Comics may be back but they are not at full force. There have been some highlights but this week feels like the preliminary rounds prior to the main event. Despite the lack of comics in both number and quality, I was able to put together a list of 10 books I enjoyed from this past week.Â
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Russell Braun
Publisher: Dynamite
Description: Twelve years after the events of The Boys, Hughie finds himself back home in Scotland where he intends to finally marry Annie in the company of friends and family. But the sudden appearance of a peculiar document sends our hero into a tailspin and threatens to bring the events of his nightmarish past crashing down on him in the worst possible way. There was one story about The Boys that Hughie never knew. Now, whether he likes it or not, he’s going to.
Why It Made the List: I could see a lot of people who enjoyed The Boys Amazon series picking this up and being disappointed with what is inside. Considering the hyper-stylized series that was full of abrasive action an issue that is mostly two individuals talking about themselves and the world may not be what people expect. Garth Enis is better at dialog than people give him credit for and when they brought up the Corona Virus I was caught off guard. Comics touching on world issues is not new, but due to the time, it takes to make them rarely is something that is still headline news directly referenced. It also made me realize how long we have been in our current state of the world.Â
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Veronica Fish
Publisher: Â Archie Comics
Description: Because you demanded it: Volume Two of the critically acclaimed Sabrina the Teenage Witch series by Kelly Thompson and Veronica & Andy Fish! Sabrina saved the day-saved her friends, her family-the whole town of Greendale really, and she should be riding high. But things are never quite that simple. She’s trapped in a love triangle, she’s having trouble balancing the mortal and witch parts of herself, oh yeah, and she’s being blackmailed. As if all that wasn’t enough, while trying to help Radka and Ren with their…supernatural problem, her aunts suddenly starting to look like people she can’t trust. What’s a teen witch to do?!
Why It Made the List: I was not sure if this should count since it was actually released digitally prior to Diamond“s shutdown, but due to the limited week, it felt like the right move to have it qualify. This version of Sabrina is bringing it to a lighter side to fit more into the standard Archie universe. Supernatural high school level drama is right in the wheelhouse of Kelly Thompson as this issue introduces a lot of sticky drama. Even if you were to remove the supernatural pieces you have a solid book of the challenging life of being a high school student.Â
Writer: Anthony Del Col
Artist: Joe Eisma
Publisher: DynamiteÂ
Description: Teen detectives Frank and Joe Hardy have investigated many crimes in their lives, but nothing that hits this close to home. Their best friend died mysteriously after taking down a major crime organization. They must put together the clues to uncover the truth about this shocking crime, but the clues lead them to a stunningly unexpected direction!
Why It Made the List: Dynamite has made it a mission to take properties that are running on empty and breathe new life into them. How do you get people to care about a character again? Well, killing her is a start. This is basically an old school noir detective story inside the world of aged up kids novel. It may be a novelty but for this issue, but it is a novelty worked. Having the ending it does reshapes where I thought this series could be going. It may be an obvious direction but feels like the right way to go with this property.Â
Writer: Jeremy Haun
Artist: Danny Luckert
Publisher: Boom! StudiosÂ
Description: Daisy has taken the mysterious Leland Black up on his even more mysterious job offer, giving her a new outlet to exorcise her demons – but her visions of the Red Mother are only getting worse, and Daisy is beginning to doubt her own reality.
Why It Made the List: Each issue of Red Mother has opened with similar imagery as this grotesque monster welcomes you creeping ever so slightly from the background to the foreground. This works as a reminder that Red Mother is always there. Red Mother is this metaphorical expression on the way past trauma remains with us even after the event has passed. How your viewpoint of the world can quickly change as your ability to feel safe diminishes. Shame keeps you from seeking help from those that love and support you causing the pillars in your life to crumble bit by bit. What it is saying is evident and how it is saying it is extremely effective. Placing you within the mind of Daisy to feel her fear. The best horror stories are those that are more about the scares and with this book, you have just that.Â
Writer/Artist: Walt Simonson
Publisher: IDWÂ
Description: In the uttermost depths of Helheim, Thor and Ratatosk reach their goal and discover the fate of the ruler of the dead, Hel herself. She offers a bargain to the God of Thunder, but is any bargain with the daughter of Loki worth the price? And Ratatosk makes a discovery that threatens to break all bargains, something hidden in Helheim that even Hel herself fears.
