My Top 10 Comics For May 2017

First issues I read this month include… Black Bolt (very art-house), Jean Grey, the Allred’s weird Bug (it was ok – fans of Kirby’s Gods, etc will appreciate it) and Cullen Bunn’s terrifying Regression.

Marvel gave us the Secret Empire (didn’t read it)

I also didn’t read ten, 5-star comics, so I had to dip into the 4.5 waters for this month's list...

10. The Unbelievable Gwenpool #16 (Marvel) 
Written by Christopher Hastings
Art and Colors by Gurihiru
I was almost pissed off at the end - Ha, they pulled a fast one on me. Did they fool you too? Weird but interesting, I wanna know more. Thank God Gurihiru is back on art chores, the book is never as good when they are gone.

9. Jean Grey #1-2 (Marvel)
Written by Dennis Hopeless
Art by Victor Ibanez * Colors by Jay David Ramos & Chris Sotomayer
Let’s hope Hopeless does for this series what he did for Spider-Woman, by giving it a lot of heart and well developed characters. The first arc sets up a confrontation with the Phoenix. Can this Jean avoid her fate?

8. Letter 44 #33 (Oni)
Written by Charles Soule
Art by Alberto Jimenez Alburquerque * Colors by Dan Jackson
The first of the final 3 chapters of this sci-fi epic: we now know the “whys”, now comes our protagonist’s last ditch efforts to save what they can of humanity. Endings have never been Soule’s strong suit, so while this was a good first step in the final step, all I can do is cross my fingers that he can finally stick a landing clean. 

7. The Wild Storm #4 (DC) 
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by John Davis-Hunt * Colors by Steve Buccellato
Hmm, Engineer’s tech smells a lot like Stark’s Extremis upgrade from another book Ellis wrote. Did the armor always bleed through her pores or is that a recent addition? Very little progress on the plot but the dialogue is scintillating and scathing.

6. Shade, the Changing Girl #8 (Young Animal)
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Art by Marley Zarcone * Colors by Kelly Fitzpatrick
The situation on Meta is spinning out of control, while on Earth Loma takes a psychedelic tour of Gotham.  This groovy stream of consciousness is like 60s new wave cinema, a little “Daisies” if you will. And it took a 2nd read-through before I could get into it, but once I did... well, here it is among the 10. Oh, Love Becky Cloonan's cover.

5. Mother Panic #7 (Young Animal)
Written by Jody Houser
Art by John Paul Leon * Colors by Dave Stewart
Now this is more like it. We get dense, moody art that’s grittier (as it should be, it suits the tone of series) and a story that gets back to the lost girls (one girl in particular) seen at the end of the first arc. More of Violet’s past is shown, we learn how her powers work (or don’t, in this case) as our anti-hero reluctantly takes on the mantle of hero. Also, mom is a puzzle, how does she know what she knows?

4. Spider-Gwen #19-20 (Marvel)
Written by Jason Latour
Art by Robbi Rodriguez * Colors by Rico Renzi
With crossover done the book gets back to business. Even though it’s using the Spider-Man mythos for its stories (here it’s a new spin on venom), I’m still engaged and looking forward to seeing how Gwen handles the situation. There’s humor (the text message bit) but mostly it’s a dark set-up, and Latour sure knows how to make you hate his villains (first Castle, now Murdock). In issue 20 we are introduced to a couple of X-people.

3. Harrow County #23 (Dark Horse) 
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art and Colors by Tyler Crook
Not a lot of scares, it’s a strong character based issue with plenty of intrigue on the fringes.

2. Shipwreck #4 (Aftershock) 
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Phil Hester * Colors by Mark Englert
I love a story that surprises me, that hints that not all is what we think it is. Is our hero really the hero? What made the baddie (?) do what he did… and what of those cryptic comments he makes, the underlying hatred/resentment he has for Shipwright. Can’t wait to see what is revealed in future issues of this weird miniseries.

