Rob's Picks:
There was a lot of buzz about Submerged's first issue, and it lived up to the talk. Refusing to waste time with overly-long setup, Ayala quickly gives us a main character (Elysia) who must risk her own life with a storm brewing to rescue to her always-in-trouble brother. The first issue set up the idea that Elysia isn't just going into the normal subways, with some great mythology allusions (as if her name wasn't enough). This issue is set to delve into the mystery, with a looming natural disaster waiting in the wings. Lisa Sterle's linework is amazing, doing a great job of straddling the real work with its blurring supernatural counterparts. I can't wait to read this and see how the story continues.
Really thinking we should just call 2018 the Year of Sebela and make life easier for when we do our favorites lists. At the rate he's going, Chris can make his own Top 10 without any help. So what's on the docket as Chris joins the Black Crown family of books? A family who believes everyone is against them, of course! It's a paranoid delusion...right? Chris' collaborators are always strong, and McManus' lines really do a great job looking both normal and unreal all at once. Combined with Loughridge's mood colors (something we saw him do in Deadly Class) and some great lettering by Bidikar (who I'm really noticing, in a good way), and this book is gonna be another great ride, with Chris really ramping up the potential horror.
I make no secret that Bat Fudd was my favorite comic of 2017, and possibly my favorite Batman comic of the past 20 years. I don't expect this combination to bear any resemblance to what Tom King, Lee Weeks, and company managed, but this has the potential to be a really silly story with murder and mayhem, instead of yet another Joker Kills Untold Number of People tale. Or maybe it will be. I don't know yet. But the idea that Daffy goes back to ACME and finds the Clown Prince instead...then gets stuck playing #2 just like when Bugs is around really appeals to me. I hope it's as good as I want it to be. (Honorable mention to all the other Looney Tunes/DC books out this week.)
Magneto runs a version of the Wild West, and he's taken Iron Lad. Now what can Blink and her team do to stop him, and how does the Black Panther fit in? (Not to mention, what in Sam Hell are any of these people doing in this time period, anyway?) Saladin continues his mad romp through the Marvel Multiverse, with guest-artist Rod Reis, who brings a more angular look to the characters but manages to match the humor beats of Ahmed along with some great action scenes. This might be my favorite comic on the rack right now.
James' Picks:
I feel like this book flies under the radar. It shouldn't. G. Willow Wilson has been writing a consistently wonderful comic for 5 or so years. Kamala Khan is a fantastic character with a rich world of friends and family, and it's hard to imagine her bring written by anyone else.
I really enjoyed the first issue of this series (review here) and am excited for more. When he's on, Ales Kot is an exciting, edgy, highly intelligent storyteller. And he's paired with Tradd and Heather Moore (on colors). I'm not sure I've ever seen Moore's work look better, and that is saying a lot because he is an off-the-charts talent. This is an interesting, exciting book, worth your time.
I'm skeptical of these sorts of mashups generally. On the other hand, the Batman/Elmer Fudd comic was the best single issue I read in 2017. And this is Lex Luthor an Porky Pig from the writer that brought us Prez, The Flintstones and Snagglepuss? Well, sign me up. If nothing else, I'm sure it will be full of sharp, biting satire.
Danny's Picks:
Not to be outdone by Kirk's Image-heavy last week, Danny joins the Catch-It column and wants you to Make Yours Marvel tomorrow...
Fantastic Four #1: Facsimile Edition by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, published by Marvel
To say I'm riding this high of the return of the Fantastic Four is an understatement, and what better way to celebrate the Marvel's First Family than by enjoying the issue that started it all. Presented in full with all of its original ads, this issue will prove to be a nice reminder of Marvel's "fantastic" (groan) beginnings.
Chip Zdarsky's universe-hopping adventure has done an incredible job of capturing the heart and wonder of FF comics with only two of the team's members. The last couple of issues have taken on a somber tone quite unlike much of Zdarsky's past work, which makes his talent and empathetic writing all the more impressive.
The ever-exciting and delightful Ms. Marvel finally takes a dive into just how Kamala's powers work. This is an area of the character I've long wanted to explore, and what better way to do so than with everyone's favorite everyman villain, the Shocker!
I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to the X-Men, especially the characters associated with the New Mutants and X-Factor teams that came about in the 80s and 90s. But something about Matthew Rosenberg's writing has the uncanny ability to draw you in to each character's distinct personality. Coupled with Adam Gorham's expressive art and Michael Garland's muted yet colorful color palette, New Mutants has become a title I've come to look forward to every month. It is with a heavy heart I say farewell to this miniseries.
Kirk's Picks:
Bone Parish #2 by Cullen Bunn and Jonas Scharf, published by Boom! Studios
I just keep recommending Cullen Bunn books every week. He’s on a tear with all the different ways he’s tackling horror and trying to infuse it with other story genres. Bone Parish is no different. From the amazing twist at the end of 1 (and arguably a perfect 1st issue) the stage is set for a gang led drug war taking place in modern day New Orleans where the dominate crime family has created a new drug from the bones of the dead. A snortable narcotic that lets you relive the deceased past life and memories. The story reads like a Scorcese gangland story told with a Del Toro flair for gothic necromance.
Beyonders #1 by Paul Jenkins and Wesley St. Claire, published by Aftershock
Paul Jenkins is a legend in comics, so when he declared that he wanted to write outside of Marvel and DC in order to be excited about working in the medium again, I’ve watched him closely. His newest book takes that tiny thought that every person has in the back of their head. “What if every crazy thing I believe in that doesn’t make sense in the real world is actually true?” Well, that’s the basis to what happens to the young protagonist in Paul’s newest book. Pitched as a mix of paranormal theorizing mixed with Indiana Jones boobie trap dwelling mystery. Throw in a one-eyed welsh corgi with perpetual flatulence that is seemingly the center of it all and you have a good comic.
The New World #2 by Ales Kot, Trad Moore, and others, published by Image
This books has everything I want in my bleak and hopeless stories about very possible futures that we are heading towards.The US is splinted into new territories thanks to multiple nuclear warheads that were anonymously ignited. A young terrorist dead set to try to take down the corrupt government is now the next victim of a Running Man-esque survival television show and is being hunted by the very woman he slept with in a club the night before. And it’s all drawn by Tradd Moore who's already boundary pushing art style is evolving by leaps and bounds. Buy a second issue for a friend who doesn’t read comics and hook them with this title.
