Rob's Picks:
Assassinistas #2 by Tini Howard, Gilbert Hernandez, Rob Davis, and Aditya Bidikar, published by IDW
Her former partner's son is kidnapped, so what does Octavia do? Brings her son and cutie boyfriend into the family business to try and rescue him, of course! This farcical take on the retired assassin trope has been great start to finish, and this issue is no different. All of the characters seem to have some small idea of how absurd this all is, but carry on anyway, as Octavia and her son struggle with the elephant in the room, namely that she's the reason he can't be in college playing video games and making out. Howard's dialogue is hysterical, Hernandez' art is great (of course) and Davis' colors are just jarringly bright enough to offset everything. This is an easy favorite rolling into the start of 2018. Go read it now!
James Bond: The Body #1 by Ales Kot and Luca Casalanguida, published by Dynamite
Ales Kot is known by me for two things, his desire to evoke Grant Morrison and his absolute hatred of the establishment. That's why I am absolutely baffled and intrigued by the idea of Kot working on a James Bond book. This story, which appears to be set around a medical exam, looks like it's going to focus on the toll being a secret agent takes on a person. That's very Kot-like, but will it mesh with Bond's character? Only one way to find out!
Made Men #5 by Paul Tobin, Arjuna Susini, Gonzalo Duarte, and Saida Temofonte, published by Oni Press
Tobin's romp with corrupt cops, mad science, and more finishes its first arc about the same way it started--violently--and I wouldn't have it any other way. Susini and Duarte match Paul step for step, this time drawing everything from Bendis-like grids to crotch-kicking. It's a good time as usual, and I hope there's more Made Men in the future. In the meantime, grab this to finish up (and get the first 4, too, if you didn't already).
James' Picks:
Kill or be Killed Vol. 3 TP by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips and Elizabeth Breitweiser, published by Image Comics.
I've enjoyed Kill or be Killed. It took a while for it to grow on me but I've come to appreciate this as a very different sort of dramatic noir story than those that this team has told in The Fade Out and Fatale. This story has a fantastical element, and is also a psychological study of vigilantism along with maybe being a study of mental illness. As always when it's Sean Phillips on art and Elizabeth Breitweiser on colors, you know it'll be a gorgeous comic.
Dept. H Vol. 3 HP by Matt and Sharlene Kindt, published by Dark Horse Comics.
Dept. H is a great, insightful, deep (pardon the nautical pun) psychological study of all of the many suspects in a murder mystery, and a fantastic tale of undersea adventure and peril. The Kindt's do wonderful work on art here, as the book effectively conveys the oppressive sense of being trapped at the bottom of the ocean, as well as bringing many other environments to life. This is a great book.
The Mighty Thor #703 by Jason Aaron, Russell Dauterman and Matt Wilson, published by Marvel Comics.
Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman have been doing some pretty legendary work on The Mighty Thor. You really owe it to yourself to catch yourself up, as they've been telling some wonderful stories of a very different Thor (to be distinguished from the Odinson, who's the more traditional Thor). This Thor is a complex and interesting stories, and the creative team has balanced big, gorgeous action and emotional, personal stories. Dauterman is an incredible artist, and perfectly complemented by uber-talented colorist Matt Wilson.
Days of Hate #1 by Ales Kot, Daniel Zezelj, Jordie Bellaire and Tom Muller, published by Image Comics.
It's been a while since I read a comic by Ales Kot, but I'm pretty excited about this one. He's taking on the current political moment, with a dramatic and emotional story. I'm very curious what he has to say. I'm also excited for this book because Kot has a talented artistic partner in Daniel Zezelj, whose work I really enjoyed in Starve. This should be interesting.
Mike's Picks:
Brilliant Trash # 3 by Tim Seeley and Priscilla Petraites, published by
Aftershock Comics
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Tim Seeley’s post-human cyberpunk
series. The first two issues have been a complete whirlwind, and the action has
been as quick as it’s been intense. Newcomer artist Priscilla Petraites and
colorist Marco Lesko collaborate to create a bright tone for the series, a
unique choice for the cyberpunk genre, but one that works well with Seeley’s
over-the-top characters.
Super Sons # 12 by Peter Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Jorge Jiminez, and
Tyler Kirkham, published by DC Comics
There are certain books that hit every month,
and Super Sons reaches its one year anniversary as a member of that special
category. Finishing off the Super Sons of Tomorrow crossover, we’re jumping
into a new status quo for Damian and Jonathan. Tomasi and Gleason craft strong
denouement, and I’m looking forward to the cathartic release in this issue.
Amazing Age # 5 by Matthew David Smith and Jeremy Massie, published by
Alterna Comics
And so ends one of my favorite superhero
mini-series of the past few years. Amazing Age has been a wonderful meditation
of sorts on the power of creativity and a metaphor for friendship. This book is
a celebration of the meaningful escapism a typical superhero comic can provide,
and it reminds its readers of the simple joys of picking up a comic as a kid,
when our worlds were devoid of continuity concerns and reboots and all the
other distractions from the pure joy of reading a fantastical tale.
Flutter Vol. 3 by Jennie Wood and Jeff McComsey, published by 215 Ink
I remember when I first read the initial volume
of Flutter, one of 215 Inks first big hits as a young publisher. Flutter was
ahead of its time, both in composition and content. Wood uses shapeshifting as
a vehicle to discuss gender identity and fluidity, concepts that were still
taboo to most mainstream pop culture audiences in 2011 when Wood and McComsey
self-published the first issue.