1. East of West #33 (Image)
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Nick Dragotta * Colors by Frank Martin
Ah, the things you do for love. Plus, fate deals a nasty hand for one of the chosen. Hickman once again writes the book of the month (though in April it was with Black Monday)

My Honorable Mentions:
Red Hood and The Outlaws #10, Wicked + The Divine 455 AD #1, American Monster #6, James Bond: Service Special #1, James Bond Felix Leiter #5, Judge Dredd: The Blessed Earth #2

Writer of the Month: Johnathan Hickman

Artist of the Month: John Paul Leon (Mother Panic)

To June

Back to April

My Top 10 Comics For April 2017

April brought a shower of interesting first issues: Readers got to enjoy the detailed art work of Geoff Darrow on Shaolin Cowboy: Who’ll Stop The Reign? And James Stokoe on Aliens: Dead Orbit (both Dark Horse title). There's a new Batman/Shadow story from DC & Dynamite, IDWs sequel to "Mega-City Zero", Judge Dredd: The Blessed Earth from writers Erick Freitas & Ulises Farinas, AfterShock's World Reader, and Image offered up several interesting debuts, including Plastic (starring a serial killer and a sex doll) and Redneck (a vampire tale from Donny Cates) 

Also at DC: Batman and the Flash teamed up in a crossover in which they investigate the mystery of the blood stained smiley button.

Graphic Novel of the Month

Street Angel: After School Kung Fu Special by Brian Maruca & Jim Rugg
Jesse's back, yay! While I prefer her in B&W, this colorful, oversize hardcover told a slight, yet highly entertaining story.

10. The Wicked + The Divine #28 (Image)
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Jamie McKelvie * Colors by Matthew Wilson
God-powered teens consumed by fame and power; who are left to their own devices? Yeah, that’ll end well.

9. The Wild Storm #3 (DC) 
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by John Davis-Hunt * Colors by Ivan Plascencia
That opening bit confounded me at first, but on a re-read I came to appreciate it – it’s quite a brilliantly choreographed sequence. After that, the blood gets pumping with a violent rush of action that lets the (wild) cat out of the bag. Sublime and nuts in equal measure.

8. Harrow County #22 (Dark Horse) 
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art and Colors by Tyler Crook
It’s a philosophical battle, rather than a physical one between these friends. I read one reviewer who felt this debate showed how Emmy might not always be in the right. I disagree; I felt Bernice was narrow-minded, uncompromising and hot headed. (For example, Emmy comes up with a peaceful solution to a problem, and then Bernice rushes in and responds with violence)

7. Judge Dredd: The Blessed Earth #1 (IDW)
Written by Ulises Farinas & Erick Freitas
Art by Dan McDaid * Colors by Ryan Hill
I haven’t read the previous mini, but the writers do a good job of making the current state of the world pretty clear. Think of it as Old Man Logan, only with Dredd clinging to the past and trying to re-establish order in this wild west wasteland.

6. Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Bullets #23 (Image)
Written and drawn by David Lapham
Funny issue, but I actually felt bad for Beth’s mom. She’s trying to do the domestic bit, but doesn’t have a clue. I’m glad she did the right thing at the end, good for her.

5. Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye #7 (Young Animal)
Written by Gerard Way and Jon Rivera
Art by Michael Avon Oeming * Colors by Nick Filardi
Poignant tale, as Carson goes through a dark night of the soul. Superman(?) offers some wise and inspiring words, and hell comes to the surface world. Great stuff, but I had to laugh when they pixelated Cave’s nudity. Apparently in Young Animal-land you can swear like Jack Nicholson in the “Last Detail”, show blood and dismemberment, and a woman’s bare breasts. But a man's naughty bits? Nuh uh, no way... come on Cave, keep your Superman underoos on at least!

4. Black Hammer #8 (Dark Horse)
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Dean Ormston * Colors by Dave Stewart
Gail’s tragic back-story revealed, plus a cliffhanger to die for (literally!) This series is like a trip to the Twilight Zone – creepy, mysterious and heartbreaking.

3. Injection #12 (Image)
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Declan Shalvey * Colors by Jordie Bellaire
I love this supernatural, technological, black comedy detective story (phew, that's a mouthful) This ish breathlessly races from one plot point to another, introduces some great new characters and deepens the mystery, all while leaving a chill down my spine. Ah Ellis, you mad, impertinent genius, I could kiss your brain.

2. Shade, the Changing Girl #7 (Young Animal)
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Art by Marguerite Sauvage * Colors by James S. Rich & Molly Mahan
Beautiful art from Sauvage and a story that fills us in on Loma’s origins. Morality in this tale is a tangle, for example: it is Loma’s nature to steal, but giving in to that nature hurts others. And while you want to see her live her dreams, free of the prejudice and restriction on Meta - achieving that dream has resulted in Lepuck’s torture (and she expresses little concerned for his wellbeing.) Later in the issue, she is betrayed by an Earth friend as a result of Megan’s sins. Nothing is clear-cut and easy, no one’s hands are clean. 

