Rocket Salvage #1
Only one debut this week, but plenty of other comics to talk about, including some artistic changes, and upcoming titles. Nate Simpson‘s Nonplayer #2 is finally happening! I may finally buy an Archie comic, and Stjepan Sejic continues to be awesome. Plus more!
Reading List
Rocket Salvage #1 – The moment I saw the solicitation for this title, and the cover specifically, I was completely on board. It just grabbed my eye, and then refused to let go. The premise also did a fair job of keeping me interested. A washed up mechanic? A dysfunctional and odd family? An intergalactic manhunt, plus rocket racing? What part of that doesn’t sound like a good ol’ time. Plus Archaia rarely disappoints, definitely a top pick from Yehudi Mercado & Bachan! If you get one comic this week, make it this one!
The Multiversity: Thunderworld #1
The Multiversity: Thunderworld #1 – Grant Morrison is doing Captain Marvel (or is it Shazam) with Cameron Stewart on art! Yeah, these are the guys that brought us the madcap Seaguy, and the same guys that collaborated on issues of Batman & Robin, as well as Seven Soldiers of Victory. To say that these two have collaborated successfully in the past is an understatement. Plus, The Multiversity has been something special so far – highlighting the diversity of DC’s universe through a lens that only Morrison can deliver. Get this comic!
Cyclops Vol. 1: Starstruck – Greg Rucka has become one of my favorite writers, and is it any wonder with the likes of Lady Sabre and the Pirates of the Ineffable Ether, Lazarus, Stumptown, or Veil. Suffice to say that the moment it was announced that he would be writing a new Cyclops comic for Marvel, that I threw away any preconceptions I had, and I decided to check out the title. I was rewarded with a solid father/son adventure, and with gorgeous art from Russell Dauterman. My only disappointment was that the run only lasted five issues, which nonetheless are collected here. If you missed out, or prefer trades, then you should get this!
Lumberjanes #9
Lumberjanes #9 – This is the issue that should never have happened. The series was initially planned for eight issues, until it went and got everyone to fall in love with it. Then there was no choice but to expand it into a legit ongoing. So here we are, and so here are some campfire stories as well. Featuring the writing and artistic talents of Shannon Waters, Noelle Stevenson, Faith Erin Hicks, Brittney Williams, Aimee Fleck, Becca Tobin, Carolyn Nowak, Felicia Choo, and T. Zysk. Perfect opportunity to check out the awesomeness that is this comic!
Alex + Ada #11 – This title has at times been a slow burn, but over the course of the past ten issues it has still built up tension. Ada has gained consciousness. Panic over android violence is at all time high. Friends & family have become involved. In short, the web on intrigue, love, and danger has grown, and if you are not reading this title, you’re clearly doing it all wrong. Equally a story of romance and one that tackles that all-important question of what it means to be human. Great work from Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn. Check it out!
Stjepan Sejic & Rat Queens!
After a case of domestic abuse involving Rat Queens artist & co-creator Roc Upchurch was made public, he was first taken off of the series, and second left a gap of uncertainty around the title. Not only was Upchurch the artist on the title, but also a co-creator. The whole premise of the title was clouded by his actions, how can you portray strong female characters, when you’re responsible for such violence. Surely problematic, and certainly something that’s left some fans bewildered and prompted some to drop the series, after no longer identifying with it.
While it doesn’t make any of these issues go away, there is however one artist that can make things somewhat more okay, and that is Stjepan Sejic, who has just been announced as the new artist on the series. He is one of the few guys out there that gets how to portray women of different body types and temperaments, and can also do sexy art without cheapening the characters being portrayed. Very exciting, and should still make Rat Queens a title worth buying going forward.
Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 3
David Petersen’s Mouse Guard is an excellent comic-book of mice and medieval lore. It is also a comic that does not come out very often. Thankfully, there’s always the Legends of the Guard volumes that help us tide over the long waits, and also allow a variety of talented artists riff on the theme. A hey, there’s a third one coming out in March! Some of the artists announced so far:
- Skottie Young
- Ramón K. Pérez
- Dustin Nguyen
- Becky Cloonan
- Mark Buckingham
- Hannah Christenson
- Humberto Ramos
Nonplayer #2 Is Real!
I remember getting the first issue of Nonplayer, and I remember loving it. Then I remember waiting for the second issue, I remember updates saying that it would still happen, and now I can finally say I remember the day when it was announced it would finally be a reality. Good news! Plus we may getting a re-issue of the hard to find first issue as well. Rejoice, and seriously well worth tracking at this point! Nate Simpson‘s art is gorgeous!
Mark Waid & Fiona Staples’s Archie
Not much to say here, except that Archie is being relaunched, and that Mark Waid is writing, and Fiona Staples is doing the art on the first three issues. Thankfully this won’t affect her schedule for Saga, so good news there. Also, oddly this means I will read my first Archie comic ever… These are easily two of my favorite creators in comics, and I cannot miss out on this. Take heed, and keep an eye out for this, you could well be reading your first Archie comic soon as well!
Josh Tierney, Afu Chan, & Giannis Milonogiannis’s HaloGen
The names Josh Tierney, Afu Chan, & Giannis Milonogiannis may sound familiar thanks to the excellent Spera, also brought to us by Archaia. Now they’re collaborating on a new title called HaloGen, and it looks & sounds great. Scifi elements, a god, and an organization searching for said god. Look for it in March!
