps none is darker than the one weighing on Adam. As the group journeys back through the story of this football star whose career was tragically cut short, they must unearth the truth behind the death of poor Wally Gimmler. It may be the key to solving Johnny’s murder and the deadly mystery of who is wearing the Caliburn suit.
Why it Made the List: I mentioned it before with this list but it is worth repeating that Peter Warren has impressed me with how well he has adjusted to the comic book format. Not often someone can come from another medium like film and be this successful with their first comic. It starts with creating a mystery that is worth solving.
It all centers on the death of this one character and the first three issues have spent a lot of time showing us why his death matters, while also showing us the people who are most likely responsible. Many writers would do themselves a major favor by checking this series out as a good example of how to build character. Francesco Mobili has also been impressive with his ability to tell this story.
He is doing multiple genres at once here with ease making them all look good. For those who feel the super hero genre has gotten stale we have gotten several books this year that found a new way to approach it. The Tin Can Society has been one of the best.
Writer: Ram V.
Artist: Jorge Fornés
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: An old god has died, and the reverberations of his passing are felt across the universe, setting forth the soldiers of an intergalactic army and awakening the latent powers of a mysterious child on Earth. But this has all been foreseen — prophesized by the Source and fed as enigmatic images to its agent, Metron. Now, as Metron brings word of this cosmos-shattering prediction to the residents of New Genesis and Apokolips, both worlds are thrown into chaos and conflict.
On Earth, Scott Free and Barda find themselves unaware of this incoming chaos while consumed with their most daunting task yet: parenthood. Ram V and Evan Cagle bring the Fourth World to a whole new generation in this epic of cosmic proportions. An old god has died… the New Gods are born!
Why it Made the List: The New Gods have been this resource I have been waiting for DC to bring out once again. Sure Darkseid will show up now and again but the New Gods are more than one character, and those stories are even better when they are outside the context of the rest of the DC universe. So now that we are getting a new book who is DC choosing to tell this story? Ram V. and Jorge Fornés are two choices I can get behind. Looking at Ram V.’s past work, especially in DC his style of storytelling should fit right into this world.
Jorge Fornés is an artist I love but I honestly would have picked him for a book like this because I am more used to his work on crime stories or things more true to life. But it is also important to not put artists into a box so who is to say it will not work? Also, it may speak to the type of story they want to tell. Now writing a good New Gods story is not easy.
Similar to the Inhumans many have tried and failed. What is different this time? For one the creative team and the other DC is firing on all cylinders right now. They have so many good books right now so perhaps this will feed off that hot streak like how teams get empowered by a lively crowd.
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: NEW FRIENDS, NEW ENEMIES! Batman and Alfred have formed a tentative alliance, but the Black Mask has some new friends too… and they’re coming to Gotham to wreak absolute havoc. Plus, discover the dark secret that will rock Bruce to his core and make him question everything…
Why it Made the List: Speaking of DC’s hot streak we have another DC book on this week’s list Absolute Batman #3. People have talked a ton regarding how much it is selling, which is of course great for the business side. At the end of the day what matters most is quality because that will allow those sales to continue once speculation has died down. For my money, I have greatly enjoyed the first two issues. They are truly crazy which was encapsulated with the debut of the Absolute Batmobile.
I could see the argument that this is just the 90s ‘extreme’ coming back to haunt us. I find within the context of the Absolute world it makes sense. Plus these stories are well-made and have a story behind all the insanity. Nick Dragotta is taking the Batman iconography that has been around for generations and is finding new ways to approach it. Some of those are big ideas and others are smaller like the way Batman drapes his cape around his body like a scarf when he wants to go more low-key. Comics need excitement. They need to push boundaries and not just rely on what came before. For a long that that was not the case. Absolute Batman is doing what it can to change that.
5. The Moon Is Following Us #4
Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson, Riley Rossmo
Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson, Riley Rossmo
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: A daring plan has put Sam and Duncan on their back feet. Now it’s all hands on deck to get their daughter back home safe, even if it means they lose everything in the process.
Why it Made the List: I do not know what is in the air but this is the second book this week that focused on a child in peril. Maybe residual effects of the pandemic as so many parents were at home with their kids as the world around them was on fire. That fire hasn’t really been put out. We are just allowed to enter it, and perhaps comic creators are channeling some of those feelings in some of these comics.
It beats crying in the corner of a dark room. Anyways, a bit off-topic there because The Moon Is Following Us has been a stellar series by two of today’s most energetic comic book artists. I love the idea of having Daniel Warren Johnson draw the real-world stuff and Riley Rossmo draw the dream world. Their styles work well together but are distinct enough that you feel like you are entering different worlds.
Credit should also go to colorist Mike Spicer who probably does not give enough credit for how good he is at his job. You can often tell how much a colorist is trusted based on how often the same artists work with him. Clearly Spicer is trusted by Daniel Warren Johnson considering their work with this book and on Transformers. Their work together has yielded some great-looking books.
Writer: Ryan North
Artist: Steven Cummings
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: When N’Kalla – Skrull and adopted daughter of Ben Grimm and Alicia Masters — sees her brother Jo-Venn get in trouble at school and be sent to the principal’s office, she does the sisterly thing… which is, of course, to shape-shift into a double of their father Ben to get him out of it!