And now Shade is moving on to the next chapter of her life. It’s a road trip. Next stop Gotham.

1. Black Monday Murders #5 (Image)
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Tomm Coker * Colors by Michael Garland
Money isn’t enough: To gain power you need subjugation... the blood, sweat and tears of the masses. Depressing but powerful book - And I like how the page count allows the story to breathe, it never feels hurried.

Honorable Mentions: Red Hood and The Outlaws #9, The Unbelievable Gwenpool #14, Monstress #11, Batman/The Shadow #1, Doom Patrol #6, Plastic #1

Artist of the Month: Marguerite Sauvage (Shade)
Writer of the Month: Hickman (Black Monday)

To May

Back to March

My Top 10 Comics For March 2017

March saw the end for two of Marvel’s spiders (Black Widow & Spider-Woman). Plus, the Inhumans vs X-Men event came to a close, which gave us new leadership for both teams (Kitty took over in X-Men Prime #1)

A grimmer Iron Fist hit the shelves with a first issue written by Ed Brisson (writer of the grim Image comic “Sheltered”). 

DC published four 1-shots teaming their superhero's with their Hanna Barbera line. I read the Green Lantern/Space Ghost book, it was alright. 

10. Mother Panic #5 (Young Animal)
Written by Jody Houser
Art by Shawn Crystal * Colors by Jean-Francous Beaulieu
Bounces back after an off- month. Although I miss the grit Edward’s brought to the art (which was more fitting) the issue delivers on the psychological hooks and barbs emblematic to the series. Back-up is heating up in good and curious ways.

9. Copperhead #11 (Image)
Written by Jay Faerber
Art by Drew Moss * Colors by Ron Riley
The series makes its welcome return! The artist seems to be trying to keep to the style of what came previously, so it's not a jarring transition (though I prefer Godlewski. Moss' figure work can be a bit stiff). Story is as wonderful as ever. Nice twist at the end. One reviewer complained that it sets the relationship with Boo back to zero... but I'm not so sure he isn't working an angle. Conducting an investigation from the inside?

8. The Wild Storm #2 (DC) 
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by John Davis-Hunt * Colors by Ivan Plascencia
Ellis is stirring the plot points well, but needs to sharpen up the character work for those of us who are fuzzy on who these people are (and what they are all about.) I kind of feel lost in a maze right now. Still it’s a fascinating tale, with a lot of info to unpack.

7. Invisible Republic #13  (Image)
Written by Gabriel Hardman & Corinna Bechko
Art by Gabriel Hardman * Colors by Jordan Boyd
Watch out for the radicals among radicals, they always throw a monkey wrench into the works.

6. Harrow County #21 (Dark Horse) 
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art and Colors by Tyler Crook
Dark fairy tale-like atmosphere with an unexpected reveal (and a tricky one at that, I hope Bunn can pull this off because it seems rather a ‘left turn’ at first glance)

5. Doom Patrol #5 (Young Animal)
Written by Gerard Way
Art by Nick Derington * Colors by Tamra Bonvilain
What a humdinger, this issue sails from one character and conflict to the other. It’s a rush - love seeing the team come together and that last page teases another welcome return.

4. Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Bullets #22 (Image)
Written and drawn by David Lapham
Beth, just… Beth. ‘nuff said

3. Injection #11 (Image)
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Declan Shalvey * Colors by Jordie Bellaire
It’s back - with its dry wit intact, a new dark mystery to unravel, and Brigid in the spotlight. (While Headland’s a hard act to follow, she seems an interesting character as well). 

2. Lazarus #26 (Image)
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Michael Lark * Colors by Santi Arcas
The series briefly returns with this tense and horrifying issue that introduces us to a new and unstoppable Lazarus. Lark really kills it here, the fight choreography is without peer.

