Catch It at the Comic Shop October 21st, 2020

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...

Beth's Picks: 

King Tank Girl #1, by Alan Martin and Brett Parson, published by Albatross Funnybooks
After turns at Titan, Vertigo, IDW and several others, Tank Girl lands at yet another new publisher, Eric Powell’s Albatross Funnybooks. Considering it kinda feels like we’re living through a lame version of the apocalypse, this is the perfect time for her return. The recovering toy collector in me (yes, I said recovering – ignore all those Funko Pops and move along, thank you) got a kick out of the preview, where a search for a rare figure is set to commence at “stupid-o-clock” in the morning. Looking forward to seeing where co-creator Alan Martin and cartoonist Brett Parson take us on this adventure. 

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Presents Madam Satan #1, Eliot Rahal and illustrated by Julius Ohta, Matt Herms and Jack Morelli, published by Archie Comics
The Archie Horror line quickly became one of those things that I never knew I desperately needed in my life. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is my favorite of the lot, and the only problem with it is that it comes out so infrequently. While the comics character differs from the Netflix series version, I’ll still be imagining the delightful Michelle Gomez saying every line that comes out of her blood red lips. Long may the queen of hell reign.

James' Picks:

November Vol. III HC by Matt Fraction, Elsa Charretier, Matt Hollingsworth, and Kurt Ankeny, published by Image Comics

I have absolutely adored the first two volumes of November. This is masterful, interconnected, dramatic storytelling in the crime genre. Few people have as much skill with dialogue and narration as Fraction, and all of the words on the page feel completely real. And Charretier is continuing to grow and expand as an artist (from an already high level of skill). I think of her as someone who draws beautiful people, but the dark, beaten-down nature of this city really comes across perfectly. That's also due to the stunning colors of Matt Hollingsworth. It's an incredible team involved in these gritty but humane crime stories, and you need to be reading these.   

Iron Man #2 by Christopher Cantwell and CAFU, published by Marvel Comics

I really enjoyed the first issue of this series. I like the idea of a taking a "back-to-basics" approach with Iron Man, whose tech and armoer have gotten more and more bleeding-edge in recent years. I also like the teaming of Iron Man with Hellcat. It's not one that would have ever occurred to me, but it's a very fun pairing. Cantwell is a talented writer of weird and interesting stories, so I'm excited to see where this goes. And CAFU is an amazing artist. So this is a must-buy for me. 

Dune: House Atreides #1 by Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson, and Dev Pramanik, published by Image Comics

I was so looking forward to the new Dune movie, but we will need to wait until next October for that. However, new Dune content is on its way!  I don't know if I've ever read a Dune comic before, but I'm excited to check this one out. As it's written by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson, who have written all of the modern new Dune books that have served as sequels and prequels to the original series by Brian's father, Frank Herbert. They write very accessible, entertaining stories (often far more accessible than the original novels) so I expect that to translate pretty well to the comics medium. And from what I've seen of Dev Pramanik's work, he's a very talented artist. So this should be a nice pickup for anyone hungry for Dune-related content. 

Sean's Picks:

Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Blood #1 by Paul Cornell, Russ Braun, Dean Motter, Andy Troy, Julie Barclay & many others, published by Ahoy Comics

Everyone’s favorite poet is back as narrator for more hilarious and deeply dark adaptations of Poe classics as well as some non-Poe adaptions and original stories. Ahoy Comics have become synonymous with the phrase “modern vintage comic throwback”. The publishing company have perfected their formatting approach by reinventing an old classic comic trope by giving rebirth to the miniature anthology. Each issue is packed with multiple comics, with the leading story as its driving marketing force, along with the usual handful of shorts, puzzles, and games. This particular title of the reoccurring Poe character brings humor and horror together in a way that only Ahoy can manage. If you have not had the pleasure of reading one of the Snifter of Terror issues from it’s previous two seasons, then I implore you to seek issue one of Snifter of Blood out this week. It’s hilariously disturbing standalone stories are what make this title superior to its peers in print. You may even find yourself digging around in the back issue boxes after having read this one. To add, the beauty of Poe’s Snifter series is that it reads like any anthology would. There is no need to catch yourself up with old issues to know what’s happening in the new one (though you may decide that you will anyway). The Snifter series has become one of my favorites and these collection of shorts are meant to make you laugh and make you shiver. ‘Tis the season. 

Stillwater #2 by Chip Zdarsky, Ramon K Perez & Mike Spicer, published by Image

The town of Stillwater has a well kept secret, and the punishment for any outsider is nothing short of death. We last left Daniel West in the series debut last month as he became the newest outsider to stumble upon the mysterious town. He witnessed things in which caused him to become the latest suspect. Now in detainment, the town judge must decide his fate and how to sentence him while also considering the strange twist of events leading them to believe he may somehow also be a citizen of Stillwater. There is plenty of mystery in this new title and with the as-to-be-expected subtle Zdarsky-charm this is book not to miss.

Bitter Root Vol.2 by Chuck Brown, David F. Walker, Sanford Greene, Sofia Dodgson, Clayton Cowles & John Jennings, published by Image 

The Sangyre family need no introduction any longer after two collected volumes and one Eisner for Best Continuing Series. But...this is a column intended to entice you to read specific books so an introduction is what you will get. It’s 1920's Harlem and the Sangyre family the Jinoo, creatures born from racism and hatred, and the Inzondo, similar but different creatures born out of trauma and grief. This book has all kinds of relevant subject matter reflecting modern society, encompassing every little facet of our nature to coexist...or die trying. Unless, of course, the racist little vicious creatures get ahold of you first.

 

Neil's Pick:

Big Girls #3, by Jason Howard and Fonografiks, published by Image Comics
Jason Howard is onto a winner with his first drawing as well as a writing project. The first two issues of Big Girls have been solid, incredibly immersive and has artwork to die for. Big Girls is all about a science experiment that has gone horribly wrong, an experiment that only affects men. When this new megaorganism affects a human male, they are turned into giant monsters aka “Jacks” and the only thing that can keep them at bay and away from the surviving human race are Big Girls, 300ft female soldiers. The world-building by Howard on this comic has been outstanding, each issue growing the world and characters within it at a perfect pace. And if you know me well enough, I love my giant monster action.

Mike's Picks

Goiter # 5 by Josh Pettinger, published by Tinto Press

I don't know much about this series or its creator, but I'm intrigued in that it looks like a Clowes-meets-Ware mash up of sorts. I feel as if a generation of cartoonists have essentially graduated from this type of anthology format, and I'd like to see what the people they've influenced took away from series like Eightball and Hate. From what I gather, while this is the fifth issue, this set of stories is new, so a new reader need not worry about missing the first four issues. I plan to hunt down this issue, so I'll let you know how it stacks up.

My Riot by Rick Spears and Emmet Helen, published by Oni Lion Forge

I had the opportunity to analyze and review My Riot, an excellent coming of age story set in the early days of the Riot Grrrl movement. I've always thought music comics required a special set of skills to pull off, and Spears and Helen definitely make it happen for this one, capturing the proper feel for the background without letting it overwhelm the core narrative of Valerie's maturation. There is a great feel to this book - part memoir, part documentary - and it truly embodies the restlessness of youth and the importance of finding your own path towards happiness and expression.