And when her cousin Valeria gets in trouble, “Reed Richards” arrives to get her off the hook, and soon “Sue Storm” is excusing Franklin for his misbehavior too… But when she gets caught in her deceptions and grounded, things go from bad to worse when a supervillain attacks and the Fantastic Four are nowhere to be seen! Questions of strength, superpowers, identity and love all come to a head as lives hang in the balance!
Why it Made the List: Fantastic Four is back! Crazy how time flies because I did not realize it has been over a month since we got an issue of this series. For my money, this has been Marvel’s best book of the year and clearly Marvel feels similar as Ryan North is set to lead the major Doom event scheduled for next year. Before we get there it appears we are getting an issue that brings this team back to its roots as we get the return of Mole Man.
I am glad that before we dive into the Event craziness we get a single-issue story this run has been famous for thus far. It’s like getting a nice appetizer before a meal you know will have far too much food. Considering the focus on the Fantastic Four next year this is a good time to jump into this series. Nearly every issue has been welcoming to new readers so you do not have to go back to issue one. Jump in here and you will be fine.
3. Batman and Robin: Year One #3
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Chris Samnee
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: BATMAN AND ROBIN UP AGAINST THE MARONI CRIME FAMILY! The General makes his move, committing a series of bizarre crimes that turn Gotham’s underworld factions against one another and leaving little in the way of clues for Batman. And while things are bad for the Dark Knight, they’re even worse for Bruce Wayne and his teenage ward, Dick Grayson.
But when Batman and Robin are once again called into action, their inability to get on the same page against the Maroni family and Two-Face could cost them both their lives!
Why it Made the List: You remember when I said DC is having a good year right now? Further proof of that with a third DC book making the list, and they could have easily had more as Batman / Superman: World’s Finest #34 also comes out this week. I worried going into this series that my expectations would be far too high it would only be a disappointment. Clearly that is not the case because we have gotten a pure Batman and Robin story. One that is getting into the core of what has made their relationship so important in pop culture for generations.
I love seeing the differing dynamics of Bruce and Dick because they bring out the best of one another. Sure Grayson knows how to get under the skin of Bruce, and that is a major part of the fun. The last issue included using the Wayne Manor’s priceless chandeliers as circus equipment. It is not that Robin does not understand the danger of the moment he simply approaches it differently. This reads so well in single issues but I bet as a complete piece it will be something special.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Darick Robertson
Publisher: IDW
Solicitation: What has been going on in New York while the Turtles have been scattered across the globe? A dangerous district attorney has come into power, and he’s got a grudge against mutantkind. Backed by some powerful benefactors who have designs of their own for the city, he’s doing everything he can to stoke hatred against the mutants.
With the TMNT absent, someone needs to step in and stop this power grab-and figure out who is backing this nefarious new enemy.Enter Casey Jones! Jason Aaron completes his first story arc for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, teaming with legendary artist Darick Robertson, co-creator of The Boys!
Why it Made the List: Now after their solo acts the band is getting back together. Each of the first four issues of Jason Aaron’s run focused on a different Turtle and as we saw with issue four the brothers are once again one. So now the actual story can begin. With those first four issues, we saw Jason Aaron has the voice down for each of these turtles so now the question becomes how well they interact. Also have to call out how great that cover is by Javier Fernández.
Not only does it look great it hints that one of my favorite characters in the Turtle universe will be making an appearance in this issue. Going into this run I worried that I would be lost since I was rather far behind with the IDW series. So far that has not been an issue whatsoever. Now though as we dive back into the larger world will that change? I trust Jason Aaron enough that he’ll be able to link to past storylines without leaving new readers behind. He made a career doing that during his time at Marvel. No reason he cannot do the same here.
Writer/Artist: Joe Sacco
Publisher: Fantagraphics
Solicitation: Joe Sacco is well known as an unflinching chronicler of the injustice inflicted on the Palestinian people (Palestine, 1993; Footnotes in Gaza, 2010). He continues this mission with War on Gaza, a series of graphic commentaries on Israel’s rampage that began more than a year ago and continues relentlessly today.
Published in installments on The Comics Journal’s website, War on Gaza is a series of comics and single-panel illustrations that lay bare the naked immorality of the “war” itself and its dire and tragic consequences. Employing his trademark combination of honesty, compassion, and dark humor, Sacco’s War on Gaza is an uncompromising critique of Israel’s genocide and the complicity of President Joe Biden and the United States.
Why it Made the List: I did wonder if I should include this on this list. This is a list filled with silly things like superheroes and stories that are mostly designed to entertain. Considering that I worried it would be a bit tasteless to include a comic that is focused on such a serious and vital topic. The reason I decided to include it is because the purpose of this list is to bring attention to comics especially ones that may get overlooked. Why do a list like this if not to shine a light on a comic like this that has such a powerful message? Plus it demonstrates what makes the art form of comics so great.
Yes, they can be silly but they can also be used to cover topics of our day. This is not new for Joe Sacco as he is been doing it his entire career. He has been a trailblazer in comic book journalism as he has made some of the most important comics in the past thirty years. I do wonder how it will differ from some of his past work considering it is a collection of comics that were already published.
The reading experience may be different but the craft will no doubt be as impressive as always. As we are in the middle of the Holiday season it can be easy to separate ourselves from the horrors so many are currently under. A comic like this is an impactful reminder of the privilege so many of us stand upon, and the sheer tragedy of what humans can do to one another. The least we can do is try to learn about what exactly is happening.
