My Top 11 Comics for May 2016

* DC made news by marrying the old with the new and introduced Rebirth -and their Hanna Barbera line- to a waiting world. I also heard good things about Johns final issue of Justice League, but I trade wait on that book, so it will be a while before I know this for myself. Oh, and they revealed a new logo.

*  Marvel launched their next event, Civil War II. And while some books are losing steam after strong first issues (Widow, Mockingbird, Power Man & Iron Fist), they still placed the most titles in the top 10, with 3.

* With Image it’s the much the same as it has been all year. A lot of my favorites simply weren’t published. What did make the list however, was stellar.

11. House of Penance #2 (Dark Horse)
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Ian Burtram * Colors by Dave Stewart
Enter the Winchester house, and you enter an expressionistic nightmare come to life. Open the pages of this comic (if you dare) and you’re hit by a blast furnace of insanity, wrought by grief and fear. 

10. The Wicked + The Divine #19 (Image)

Written by Kieron Gillen

Art by Jamie McKelvie * Colors by Matthew Wilson

The conflict escalates, the mystery deepens… but knowing Gillen, can we expect the old switcheroo? I trust nothing right now, not even the word of a mechanical owl.

9. The Unbelievable Gwenpool #2 (Marvel)

Written by Christopher Hastings

Art and Colors by Gurihiru * Prologue art by Beyruth & Bonvillain

Things just got real in this unreal world. Gwen’s trying to figure out the angles and is discovering that losing a friend hurts as much in the comic world as it does in the real one. In addition there are lots of laughs, Thor was used well and the art is a dream. I’m eating this series up.

8. Karnak #4 (Marvel)

Written by Warren Ellis

Art by Roland Boschi * Colors by Dan Brown

I have a feeling Karnak subscribes to the notion that ‘Hell is other people’… in a very literal sense. Issue is thin on plot, heavy on action as the Inhuman struggles to find the weakness in a difficult opponent. And he finally meets the kid he’s supposed to save, only to discover that the kid doesn’t want saving. He’s found his place in the world, with his Church and his art… in some ways he’s a more sociable, equally as dangerous Karnak.

7. American Monster #3 (Aftershock)

Written by Brian Azzarello

Art and Colors by Juan Doe

This dark pulpy tale is a couple months late, and I’ve lost track of a few details. But it hooked me: from the mystery surrounding the lead character, to the unvarnished look at small town America. Azz’s script is razor sharp; the art is draped in shadow, with colors that pop.

6. Catwoman #52 (DC)

Written by Frank Tieri

Art by Miranda, Mhan & Cafaro * Colors by De La Cruz, Sotelo & Starr

Tieri taps into Agatha Christie style storytelling (with folks standing in a room explaining who did what.) all while highlighting Selina’s uncompromising and free spirited personality. I like seeing Catwoman the thief, racing off into the Gotham night. I also like how it signs off with the promise that Kitty and Mask’s feud is far from over. I’ll miss you kit cat, don’t stay away too long.

5. East of West #25 (Image)

Written by Jonathan Hickman

Art by Nick Dragotta * Colors by Frank Martin

The gathering of chosen is marked by verbal daggers and a surprising arrival. Plus Death is joined by a rhyming eye. Oh, and I smiled when I saw that one of the bounty hunters was named "Psalm 137". The psalm speaks of Babylon as oppressor and ends with "Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks." And you know Death wasn't going to go for that. Clever, clever Mr. Hickman.

4. Bandette #13 (Monkeybrain)

Written by Paul Tobin

Art and Colors by Colleen Coover

A sweet, funny, exciting close to the arc: And not only do we get a hint at Bandette’s back-story (it’s not much, but it’s intriguing and whets my appetite for more), but there’s a villain who is still at large - so she finally has found her Moriarty it seems.

3. Monstress #6 (Image)
Written by Marjorie Liu
Art and Colors by Sana Takeda
Closes the first arc in explosive fashion, while revealing more about the charcaters: who –or what- they are and what drives them. Breathtaking and violent in both art and story. .

2. The Vision #7 (Marvel)

Written by Tom King

Art by Michael Walsh * Colors by Jordie Bellaire

What a moving, bittersweet, creepy, sad story. The issue is a walk down memory lane and covers Vision and Wanda’s relationship. I found it rather Vertigo-like (the movie, not the publishing line), with the Vision trying to reclaim something he’s lost.

1. Rachel Rising #42 (Abstract Studios)

Story and Art by Terry Moore

I normally trade wait on this horror series, but with this being the final issue, I went for the singles. And it was worth every extra penny, as this finale was everything that made the comic wonderful. It had nuanced stories and characters, it could be dark and violent, but also had a sense of humor and a lot of compassion. I’m going to miss spending time with Rachel, Jet, Zoe, Aunt Johnny, Earl, Lilith and the other witches and residents of Manson, Wisconsin.

Honorable Mentions: Future Quest #1, Harrow County #12, Spider-Gwen #7

Writer/Artist of the Month

Terry Moore (Rachel Rising) - for his line work and expressive features, for the satisfying and unexpected way he tied things up (and left things open)

Cover of the Month

Jenny Frison, Revival #39

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