1. Shade, the Changing Girl #6 (Young Animal)
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Art by Marley Zarcone * Colors by Kelly Fitzpatrick
What a thriller and a chiller, I'm breathless. This is basically a ghost story, and Megan’s a scary Poltergeist, stalking Loma and making her life a living hell. I felt last issue was repeating itself, while this issue needed more pages (especially for the climactic end battle). I guess that’s the hazards of modern comics – you have to end issues on a cliff hanger, and bind an arc within 6 issues… rather than letting the tale flow naturally. Never the less the first arc closes with a heart pumping bang (next in our horror story... Rosemary’s Baby?) Not only that, but things are really getting crazy on Meta

Honorable Mentions
East of West #32, James Bond: Felix Leiter #3, Black Hammer #7, Moonshine #6


To April

Back to February

My Top 11 Comics For February 2017

Rucka introduced The Old Guard (I didn’t care for it) 

Warren Ellis ended one book (Karnak) and began another (The Wild Storm)

Super Sons debuted at DC

Daredevil’s friends and foes were given solo series… Elektra, Bullseye and Kingpin, oh my!

The covers to Image comics included a 25th anniversary logo. The publisher dominated the month, and pushed Young Animal out of my top list for the first time (though YA did fill out the Honorable Mentions)

11. The Unbelievable Gwenpool #12 (Marvel) 
Written by Christopher Hastings
Art and Colors by Gurihiru
The gang is (mostly) all back (YAY!), Gurihiru returns to art chores (double YAY!) and I like how Gwen -the girl who knows our universe like the back of her hand- flusters that arrogant jackass Arcane, who I’ve always hated (triple YAY!)

10. Jessica Jones #5 (Marvel) 
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Michael Gaydos * Colors by Matt Hollingsworth
I love how Secret Wars still resonates a year later. And while she wouldn’t fit tonally in this book, this does slot nicely into themes presented in Gwenpool, and appeals to my own rather solipsistic musings: Nothing matters if nothing is real. I enjoyed the conversation Ben had with Luke (so true) but has Jess really lost faith and gone to the dark side? What I admire about this issue is how Bendis is addressing this fictional world, but what going on in real life, politically, socially, even us as fans and how we react to comics.

9. Tomboy #10 (Action Lab)
Written by Mia Goodwin
Art and Colors by Michelle Wong
While I got lost with some of the plot details (I need to go back and read this series as a whole) I'm drawn so completely into its mythology and characterization that it didn’t detract. Great dialogue, strong art

8. The Wild Storm #1 (DC) 
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by John Davis-Hunt * Colors by Ivan Plascencia
I’m not all that familiar with these characters so I appreciate the interviews and such that were included in DCs January publications (I‘d have been lost without it). This sets up the chess board: reveals the players, the organizations they work for and establishes the conflict. Snappy dialogue from Ellis (Duh), nice clean line work, stark colors on the art. I like the overall design sense, the way issue numbers will be marked off, etc.

7. Monstress #10 (Image)
Written by Marjorie Liu
Art and Colors by Sana Takeda
The trio’s journey to the isle of bones continues. This was Nightmarish, and loaded with weird mythic creatures and ghosts. It’s like Miyazaki, if Miyazaki adapted Dante's Inferno.

6. Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Bullets #21 (Image)
Written and drawn by David Lapham
Funny, dark and Beth being Beth (who’d you think she was going to hit with that pot?) 

5. Karnak #6 (Marvel)
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Roland Boschi * Colors by Dan Brown
What a depressing end to the mini. Karnak comes off petty, and the true villain in this tale.

4. Moonshine #5 (Image)
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by Eduardo Risso and Colors by Risso and Cristian Rossi
Sets-up the coming gang war by adding new players and a twist at the end. Incisive character work and world building continue to be the hallmarks of this series.

3. The Wicked + The Divine #26 (Image)
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Jamie McKelvie * Colors by Matthew Wilson
Gillen mixes pulse pounding action and character defining debates to great effect. The Pantheon has split in 3 and I’m looking forward to seeing how each group addresses this new threat.

2. East of West #31 (Image)
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Nick Dragotta * Colors by Frank Martin
I can’t say it any better than the IGN reviewer did when he called the issue…  “a striking meditation on power, resistance and the way simple actions can have far-reaching consequences.” Hickman introduces new characters while the regulars continue their games of death and deceit. (To borrow a line from Shang Chi). Brilliant!

1. Revival #47 (Image)
Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Mike Norton * Colors by Mark Englert
So it's over, and I don't know that a comic has ever made me cry the way this issue made me cry. So many tears streamed down my face I might have to buy a new copy (mine got a little wet). What a special series, what a beautiful and powerful end. RIP Revival, you will be missed.

