DC published 1st issues for Cyborg and Bombshells (digital first) and set JLU on a new direction. While closing the book on the Vertigo title, Fables, with its 150th issue.
Marvel introduced their upcoming stable of titles in a free Sneak Preview comic (which was just a series of covers), and unleashed more, new event tie-ins - Some I enjoyed (Spider-Island, 1872) some were so/so (Star-Lord and Kitty Pryde) while others left me cold (Civil War, and the structurally sloppy Siege.)
Matt Fraction finally put his Hawkeye series to bed after months of delays.
Between the event and their Star Wars stuff, the publisher once again dominated market shares in June. Look for continued sales supremacy throughout the summer and beyond. It’s Marvel’s world, we just live in it.
And the rest…
* IDW’s July was filled with neat EC style variants and a new first issue each week of the month. Among them, the Star Trek/Green Lantern crossover, an adaptation of Richard Matheson’s The Shrinking Man and Godzilla in Hell written and drawn by James Stokoe, the talent behind the brilliant “Godzilla: Half Century War”.
* Dynamite added Will Eisner’s the Spirit to its roster
* Even without The Fade Out, Velvet and East of West, Image had a great month, and hosted yet another Expo where they presented a slate of their forthcoming titles. The most exciting for me were the twin horrors - Greg Rucka & Nicole Scott’s Black Magick and the re-teaming of Ellis and Lotay on Heartless.
* Oh and the Ant-Man movie was released. It was pretty darn good too. A superflick as heist film, loaded with action and plenty of laughs.
Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick & Kelly Thompson
Art by David Lopez * Colors by Lee Loughridge
Stirring story. Helen is still Helen in any world, craving what Carol has (while the others simply want the truth). DeConnick writes a damn good drama. And I empathize with the ladies desire to know what's out there - to explore and seek the truth on their own, and to hell with just swallowing whatever Doom feeds you.
Written by Dan Slott
Art by Adam Kubert * Colors by Justin Ponser
The Parker's are a realistically written family unit that I care for and empathize with. And in Peter we see a loving father and husband, who will go to any lengths to protect his family, even if it damns his soul. This is an extremely touching story, with a sense of urgency running throughout.
Written by Gabriel Hardman & Corinna Bechko
Art by Gabriel Hardman * Colors by Jordan Boyd
The first arc in this geopolitical riff on Arthurian legend concludes on a high note. Various threads come together as past and present story-lines collide. And the character work is exemplary: these are fully formed, flesh and blood people, with Arthur established as demagogue and Maia following only because she desires freedom over State servitude.
Written by Warren Ellis
Art and Colors by Jason Howard
Ellis composes a tale rich in character, and centered on a cryptic conversation of revenge, but its artist Jason Howard who does the heavy lifting this month. Much of this book is imagery without words, and those pictures and colors say a lot. I was duly impressed by the contrasts: Scotland is calm, bucolic, with beautiful soft blue skies and full billowy clouds. While New York is blood red - awash with despair, filth and death. And the scene transition back to Scotland, where the scar from a bullet becomes the similar looking “source of all things”? That’s an edit worthy of a David Lean film. I also like the similarities between the ancient standing stones and the trees. Is there a connection?
Written by Jeff Parker
Art by Travel Foreman * Colors by Jeremy Cox
Jeff Lemire’s take on the Canadian arm of the JL never fully clicked with me. But a new direction written by a different Jeff convinced me to give the book another shot. The results… Success! This electrifying issue features an interesting mix of heroes and villains, brought together for a specific task (fixing anomalies caused by Convergence). I got a real charge out the strange story and Travel Foreman’s art, which lends the title a creepy vibe
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Doug Mahnke * Colors by Will Quintana
What intrigues me about “Truth” is how it’s breaking down the Superman architype to show us the man beneath and what effect this change in status has on different aspects of his life, ala: partnerships (Batman/Superman), work (Superman, set before the reveal), community (Action Comics) and his relationship (Superman/Wonder Woman). In this issue I really felt the connection between the couple, their love and mutual respect: I like the scene where Diana tends to Kal’s wounds. I like how she tries to protect him in the fight (and how he looks out for her, by taking Reverse Flash’s legs out from under him). And that ending is a wealth of possibility. Superman has been pushed to the breaking point. Will he push back, or use reason?
Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Mike Norton * Colors by Mark Englert
Em hunts the killer of her friend and “Holy guacamole”; she is one scary, relentless force of nature! Don’t mess with this mother… and she is that literally. The scene where we see her wearing a bloody ’Joker-like’ smile and crazed eyes as she feels her baby kick for the first time, put a chill down my spine. Tim Seeley stirs the plot and does great character work (the scene where Rodney experiences Jeannie’s memories was poignant, and wonderfully illustrated). And that cover gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Michael Lark* Colors by Santi Arcas
Proof that you can’t judge a book by its butt-ugly cover, Lazarus returns to my Toppermost list with a jaw dropping cliff hanger and several scenes set at the Carlyle home base that gets us back to the political intrigue, drama and strong character work that made this series special in the first place. Michael Lark’s cinematic choreography and eye for detail adds so much to the stories impact.
Written by Jim Zub
Art by Steve Cummings * Colors by Tamra Bonvillain
Wayward has ever been an exhilarating thrill ride, but this issue upped the ante and expanded the scope of the story. As Jim Zub noted in the backmatter: “We weren’t just riffing on teenagers fighting monsters. Wayward is about the role of mythology in the modern world and the new inexperienced gods of this era clashing with traditional powers of old.” This new plot reveal resulted in the best issue to date. Not only that but we got not just one, but TWO Zack Davisson essays on Japanese mythology.
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art and Colors by Tyler Crook
Crook and Bunn are doing beautiful work here. The language, the art and the characters have completely won me over. Things have changed pretty quickly for our young heroine, who might be destined for wicked things, but is determined not to give in to her dark side… unless you push her.
Written by Greg Pak
Art by Aaron Kuder * Colors by Tomeu Morey, Hi-Fi and Blond
Another piece of the “Truth” crossover – this powerful story draws from contemporary issues, but also takes me back to the politically charged 60s, and shows the extent of Kal’s courage. The art was emotional and sweeping. And though having 3 colorists contributes to a lack of uniformity, that’s a small quibble for a comic as smart and moving as this.
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Ben Caldwell * Colors by Jeremy Lawson
Pop-up ads that follow you everywhere, politicians pictured as gossipy teenage girls, End-of-Life bears… it all makes for one hilarious social/political satire. How Beth takes the office is cutting and witty, as we see backroom wheeling and dealings backfire. I also like that what she says in her class about the Roman Empire, sums up the series thematically... You either evolve or die.
Honorable Mentions
Marvel: Amazing Spider-Man #19.1 * Master of Kung Fu #3 * Secret Wars #4 * Weirdworld #2 * Old Man Logan #3 * Runaways #2 * 1602: Witch Hunter Angela #2
DC: Catwoman #42 * Gotham Academy #8 * Justice League #42 * Doomed #2 * Harley Quinn and Power Girl #2 * Effigy #7
Image: The Wicked + the Divine #12 * Injection #3
Monkeybrain: The Red Panda #11 * Amelia Cole #23
and Hex11 #4 (from the small press HexComix)
Greg Pak (Action Comics)
Jason Howard (Trees)
Art Panels of the Month
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Head Writer, wide awake nightmare... bids you salutations citizens of Earth!
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