I did however try 3 from Aftershock: Jackpot, Rough Riders and Black Eyed Kids... all were promising. But what has become of American Monster?
In addition I sampled 2 first issues from Dynamite: I liked Bechko’s Miss Fury, but found Valentine’s Xena rather bland
A new publisher entered my world, Darby Pop, with their book, Bruce Lee: the Dragon Rises. A fun, light mystery, co-written by Lee’s daughter.
On the other hand, I was not impressed with IDW’s Micronauts #1 or the 1st issue of Black Masks 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank.
At Marvel there was the start of the Spider-Women crossover - and while the 2nd issue of Mockingbird left me cold (too silly, none of the puzzling weirdness of the 1st issue), the insubordinate mayhem in Gwenpool #1 more than made up for it.
As for DC?
Graphic Novel of the Month
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Jamie McKelvie * Colors by Matthew Wilson
The band (meaning: creative team) is back together and the book is so much better for it. Laura (?) returns as well, and with her comes a whole hell of a lot of fireworks and shit hitting fans.
Written by Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Art by Chris Samnee * Colors by Matthew Wilson
It’s not deep, or saying and doing anything new with the character, it’s just a visceral spy thriller that pushes the pedal to the floor and never lets up
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Roland Boschi * Colors by Dan Brown
Black humor and twisted violence coupled to philosophical musings. Karnak’s one interesting, scary dude… who can even find weakness in a sound.
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Ian Burtram * Colors by Dave Stewart
Horror set at the famous Winchester House. The art and script delivers a palpable feeling of madness that crawls under your skin and burns like fever. It reminds me of Poe, in its atmosphere, and disturbing imagery and characters.
Written by Thompson, Latour and Hopeless
Art by Del Rey, Bengal, Ford and Jones
The first month in the Spider-Gwen, Silk, Spider-Woman crossover was a great success. It’s funny, shows some heart (as when Cindy meets her alt-universe family) and the interactions between these ladies rang true. It acknowledges what’s going on in each title, so it’s a story that fits snugly in the Spider-verse, and doesn’t read like some random, crossover money grab.
Written by Frank Tieri
Art by Inaki Miranda & Elia Bonetti * Colors by Eva De La Cruz
I’m not overly familiar with the False Face Society (I see they appeared in flashback in Catwoman Vol 3 #62), and don’t know who Selina’s old boyfriend is (has he appeared previously?) So this was kind of like an Elseworlds story for me. But I enjoyed it immensely: The plot-line held my interest, and has me curious to learn more. Oh, and judging by those final pages, I’m guessing Black Mask really dug Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight?
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Delcan Shalvey * Colors by Jordie Bellaire
I’m astounded by critics who act as if this book has 2 disparate sides to it. I don’t get that, because this issue further illustrates -concretely- that everything is tied together. The injection has an agenda, it’s learning by testing its creators in the areas of their expertise. And in doing so, it’s discovering our weaknesses, exploiting our fears. The final page also continues to show how disconnected Robin is from the group, and how dangerous that could be. There is no tonal discordance here, it all lines up smartly, logically and it is still –as it always has been- a technological horror story, tinged with black humor.
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Nick Dragotta * Colors by Frank Martin
The leader of the Endless has a waking dream, Death walks into a bar (and that’s no joke). And President Archibald Chamberlain serves up a pointed discourse on religion and the unwashed masses. Good stuff as the book and characters are as impertinent and blood soaked as ever.
Written by Tom King
Art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta * Colors by Jordie Bellaire
Opening this comic is like stepping through a doorway to hell. The Vision has attempted to create the perfect nuclear family, only to discover that suburbia’s a nightmare - ever more so for the outsider.
Written by Christopher Hastings
Art and Colors by Gurihiru * Prologue art by Beyruth & Bonvillain
Very meta, as the character (from our reality) is aware that she’s now living in a comic book. Art and colors on the main story were strong. Humor is funny and in poor taste – writing bounces around, reflective of its ditzy protagonist, and was overall entertaining and fun. Rather Harley Quinn-like. I’ve read this comic 4 times now, so yeah, it struck a chord.
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Steve Epting * Colors by Elizabeth Breitwesier
Velvet executes her most audacious plan yet, in the most audacious, impossible issue to date! We also see her weary, guilt ridden - the grind of this game is getting to her. The tale really opens things up, plot wise - the conspiracy is bigger and twistier than I expected.
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Sean Phillips * Colors by Elizabeth Breitwesier
What a beautiful, terrible, joyful, somber story about a boy and his low life father on a twisted road trip… brightened by one brief moment of friendship. Those final pages left a lump in my throat. Poor kid, no wonder he grew up the way he did. The quality of the art and script is beyond genius, structurally this is one of the finest things I've ever read in comics.
Hon Mentions: James Bond #6, All-New Wolverine #7, Harrow County #11, Amelia Cole #28, The Double Life of Miranda Turner #9, Letter 44 #24
Writer of the Month
Ed Brubaker (Criminal, Velvet)
Artists of the Month
Sean Phillips (Criminal) & Elizabeth Breitweiser (Criminal, Velvet)
Art Panel of the Month: From Karnak #3
Head Writer, wide awake nightmare... bids you salutations citizens of Earth!
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