Welcome to Catch it at the Comic Shop, where the Panel Patter team looks at what's coming out at your favorite store or digital device this week. Each one of us that participates picks up to five items due out this week, with a little bit about why we like them. (NOTE: We use solicitation material for this, so if we miss creators, please talk to your publisher!) Sometimes we might only have a few items to share, other weeks, keeping it to five will make for hard choices. Here's what the team wanted to highlight this week...
James' Picks:
Man-Eaters #1 by Chelsea Cain, Kate Niemczyk, and Lia Miternique, published by Image Comics.
A lot of people have been very excited for this first issue of Man-Eaters (I'm one of them). Given the terrible way Chelsea Cain was treated by "fans" on the internet, people were excited to see how she (and her Mockingbird collaborator Kate Niemczyk) would respond. Well, I'm here to tell you that the first issue of Man-Eaters is a fantastic book that comes out swinging against misogyny, the patriarchy, and all manner of hypocrisy and bullshit. It's funny, political, bold, sharp social satire, and an engaging first issue (like the Handmaid's Tale or Bitch Planet, but funny?). The story and back-matter and who look and feel of the book are all excellent. This first issue is going to make a lot of people very happy and will make other people furious (I know which side I'm on).
Shanghai Red #4 by Christopher Sebela, Joshua Hixson, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, published by Image Comics.
Shanghai Red is one of the best comics being published. Chris Sebela is on a mission to write all of the best comics, and it's going pretty well so far, with this, Heartthrob, Crowded, House Amok. Anyway, this is an intense historical drama and revenge story with moments of occasional humor. Sebela's writing works perfectly with the fantastic art from Josh Hixson, who keeps getting better and better. This is a must-read.
Heroes in Crisis #1 by Tom King and Clay Mann, published by DC Comics.
I don't know what to expect from this series. A big event centered around a tragedy at a superhero recuperation center? Superheroes and PTSD? I'm not quite sure what to expect, but Tom King has me confident that this'll be an interesting, intelligent read. I'm loving both Batman and Mister Miracle right now, and curious to see where this all goes.
Black Panther #4 by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Daniel Acuña, published by Marvel Comics.
I'm loving the current Black Panther storyline. Still not quite sure what's going on, but that's fine. It's big epic, heroic, sci-fi superheroes, with stunning art from Daniel Acuna. This is a huge, fun read.
Rob's Picks:
Rob's Picks:
Faith:
Dreamside 1 by Jody Houser, MJ Kim, and others, published by Valiant.
Faith
is in hiding after being framed, but she can't stop being a hero, especially
for her friends. But this time, she's in over her head as the solution requires
mystical assistance. Jody Houser continues her amazing work with Faith, making
her a character we can relate to and one whose flaws show up, but not in a
forced manner. The art keeps a light tone (wait till you see the kaiju), but
has a strong emotional cord. Faith is one of my favorite characters and I am so
glad to have her back.
Shanghai
Red 4 by Chris Sebela, Joshua Hixon, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, published by
Image Comics.
Red
(or is it Jack) goes straight to the top in their search for vengeance, but
continues to find the quest is more than it appears in a phenomenal issue of
one of the best series of 2018. Chris's plot grows to a fever pitch here, with
several set pieces including an amazing fight sequence drawn perfectly by
Hixson. The end panel has one of the best cliffhangers of the year so far, too.
Great stuff!
Justice
League Odyssey 1 by Joshua Williamson, Stjepan Sejic, and others, published by
DC Comics.
Cyborg, Starfire, and AzBats in deep space using a
Brianiac ship, fighting to free enslaved alien refugees alongside...Darkseid?
What in the absolute hell? That sounds preposterous and therefore right up my
alley! With one of my favorite artists on board in Sejic, I'm ready to board
this strange ship, and i give DC credit for being this weird. AzBats in space?
Come on!