Honorable Mentions
Shade, the Changing Girl #5, Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #5, Mother Panic #3, Red Hood and the Outlaws #7, Super Sons #1, Kill or be Killed #6, Spider-Woman #16, Amazing Spider-Man #24, Black Widow #11

Writer and Artists of the Month  

The Revival gang: Tim Seeley, Mike Norton, Mark Englert (not pictured), Crank and Jenny Frison

To March

Back to January

My Top 10 Comics For January 2017

The New Year brought us a ‘youth friendly’ Wasp from Marvel, and a bunch of m’eh JL One-Shots from DC.

Dynamite’s James Bond franchise continues its hot streak. This month they published the first issue in a Felix Leiter mini (which is rather Sky Fallish, in that were likely to see the rise of a fallen man)

10. New Super-Man #7 (DC)
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Art by Billy Tan * Colors by Hi-Fi
The teams splits off with Kenan finding a mentor, while the Bat shows Wonder Woman a whole new, neat world. Superb.

9. Jessica Jones #4 (Marvel) 
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Michael Gaydos * Colors by Matt Hollingsworth
Character work is as strong as ever, and Bendis finally lets us in on the plan and shows us why Jessica has been acting the way she has.

8. Shipwreck #3 (Aftershock) 
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Phil Hester * Colors by Mark Englert
As Bendis did with Jessica Jones this month; Ellis does here - shinning an illuminating light on what the heck is going on… well, some of it. And it looks like the books not founded on the psychological or metaphysical (though there are elements of both) – what we got here is some fringe science fiction. 

7. Revival #46 (Image)
Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Mike Norton * Colors by Mark Englert
Holy cripes this series has become a roller coaster ride. This issue is dark and cruel, but it’s also about love and family. It’s about those who kill for want of power and control, and those who make sacrifices for better good. In 3 words, it’s moving, fierce and merciless. 

6. Harrow County #20 (Dark Horse) 
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art and Colors by Tyler Crook
With each revelation, each new horror and challenge, Emmy becomes a stronger, wiser, more confident figure. On her shoulders rests the success of the series and right now it’s on an all time high. In this ish, fixing one mess might have opened up new troubles.

5. James Bond: Hammerhead #4 (Dynamite) 
Written by Andy Diggle
Art by Luca Casalanguida * Colors by Chris Blythe
There’s a lot going on here, story borrows liberally from For Your Eyes Only and The World is Not Enough. Excitement and strong character work are the hallmarks of the issue.

4. The Unbelievable Gwenpool #10 (Marvel) 
Written by Christopher Hastings
Art and Colors by Gurihiru
A riot of action and hilarious bad puns (The Poole Boys? HA HA HA!) Gwen gets back on track with this thrilling showdown… which ends on a sad note and an anti-hero set on a reckless new path.

3. Moonshine #4 (Image)
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by Eduardo Risso and Colors by Risso and Cristian Rossi
There’s not much to add, it’s moody, the characterization is incredibly sharp, it’s simply superb in all areas.

2. Doom Patrol #4 (Young Animal)
Written by Gerard Way
Art by Nick Derington * Colors by Tamra Bonvilain
Incredible world and character building going on here, as we swing (primarily) between two tales, each is compelling in their own way. Both connect dangling plot threads from previous issues, and they each set a major character on a path of self-actualization (Maslow would be proud). 

1. Shade, the Changing Girl #4 (Young Animal)
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Art by Marley Zarcone * Colors by Kelly Fitzpatrick
While there’s a certain worrisome redundancy creeping in (Loma’s monologuing about the differences in her current and former body), this issue does hit a few new beats. Loma’s being trapped here is a neat twist. And I liked seeing her getting a high off kindness and how it leads to an epiphany at the end - hinting that Megan’s accident was no accident. The art continues to be a groovy treat, with melting madness, Megan sprouting multiple heads, and her parents suddenly turning into children, then teenagers, then adults as they sit and talk with their kid on the couch.

Honorable Mentions: The Wicked + The Divine #25, Invisible Republic #14, Hulk #2, Spider-Woman #15, Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye #4, Felix Leiter #1

Writer of the Month

Gerard Way (Doom Patrol, Cave Carson) 

Artist of the Month

Eduardo Risso (Moonshine)

To February

Back to December