Why It Made the List: Talk about some old school comic book storytelling. Walt Simonson“s history with the character of Thor is well documented, and count me as one of those who believe he still had the best run on Thor to this date. Ragnarök has kept much of that magic going just through a different lens. Thor speaks with the authoritative nature of an immortal Viking god on the ultimate quest to save his world. Simonson can still bring it when it comes to the book“s art as well. Watching a skull head Thor ride on the back of a giant raven was pure fantasy joy. Anyone who was a fan of Simonson“s past work will find much of what they loved from his past work evolved for a new era.Â
Writer: N.K. Jemisin
Artist: Jamal Campbell
Publisher: Young AnimalÂ
Description: Tensions in the City Enduring are high as the Emotion Exploit””the mandatory genetic tech that strips citizens of their emotions in the name of peace””is up for referendum. But Jo“s attentions are divided when Councilor Marth makes a surprising and distinctly emotional overture”¦
Why It Made the List: Far Sector is approaching the superhero genre in a different way for an ongoing series. Placing the characters and their relationships as the primary focus of the series with the superhero action as a seasoning to spice things up when necessary. Emotion is the conflict and understanding how it impacts you is the dilemma. When the conversation mentioned reacting to protests in violent means it was impossible to not think of what is going on in our world today. Books like this are needed as they speak universal truths within a supernatural setting. Jamal Campbell draws in such a gorgeous style. It is one thing to make massive splash pages look good it is another to focus on fundamental storytelling and character interactions. What could easily be dry scenes are brought to life to convey vital emotion.Â
Writer: Curt Pires
Artist: Alex Ditto
Publisher: Comixology
Description: Reeling from the events of the third chapter the kids question what to do next. Plus: The return of Don Thunder. The shocking conclusion to the first volume of the comic of the year is here!
Why It Made the List: On last week“s list I mentioned how I was concerned about this issue because there seemed to be a lot of room to cover for this story to end properly. That concerned appeared realized when there was a false ending that was an unsatisfying way to end this story. Luckily, that was just a mirage hiding the true finale. Not every problem or question was answered but the general story does feel complete with enough room to keep things going for a future volume. Perhaps my favorite part of this issue is how it starts. Beginning with the focus on our main antagonist and his journey to the final confrontation. Building suspense rather than jumping right back to where we left off.Â
Writer: Sabs Cooper
Artist: Justin Richards
Publisher: Vault Comics
Description: “The darker side of home life has Sadie pushing Wes to help discover more about their powers. The true discovery ends up being a friendship built-in no small part-around Bryan Adams sing-a-longs and a dog named Chester. If only the good days could stop the bad.”
Why It Made the List: We are currently in a golden age for all-ages comics. Despite that, the world of weekly comics is still limited when it comes to books geared to or appropriate for a younger age. So when a book like Finger Guns comes around it is something to cherish. Love the use of primary colors this has as it catches the eye and has the type of color palette that will work great for younger readers. This also demolishes the idea that ”˜kids books are soft“ because this tackles some devastating issues including what it is like coming from an abusive household. How having real power in your hands may not be enough to solve your greatest problem. A story like this can start a very necessary and tough conversation.Â
Writer: Aurelien Ducoudray
Artist: Jocelyn Joret
Publisher: Ablaze
Description: Polly and her sister Sue are here to stay. Some of the boys are OK with that. And others… well, let’s just say they’re not taking it too well! Can all the KIDZ adjust to this new reality? While still managing to successfully fend off the insane zombie apocalypse happening all around them?
Why It Made the List: When reading this issue of Kidz I completely forgot this was a book about zombies. Kids playing truth or dare is a trope we often see but something about the innocence of how it was executed within this story made it work. How what started as a fun game made a sharp turning learning the truth of what it is like to lose your brother to zombies when you are only a kid yourself. As simple as it may be these kids feel like real kids. Kids who are trying to adapt in the only way they know how.Â
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Aaron Campbell
Publisher: DC ComicsÂ
Description: As Noah“s mother lies in the hospital, deep in a coma with no prognosis of awakening, John Constantine makes the acquaintance of a rapacious spirit””one with a terrifying significance for all of England.
Why It Made the List: Count this as one of those weeks where the number one comic was heads and shoulders above everything else that came out. Similar to Ragnarök, this series reminds me of comic books of yesteryear. I love the comics of today. I would not do a list like this if I did not. Still, one of the biggest issues with the comics of today is how single issues are not complete stories. They tell a larger story that are divided among a number of issues. If you are not there from the beginning you will not have a point to jump in. Anyone could pick this issue off the shelves and get everything they need from beginning to end. We learn there is an evil spirit at the hospital and Noah and eventually Constantine work to fix the issue. A literal haunting tale that lives within its eerie atmosphere. Aaron Campbell’s sketchy art gets you in the right headspace to make this story work.Â
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- A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.
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