A few first issues from Image I sampled: The Beauty (about an STD that makes people gorgeous) and Gillen & McKelvie’s return to the world of Phonogram (Immaterial Girl), which I have a love/hate relationship with. (Gillen gets too wrapped up in superficial style and hipster jerks, and doesn’t focus on what really makes music magical and alive)
Honorable Mentions: Gotham Academy #9, JLU #12, Constantine: The Hellblazer #3, Wonder Woman ’77, Hank Johnson: Agent of Hydra #1. Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #3, Runaways #3, 1872 #2, Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #4, Trees #12, Bandette #11, Harrow County #4
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta * Colors by Jordie Bellaire
While I liked Captain Marvel and Runaways a shade better, I’m giving my +1 to this one... because it’s the last one. This issue sums up and ties ups the philosophical character study Bunn conducted through his run. It offers a reflective overview on the violent life of Magneto, who all too late finally sees the light and comes to realize what fueled his life, and how he did more to harm than help his people. Magneto #21 was a wise, melancholic, fitting end to a top-drawer series.
Written by Robbie Thompson
Art by Stacey Lee * Colors by Ian Herring
Cindy gains some info about her family, there’s foreshadowing on that post Secret Wars tease… but best of all are the touching scenes between her and Spider-Man. That honest human element is what makes this series extra special: Cindy is hard headed, resolved, but also shows off her vulnerable side. I like her, and I am as concerned for her as Peter is.
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jason Fabok * Colors by Brad Anderson
The Darkseid War continues! Reading this made me feel like a geeky kid again, I'm mean this arc really taps into the inner fanboy... what with Batman acquiring the knowledge of a God, and two powerhouses squaring off in battle. What a rush! Geoff Johns, take a bow. So far this is right up there with your better Green Lantern and JSA stories.
Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Mike Norton * Colors by Mark Englert
Engaging look at the complicated relationship between the sister’s Cypress - as their father learns Em’s devastating secret. Also, the General makes the connection between the revivers and those ethereal entities that haunt these Wisconsin woods. What will she do now that she’s armed with this information?
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Delcan Shalvey * Colors by Jordie Bellaire
Warren Ellis adds more pieces to this strange puzzle. We learn that the “injection” is an actual “thing” this organization created to goose future innovation, but somehow it backfired on them. There’s still so much that I don’t get, but I’m sensing that this is a kin to the writer’s brilliant” Planetary”. Oh how I love these colorful characters and the weirdness of it all.
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Nick Dragotta * Colors by Frank Martin
The solicit indicated that this issue would take us inside Machine City, which it does (and it’s beautifully designed by Dragotta). But the comic is actually more about the PRA and their philosophies and machinations. It also puts the spotlight on Doma and reveals that there’s more to her than originally met the eye.
Written by Marguerite Bennett & G. Willow Wilson
Art by Jorge Molina * Colors by Laura Martin
The Thor’s are a bunch of arrogant dickweeds, and as such help ratchet up the urgency, but the relationship between the heroes is what makes this series special. And the art really sells that, from She-Hulk’s pained expression when she thinks Medusa has betrayed her, to Medusa’s reassuring wink, and in the touching scenes between our youngest heroines where one consoles the other.
Written by Greg Pak
Art by Aaron Kuder * Colors by Tomeu Morey
A community unites (though judging by the state of his apartment, there are those who are still fear and hate), and we have a body snatcher style invasion that’ll no doubt push Clark to his limits. Kuder’s art is so expressive - delivering all the power, the pain and the humanity infused in Pak’s breathtaking story.
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art and Colors by Tula Lotay
Brutal in its cynicism, the issue speaks specifically to the abhorrent treatment of women online etc, but also relates to certain types of musician or artist. We finally meet Tara and frankly, with all the build-up I expected this to be lighter, comedic - or for Tara to be a jerk. But she has the soul of a poet and is hated simply because she doesn’t play the game. She desires to be more than just a pretty face and an object of desire, performing superficial commercial hits for the masses. What happens to her is damned heartbreaking and frustrating. Gillen makes an important statement here, my only quibble is that he only tells the sad side of the story. There are people who WOULD have loved & supported her; and listened & appreciated the music and poetry she wanted to share.
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Sean Phillips * Colors by Elizabeth Breitweiser
While this is a slow brewing tale, I find it an incredibly intense one, and the characters are so fascinatingly flawed and mysterious. Charley learns a few things in this ish but there is so much more to uncover.
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Steve Epting * Colors by Elizabeth Breitweiser
Don’t tell the male operatives (who think they are in control), but they are playing right into this spy-fatale’s plans. The dream team of Brubaker, Epting & Breistweiser delivers an ultra-cool tale of espionage and betrayal that hits familiar genre buttons, but is as intense and exciting as if new.
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Ben Caldwell * Colors by Jeremy Lawson
Between Donald Trump and Deez Nuts, the politics in this book should no longer be looked at as absurd and over the top, but down right prescient. The title speaks to me, and my belief that the whole damn world has gone mad. And Beth's inaugural address echoes my own social/political beliefs. The comic is razor sharp (critiques on Amazon and market society. The clever Zizek analog) and makes me laugh out loud (as in the crass moment where TV viewers are asked to "click on the weeping orphan" in order to make a donation to a disaster relief fund). In addition to world building, writer Russell is now building on Beth’s personality, with Ben Caldwell an able partner in this endeavor. His bright, expressive art is cartoonish but that suits the real (but just as cartoonish) material it’s satirizing.
Mark Russell (Prez) with a nod to the fine work Brubaker and Gillen put forth.
Steve Epting (Velvet) edging out Kuder and Caldwell
Art Panel of the Month
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Head Writer, wide awake nightmare... bids you salutations citizens of Earth!
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